1. What facets of the sacred feminine will be addressed? Is there a curriculum?
The unique and innovative aspect of the school is that it will address “curriculum” in a way that is consonant with the sacred feminine. We will utilize labyrinth walking, circle work, creative process, and personal integration through psychospiritual processes as a partner to the more traditional didactic approaches. We will emphasize the need to make learning practical and meaning-filled. Some of the course titles we hope to offer using the integrative processes listed above are:
- The History of the Goddess; Archetypal Manifestations of the Sacred Feminine World History
- Mary
- Mary Magdalene
- The Manifestation of the Sacred Feminine in Contemporary Culture
- The Goddess in Indian Culture
- Tara and Quan Yin and the Feminine Presences in Buddhism
- The Sophia Tradition in Christianity
- The Sacred Feminine in Contemporary Indigenous Cultures
2. Who are the "experts" that will be speakers or be part of faculty?
Judith Tripp and Lauren Artress will coordinate the programs. Other faculty will be brought in to teach the course modules.
3. Who will organize the School, in addition to Judith and Lauren?
Current Veriditas staff will provide administrative support.
4. Where will the School be located and how will classes function?
The school began at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco in August of 2006. In our first phase, we will offer introductory weekends. The Veriditas community will determine these locations. In several places where the Women's Dream Quest has taken hold, there has been an interest in hosting SOSF programs. The introductory weekend may be also offered to Portland, Houston and Kearney, NB if there is sufficient interest. A SOSF supplement will be added to Chartres programming this year. Eventually we hope to have an on-line component.
5. Where will the initial convening of the School take place?
Grace Cathedral August 2006, depending on availability of space. This will be the first experience of the weekend introduction. It will include an overnight in the cathedral and be limited to 30 participants.
6. How will the organizing proceed?
Judith organized the initial event and will continue to refine the vision for the school and the plan for implementation. She will also help to create a website.
7. How does the School correlate with Lauren's commitment to The New Chartres School of which she is a core faculty member?
The hope is that eventually SOSF could be affiliated with Wisdom University or another accredited university in order to allow for the possibility of credit or degrees being given for its courses.
SOSF is a distinct type of program not in competition with any of the other offerings of Veriditas or Wisdom University.
8. Why is there a need for SOSF? Leadership training? Activism?
SOSF arises out of the labyrinth work. It is the next logical extension of our work in Veriditas. People sometimes experience the labyrinth as a calling card for the Sacred Feminine. The Sacred Feminine is and always has been a palpable energy in Chartres. As we incorporate and integrate its teachings into our lives, we shift the emphasis in Western Civilization to include the gifts and qualities of the soulful inner realms. We emphasize partnership over domination, and include both men and women well versed and comfortable in the sacred feminine in the decision-making jobs of our society and culture. The vision of SOSF is of a wisdom circle patterned after the circle of grandmothers in the Iroquois nation using the labyrinth and the processes of contemplation and meditation in addition to rational discursive thought to work on the issues facing our communities, nation and planet. This is an activitism grounded in spiritual and psychological maturity.
9. What will students in the School be prepared to do in the world for which the School of the Sacred Feminine will uniquely train them?
This is a school of soul and as such it will address soul purpose. We will support people to find their next step in leadership, creativity and offering their gifts. We will also train people to be fluent in the story of the sacred feminine in our civilization. Students will gain mastery in presentation, taking labyrinth walk to a deeper level, and facilitating the transformation of the human spirit.
10. Will Certification be offered?
We may develop different levels of certification. We hope to create a yearlong program including the introductory weekend, one or more pilgrimages (to Chartres, Avalon etc), a wilderness component and a set of courses. Such a program would include a biweekly consultation with either an advisor emphasizing the personal integration aspect of the program. If we become affiliated with a university, we could offer credit for components of the program or perhaps even a degree in Sacred Feminine studies.
11. Will the labyrinth be the centerpiece of the School of the Feminine?
Of course! The labyrinth contains, informs and inspires us.
