
Foundation Level Collegium Course
Every tree in the forest stands with its roots in the same earth, and reaches its branches into the same sky, but each one is unique and has a different story to tell, for those who choose to listen. So it is with the paths of spiritual exploration and learning that we have all chosen to undertake.
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Connect to Your Roots
The Collegium at Wilder Grove is a way for you to find deeper roots for your own spiritual growth, through classes that explore the fundamental facets of a magical practice; and to discover new heights to reach toward.
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Meet Others of Like Mind
Join us for this 13-week series, appropriate for those who are just setting out, as well as those who have already journeyed long upon these paths. You'll participate in each class of the term in person at the magical Wilder Grove, and if there is inclement weather, we will meet in virtual space. We will be covering each step along this journey in an interactive way, because hearing the perspectives of others and sharing our own, as we travel, is as important as the direction of the road itself.
Discover Your Path
When you reach the end of this part of your journey with us, you will have a solid understanding of a wide range of subjects related to the spiritual paths that we walk.​
Course Details
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Term begins Sunday February 9, 2025 at 11:00AM
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Classes will take place in person each Sunday through April 27, 2025 at the Wilder Grove.
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Each class will be approximately 90 minutes long.
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The final class will take place on Saturday May 3 at Prince William Forest Park during Fertile Ground Gathering.
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Those who are enrolled in this term of the Collegium will be welcome to attend FGG for the entire day on Saturday May 3 at no additional cost. If you wish to attend the entire Gathering, you will receive a $100 credit toward the cost of registration to the full event.
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Program Details
Class 1 - The Path
The topic of Paganism covers a broad spectrum and it can feel overwhelming to consider the multitude of options available. During this class, we will discuss the distinction between Paganism and the mainstream religions as a way to compare and contrast. We will also discuss the various major branches of Pagan belief to help you narrow down your options to those that best fit your current practice.
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Class 2 - The ShadowGrove Tradition
Since 2004, we have been working with a small, private, tightly-knit community of people who share our spiritual journey. That community is called ShadowGrove. Over the more than two decades we have spent working together, we have developed a philosophical approach to life and spiritual practice, the ShadowGrove Tradition, which guides our own paths, as well as the teachings we have to offer. In this class, you will learn the basics of the ShadowGrove Tradition, as well as some of its fundamental concepts, such as the Cycle of Mindfulness, and the Five Points of Relationship. We will discuss these topics in depth, and help you understand how you can incorporate them into your daily life.
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Class 3 - The Art of Meditation
Meditation is an invaluable tool for spiritual growth, so it is important to develop a practice suited to your particular needs. To do this, we will begin by defining meditation and will then explore various styles and techniques. Along with this you’ll learn some guidelines for developing meditation skills, begin compiling a list of useful guided meditations and other resources and have the opportunity to take part in a few meditative exercises to help you determine which will be your best fit. We’ll also delve briefly into the story of meditation and discover some traditions based on different cultures around the world.
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Class 4 - Exploring Magic
During this class, we’ll discuss what magic means to each of us, and cover a brief overview of the various written definitions of the word. We’ll then begin to explore the various types of magic and will discuss our views on magic as spirituality, philosophy and religion and how the ShadowGrove Tradition views magic. We’ll also begin to delve a little more deeply into the practice of magic. We’ll discuss various ways in which we can and probably already do use magic on a daily basis, and discuss ideas of how to incorporate a magical practice into our daily life.
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Class 5 - Introduction to Ethics
The concept of what constitutes right and wrong action, and the consequences thereof, is a subject about which entire books have been written. Further, those who follow the Nature paths often have highly-individual thoughts on what is and is not right. In this class, you will gather the tools to evaluate the gray areas in the subject of right and wrong in your daily life, from the perspective of one who walks the path of the ShadowGrove Tradition.
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Class 6 - Introduction to Energy Work
One thing that many of us have encountered, either as something practiced by others, or as something we do ourselves, is "Energy Work". But what is Energy Work, where does the energy come from, how does one work with it, and what can it be used for? In this class, we will discuss all of these subjects, as well as our individual experiences with energy work.
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Class 7 - Introduction to the Elements
From ancient times, people have viewed the world with an Elemental eye; in Alchemy, Astrology, Energy work, and in many other areas, using an Elemental framework is a useful method for understanding the interactions of people and the various aspects of magic and life. In this class, you will learn about the nature and properties of the Stable Elements, Earth and Water and the Volatile Elements, Air and Fire; exploring the myth and legend surrounding each of them; as well as gaining an understanding of their strengths, weaknesses, correspondences, and uses in various types of magic, as well as other aspects of life.
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Class 8 - Forms of Divinity
There are as many forms of the Divine as there are Pagans who recognize them. Some deities are among a Pantheon, and others stand alone. Some Pagans connect with personified deities, while others find their connection to non-personified spirits. In this class we will discuss the various forms the Divine takes, and share our beliefs with one another. We will discuss the importance of the Divine in our practices, and what we do to honor them.
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Class 9 - Basic Personality Archetypes
Over the past several years, as the ShadowGrove Tradition has developed, it has become more and more clear that individual people tend to fall into various archetypal personality categories. We have spent several years developing and refining our understanding of seven basic Personality Archetypes. In this class, we will explain what those archetypes are, how they relate to one another, how they are applicable in daily life, and how we can use them to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and others.
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Class 10 - Drinking From the Fire Hose
Learning about the many facets of Paganism and about how our personal paths relate can become overwhelming, and cause more confusion than clarification. Sometimes it may seem the more research you do, the more options you have, and that can make it difficult to decide how to move forward. In this class, we will discuss these periods of confusion, and ways to fine-tune your research to help you choose your next steps, rather than causing you to grind to a halt.
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Class 11 - Understanding the Self
Self-awareness is an important part of developing our spiritual practice because we must first know who we are before we can decide where we’re going. In this class, we will explore various methods of self-discovery to help you understand where you are on your path, and develop some insights to help you as you journey forward.
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Class 12 - Ritual Basics
Whether our practice is solitary, or we work with a group, being aware of the elements that make up a successful ritual can make a big difference in how fulfilled we feel in our spiritual practice. In this class we will discuss the various ways we each practice ritual (whether we realize we’re doing it or not), and discover ways to refine our sacred work to create a holistic approach to spiritual, philosophical, and ethical personal practices.
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Class 13 - Walking the Path
This class will give us an opportunity to share more about our individual practices. The tools and methods we use, the beliefs we hold, and how much of our daily lives involve our spiritual path. We will explore ideas to enhance our personal practice, and talk about how we can incorporate the ShadowGrove Tradition as part of that practice.
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Term Policy
When you register, you will be required to make a deposit of $50. We will reach out to you to make arrangements for the remainder of the tuition fee. You must pay at least half of the tuition before the start of the term, and must complete payment for the term by March 23 (halfway through the term).
Students who cancel their registration more than 14 days prior to the start of the course (no later than January 26, 2025) will be eligible for a full refund. We cannot offer refunds to anyone who cancels after this period. If unforeseen circumstances occur, we can discuss a partial refund on a case-by-case basis.