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Lessons by Correspondence

On this page:

Origin & Development of the Sabbat Lessons Program
How the Sabbat Lessons Program works
Getting started
Requirements
Dedication Rite
THE THIRTEEN QUESTIONS (for inmate students)

U.S. inmates - Please note that we cannot presently take any further new inmate students from the U.S.

Canadian inmates - are still welcome to join the program, and we encourage them to do so.
Friends or family are welcome to contact us to arrange for this, or simply send the 13 questions and the PPO lessons program address to their inmate (this allows the inmate to contact us immediately, with their 13 answers).


Origin & Development of the Sabbat Lessons Program

The Sabbat Lessons Program was started in 1993 by one of the founders of PFPC and PPO to supplement other study programs at Kingston Penitentiary.The impetus was that many study programs or books require tools, supplies and conditions (such as in a coven setting) that are usually not available to inmates.Such study programs also often focus on the 'how-tos' (of particular traditions, with assumptions that inmates can't fulfil), rather than the 'whys' — why do we believe what we do, why do we practice as we do, why is mythology significant at all, etc. — and how those 'whys' can be applied, both to the modern world and to a prison environment.

Another problem, especially for inmates, is that they are often restricted in what they are allowed to do ‘in nature’, and therefore have little that helps them stay in touch with the cycle of life (seasons/sabbats).The timing of set study lessons is not necessarily geared to the current sabbat/season, and therefore doesn't impact on the inmate's 'experiencial' sense of what they are studying (rather than being primarily abstracted 'in the head').

As it evolved, the Sabbat Lessons Program became considerably different from most others.It is not based on a set study program, but rather ‘year themes’ that consider one broad issue within Wicca and how it particularly relates to each sabbat and the wheel of the year.Although the program does have some bias (Kairosean Kithen tradition, Universalist Wicca), the lessons are kept as multi-traditional as possible.And its focus is developing one's own spiritual path - rather than arcane information, 'spells', etc.The program is also studied by non-inmate students, but remains geared to the particular needs of those within prison walls.

Other advantages to this kind of study program are:

    1. Because it is multi-traditional, and to some degree Universalist, it is useful for a broad range of inmate students who may have backgrounds in particular Wiccan, or even non-Wiccan/Pagan, traditions (a few of the students have been 'spiritual seekers' with no specific religious affiliation, or from another faith but interested in a Pagan perspective).
    2. Because it focuses on spiritual development - rather than the 'how tos' of Wicca (although those are included) - it remains as personal as a correspondence program can be.
    3. Since there is a focus on including current life/world situations, it is able to explore the relationship between Wicca and the living realities of the present-day world.

Over 150 inmates have participated in the program - which, although developed for Canadian inmates, has grown considerably in the U.S. over the past years.A few students have been involved since its inception (albeit intermittently), and new requests to join the program continue as a result of the prison 'grapevine'.There are now groups of inmates in a single prison taking the program - these groups may be practicing with outsider visitors from another tradition, or using the lessons to develop Wiccan study groups.   Recently, prison chaplains and pyschologists have also requested that the Sabbat lesson program be made available to the Pagan inmates in their prison.Some inmates have also continued the program after their release.

Although the Sabbat Lessons Program is directly under PPO’s auspices, it responds to requests from other Pagan Prison Ministry groups, such as AREN/Journey1.

How the Sabbat Lessons Program works

There are presently over 60 different Sabbat lessons, organized into ‘year themes’ – for example:

- Introduction to Sabbats and Wicca - a special ‘year theme’ as an introductory program.
- the Godde* - overview of both the archetypes and specific 'faces' of the Goddess and God, Their imagery, and how They relate to modern life
- Tools (what/how used, but more focused on how specific tools symbolize Wiccan concepts and beliefs —  e.g. chalice, womb-of-life/Goddess, as particularly relevant to Imbolc/'in the belly')
- Mythology (covering 8 primary myths from different Pagan traditions across the world — each with a primary theme that related to that sabbat)
-  Ritual (components of, variations and meaning/purpose of each component — e.g. Beltaine has a particular relevance to invocations and wine blessings),
- plus a variety of lessons that relate Wiccan ideals and imagery to science, psychology, etc.

Students are encouraged to take a whole ‘year theme’ at a time in order to gain some depth of knowledge on that particular subject.However, each lesson considers various elements of Wicca and, after one or two years’ worth of lessons, the student should have a solid grounding in Wiccan principles.

Each sabbat, a lesson is sent out to the student (in whatever ‘year theme’ they are studying).Students are expected to do regular assignments, although for the sake of their finances they often mail in two or more at a time.

The Sabbat Lessons are available to any inmate free of charge (although inmates are encouraged to make a donation to the expenses, if they can, and some do).The lessons are also available to non-inmates or parolees in email format.

Getting started

The students are first required to send an introduction letter to PPO.Then a list of 13 questions (on basic themes within Wicca – see below) is sent for the students to respond to – so that the teacher can assess their present knowledge and understanding of Wicca.After answering the questions, the students are sent a package of introductory material (re Wiccan Holy Days/Sabbats and general beliefs, and a list of all the available Sabbat Lessons), and the first lesson appropriate to that sabbat.Once the students are comfortable with the lessons, they are welcome to do two lessons (from different ‘year themes’) for that sabbat at a time, if they so wish.

Students can also request any of the past Sabbat Lessons (or other study materials) that spark their interest.Sometimes certain ones will be recommended to clarify a student's particular confusion or lack of background, or because they have a particular interest in the subject.

Requirements

Originally, any student who sent even a personal letter once in 'a year and a day' was sent copies of the Sabbat Lessons.In the past couple of years, this has become unwieldy, given the number of students and expense.   This is unfortunate, as many inmates who have literacy problems and don't do the assignments feel that just reading the lessons is helpful.

Now, if no homework is received from 3 consecutive lessons (Sabbats), no further ones are sent, and the student is considered to have left the program.However, exceptions are made for inmates who have been involved for a long time or are facing particularly difficult circumstances.All students are welcome to re-join the program at a later date, including after they are released.

Dedication Rite

A student, who has completed a minimum number of Sabbat Lessons and really seems prepared, is offered a dedication rite (not into any particular tradition).This is a bit complicated to do 'long-distance' (requires three synchronized rituals with written feedback in between), but has been an enriching process and important to inmates who may have no other formal connection with Pagan groups.

It is important to clarify that the Dedication Rite is NOT an initiation (although equal study work may have been done to that required by many traditions), but only a rite of personal commitment to the Godde* shared with their teacher.Most prisons do not allow ‘priesthood’ to practice (except in terms of their personal solitary rituals), and so it is not appropriate for us to initiate inmates into the priesthood.Furthermore, because the study program is intentionally multi-traditional and students may follow whatever particular Pagan path they choose, only a general Dedication Rite is possible.

            If you know of an inmate (in Canada or the U.S.) who would be interested in this program, please contact us, or print out the following set of 13 questions and have them send their answers and an introductory letter directly to

Pashta MaryMoon - PPO
c/o 1831 Fern St.
Victoria, B.C. V8R 4P4

* Godde – is a term used to infer ‘all possible figures/faces/images of goddesses and gods as a collective unit’ (avoids using ‘gods’, which can be considered sexist).The ‘Godde” and the ‘Divine’ are considered the same thing, but the first according to ‘multiple expression’, and the second, ‘all as One’.

 



THE THIRTEEN QUESTIONS
(USE FOR PPO SABBAT LESSONS STUDENTS)
please feel free to copy & send to Pagan inmates
who might be interested

This is not a test, nor are you expected to find the answers in the 'What most Pagans/Wiccan would agree to' paper you may have a copy of.Your personal answers to these 13 questions are only for your teacher to use to get an idea of your present understanding of Wicca, in order to correct any mis-assumptions and/or help you grow in a relevant, helpful way.There are NO WRONG ANSWERS – you are only asked for your present opinions.

1. Define and describe what being a Pagan means           

2. Define and describe what being a Witch means

3. Do you consider yourself one of the above or both? - why/how?

4. What do you see as being positive in Paganism or Wicca?

5. What, if anything, do you see as being negative in Paganism or Wicca?

6. What is your understanding of the meaning of the Wiccan Rede - "An ye harm none, do what ye wilt”?

7. What is your understanding of Polarity as the basis of Wicca?

8. What is your understanding of the following terms:

            Goddess

            God

            Priestess

            Priest

9. What is your concept of death?

10. What do you think should be expected from the teacher as teacher and yourself as student - in terms of the responsibility of each to the other?

11. What do you personally seek from Wicca?

12. Are there any special areas within Paganism/Wicca that you would particularly like to study? - religious or practical?

13. List what other religions you have explored or been involved with, and why you chose not to follow them.

                                           

Blessed Be