Solitaires
The Solitary Druid
Not every druid belongs to a grove. Many ADF members practice their druidry as solitaires, either out of choice or necessity. ADF values and supports the solitary practitioners in our community through training, online rituals, and clergy office hours.
Solitaires in ADF
Solitude is not a liability. In solitude we may become contemplative, centered, and discerning.
Solitude is the staging ground for real, transformative change.
Enter into the silence, and we will enter with you.
Solitaries face unique challenges. Our practice must be self-directed, self-motivated, and many times self-designed. We have books to guide us, and websites to reference, but we often lack a sense of direction around our practice.
ADF supports our solitaires with opportunities to connect with other members and with resources, training, and the Solitary Druid special interest group.
What is the Solitary SIG?
Originally formed by Chris Sherbak in 1993, the Solitary SIG began as a centralized group to provide support and assistance for ADF solitaires, to address their issues within ADF, to help connect them with one another, and to advocate their perspectives and positions with ADF Leadership. The Solitary SIG has been ADF’s internal network of solitary Druids for 20 years. In addition to the SIG Coordinator, ADF solitaries have indirect representation to ADF Leadership through the Regional Druids of their respective ADF geographic regions and the ADF Members Advocate. (Scroll down for more on ADF Leadership.)
In recent years, the Solitary SIG has become centered around communications which take place on ADF’s listserv network (i.e. “Forums). For those that prefer e-mail communication and threaded discussions, this is a valuable method of communication. You can also find ADF solitaries on the ADF Solitary Facebook page or ADF Solitary group here on the website.
Resources
Solitaire Email List: Subscribe to the Solitaire email list, our main discussion forum. Go to the Forums page to subscribe, and to find out more about ADF’s variety of other special interest lists.
Regional Druids: Get to know your Regional Druid. They are your ally, and they are here to help. You can discuss current ADF issues with them, and through them develop a good relationship with ADF leadership. If you are unsure what region you are in, go to the ADF Regions page to find out. If you do not know whom your Regional Druid is, go to the Regional Druids listing to find out.
Regional Email Lists: Contact your Regional Druid to find out if your Region has an email list, and then subscribe to it. If your Region does not yet have one, you may communicate with your Regional Druid about getting one started.
Members Advocate: The ADF Members Advocate represents all ADF members to the Mother Grove, including the solitaries. Every ADF member may go to the Members Advocate for assistance with ADF related issues. To find out who the Members Advocate is and contact them, go to the Mother Grove listing.
Training: Get quality training through the ADF Dedicant and Study Programs. The training programs are for individual members of ADF and each program has an associated email list for extra support. The Dedicant and Study programs are administered by the ADF Preceptor. Go to the Training page to find out more about the training ADF offers or email the ADF Preceptor.
Useful Links for Rituals
- YouTube Video of a Solitary Rite by Ian Corrigan, 2006
Full Solitary Rituals
- American Hearth: Solitary Valentine’s Rite
