|
SHAKTI WICCA MENTORSHIP - GENERAL INQUIRIES
I am new to Paganism and I do not have 5 years of experience with Wicca, can I still train with you?
The short answer is generally 'no', although there are always exception to the rules.
In the majority of cases we will not accept people who are new to Paganism and Wicca. There are many reasons for this
which may seem hard-handed but are actually based in the general facts of life.
If you are under 21 we will not accept you under any circumstances. This is to avoid any legal implications in training a
minor in religious matters, and also to make sure that those who are coming to us have taking a good amount of time exploring
their spirituality and discovering what path is the right one for them.
When one is new to Paganism and Wicca all the world is a candy-store and each tradition looks delightful - but that does
not mean that it is the path that one will travel for a very long time. It very often takes several years of experimentation
with different paths before coming to the one where one is meant to be.
Our tradition is one that works exclusively with the Hindu deities. That means that one needs to KNOW
that they are called to work with the God/desses of Hinduism, and have discovered that Hindu spirituality is a main source
of spiritual inspiration for them - otherwise they may find themselves not resonating with the material, the Gods, or our
tradition as a whole.
Requiring that applicants be of a certain age and experience level helps to reduce the chance that we spend vast amounts
of time and energy in training someone, only to have them decide that they would rather go somewhere else after all. While
this is always a possibility, as people grow and change over time, we like to hedge our bets that those we train will apply
themeselves in a mature way, with diligence, with an intense motivation that stems from an inner desire to worship the
Hindu Gods within the Shakti Wicca context, and who will be with us for some time.
Those who are not eligible to train with us officially are still welcome to enrol in any of the classes offered through
The Lotus Academy of Spiritual Arts (formerly known as The Shakti Wicca Training Chakra) for their own personal interest and study.
I am 19 and would like to apply to become a member of the mentorship program, but you say that one must be 21
to be eligible. 18 is the "legal" age in the US and 19 is "legal" in Canada. Why can't I apply?
While it is true that one of the reasons that we have an age restriction is to avoid any legal complications stemming
from teaching an alternative religion to a minor, there is also the issue of spiritual maturity.
Certainly there are those who are younger than 21 who are vastly more mature than some adults of any age, however generally
speaking there is a certain awareness and confidence that comes with being a bit older and that is the quality we are most
trying to foster by having an age restriction of 21.
Most young people have jobs &/or university or other scholastic responsibilities that must take priority
during the late teens and early twenties. Time management can be a real issue. Others are out on their own for the first time
sewing their oats and experiencing all that life has to offer to an energetic youngster. This is a natural and healthy thing
to do.
By only taking on more mature students, we are hedging our bets that those who come to us have had a chance to get out
into the world, explore a bit, and come to the INFORMED decision that they are ready to fully commit to their spiritual training.
However, those under the age of 21 are welcome to take any of the online classes offered at The Lotus Academy of Spiritual Arts (formerly known as The Shakti Wicca Training Chakra) that they wish to sate their appetite for a formalized spiritual
education until they are of an appropriate age for entry into our tradition.
I find your path intriguing and I have been following a Pagan path for many years, but I do not consider myself
a Wiccan. Can I still train with you?
There are several issues at play here:
Firstly, Our tradition is a Wiccan one and our rituals and training are based around
a Wiccan ritual format and structure. Although the cultural focus is based exclusively around the Hindu one (including pre-Sanatana
Dharma Vedism), we are first and formost Wiccan. If you feel called to
worship the Hindu & Vedic gods exclusively within a Wiccan context, then this tradition may still be a good fit for you.
If, however, you do not indentify yourself as Wiccan because you do not resonate with Wiccan ritual, mythos, thea/ology, etc,
then our tradition will not suit you.
Secondly, at present we do not offer training in mainstream Wicca and generally require that all applicants
come to us with a firm background in Wicca already in place (around 5 or more years is optimal). If you do not identify as
Wiccan because you have not had any training - either formally or through serious solitary practice - then you very well may
not have the skills necessary to enter into our tradition. If you have extensive experience in another
NeoPagan path, and are interested in adopting Wiccan ritual, thought and practice in order to train in Shakti Wicca, please
go ahead and apply making very sure to detail your background and experience. We may be able to come to some kind
of alternative arrangement revolving around some preliminary studies in Wiccan ritual structure, metaphysics, and philosophy.
If I begin your mentorship program will I have to stop attending and participating in my local working circle's
activities?
No, you do not.
But you must weigh your ability to meet the demands of both our mentorship program and your responsibilities
to your coven/working circle.
Also, many covens/working circles have rules regarding involvement in other traditions or organizations. If your coven/circle
does not permit outside involvement, then you need to decide if you are willing to leave them in order to work with us, or
else come to some compromise with your coven/circle leader(s).
If I begin the Shakti Wicca mentorship program, do I need to sever ties to deities not of Hindu or Vedic origin?
I can't see myself giving up Brigit!
Any earnest connection to Deity is to be highly valued, and while we don't ask that members give up any ties to or stop
working with deities from various cultures, we ask that you respect our tradition and not mix pantheons when working within
a Shakti Wicca context.
Our tradition is Hindu-pantheon exclusive and we have gone to great lengths to research and learn the methodologies of
both Hinduism and Wicca in order to create a unique ritual structure that is highly conducive to both energies. Mixing additional
cultural elements into this context would ultimately be disruptive.
While we will not dictate what members can or cannot do in their own time, we ask that any and all rituals, practices,
devotions and the like performed using the Shakti Wicca structure, ritual tools, etc, are utilized only when working with
Hindu deities.
Another aspect which you may have to consider is any oaths you may have made to other deities related to your exclusive
service to them - either as part of a coven, or a personal pact. If you have made such an agreement, it is not to be taken
lightly and it is up to you to decide how to deal with it.
I am Hindu by birth, but have become drawn to Wicca. Shakti Wicca seems a perfect fit for me, but I already have
the knowledge in the Hindu tradition that makes up the bulk of your Petitioner and Neophyte level - but I do need further
training in Wicca. Can you accomodate me?
We have been asked this question many times and have had to answer that unfortunately at this time we do not have the
resources to train people in Wiccan basics.
We DO plan to expand our online training curriculum to include a year-long program in eclectic Wiccan basics so that
we can accomodate a greater number of people interested in our tradition. However, this will likely not be in place in its
entirety until 2009.
If you live near a formal Study Circle you may be able to inquire about whether or not that facilitator has opted to
take on students newer to Wicca than the 5-year requirement that we generally enforce. This would constitue a "personal project"
of sorts for our facilitators, and they may or may not have the time and availability to offer you Wiccan training.
In the meantime, please bear with us as we (slowly) expand our Wiccan course catalog, and utilize whatever resources
you are able to to learn more about Wiccan ritual structure, myth cycles, ritual tools, thea/ology, and other elements of
eclectic Wiccan thought and practice. We will be happy to suggest some very excellent books that if one applies themselves
to the lessons and exercises included within them, will be a very good start to your education.
I was excited to see that there is a formal tradition that blends Hinduism and Wicca - I've been doing that kind
of thing myself for a while! That makes me a Shakti Wiccan, right?
Well, it certainly makes you an IndoWiccan, or some prefer the term Hindu Wiccan!
However, Shakti Wicca *as we use it* is the name of our specific tradition and all the courses of formal mentorship
that go with it. Those people who are students in our mentorship program, those who are Inner Circle members, and who
are part of our particular organization are all listed on our Members page.
We have come across one or two individuals who had been using the term "shakti wicca" to label their path before we had
actually formed and the IndoPagan community still scattered and disconnected. Great minds think alike! But you can be sure
of who is and is not a member of our tradition by checking our members page.
If you are interested in our particular tradition, in utilizing the label of Shakti Wiccan in the manner in which we
have outlined it, please feel free to apply for admission to our mentorship program.
Many of our classes are available however to those who are simply interested in learning more about undertaking an IndoWiccan
and IndoPagan practice...and we'd be more than happy to have you in those if you so desire!
THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM SPECIFICS
How does the mentorship program work?
For starters, we have a dedicated online campus, The Lotus Academy of Spiritual Arts (formerly known as The Shakti Wicca Training Chakra), which runs on the most popular and user-friendly courseware
available, called Moodle. This platform is the same one used by countless schools, colleges, and universities for their distance
education programs. Moodle courseware allows online communities to be built, by offering forums, message boards, and an internal
messaging service to help users keep in touch and exchange ideas. It also supports a wide variety of multi-media formats,
which enables teachers to utilize many different teaching tools to make the learning experience more well-rounded and immersive.
The feedback option is a really spectacular one, permitting facilitators to respond to each assignment that a student
submits right onsite, making extra emailing and such unncessary. Questions forums in each classroom allow students to
get additional clarification on any aspects of the material that they may need. The Moodle courseware is also EXTREMELY
easy to use, both for teachers and students, which helps make the online learning experience fun and stress-free.
The bulk of the formal Shakti Wicca mentorship program studies are available in various classes which are presented in
this highly interactive format. We are also strong proponents of experiential learning - which means making the material come
alive wherever possible, bring the information off the page and into living color and sound. We do our best to make each lesson
interesting and stimulating by including a great number of illustrative graphics, and where applicable mp3 and other audio
files to let the student hear traditional and modern devotional music related to each lesson. Once the student is dedicated
into the tradition, the courses take on another dimension still, with regular meditations being assigned to augment the texts,
along with hands-on activities such as altar and ritual tool creation in the various workshops.
Each phase of Shakti Wicca mentorship begins with several foundational courses which present material most
relevant to each stage of their practice and progression within the tradition. After students have completed all
the courses required for their level, they will then have level-appropriate responsibilities - which require the student
to apply the knowledge that they have gained in the courses to their personal practice, with the continued guidance of their
mentor. Any and all questions along the way will be addressed, with helpful feedback and advice provided by Shakti Wicca mentors.
We present the information neccessary to get moving, and then expect them to think critically about what has been taught.
Our students are never alone on their journey, but invited, encouraged, and expected to utilize the knowledge provided in
a creative and individual fashion.
What are the costs of the mentorship program?
There
are 2 required courses in the probationary phase of the mentorship program - $40USD each.
-
Intro to Hinduism,
The Vedic Deities & The Major Gods of Hinduism (HP101)
-
The Major Goddesses
of Hinduism and Intro to Hindu Ritual Worship (HP102)
Each
class is 4 months in length (although it can be finished in less) and are designed at a college/university level of material
sophistication and homework load. Once one is a full member of the program there are no further charges for
training.
As
to other costs, you may be asked to acquire and read certain books which you will need to purchase if you cannot find them
in a library. Obviously, you may have to make supply purchases from time to time as well. Again, these are the kinds of costs
that come with any interest, and all of those are made of your own accord as you are able. You will never be asked to spend
beyond your means.
Why do you charge for mentorship training?
The
reason that there is a charge for the probationary mentorship courses is that due to the intensive in-depth nature
of the program there is about a 75% drop-out rate. Some do not wish to wait 6-12 months for dedication, others find the classes
too "difficult" and leave due to the workload, others find that their schedules no longer allow for the additional time necessary
for the program; then there are those who devote themselves to the program and get alot out of it and enjoy the experience
- these are the ones that end up being invited to become a full dedicant.
The
courses in the probationary program are not tradition-specific, they are general studies into Hindu thought and practice and
open to the public as well as Petitioners. Even if one does not end up becoming a full member of the program, the information
gleaned in these classes can be applied in broader arenas.
There
is never a charge for Shakti Wicca-specific mentorship. Also, those who become dedicants are invited to take any and all
courses offered through The Lotus Academy of Spiritual Arts (formerly known as The Shakti Wicca Training Chakra) that
may interest them at no charge.
My
intent is not to make money off of those in the program, but to ensure that the studies are taken seriously (you'd be surprised
how much more effort people are willing to put into something if they have invested some money into it as opposed to having
it offered for free - I've only had about 10 people out of nearly 400 who have ever completed the free mini-class
onsite), and to make sure that my time and effort in all the individualized attention given in feedback, emails, etc is well
spent.
I
require that program mentors take these two classes (there are many other classes and workshops that are taken
once one is a dedicant, but there is no charge for them) to make sure that everyone is coming in with a decent foundational
education in the aspects of Hinduism that we are going to be working closely with in Shakti Wicca - the main myths and myth
cycles, the major symbolism and iconography of the god/desses, a grasp on the basics of the major sects within Hinduism, a
working knowledge of tradition Hindu methods of worship and development - so that the syncretism is INTELLIGENT and based
in experiential knowledge of Hinduism as a stand-alone tradition.
You say that the probationary period can last from 6-12 months. How long can I expect it to take me?
That depends very much on the amount of time and energy you are able to devote to your studies.
The probationary phase of the mentorship program takes anywhere from 4 months for a VERY dedicated and committed
student with large amounts of time and energy available, to 8-12 months for the average student, with normal time constraints,
to upwards of 18 months for those who are unable to devote much time or need to take breaks between classes. (Probationary
members are required to complete both classes in 18 months, or they will be dropped from the program.)
Each of the two probationary phase classes allows 4 months in which to complete all the lessons and assignments.
If a student takes one class at a time, it will take them approximately 8 months to finish the probationary phase.
In extenuating circumstances the 4 month enrolment durations can be extended if a student submits a reasonable request
that they be so, as in the case of a student with a reading disability, a family crisis, a work-related absence, etc.
Students necessitating extra time will obviously end up in the probationary phase of the program longer.
However, those who are able to devote more time to the classes can easily finish them in less time, cutting down on the
time spent in the probationary period. A student with the time and ability to take on more could finish the initial classes
in about 4 months.
Students are not encouraged to rush through the material, but to take things at a brisk but measured pace appropriate
to one's learning abilities. Some people read and assimilate information at a very rapid pace, while others need more time
to mull things over. Knowing your own strengths and weaknesses is the key to not only academic education, but spiritual and
magickal advancement.
|
