For Immediate Release: October 15, 2013
Contact: Holli Emore, 888-503-4131, CHS@cherryhillseminary.org
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Cherry Hill Seminary has just released its new Pagan Life Academy, a series of eight low-cost print lessons for incarcerated Pagans.
The Pagan Life Academy series is pan-Pagan, presenting values, ethics, stories and ritual elements that are common to various Pagan traditions. Each lesson uses elements common to nearly all modern Paganisms: holidays, the calling of directions, ritual practice, and mythology. Because inmates are incarcerated most often because they have made poor choices, our writer chose eight character traits, or virtues, and re-wrote stories from ancient cultures to emphasize these virtues. The ritual actions are based on the stories and include a commitment to continuing the development of a given virtue. Pagan Life Academy lessons are suitable for solitary practitioners, or for groups, and for use by volunteers and chaplains in prison systems.
“As America’s prisons become increasingly crowded they more nearly reflect the changing religious demographics of our country, which include growing numbers of Pagans, and SBNRs (“spiritual but not religious”). The prison experience can be a cauldron of transformation for many; Pagan Life Academy is Cherry Hill Seminary’s offering to our incarcerated Pagans and those who serve them,” said Executive Director Holli Emore.
The following lessons may be ordered online at http://www.cherryhillseminary.org/students/degree-programs/pagan-life-academy-incarcerated-pagans/, or by sending a check or money order to Cherry Hill Seminary, P.O. Box 5405, Columbia, SC 29250.
Lesson | Item Cost |
Samhain, Winter Nights, Halloween – October 31 Persephone and the Pomegranate; truthfulness and integrity | $5 |
Yule, Midwinter, Winter Solstice – December 21 or 22 The Devotion of Isis to Osiris; devotion and loyalty | $5 |
Imbolc, Disting, Candlemas – February 1 The Commitment of Mulan; commitment and following through | $5 |
Ostara, Summer Finding, Spring Equinox – March 20 or 21 The Land Spirits and the Maple Syrup; substance abuse, meaningful work, goal-setting | $5 |
Beltane, Mayday – May 1 The Binding of Fenris; courage, sacrifice, responsibility | $5 |
Litha, Midsummer, Summer Solstice – June 21 or 22 The Children of Hercules are Offered Compassion; empathy and compassion | $5 |
Lammas, Lughnasadh, Freyfraxi – August 1 The Generosity of Baucis and Philemon; generosity and helping | $5 |
Mabon, Harvest, Fall Equinox – September 22 or 23 Fionn and the Song of Fairie; self-control, risk, endurance, and honor | $5 |
Welcome and Introduction You will need one of these to go with the lessons - ritual instructions, how to use the stories and discussion guides, individual roles, altar setup, directions, correspondences | $3 |
For more information, visit Cherry Hill Seminary online (http://www.cherryhillseminary.org/students/degree-programs/pagan-life-academy-incarcerated-pagans/).
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