Awen Grove

Awen Grove is a teaching grove and classes run year round on a one-on-one and group basis.  The course is not mandatory and is available to members who wish to pursue it.

The Awen Grove Course of Study focuses on the many aspects of Modern Druidry and is offered to members of the Inner Grove at no cost to them other than their own supplies and books.
The course focuses on the Druidic concept of seeking “truth against the world”, which encourages students to examine these aspects and incorporate them into his or her own standard of practice.  In short: the course encourages students to think for themselves rather than simply be told what Truth is by their teacher.  Students are provided with a strong foundation of ethics, knowledge and history as well as support and community.

Divided into four levels (The fourth being optional for advanced studies in a specialised area), the Course of Study is modular in nature, allowing for students to study at their own pace.  These levels are described below.  Click on the title to examine the course material in detail.

Level One ~ The first and introductory level of the Awen Grove Tradition.  The first lessons are about Ethics and Values, as Awen Grove’s Tradition is based strongly on them.  History of the Celts and Druids throughout history is taught.  An introduction to other Druid and Pagan groups is done so that students are well-versed in how other traditions are run and appropriate etiquette when dealing with other traditions.

Students will use this level to get to know themselves and their strengths, limitations, learning style and personal values systems.  At the beginning, they will be required to hand in a detailed account of what they have learned about themselves as well as where they expect to go within the Course.  They will do this again at the end.  This will show their knowledge of themselves and how far they have come.

The fundamental basics of Awen Grove’s theology will be taught at this level and students will learn the basics of ritual structure, the concepts behind practical work and how to set up and dedicate sacred space.

Students will also be introduced to the specialties (Bard, Filidh, Brehon, Druid) and will be given the chance to learn more about them and decide if they want to pursue any of these specialties more in-depth.   

Students will receive elevation ritual and a piece of copper jewelry upon completion of this level.

Level Two ~ The second level delves deeper into practical work and leadership skills. It also focuses on deepening the student’s commitment to the Path of Service; thus the Second Level course is broken down into three parts:  Service to the Gods, Service to the Community, Service to Self.

Students will learn about advanced ritual structure and learn how to conduct a seasonal ritual for the Grove based on what they have learned about ritual structure and fundamentals, as well as the aspects of the season and who and what are being honoured.  [Service to the Gods] 
Students will learn the fundamentals of leadership and will develop and conduct their own workshop based on the topic of their choice.  They will present it to the Grove at first and then to the General Pagan Community as a formal workshop.  Awen Grove strives to be a positive contributor to learning and service in the General Pagan Community and all students wishing to complete level 2 will be able to participate accordingly.  This gives students a chance to learn how to teach by teaching on a subject they are passionate about.

They will learn more advanced teaching techniques  (i.e.: teaching our tradition) in Level 3.
Students will also coordinate a charitable campaign in the manner of their choice, whether it is a food drive at a public ritual or a massive campaign spanning the entire Pagan community (i.e.: coordinating a night at the Mustard Seed serving food to the Homeless).  [Service to the Community]

Advanced techniques of meditation, grounding, and spiritual self-care will be taught.  The importance of balancing real-life and spiritual life are taught.  As well, the student will be required to conduct a workshop or presentation to the group on how one can incorporate a balance of real-life and spirituality in their own lives.  They may defer a presentation by writing a detailed paper on the subject.  This will test the level of knowledge the student has on this level as balance is a vital part of our spirituality.  Without the balance, damage can occur.  [Service to Self]

As well, students can begin focusing on their chosen specialty and learn more about it.  They can choose to do their project workshop on their specialty if they wish.

To lead into Level 3, students will be introduced to teaching our tradition and will be able to teach a few classes to the rest of the Grove.

Upon completion of this level, students will be ritually elevated and will receive a piece of silver jewelry (silver triskelle ring, etc.)

Level Three ~ 

The third level focuses primarily on passing on Awen Grove’s Tradition to students and how to be an effective leader within the Pagan Community. The aspects of being effective clergy (counselling, leading, teaching and support towards members) are the primary focus of Level Three.

Students will learn how to effectively interact with other tradition leaders within the community and will also begin teaching students within Awen Grove.  They may also start their own proto-groves, passing on the tradition elsewhere.

Third Level completes the circle of training and the student, now a Community Leader, will become part of the leadership of Awen Grove.

Students will be almost ready to complete their specialty’s training at this point, which will lead them to Level IV, Master of Specialty.

Upon completion of Level 3 training, the student will be ritually elevated and will receive a crown with representatives of all three levels’ metals:  Copper circlet with silver crescent or disk with gold Awen Symbol in the middle.

The Symbology of the Circlet:

• Copper: The basis of our tradition, rooted in ethics, knowledge and history, thus it is the part that encircles the head
  
• Silver:  Silver is a metal of purity and clarity.  It represents knowledge and the student’s dedication to the Path of Service.  Also, it represents the moon and the hidden knowledge.  It is the focus of the front of the crown.
• Gold:  Gold is also a pure metal and represents a high level of completion in our society.  It represents the sun and outward knowledge, thus it represents the outward nature of the third level…the level where knowledge is passed down and where the person is a known leader in the community.  The Awen Symbol is engraved in this small round piece to show that the student is a leader within the Awen Tradition and is entrusted to positively represent Awen Grove and its values.  It is the part that ties the copper circlet to the silver front-piece, thus joining the three levels.
  

Level IV (Optional): Master of Specialty – This level is for students who have pursued and mastered a specialty and are ready to teach it to others within the Grove or serve in the office of such a specialty.

Those who have chosen a specialty will have gone through the appropriate mundane training to attain credit toward this specialty, depending on how far the student wishes to pursue it.
How far can one go with a specialty?  Awen Grove encourages students to go as far as they can and want to go!

• Bard – Students might take courses in writing, music or history at the university, colleges or through night courses.  They may master a musical instrument or learn in-depth which myths and legends are appropriate for certain rituals or life situations.  Their range of influence could go from telling appropriate stories at ritual events, conducting workshops on history, entering contests in song or poetry (eisteddfods) or even performing for the community.
• Filidh – Training for this can range from taking a course in healing or counseling to getting a degree in medicine or psychology. Filidh are generally responsible for the spiritual and psychological well being of the group and are the ones to generally lead meditations and help people to ground after rituals or meditations.  They must be well versed in these things and should take courses in counseling basics for Pagan clergy and/or meditation and grounding techniques.  Filidh are also responsible for caring for the dead and dying, as well as caring for bereaved families.  Awen Grove does focus on liasing with the Funeral Industry and conducts regular workshops and tours of funeral homes in the city.  Knowledge of pastoral counseling will be required as well as experience with working with the bereaved (volunteer at a hospice, etc.) Filidh students will need to know the funeral and medical industries very well.
• Brehon – Can range from in-depth study of the Brehon Laws to a full law degree.  Brehons will be responsible for maintaining law and order within the Grove and will assist in making just decisions within the Grove.
• Druid – This one is basically completed once a student finishes the Third Level.  However, if one does want to go the extra mile, they may wish to get a degree in education or take night classes in adult education.  I would also recommend joining Toastmasters for leadership skills and skills in public speaking and etiquette.

Students will be required to write a detailed paper (scholarly work) or book on their chosen specialty and will serve the Grove as officers of these specialties.

Ritual Elevation to Master of Specialty Status as well as inauguration into the Office of chosen Specialty