The Sacred Order of Living Paganism

An Academy of the Order is a place where people meet to study for degrees. Any three people, at least one of whom will be the teacher and who must have reached the degree of Practitioner, can meet to form an Academy. An Academy can teach classes however is best for them so long as the basic curriculum of the Order is maintained. To become a registered Academy, the teacher must apply for registration to the Order by submitting the names of the teacher, degree, and a description of the organization of the Academy.

Though teaching can take place an a one-to-one basis with Mentors, some may wish to establish a class situation to teach more than one person at a time. This is where an Academy might best be created.

If an Academy becomes large enough that additional support and structure is needed, its members should consider creating a local Chapter of the Order. To create a Chapter, members of the Academy should meet to elect a Coouncil of Elders and officers, choose times for meetings, and draw up a constitution which reflects the policies and intents of the Order. When ready, the group should then contact an existing Chapter whose Council of Elders must approve the group's constitution. Upon approval and installation by the existing Chapter, the new Chapter is formed.

Starting An Academy

To establish an Academy, the following criteria must be met:

There must be one person (the Teacher) who has studied in the Order and has earned, at least, the first degree.
There must be more than one student who desires to study with the Teacher.
A regular time and place for meeting and studying must be established.
The Teacher must apply and be approved for Academy status from an active and incorporated Circle of the Order.

Once a meeting time and place has been secured and students have been found, a teacher may write to any active Chapter and request Academy status. When applying, questions that should be answered should include:

When and where will classes meet?
How often will they meet?
Will it be face-to-face or internet based?
What other plans do you have for the class?
How many students do you project having at the beginning and in the future?
You should also submit a curriculum plan showing the classes and subjects that will be taught. The curriculum should be very similar to the Order's degree requirements.

Although on-line teaching is possible, it is recommended that classes be face-to-face whenever possible, that they meet for at least an hour a week per degree taught and that the class meet every week. Adding rituals and social events to the activities of the Academy is completely up to the group, but not required. Teachers of an Academy are responsible for seeing that once their students’ names and degrees are conferred, that they are registered with the Order.

Starting A Circle

Although it is not required, it is recommended that a group considering starting a local Circle of the Order first establish an academy. Of course, it is also possible to establish both at the same time but since education in Pagan practice is one of the primary purposes of a Circle, it is expected that all Circles include an academy. To create a new Circle of the Order, go to the Circles page.

Current Academies

A list of all Circles and Academies can be seen on the Groups page.

revised August 11, 2007