Membership in Dancing Lights Grove is like being part of a family. Together, we honour the changing seasons and worship the Kindred, celebrate life events like marriages and new children, help out our community by donating time and items to charity, and share love and laughter in fellowship.
Becoming a Local Member
To start the Application Process, you must tell a current Grove Member of your intent. Then, celebrate four High Day rituals with us. This allows us both to get to know each other better, and for you to ask us questions about the Grove and our rituals. After you’ve attended four High Day rituals, we ask you to write a letter considering these questions:
- Introduce yourself to us!
- Why do you want to become a member of Dancing Lights Grove?
- What can you bring to the Grove as a member?
- How does your spirituality and the Grove’s worship interact?
We read this letter at our next business meeting, and the Full Members vote on your Membership. Then, you become a Local Member of Dancing Lights Grove!
At the next High Day ritual, we will formally welcome you to the Grove during the ritual, and provide you with a Grove talisman and copy of our liturgy. Also at this time, you will take the Unity Vow of our Grove:
I, __[name]__, swear before the Kindred and my tribe,
To respect and be a friend to my fellow grove members,
To work for the betterment of this grove,
And to uphold the integrity of the grove,
To the best of my ability, for as long as I am a member,
This I do swear by all I hold sacred.
Local Members can vote on matters of business at our meetings, can use the Grove library, assist with and participate in ritual, run fellowship events, and attend Member-only events. Local Members may have but do not need to have membership with Ár nDraíocht Féin.
Becoming a Full Member
Some Local Members may decide that they wish to become more involved with the Grove, and choose to become Full Members. Full Members can do all of what Local Members can do, but may also vote for purposes of membership, elections, and run for positions on the Leadership Council in elections. They may lead rituals as well as assisting and participating in them. After you have been in the Grove for at least one year as a Local Member, you may apply to become a Full Member.
To become a Full Member, you will need membership with Ár nDraíocht Féin. Then, you will have to ask a current Full Member of the Grove to be your Sponsor. Your Sponsor should be someone who believes that you would be an excellent Full Member, and would be willing to speak to your character at a business meeting. You will also need to write a letter telling us why you are seeking Full Membership. Your Sponsor will present this letter at the next business meeting, and the current Full Members will vote.
For more information about these types of Membership, and about the Membership Process, please refer to Article 3 of our Bylaws.
Under 18?
According to our Bylaws, no person under the age of 18 may apply to be a Member of Dancing Lights Grove. A person between the age of 14 and 17 may attend as a Guest, as long as they have provided a signed letter of informed consent from a parent or legal guardian prior to attending their first event. Anyone under 14 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Membership Dues
Both Local and Full Members pay dues to Dancing Lights Grove, ADF. Currently, this amount is $20, and is due annually at Samhain. These funds go towards our High Day rituals and other Grove events. Some of our members are also members of Ár nDraíocht Féin, and pay membership dues to them as well.
