Please dear Gods let this format right.
This is what I came up with and submitted to the seers guild of ADF for a study program. I am obviously still looking for suggestions and insights.
First Circle
Divination 1 ~ (I think that this should be learning about different forms of divination currently in use with ADF which are right now: Tarot, Runes, and Ogham) This is a basic introduction that will go in more depth with each circle.
IE Studies 1 ~ Historical usage of divination. A lot of omen taking is grounded in myths - such as where the Runes came from.
§ A study on how each of the divination systems were used in their hearth cultures.
§ Lore associated with Seers & Omen-taking
Interpretation 1 (Was critical thinking) ~ How to read the omens. While Divination would be introducing the forms and the basics for recognizing them, Interpretation would delve more into the actual omen taking itself.
§ How to present an Omen
An 800 word essay describing the journey that the first circle of the Seers Guild Program has taken you on and your growth as a Seer.
As this would be an extensive first circle where a lot of research would be required, I do not think more than this should be necessary for the first circle.
Second Circle
Divination 2 ~ This, I think should be when you begin to 'pick' what calls to you, a more specific concentration and the circle studies will reflect this as you progress.
(This isn’t saying that the only form of divination you can pick would be Runes, Ogham or Tarot. The intention is to take what form of divination that calls to you and carry your studies of it through the program. Who knows, you could be providing the necessary background for others that feel called to less main stream divining.)
§ Student specifies which two forms of divination they are likely to explore. (Two forms allows a broader range of information and expansion of our own seership.)
§ (Would like something more here about how Seers & ADF work together but am not sure how to phrase it.)
Interpretation 2 ~ More detailed information on the taking and reading of omens.
§ How to deliver the news if it isn’t so good.
Journey Working 1 ~ Some people have trouble with Trancing, therefore we could look into the basics of how to Journey.
§ What is a Journey?
§ How does Journeying relate to Divination?
§ The basics on how to go on a Journey
At least 4 high day rituals where the student is a seer for a grove or group of people and describing not only the omens but the experience in itself. If possible, a letter from the SD or Druids in Charge of the rituals where they describe how the omen was presented and what it meant from the groves/groups point of view. This allows for the seer to learn how their omen-taking is working or not working. It leaves room for growth.
(I like this, but then we run into the situation with solitaries or those who cannot get to a grove. I would like to see that taken into consideration, perhaps if they make it to a festival that could be considered?)
A 6 month Journal of tracking progress in taking and reading omens. This can include daily devotionals, Moon rites, High days or even just random scrying when the mood strikes.
An 800 word essay describing the journey that the second circle of the Seers Guild Program has taken you on and your growth as a Seer.
Third Circle
Divination 3 ~ I would like to see this explore (depending on your concentration) making your own divination set and finding that connection to it. Depending on what your chosen path is, this could be worked in a variety of ways.
§ How to make your own set as per IE studies for chosen hearth culture.
§ Working with your own set
Journey Working 2 ~ More in depth studies of how to go on and interpret Journeys. Also how to take others on Journeys both in ritual and individually.
At least 4 more high day rituals where the student is a seer and describing not only the omens but the experience in itself. If possible, a letter from the SD or Druids in Charge of the rituals where they describe how the omen was presented and what it meant from the groves/groups point of view.
A 6 month Journal of tracking progress in taking and reading omens. This can include daily devotionals, Moon rites, High days or even just random scrying when the mood strikes. These six months should be more in depth and specific.
An 800 word essay describing the journey that the third circle of the Seers Guild Program has taken you on and your growth as a Seer.
First Circle
Divination 1 ~ (I think that this should be learning about different forms of divination currently in use with ADF which are right now: Tarot, Runes, and Ogham) This is a basic introduction that will go in more depth with each circle.
- This would be learning the various forms of divination
- What they are
- How they are used
- Other forms of divination
- Animal reading
- Weather reading
- Various methods that were used by I-E cultures
- Scrying
- The role of a Seer in ADF
IE Studies 1 ~ Historical usage of divination. A lot of omen taking is grounded in myths - such as where the Runes came from.
§ A study on how each of the divination systems were used in their hearth cultures.
§ Lore associated with Seers & Omen-taking
Interpretation 1 (Was critical thinking) ~ How to read the omens. While Divination would be introducing the forms and the basics for recognizing them, Interpretation would delve more into the actual omen taking itself.
- How to determine if an omen is good, bad or eh
- How to determine if the omen is simply your own wishful thinking or what the power that be actually meant.
§ How to present an Omen
An 800 word essay describing the journey that the first circle of the Seers Guild Program has taken you on and your growth as a Seer.
As this would be an extensive first circle where a lot of research would be required, I do not think more than this should be necessary for the first circle.
Second Circle
Divination 2 ~ This, I think should be when you begin to 'pick' what calls to you, a more specific concentration and the circle studies will reflect this as you progress.
(This isn’t saying that the only form of divination you can pick would be Runes, Ogham or Tarot. The intention is to take what form of divination that calls to you and carry your studies of it through the program. Who knows, you could be providing the necessary background for others that feel called to less main stream divining.)
§ Student specifies which two forms of divination they are likely to explore. (Two forms allows a broader range of information and expansion of our own seership.)
§ (Would like something more here about how Seers & ADF work together but am not sure how to phrase it.)
Interpretation 2 ~ More detailed information on the taking and reading of omens.
§ How to deliver the news if it isn’t so good.
- How to determine if the omen is meant for the entire group or just a couple of people.
Journey Working 1 ~ Some people have trouble with Trancing, therefore we could look into the basics of how to Journey.
§ What is a Journey?
§ How does Journeying relate to Divination?
§ The basics on how to go on a Journey
At least 4 high day rituals where the student is a seer for a grove or group of people and describing not only the omens but the experience in itself. If possible, a letter from the SD or Druids in Charge of the rituals where they describe how the omen was presented and what it meant from the groves/groups point of view. This allows for the seer to learn how their omen-taking is working or not working. It leaves room for growth.
(I like this, but then we run into the situation with solitaries or those who cannot get to a grove. I would like to see that taken into consideration, perhaps if they make it to a festival that could be considered?)
A 6 month Journal of tracking progress in taking and reading omens. This can include daily devotionals, Moon rites, High days or even just random scrying when the mood strikes.
An 800 word essay describing the journey that the second circle of the Seers Guild Program has taken you on and your growth as a Seer.
Third Circle
Divination 3 ~ I would like to see this explore (depending on your concentration) making your own divination set and finding that connection to it. Depending on what your chosen path is, this could be worked in a variety of ways.
§ How to make your own set as per IE studies for chosen hearth culture.
§ Working with your own set
Journey Working 2 ~ More in depth studies of how to go on and interpret Journeys. Also how to take others on Journeys both in ritual and individually.
At least 4 more high day rituals where the student is a seer and describing not only the omens but the experience in itself. If possible, a letter from the SD or Druids in Charge of the rituals where they describe how the omen was presented and what it meant from the groves/groups point of view.
A 6 month Journal of tracking progress in taking and reading omens. This can include daily devotionals, Moon rites, High days or even just random scrying when the mood strikes. These six months should be more in depth and specific.
An 800 word essay describing the journey that the third circle of the Seers Guild Program has taken you on and your growth as a Seer.