Author: Rev. Jan Avende

Theater for Ritual 2

Building on the theories in Theatre for Ritual 1, this course delves deeper into the practicum of how we work in public ritual.

The primary goal of this course is for students to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively utilize physical techniques, such as voice, internalization of text, props, etc., to enhance ritual.

Course Objectives

  1. Students will increase their awareness of the importance of internalization of text and effectively apply this technique in ritual.
  2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the importance of voice in ritual to include developing an understanding of projection and diction.
  3. Students will demonstrate increased knowledge of physical techniques, such as internalization of text, the use of space, props, theatricality and movement in ritual.
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Book Recommendation: “Pagan, Goddess, Mother”

Book Cover depicts a painting of a purple haired woman holding a sleeping newborn.
“Pagan, Goddess, Mother” by Nané Jordan and Chandra Alexandre

This was recommended to me by a fellow ADF initiate who does a lot of academic research on various philosophical and pagan topics. Now I’m going to recommend it to you, my dear pagan parents. Particularly those of you who are steeped in both leadership roles and parenthood simultaneously.

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I’ve Been Praying All Along

As my kids have gotten older, it’s gotten more difficult to have a regularly scheduled personal practice. I used to have a very solid devotion/prayer schedule: daily devotion (often at dawn), twice weekly trance work, weekly solitary rite, full moon rite, new moon rite, Druid moon rite, and high day rite. These days I’m lucky if I manage a devotion once a week, trance work really only happens about once a month, and I’m down to just the grove Druid moons and high days. I’ll admit: I was feeling pretty guilty and inferior about it.

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Artemis, for the right to choose

On this National Day of Prayer,
as we watch our rights threaten to be eroded,
I call out to Artemis, protector.

Artemis, you were born in conflict,
with your mother, Leto, making the choice to give birth.
You, in turn, helped deliver your brother.

Artemis, when you were but a child,
You demanded sovereignty:
to choose your own path,
to follow your own passions,
to remain childless,
and not forced into the role of mother.

Artemis, I ask you now to be present.
To stand beside those who fight
for their own right to choose as you did.
You have always defended your followers,
And in this fight I ask that you continue to do so.

Lend your strength of will,
Lend your protection,
Let your precedence sway the minds of those who rule.

Artemis, as you have always been there for me,
be there for us all now.