I had the amazing opportunity to teach a class of Chaplaincy students doing CPE with OhioHealth this week. Their instructor had reached out to me to see if I could help give them some perspective on what types of things pagans belief, and what would help them in times of crisis. The talk went really well, the students were engaged and had good questions. Hopefully I get the opportunity to go back with each new cohort.
Here’s the outline that I sent along to the students:
Teaching Ritual Performance was designed to assist students to instruct others in ritual performance. In this course students are required to journal their work directing several rituals. Students do not necessarily need to write the rituals, nor do they need to write all the parts for the rituals. In fact, students may find it more challenging to allow others to write the ritual and then simply teach others how to work with the text they are given or come up with on their own.
The primary goal of this course is for students to enhance their skills for directing group ritual performance.
Course Objectives
Students will increase their knowledge and skill in celebrant selection for assigned ritual roles and develop an awareness of how their selection impacts ritual performance.
Students will enhance their skills for effectively directing ritual performances.
Students will develop the skills necessary to effectively instruct the celebrants in working with ritual text, as well as specific elements of ritual performance, including movement, voice, and the internalization of text.
Speaking Praise Offerings and Invitations to the Three Kindreds is a vital part of our practice as Druids and pagans. In this writing workshop learn to craft your own invitations to the Kindreds for use in your personal practice, or in small group ritual. We will work with descriptive language, poetic forms, and other literary devices when writing. The workshop will conclude with a short blessing ritual where each person will have the opportunity to take the invitation they have written, speak it before the fire and the spirits, and make offerings.
The full workshop may be viewed on the Three Cranes Grove, ADF YouTube Channel:
Workshop Notes:
Writing Invitations to the Kindreds
Invocation – Beings Within (think “Drawing Down” and “Horsing”)
Evocation – Beings Without (Inviting to be present at the ritual)
Memorize bookends & formulas if possible
Hey, you’re a god!
Here’s why you’re awesome!
We’re honoring you on this day.
Here’s your offering.
It’s appropriate to give to you for this celebration because Reasons.
Here’s how it is given to you and how you receive it.
Yay, god! Take your gift!
Types of Prayers:
Praise
Petitions
Love
Focus
Thanks
Forgiveness
Types of Rituals:
Solitary (1) -private
Small Group (2-10) – intimate; everyone knows what’s going on; everyone welcome to speak
Medium Group (11-30)– some may be unfamiliar with what is going on; most people still welcome to speak
Large Group (31+) – many may be unfamiliar with what is going on; speaking parts generally scripted; praise offerings welcomed, but perhaps not in verbal form
Extra Large Group (70+) – celebrants guiding/leading; may be the only ones who are speaking or know what’s going on; praise offerings sometimes welcomed, rarely in verbal form
Literary Devices & Descriptive Language:
Excellent book is Writing With Stardust by Liam O’Flynn
Mist to Open. Mists to Bind. 