Druidic Formation Beirdd Mon Feb 15 19:05:54 1999 The following is the beginning of some speculative work the Topaz Owl and I have been doing on the development of a program for the formation of an effective and civilly recognized druidic clergy.*p*Please forgive my lack of skill in presenting an attractive outline format -- I haven't figured out how to do that on these boards yet.*p*Suggestions and discussion are definitely welcome. A sketch of a program of study will follow shortly.*p*--Beirdd*p*OUTLINE FOR A PROGRAM OF DRUIDIC FORMATION*p*I. PURPOSE*p* A. The Purpose of a Program of Druidic Formation is to provide a standardized plan and process for the training and preparation of a Druidic clergy that would:*br* 1. Effectively serve the spiritual needs of the Celtic community,*br* 2. Fulfill legal requirements for civil recognition of clerical credentials, and,*br* 3. Provide a basis on which to build the acceptability and recognition of the role of the druid in the modern world.*p* B. In addition, such a program would also provide spiritual and academic support for those who consider themselves called to the druidic way of life.*p* C. Finally, a program of this type would provide a common ground for the discussion and understanding of druidry, and its role in history and society.*p*II. BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAM*p* A. The Program of Druidic Formation would have a three-fold structure which would be comprised of:*br* 1. Academic Formation*br* 2. Pastoral Formation*br* 3. Spiritual Formation*p* B. This three-fold structure would not serve to compartmentalize the overall formation of the druid, but to encourage particular foci as well as to foster the understanding of the integral relationships between areas that form the whole person.*p*III. ACADEMIC FORMATION*p* A. Requirements for Entrance*br* 1. Review of academic transcripts*br* 2. Letters of Recommendation*br* 3. Personal Inteviews with Rector, Faculty and Admissions Board*br* 4. Psychological examination*br* 5. Medical examination*br* 6. Bachelor of Arts Degree or equivalent*br* 7. Twenty-seven credits in Philosophy, including:*br*Four major periods: Ancient, Medieval, Modern and Contemporary*br*Five systemic areas Philosophy of Man, Logic, General Ethics, Metaphysics, Philosophy of God*p* B. Requirements for Druidic Ordination*br* 1. Successful completion of all courses required in the curriculum, maintaining at least a 3.0 index.*br* 2. A student may fulfill some requirements at other schools with approval of the chairperson of the department concerned and the Director.*br* 3. Three areas of specialization are available:*br* a. History*br* b. Literature*br* c. Theology*br* 4. Three elective courses are to be taken in the last year of formation and must be chosen from the field of specialization.*br* 5. In addition, the last year must include study in research methodology, followed by a thesis presented in the area of specialization.*br* 6. The candidate will work under the direction of a faculty guide who will aprove thesis topic and direct research.*br* 7. A reading knowledge of a Celtic language is required.*p*IV. PASTORAL FORMATION*p* A. The Pastoral Formation Program is coordinated with and integrated into the spiritual and academic spheres of the college.*p* B. The goal of Pastoral Formation is to provide candidates with an opportunity for personal involvement in and practical exercise of pastoral ministry.*p* C. This is seen as an integral part in the overall formation of the druid since it draws from spiritual and academic aspects of formation.*p* D. Properly designed and supervised, pastoral involvement is the educational experience of practical learning.*p* E. Field Education Program*br* 1. Throughout preparation, students are assigned to pastoral field placements chosen to provide a comprehensive experience of pastoral situations. These may include:*br* a. Teaching a subject pertinent to Druidic ministry*br* b. Assisting at events pertinent to Druidic ministry*br* c. Hospital work with patients seeking Druidic guidance*br* d. Ministry to specific groups, i.e. homeless, alcohol or drug treatment, prisons, hospices, handicapped, AIDS patients.*p* F. Pastoral Submersion Program*br* 1. An extended period of time, i.e., a summer, will be spent assisting a druid in carrying out all pastoral duties in a Celtic community.*p* G. Pastoral Skills Workshops*br* 1. Students will aprticipate in three to four workshops designed to complement and bridge the spiritual, academic and pastoral phases of formation. Subjects will include:*br* a. Spiritual Direction*br* b. Religious/Cultural Edcuation*br* c. Communal Life*br* d. Counseling*br* e. Communication - Diplomacy and Storytelling*br* f. Law and Judgement*p* H. Spiritual Reflection*br* 1. Candidates participate in small group discussions in which pastoral issues are raised in the context of overall formation.*p*V. SPIRITUAL FORMATION*p* A. The purpose of the Spiritual Formation Program is to draw each candidate more fully into the spiritual role of the Druid, responding to the movements of spirit in his or her life.*br* B. A high level of maturity is required of the candidate if he/she is to meet the challenges of druidry and be a minister to others’ souls.*br* C. The final goal is to foster the establishment of attitudes, habits, practices and beliefs that will continue thoughout life.*br* D. Program of Formation*br* 1. Under the guidance of a spiritual director, the candidate will live out a multitude of spiritual experiences and practices including:*br* a. ritual*br* b. reflection and personal meditation and prayer*br* c. spiritual conferences and discussions*br* d. spiritual direction and reflection*br* e. spiritual retreats in natural environments*br* f. the practice of charity*br* g. spiritual reading*br* h. spiritual writing and other forms of appropriate expression*br* i.coursework in interpersonal relations, including sexuality and diplomacy