Overview of the Components of the Studies

Ogham
Historical and Anthropological Roots of Goddess Worship
Feminist Theory
Core Shamanism
Nature Studies
Eco-Spirituality

Year One 

Ogham Consonants – 13 Lunar Cycles – Part 1
Anthropology of Shamanism
Historical Roots of Goddess Worship
Magic 101
Goddess & Feminism
The Guardian Priestess - Introductary Level
The Evolutionary Goddess
Overview of Modern Witchcraft and Paganism
Crafting Goddess Ritual
Cycles of Womanhood

Each student must make a commitment to complete assignments and attend the 13 Lunar rituals.  Sabbats ought to be observed as well – but in all cases – communication is vital.  Certainly exceptions can be made and we wish to be flexible – but attendance is a measure of commitment that is watched. 

 Year Two

Ogham Consonants – 13 Lunar Cycles – Part 2
Ogham Vowels – 4 Solar Seasons
Four individual Core Shamanism – 3 months each – select from Native American, Teutonic, Siberian, African, Asiatic
Guardian Priestess - Intermediate Level
Master one form of divination – select from Tarot, Astrology, Numerology, Palmistry
Introduction to Feminist Theory
Readings in Goddess Traditions – Carol Christ, Shekhinah  Mountainwater, Z Budapest, Patricia Monaghan, Phyllis Curott, and others – Six required

The Student must commit to the entire year – and each on-line Moon is required attendance.   Further study on areas of choice, monitored study – reports and papers are written.   

Ogham Consonants and Vowels
Professional Ethics
Personal Celebrations and Passages
Select Readings of Feminist Authors
Guardian Priestess - Advanced Level
Practical Application – Apprenticeship – Work in the Community - Service
Crafting Your Future as a Priestess – Personal paper – this is where you create your work – what it will look like, where you will do it, how you do it, your goals, plans and dreams for your future work.

Lunar and Solar Rites – each on the Day appropriate. Each of the students will facilitate for the Lunar rituals in their third year for those who are in second year.  Third Year Students work with me in setting goals and outline the entire year and will include public ritual at least four times and teach on-going classes – creating – setting up and teaching in location of their choice.  At all classes and rituals they hand out survey sheets to be completed by those attending – with comments and questions being answered about content – performance and energy of rites.  Goals must be met and on time. 

Students are encouraged to set up an on-going study group so that a group is available to work with.  They are all informed that this is a part of their training.  They also help with the teaching of first year students.  Each student is encouraged to volunteer to do rituals for festivals and events in the community.  Further study on areas of choice.  Reading list should be relatively completed. 

Each student must do public service work as a part of their commitment to Goddess.  This work is to be documented as well.  Time frames are optional – it is a schedule worked out between teacher and student – goals are set – commitments made and followed through.  These time frames are minimums set for completion.  The process could take much longer depending on how much time each person has available to devote to the work. 

The list below reflects areas of study a student may wish to explore throughout the three year minimum participation, in additon to required studies but is not limited to just these.  Each may self-design their own electives, tailoring to meet the goals as a priestess.   

	Terminology used in the modern Craft
	Feminism, feminist theory, and power structures
	Consensus process
	Ethics
	Study of bias, ism’s , and anti-oppression
	Grounding & Centering
	Cleansing self, others, space
	Circle casting – on-going
	Three Month focus on each Element
	Wheel of the Year Traditional -in their Season
	Wheel of the Year Women’s Cycles-in their Season
	Holding energy in Circle – on-going
	Ritual Creation and priestessing the Rites – on-going
	Meditation – several types
	Ecstatic Dance
	Intro to Astrology
	Intro to Runes
	Celtic Trees (done throughout the year in their Season)
	Magic/Spell Casting
	Comparative Religion
	Color – magical and healing uses
	Understanding and working with your Chakras
	Healing with Crystals & Gemstones
	Magic with Crystals & Gemstones
	Healing with herbs
	Magical Incense Making
	Songs & Chants
	Energy Work/Hands on Healing
	Shamanic Journey work/power animals
	Divination – intro into numerology, scrying, tarot, palmistry

A good amount of the reading list must be completed.  Some students may not be able to complete all of this in one year.  That is fine!  What is important is the commitment made, goals set, and accomplished.  Time may be self-paced. 

By the time the work is completed, each student will have done the work of the Tradition and will be considered for ordination.  It depends on the level of commitment and what plans are made for doing the work.  Priestesses and Priests who have hived off from The Branch, establish their own guidelines and teaching policies, which may even include calling themselves by another name, or they may establish their own tradition, independent of The Branch.  That is the beauty of autonomy.  

Those students who are interested in ordination must find a way to meet with me at least once before completion of studies.For those students who work with me in person, guidelines are a bit different.  Also, requirements for completion are always dependent on what knowledge you bring with you.  We have some who join us who are fully trained in another tradition and now seek to learn ours.  Past studies are certainly accepted.  What is critical to acceptance is a desire to work with the Sacred Trees.

If you are interested in working with us, please let us hear from you.  

Many blessings

Bendis