ADF – Author M. A. Phillips

What a Decade! What a year!

Truly, the last ten years have been transformation for me, and 2019 was, overall, a grand end. I entered the decade a newly married woman with a new job, new apartment, and new community. I had to start from scratch making friends and learning the land. My Druidry grew, especially in the first fiveContinue reading “What a Decade! What a year!”

Identity

I’ve been ruminating on my identify for the last month. Much of it has involved my association with ADF. You can read about what happened on The Social Justice Druid’s Patreon. Many of us in the community are still processing it all. I know some have decided to leave. Some are stepping back. The wholeContinue reading “Identity”

If at first you don’t succeed…

I’ve mentioned this before, but I’m working through the Initiate Path of ADF. The Dedicant Path took me three years to complete. The IP is taking much longer. The biggest hurdle for me is finding the quiet time and mental space to complete the work. My career is exhausting. Keeping house is exhausting. My daughterContinue reading “If at first you don’t succeed…”

A Pre-Ritual Prayer

Ah, that crazy time leading up to a ritual. As Senior Druid of Northern Rivers Grove, organizing the celebrations is often my responsibility. I embrace it, though it is quite an offering of time and energy. There was recently a conversation on one of the ADF groups about how ritual leaders feel following ceremonies. ManyContinue reading “A Pre-Ritual Prayer”

My Summer Plans

It’s interesting to look back to last summer. At this time, we were preparing to make an offer on our home. We were heading into new territory and some of the worst stress I remember experiencing. It was a lesson on patience and austerity, that’s for sure, but it was worth it. Here we are,Continue reading “My Summer Plans”

Persevering

My spiritual community was recently rocked with news on allegations of sexual misconduct by our late founder, Isaac Bonewits. While the initial accusations occurred before ADF was founded, others have come forth with more experiences. Like others in ADF, I’ve felt a mixed bag of emotions. Mostly, disappointment, sadness for the victims, confusion, listlessness, andContinue reading “Persevering”

A Gift

I’ve been reviewing Dedicant Path submissions for several years now. Since I already feel stretched thin with life’s demands and acting as a Senior Druid for my grove, doing this feels like a good way to give back to my religious community. While I had a couple frustrating ordeals, the overall experience has been positive. Continue reading “A Gift”

Pagan Parenting: 12 Days of Solstice Chain

Three Cranes Grove is doing their annual 12 Days of Solstice-Along starting tomorrow! Like other ADF Druids, I try to follow along in some capacity each year. Now that my daughter is a little older and more aware, I wanted to do something different to make it very kid-friendly and also help us keep track ofContinue reading “Pagan Parenting: 12 Days of Solstice Chain”

Let’s Finish the 30 Days Magical Roots Challenge

Oh my goodness. Where has the time gone? For those curious, I’m all moved into my new home! Huzzah! It was a stressful process that disrupted my spiritual practice, but sacrifice is necessary for change. I’m starting to get back into things, though. With that, I want to tie up loose ends and finish theContinue reading “Let’s Finish the 30 Days Magical Roots Challenge”

Flame-Tending Reflections

From sundown on July 27 to sundown July 28, I kept Brighid’s flame. It wasn’t a continuous, literal flame. As the daughter of a former firefighter, cat owner, and mother, there are times when I need to put it out. I always say a prayer when I do: Though I put the flame out inContinue reading “Flame-Tending Reflections”