- Our approach to entering the Realms of Avalon is through the application of techniques found in the Western Mystery School. To this end, we feel that a foundation in Western Magick is essental. With these tools, we can gain access to Avalon and Her Mysteries.
- We are Pagans, not Wiccans. We share a philosophy and a pantheon with the Druidic Brotherhood - we are a half of a greater whole.
- We feel that the female path is different from that of the male path -- they are equal, yet opposite. Although we honor and acknowledge the Male aspect of Deity, we work only with female, passive energies, and work only with Goddess forms. We work strictly within the confines of the Avalonian Archetype. Although we honor all Goddesses as One, we work only with the faces of the Goddess specific to Avalon. Of course, our Sisters may explore what they will of other paths as well, but our ritual workings are strictly keyed to Avalonian energies.
- We do not pray to the Goddess to ask Her to change our lives. We do not cast spells. We do not utilize manipulative magicks of any kind. We believe that we change the world by changing ourselves. The Goddesses of Avalon work WITH us to affect that change ... to attain the goal of inner transformation -- for through issue resolution and soul healing, we become closer to the Divine within ourselves.
- We trust in the Wisdom of the Universe. We trust in the Universe's ability to maintain order and balance of its own accord. We work to untangle the snares of personal soul-debt, while honoring its workings, and recognizing our inability to see the full Tapestry. It is thus, with humility, that we dare not meddle. It is not for us to change the path of others -- only they themselves can do so ... and only thus are life lessons learned.
- We strive to heal ourselves and gain inner clarity so that we are not ruled by the unconscious motivations of our shadow sides. When we see with new eyes, we expand our perception of the Universe and our place within it. We do not seek psychism for its own sake. "Psychic" abilities (i.e., the Sight) are the by-product of our work, not the reason for it.
- There are no degrees or titles granted within our tradition. All such shifts of consciousness and initiations come from the hand of the Lady Herself. Through issue resolution, there is an increased ability to see with clarity and separate ourselves from issues of power and ego. Only when one can bypass ego, and find joy in service rather than power, can one hear with clarity.
- We work to understand and intimately know the Powers of Land, Sea, Wind and Flame, for through them we can understand the ways in which energy works both within and without.
- We follow the Lunar cycles for our Holy Day workings, not the Julian Calendar, which was unknown to the ancient Celts. We work on the Lunar Crossquarters, the 13 Fullmoons and the 13 Darkmoons.
- We embrace, as our highest ideal, the concept of personal empowerment.
There are no BoS to be memorized, no rote learning. We teach our students
the tools they need so that they may come to their own wisdom. Teaching
someone the elemental alignment of an herb only allows them to know the
elemental
alignment of THAT herb. Teaching someone how to DETERMINE the elemental
alignment of an herb, allows them to know the elemental alignments of ALL
herbs. We already have all the answers ... we must only remember how to
ask the questions.
- We believe in the importance of understanding the culture from which the Avalonian tradition emerged. Therefore, we encourage all areas of study within the Avalonian/Celtic archetype. Emersion in this energy serves to open more doorways. Music, dance, song, chant, language, history, art, healing, ritual, divination, etc., all have their Avalonian application, and are paths of service. The SOA sistergroups are a reflection of this.
- Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the Avalonian path is experiential. It cannot be learned by reading books, or through observation of others. We must each actively seek our wisdom. This path is also self-limiting, and therefore requires the utmost discipline and dedication. A woman will only get out of the work what she puts into it. One cannot be an armchair Priestess of Avalon. A woman who seeks to walk this path must be willing to put it all on the line, have the courage to look her shadows square in the face, and be able to affect positive change in her life. The path is endless ... there is never nowhere else to go -- there is only unwillingness to look harder. We are ever unfolding, ever-seeking to conquer the mists which obstruct our sight.
c. 1998 Jhenah Telyndru
Mission Statement: Sisterhood of Avalon
Our mission and values above all else are committed to:
1. The Great Goddess, who works through us and is our guide as we follow Her pathway.
2. Ourselves, so that we may be true to who we are and our beliefs. In this light, we are committed to personal growth and the understanding, empowering and embracing of all that we are -- and all we can be.
3. Our families, both of blood and of choice, so that we may raise strong and independent children in the Goddess' grace, have loving/meaningful relationships with our life partners, and form soul bonds with our Sisters and Brothers, wrought from an awareness of our genuine selves.
4. Our fellow Sisters of Avalon, so that we may teach and guide each other in perfect love and perfect trust.
In pursuit of these values, we believe the following statements are essential and timeless:
We recognize and affirm the unique and intrinsic
worth of each individual
We treat all those we serve with compassion
and kindness
We act with absolute honesty, fairness, and
integrity in our lives
We trust our inner intuitions and listen to
the Goddess as she works her miracles through us.
We strive to treat one another with loyalty,
respect and dignity.
We are on a path of one with each other.
We are as individuals true of heart and make
a vow to harm none in our workings.
We believe that through our own behavior we
must take responsibility for our actions.
As we walk with the Goddess on the Avalon
Path may She forever bless our work as long as we hold to these ideals.
May your orchards be ever-fruitful.
Blessings!
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