Sisters in The Goddess Tree

FAQ

Pray Peace

1. What is the total cost of attending?
The tuition for the first three levels is a total of $360-US, plus fees for textbooks.
You will need 3 text books for each of the three Levels, 9 total. 

Level IV (High Priestess) is optional through our mother school and the cost for this course is $120.00 with one text book to purchase.

2. How often do I need to pay tuition, and how do I pay my tuition?
If you are on the payment plan, the monthly tuition of $30-US is due at the beginning of every 4-lesson segment. So your first $30 covers lessons 1 - 4; the second payment covers lessons 5 - 8; the third, lessons 8 -12, and so forth. If you wish, you may purchase an entire level at one time for $120-US. This covers 16 weeks of lessons. You may pay online by credit card  or check through Paypal or by mail with a  money order. Students outside the USA may pay by International Postal Money Order in US funds.

3. What does my tuition include?
Tuition covers online lessons & assignments, instructor evaluation & feedback, and online interaction with other students. In addition, students will receive some course materials through the mail (including downloadable guided meditations & exercises) free of charge. Ceremonial Cords and framable Completion Certificates are awarded to those completing each level at no extra cost.

4. Is ordination offered?
Not at this time, possibly again in the future.

5. How do I enroll?
First, fill out an online Application. Next, send in your tuition or payment and order your textbooks. You will be able to enroll online immediately after filling out the application and will receive your first lesson within minutes.

6. Where can I purchase my textbooks?
You may purchase the texts anywhere you can find them. Our online bookstore allows you to easily purchase your texts through amazon.com (no credit card is needed -- you may send them a check) or to search for used books on the web. Your local bookstores may carry these texts. If not, the texts can be ordered from any bookseller. We also have a sister-run library.

7. How do I receive my lessons?
You will receive your lesson URLs via email. The lessons are web-based. You will receive your first lesson upon enrolling. You will receive the next lesson after the first lesson is completed. Correspondence through U.S. Mail is also available.

8. Once I complete a lesson, how soon will I receive the next lesson?
Usually within 24 hours. You may request the next lesson in advance or two lessons at a time if you need one faster than that.

9. Once I complete a lesson, how soon will I receive instructor feedback?
Instructor feedback is sent out on Sunday for lessons submitted by the previous Thursday night. However, your next lesson URL will be quickly sent out to you (within 24 hours), regardless of the day you submit your completed lesson. I am happy to answer any questions that need quick answers. Simply type "attention" in the subject line and send your question to thegoddesstreestaff@yahoo.com

10. Will I be able to read other students' lessons?
Students may post their lessons after they receive feedback to the classroom discussion list for all to read. In this way,
you will be able  to read their lessons and respond to them on the student list.

11. Will anyone besides the instructor see my lesson responses?
Only if you want them to. Lessons are entirely private. Sharing  lessons with the group list is completely voluntary.

12. What about privacy?
Many students are concerned about protecting their public identities. I am committed to helping students keep their public identities private. While students must give a valid mailing address when they enroll, only I have access to this information. It is not shared it with anyone.

Students concerned with privacy are encouraged to use their "magical names" or nicknames in the school and to create a new email address for school purposes.

13. What interaction will I have with other students?
Discussion Lists
Participation in the classroom discussion list (our Yahoo Group) is the only required interaction. But most students find they enjoy this interaction with the wonderful women here so much that they would like more! The list for sharing lessons, informal discussions, introductions, passing along information, and sharing prayer requests. No chain letters,  virus scares, religious or political proselytizing here please!
Monthly Group Distance Rituals
Perhaps the most wonderful form of interaction we have is our monthly group distance ritual. This is an activity we each do on the same night, wherever we are, with a specific intent in mind. A different student will be asked to facilitate this ritual each month. This student will determine (with feedback from others) the theme and the date, which will occur during an appropriate moon phase. Participation in the monthly ritual is encouraged, but not required. Participation can be as simple as lighting a candle and meditating on the intent the scheduled night or as elaborate as a full-length intricate ritual.
Face to Face Sabat Gatherings
These gatherings include students from the Mother School and her daughter hives. We also have various local gatherings throughout the year. Attendance is voluntary. 

14. What does the curriculum consist of?
The curriculum is experiential, practice-based rather than knowledge-based. Developing a consistent daily, weekly, and monthly spiritual practice is the cornerstone of the teachings. We learn by doing, by internalizing skills and knowledge and shaping them into an individual practice compatible with our individual beliefs. This is not Wicca 101.

16. What if I have absolutely no experience in this type of spiritual work?
Then you are welcome here! You will be given the basics in Level I and allowed to progress at a comfortable speed.

17. What if I already am quite experienced in this type of spiritual work?
You are also welcome here! You will be able to take what you already know and build on that. The lessons are designed to be flexible to the student's level of experience. As long as you are willing to try new ways of doing things and to consistently apply what you know in your daily spiritual practice, you will find the school has much to offer you.

18. Is there any way to "test out" of certain material?
No, there isn't. Because the material is practice-based rather than knowledge-based, you must be willing to experience all of the lessons.

19. How can I blend this curriculum with my current spiritual practice?
In any way that suits you! The focus of the school is on The Goddess with the premise that she is harmonious with all of spirituality. If you are a Christian, chose a Christian form of The Goddess to honor (Mother Mary, Mary Magdalene, Sophia, a female saint). Place her on your altar along with Christ. If you are Jewish, choose Lilith or Asherah. If you are Buddhist, choose Quan Yin. Simply add The Goddess to whatever part of your current spiritual practice "works" for you right now.

20. What if I disagree with some of the information or views in the textbooks?
While we ask that you open your mind to consider other viewpoints, ultimately it is up to you to take what you like and leave the rest. This is one of the strengths of Women's Spirituality -- You are Goddess, You are Source. Trust your inner-knowing, and find what's right for you.

21. What if I feel very uncomfortable with an assignment? Will I be required to complete it?
Again, you will be encouraged to "push the envelope" a bit on your comfort level. But if your intuition tells you something is definitely wrong for you, feel free to modify the assignment into something that is more comfortable or to request an alternative assignment.

22. Will other students harass me because of my spiritual beliefs?
Certainly not. Such harassment will not be tolerated. So far, we haven't had any problems with this whatsoever. However, if any harassment does occur, it will be immediately stopped. The Goddess Tree is dedicated to making the school a safe, comfortable environment for everyone. If you ever feel uncomfortable with a thread of discussion or with a developing situation, please contact me immediately.

23. Why only focus on The Goddess? What about God/The God?
Many of our students do honor God or The God; some feel more comfortable focusing on The Goddess only. The purpose of the school is to contribute to a restoration of Spiritual Balance. Right now, the world is clearly out of balance with an over-emphasis on male-dominated spirituality. There are many more places to learn about male expressions of the Divine than there are places to learn about female expressions of the Divine. As we honor the Feminine Divine, we honor the Divine in ourselves, as women. We empower ourselves spiritually, psychologically, emotionally, and physically. This is the focus of this school. We are each a Priestess of the Goddess.

24. Why aren't men allowed to join the school?
In focusing on female empowerment, it is necessary to limit the scope of the school. Women need women-only spaces in order to heal and grow. While we certainly hope that men will explore Goddess studies, we regret that our limited focus here cannot include them.

25. What is the required time-frame for completing this course?
The suggested completion time is 13 months for all three levels. A student needs to submit one lesson per week in order to complete the course within this time frame. Students are allowed to work at their own pace, however during Level One students are strongly encouraged to turn in at least one lesson per month. (Note that at the rate of one lesson per month, it would take over 4 years to complete this program.) Once a student completes Level I, however, she may remain as part of the school community regardless of whether she pursues Level II studies or not.

26. What is "inactive status" and how can I avoid it?
Inactive status may be avoided under special circumstances when a student requests an extension due to a crisis of some kind. An extension will allow the student to continue to participate in school activities and discussion, but please note that extensions will be for a definite period of time. The student must resume submitting lessons in a timely manner.

27. What is your refund policy?
If  you voluntarily dis-enroll from the school, you may request a school credit on your tuition. If you decide to return to the school at a later date, your previous tuition will apply to your future lessons for up to one year  from the date of your last payment. If you feel the need to request a school credit under special circumstances, please do not hesitate to ask.

28. Are further studies offered?
GrannyMoon and Level III Students will offer optional short courses from time to time on a variety of topics. Students who are enrolled and are currently paying tuition are usually invited to take these optional courses for free, although some restrictions may apply. (For example, a student might need to have completed the first 4 or 8 weeks of her studies in order to qualify.) Students who have completed Level I, but who are not currently paying tuition (see 26 above) will be required to submit a $30 payment before taking any optional course.

29. Level IV - High Priestess
Grannymoon...Mother High Priestess of the Circle of the Silver Hive, offers a ten week High Priestess training and ordination course, after completing the first three levels. You will train with her and/or the other High Priestess of the Circle. Title of High Priestess will be given to you at that time, as well as a certificate and ceremonial cord. This course is also $120.00