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CGM Classes and Degree Path

New! A new Wicca 101 class will be starting on the third Sunday in June (06/18/06). It will be held at the. This course will teach you the basics of Wicca - what it is, where it came from, how to practice it, where it fits in the neo-pagan religions and more. You will come away from this course with a good basis of what Wicca is, what it isn't and what it can be for you. If you are interested in signing up for this class, please email us! This class will be held at the C. Burr Artz Public Library in Frederick, MD. Classes will be held the third Sunday of the month, beginning June 18, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. All classes will be held in the Business Conference room.

A Wicca 101/Neophyte class began January 15 2006. It is now closed to new students.

Please email Linda for more information.

Curriculum

The Chantry of the Green Mountain offers up to five years of study in the Wiccan religion. You are not required to complete any of the classes, but they are required for elevation. If you are already an experienced Wiccan there may be avenues to elevation other than classes. Talk to HPS Linda if you have any questions about alternatives.

Neophyte (Air) - This is a year of exploration and learning. You will become familiar with the religion of Wicca, its historical context, the place of Wicca and Paganism in the greater whole of modern religious practice and the Chantry of the Green Mountain. You will be expected to write one paper per quarter and complete an end-of-year test. At this point, if you are interested in continuing your studies with the CGM you can discuss this with your teacher and possibly petition for membership in the coven. All further training requires coven membership.

Click here for the syllabus
Click here for the flyer (in Adobe Acrobat format)

Required Reading:

  • Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
  • Spiral Dance by Starhawk
    • First Degree (Fire) - This year-long course of study will discuss various magickal systems and schools of thought, dissect and review the common liturgy and begin to teach the ethics and values of Wicca. Ritual creation will also be covered and you will write and lead an Esbat (Full Moon celebration). You will create your own system of divination this year as well as write a paper on the Wiccan Rede. There will be an end-of-year test and you will be permitted to petition for First Degree elevation.

    Required Reading:
  • The Witch's Shield: Protection Magick & Psychic Self-Defense by Christopher Penczak
  • Natural Magic by Doreen Valiente
    • Second Degree (Water) - This year focuses on service and healing. Topics such as herbalism, Reiki and the place of alternative healing in modern medicine will be covered. You will be required to organize and execute a service project during this year. You will also write and lead a Sabbat (holiday celebration). There will be an end-of-year test and you will be permitted to petition for Second Degree elevation.

    Required Reading:
  • The Sabbats: A New Approach to Living the Old Ways by Edain McCoy
  • Eight Sabbats for Witches by Janet & Stewart Farrar (can also be found in A Witches Bible Compleat by the same authors)
    • Third Degree (Earth) - Specialization is the focus of this year. You will pick an area of study that interests you and create a curriculum for yourself. While there will still be monthly "classes", you will be bringing your past month's research and questions to discuss with your classmates and teacher. There will only be one assignment this year - to write a paper adding to the knowledge base of the CGM. This paper will be your end-of-year test and you will be permitted to petition for Third Degree elevation.

    Required Reading:
  • Two books on your chosen specialization
    • Ordination (Spirit) - This year is for those who wish to be clergy. Subjects studies will include building and running a coven, Pagan networking and legal issues for Pagan clergy. Interviews with the HPS and Coven Committee will be required prior to Ordination.

    Required Reading:
  • Covencraft by Amber K
  • Wicca Covens by Judy Harrow