To follow are suggestions for those that wish to form a Lodge within their Grove. Input was taken from several sources for this FAQ.
“How do I organize a Warrior Lodge at my Grove?“
Host regular meetings to discuss warrior study topics such as first aid, self defense, warrior history, etc. (i.e.anything in the study program).
Suggest warrior dieties be included in ritual, or even better, volunteer for positions in high rites that already have or could include a warrior focus — make sure your Grove liturgist(s) agree!
You could also suggest rites that have a warrior focus such as rites of passage. Finally, choose a name for your Lodge.
Symbols, colors, or specific kindred are not required but may help people identify with the lodge.
What is a Warrior Lodge?
The local group of ADF Warrior Guild members within a Grove.
What does a Lodge do?
Discuss and possibly teach subjects like first aid, self defense, warrior history, etc. (i.e. anything in the Guild study program).
You could include Grove specific needs here along. There are some groves with an intense need for perimeter monitoring, while others enjoy private land with no such concerns. Parking is a biggie for some too.
I’m a warrior but don’t know where to start…
Find out who else is interested in regular warrior studies at your Grove. Even though you may be the only one, some people may be interested in discussing it from time to time. You may be facilitating the discussion.
Encourage membership in the Warriors Guild.
Some of your grovies out there could be sitting back and feeling intimidated, or dealing with health issues that could be preventing them from stepping up. There is a world of IE Study into the Dumezillian 2nd function that does not require a black belt or bulging biceps!
How often should the Lodge meet?
See what the rest of the future Lodge wants. It can anywhere among once a month, once per fire festival, or once per year.
This is very Lodge specific…. but essential to consider for each Lodge.
How can Warriors help my Grove?
Warriors may have a personal connection to warrior dieties; not to mention have accumulated a vast amount of information about warrior dieties and their mythology. In fact, some Warriors may be willing to volunteer for positions in high rites that have or could include a warrior focus.
Is there anything else a Lodge would need?
Although not required, a name might be helpful.
In addition, symbols, colors, or kindred patron might help Lodge members understand the vision of the Lodge.
Don’t forget traditions! Establish those yearly traditions that will bind you as a lodge.
Due to past experience, our whole thing right now is not so much focused on teaching history or self defense, but developing operating procedures to help protect the community and preserve the sanctity (focus) of the sacred space. We have a general system in place geared toward “training” new “guardians/warriors” if you will. The historical and spiritual aspects of the I.E. warrior tradition are intertwined in that training process. It was important for us that all the education be geared for application towards our purpose and not just be kept as intellectual ammunition.
Not all Lodges will have the same interests or focuses. Each Lodge will most likely develop special focuses depending on their conditions as mentioned earlier.
Reading Reference
John Michael Greer’s “Inside a Magic Lodge”. It doesn’t concentrate on magic so much as the history and organizational workings of fraternal orders. In the introduction JMG quotes a prominent neo-pagan elder as saying “one of the main problems with the neo-pagan movement is that there are too many high priestesses and not enough secretaries.” He then goes on to give solid grounding in the day to day organization and maintenence of a lodge-structured group, with sections on officers, elections, establishing mission statements, group goals, etc.
Bylaws Examples
Triskele Rivers Grove Clan Bylaws
Shining Lakes Warriors Guild Bylaws
