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Shanddaramon is a Mentor and Teacher in the Sacred Order of Living Paganism. Classes are available online without cost through email lessons. This page will provide information on how to begin these studies.
You should first decide if you are indeed interested in committing yourself to studying the path of Paganism for at least a year and a day. Begin by emailing me and telling me that you are interested in studying. Then, tell me a little about yourself: How old are you? How long have you been practicing? How did you become interested in Paganism? What do you hope studies will help you accomplish? What else should I know about you that will help me guide you in your studies? When you are ready to commit to learning, obtain a journal (called a Seeker Journal) and a notebook to collect your materials (called a Book of Whimsy) and enact a dedication ceremony in which you announce your dedication to studying, practicing, and learning Paganism. You should also purchase or obtain a personal pendant which is consecrated in your ceremony and which will represent your commitment to study. The way the course works is that for each lesson, I will send you a lesson sheet that lists a group of questions for you to explore. The lesson will also include information to help you answer the questions and a list of suggested books. You should attempt to answer the questions by exploring the included information, reading the suggested texts or by finding information through means of your own. You can enter the answers to these questions into your Seeker Journal and any notes you take or copy should be included into your Book of Whimsy. There are about 30 lessons per level (higher levels have less). You can send me a note at any time if you have questions or want further clarification or feel free to contact and work with any other knowledgeable teacher or mentor. Traditionally, beginners start by enacting a personal or group dedication ritual. This is a very simple ritual in which you proclaim your dedication to study. The ceremony should include the consecration of a pendant that you wear. ( Wearing it inside or outside your clothing is your choice.) If you choose to wear a robein your rituals you should place a white cord (the color of a Seeker) around it. There are two magickal books you will need to begin. The Seeker Journal is a standard journal in which you record your thoughts and experiences relating to your practice. The other book is called a Book of Whimsy and is simply a place to keep all the notes of your studies. It can be a three ring binder or a computer file or both - it does not matter. Neatness and order at the beginning stages is not a factor. It is up to you to determine if you have successfully completed a lesson or not for these studies are done for and by yourself with help and guidance. If you have been studying for some time before beginning this path, you can request a first degree review. The review is a list of questions that helps you assess where you currently are in your studies. After determining your needed study areas, you can request those particular lessons and complete that degree. So, if you are ready to begin, prepare your Book of Whimsy, prepare your Seeker Journal, obtain your personal pendant and white cord, write and enact your dedication ceremony (either privately or within a supportive group setting), and then request the first lesson or the degree review.
Q: Do you take on students who cannot come to your weekly classes? A: Yes. I have several students who, for various reasons, have chosen to study online primarily through e-mail contact. Since the Tynwald tradition focuses primarily on self-guided development, online teaching is not that difficult. Mostly, the teacher acts as a resource guide, counselor, and motivator. Students are encouraged to write in at least once a week with a description of their progress. Even if nothing has been done that week in the studies, the student should still write in. This simple act helps to keep the student on track and helps the teacher to guide the student through various exercises and developments. Q: How much do you charge? A: I do not charge to take on students. Personal spiritual development is just that - personal. If you are truly serious about creating a personal spiritual practice for yourself you will be doing most of the work. This practice is for those who desire to blaze their own path and not be told what and how to do everything. This involves more work, however. You must create your own curriculum and follow it. Q: If I have already been studying Paganism for some time but want to learn in your tradition, do I need to start at the beginning? A: No. The primary tutor in this tradition is you and you can decide where you need to begin. I do recommend, however, that you do a dedication ceremony to mark the beginning of your journey in this tradition. After that, you can request a review of what is taught in the first degree to be sure you have not missed something. You will be given a list of questions related to what is learned in the first degree. Put the answer to all the questions into your journal. If you find you need to fill in a few gaps, you may request the lessons for just those areas and then finish up the degree. When you feel that you are ready, then you can enact your first degree initiation and begin work on the second degree.
First Degree
Second Degree note: the Second Degree also includes spiritual direction sessions
Third Degree
Ministerial Training
Fourth Degree
Fifth Degree
last update October 10, 2007 |
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© 2003, Shanddaramon - All work within this page is copyrighted
do not distribute or copy without the author's written permission.
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