Stickler

I like challenging my students, but I don't want to be a jerk about it either. I like being able to present them with a new idea, a new dilemma, a new perspective, a new scenario and see how they work their way through it or around it.

It's through this process that we find enlightenment. People learn more about a topic by working out an answer than just being told the answer. Even if the journey leading to the answer presents more questions, struggling with those questions can lead to even more answers. And so on. And so forth.

Not that there are any plain and simple answers in Pagan Edumacation. I was once told that I chose to be Pagan because I was lazy, that I didn't have make an effort to follow the rules because there is no Pagan doctrine, no Bible. There's no central Pagan authority to guide me, to keep me safe.

In my opinion, being Pagan is not for the lazy because I have to find my own answers to life's questions. I have to do my own research and come up with my own answers. On top of it all, those answers can change from day to day. Everytime I think I reach the top of the mountain, the clouds part to reveal another slope.

Whereas in other "documented" faiths, they provide you with a map that clearly indicates how tall the mountain is, where to go (to be safe), and where not to go. And if you discover another mountain top, the Faith Sherpa will tell you that it's either Not There or it's a Not To Go part of the mountain.

All this to say that, while I like to unveil new parts of the mountain to my students, I'm keenly aware that there's a fine line between challenging them and being a butthead about it.

I'm learning still. They're learning still.

New Links and Info

I've been going through the journals, homework, and exams and I'm pleased to say that my students take their studies very seriously. More than just repeating what they were told, they've obviously done some serious thinking and research of their own on the topics we've covered.

If there's one thing I want them to learn is that their search for knowledge should never end. The course they are taking with us is only a springboard.

I've been asked by Montreal Sabbats to lead the public Yule ritual (December 17th), so I've started to do some of my own research to design a kick-ass ritual that everyone will enjoy. In doing so, I found some interesting links (which I've added to this page on the side).

Since we'll be covering the Sabbats in the next few classes, you'll probably find these interesting:

Encyclopedia Mythica
Pagan Chant Library
The Sabbats
God Checker

See you on Wednesday!

Scheduling Conflict

I've just realized this week that my storytelling show at the Dollard Des Ormaux Library is on Wednesday the 19th of October, which is in direct conflict with my class. This date was selected long before the class date, so I've double-booked myself (again).

Scarlet has very graciously agreed to run the class for me, so don't worry! I'll be back the following week to continue our studies.

My apologies for my absence. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again.

Pleased

I'm very pleased to hear that my students are enjoying the course and are intending to continue with it. I'm thanking the Gods that Scarlet is teaching the class with me (providing the more academic side while I expound upon the experiential side), but I'm looking forward to a time when I'll be comfortable enough to teach the class on my own.

The next couple of classes will be more relaxed since we'll be watching some pagan-related films and opening the floor to discussion and debate (my favourite).

I hope we're all still around so that I can see my students perform their own ritual.