Prospective Students
Pursuing seminary studies is a life-changing decision. We hope it will bring you into greater wholeness for yourself, into new experiences, relationships and joys as you walk the path of Avalon...
All prospective students must show that they are members of the Sisterhood of Avalon upon admission. In addition, admission to our Seed One program is only available once or twice each year. To receive an information packet, please contact our registrar.
Course of Study
The Avalonian Thealogical Seminary is a rigorous training program designed to awaken the innate wisdom in every student. The course work requires students to push through their perceived limitations and to expand their boundaries on mental, emotional and spiritual levels. Less a course of study than a guide to effect lasting inner change, deeper understanding and connection to the Divine Feminine, the Avalonian Thealogical Seminary serves as a Midwife to consciously assist in the birth of the empowered woman within.
To accomplish this, ATS embraces a paradigm of learning which is very different from the pedagogical techniques to which most of us are accustomed. This type of learning requires tireless, disciplined work and dedication to the revelation of the authentic self; fearless questioning in the search for truth and lasting change; and enormous courage to push past limitations in order to draw from the inner well of wisdom which is our birthright as women.
Through the use of scholarly resources, mythic tradition, esoteric philosophy, and tools designed to encourage personal evolution, the Avalonian Thealogical Seminary charts a course for lasting change and provides a gateway to access the Shining Realms of Avalon.
Admissions
Applications for the program are accepted from women who are members in good standing of the Sisterhood of Avalon. A student is expected to remain an active member of the SOA Community throughout the course of her seminary studies. An application, essays and a statement of intent are required for admission. Please contact the Registrar for an application and information packet.
Distance Learning
The bulk of the training will take place through Distance Learning, and each student will be assigned a mentor to guide her through the program. The lessons are interactive and will require readings, essay work, participation in online discussion groups and inner questing. There are Five Levels of Learning in all, including a Pastoral Counseling Component and limited residency retreat (required for Ordination but not for course completion) in addition to the presentation of a Thesis. A certificate of achievement is presented at the end of each Level successfully completed, with a final Ordination credential presented to eligible students.
Our long term goal is to establish a physical Seminary patterned after the ways of old, where women can come to study and to immerse themselves in the work. Until then, we have adapted relevant aspects of the Tradition appropriate for distance learning for transmission over the internet. By its very nature, in-person learning and apprenticeship is the ideal for the Avalonian Tradition, and we are dedicated to manifesting a space for this to happen.
Program Duration
Due to the nature of this work and the personal processing which is a part of it, it is difficult to quantify exactly how long it will take to complete this program. We have designed the guided course work to take between three and four years to complete. Thesis work can begin after completing Level Three of the Seminary, and may be concurrent with the Pastoral Component, if a student so desires. We ask that Thesis completion take no more than two years after finishing the entire Seminary program.
Ordination
We recognize the need for a comprehensive and thorough training program for women wishing to serve the Goddess and their communities as ordained clergy. All women who complete the entire Seminary program will be eligible to apply for ordination through the Sisterhood of Avalon. It is necessary to participate in a Seminary retreat as part of the Ordination process. While a Seminary student must be a member in good standing of the SOA she need not pursue Ordination; in such cases, a Certificate of Completion will be issued.
Here is what some of our students have had to say about their first year of study: