Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the total cost of attending Moonlit River's School of the
Femine Divine?
2. How often do I need to pay tuition, and how do I pay my tuition?
3. What does my tuition include?
4. Is ordination offered?
5. How do I enroll?
6. Where can I purchase my textbooks?
7. How do I receive my lessons?
8. Once I complete a lesson, how soon will I receive the next lesson?
9. Once I complete a lesson, how soon will I receive instructor feedback?
10. Will I be able to read other students' lessons?
11. Will anyone besides the instructor see my lesson responses?
12. What about privacy?
13. What interaction will I have with other students?
14. What does the curriculum consist of?
15. What if I have absolutely no experience in this type of spiritual
work?
16. What if I already am quite experienced in this type of spiritual
work?
17. Is there any way to "test out" of
certain material?
18. How can I blend this curriculum with my current spiritual practice?
19. What if I disagree with some of
the information or views in the textbooks?
20. What if I feel very uncomfortable with an assignment? Will I be
required to complete it?
21. Will other students harass me because of my spiritual beliefs?
22. Why only focus on The Goddess? What about God/The God?
23. Why aren't men allowed to join the school?
24. What is the required time-frame for completing this course?
25. What is "inactive status" and
how can I avoid it?
26. What is your refund policy?
27. Are further studies offered?
28. What is The Order of The White Moon?
29. The Gadon text seems to mainly focus
on Indo-European Goddesses. Do you include a multi-cultural focus?
1.
What is the total cost of attending Moonlit River's School of the Feminine
Divine?
The total cost of tuition is $360-US (if you complete the entire 13
month course), plus fees for textbooks. You will need 3 text books
for each of the three Levels, 9 total. If you elect to receive additional
training in opening a public ministry and ordination (Level IV),
an additional fee of $50 will apply.
2. How often do I need to pay tuition, and how do I pay my tuition?
The monthly tuition of $30-US is due at the beginning of every 4-lesson
segment. So your first $30 covers lessons 1 - 4; the second payment
covers lessons 5 - 8; the third, lessons 8 -12, and so forth. If
you wish, you may purchase an entire level at one time for $120-US.
This covers 16 weeks of lessons. You may pay online by PayPay or
via mail with a check or money order. Students outside the USA may
pay online or via International Postal Money Order in US funds.
3. What does my tuition include?
Tuition covers online lessons & assignments, instructor evaluation & feedback,
and online interaction with other students. In addition, students will
receive audio-taped guided meditations through the mail free of charge.
Ceremonial Cords and framable Completion Certificates are awarded to
those completing each level at no extra cost.
4. Is ordination offered?
Yes, ordination is now available to Level IV gradutates, High Priestesses.
We do not offer ordination to anyone who has not completed all four
levels.
5. How do I enroll?
First, fill out an online Application.
Next, send in your first $30 tuition payment and
order your textbooks. You will be able to enroll
online immediately after filling out the application and will receive
your first lesson shortly.
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6. Where can I purchase my textbooks?
You can purchase the texts anywhere you can find them. Our online bookstore
allows you to easily purchase your texts through amazon.com (no credit
card is needed -- you may send them a check) or to search for used
books on the web. Your local bookstores may carry these texts. If
not, the texts can be ordered from any bookseller.
7. How do I receive my lessons?
You will receive your lesson urls via email. The lessons are web-based.
You should receive your first lesson upon enrolling. You will receive
the next lesson after the first lesson is completed.
8. Once I complete a lesson, how soon will I receive the next lesson?
Usually within 48 hours. You may request the next lesson in advance
or two lessons at a time if you need one faster than that.
9. Once I complete a lesson, how soon will I receive instructor feedback?
Instructor feedback is sent out by Sunday night for lessons submitted
by the previous Friday night. However, your next lesson url will
be quickly sent out to you, regardless of the day you submit your
completed lesson Diana is happy to answer any questions that need
quick answers. Simply type "attention" in the subject line
and send your question to school@moonlitriver.com.
10. Will I be able to read other students' lessons?
Each week, Diana will ask a few students to post their lessons to
the classroom discussion list for all to read. In this way, you will
be able to read other students' lessons
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11. Will anyone besides the instructor see my lesson responses?
Only Diana will see your lesson unless you post it to the discussion
list. Posting lessons to the group list is completely voluntary.
12. What about privacy?
Many students are concerned about protecting their public identities.
We are committed to helping students keep their public identities
private. While students must give a valid mailing address when they
enroll, only Diana has access to this information. She does not
share it with anyone, including the rest of the teaching staff.
Students concerned with privacy are encouraged to use their "magical
names" or nicknames in the school and to create a new email address
for school purposes. We can offer other suggestions for protecting
privacy as well -- just ask.
13. What interaction will I have with other students?
Discussion Lists
Participation in the classroom discussion list is the only required
interaction. But most students find they enjoy this interaction with
the wonderful women here so much that they would like more! So we also
have a Chat list for informal discussions, introductions, passing along
information, and sharing prayer requests. This list is voluntary.
Monthly Group Rituals
Perhaps the most wonderful form of interaction we have is our monthly
group distance ritual. This is an activity we each do on the same
night, wherever we are, with a specific intent in mind. A different
student will be asked to facilitate this ritual each month. This
student will determine (with feedback from others) the theme and
the date, which will occur during an appropriate moon phase. Participation
in the monthly ritual is encouraged, but not required. Participation
can be as simple as lighting a candle and meditating on the intent
the scheduled night or as elaborate as a full-length intricate ritual.
Face to Face Summer Gathering
We hold annual Face to Face Gatherings in July of each year, with smaller
regional gatherings held as well. Attendance is voluntary.
14. What does the curriculum consist of?
The curriculum is experiential, practice-based rather than knowledge-based.
Developing a consistent daily, weekly, and monthly spiritual practice
is the cornerstone of the teachings. We learn by doing, by internalizing
skills and knowledge and shaping them into an individual practice
compatible with our individual beliefs.
Level I is focused on creating sacred space, engaging in ritual, and
learning about the history of The Goddess. Level II is focused on meditation,
energy work, and divination, (especially via the Motherpeace Tarot).
Level III is focused on dream work, astral work, healing and/or magick.
Most of these elements are incorporated in some way into each level.
Levels II and III offer the option of elective areas of study. (For
example, some people will choose to follow The Path of Prayer rather
than The Path of Magick.)
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15. What if I have absolutely no experience in this
type of spiritual work?
Then you are welcome here! You will be given the basics in Level I
and allowed to progress at a comfortable speed.
16. What if I already am quite experienced in this
type of spiritual work?
You are also welcome here! You will be able to take what you already
know and build on that. The lessons are designed to be flexible to
the student's level of experience. As long as you are willing to try
new ways of doing things and to consistently apply what you know in
your daily spiritual practice, you will find the school has much to
offer you.
17. Is there any way to "test out" of certain
material?
No, there isn't. Because the material is practice-based rather than
knowledge-based, you must be willing to experience all of the lessons.
18. How can I blend this curriculum with my current
spiritual practice?
In any way that suits you! The focus of the school is on The Goddess
with the premise that She is harmonious with all of spirituality.
If you are a Christian, chose a Christian form of The Goddess to
honor (Mother Mary, Mary Magdalene, Sophia, a female saint). Place
her on your altar along with Christ. If you are Jewish, choose Lilith
or Asherah. If you are Buddhist, choose Quan Yin. Simply add The
Goddess to whatever part of your current spiritual practice "works" for
you right now.
19. What if I disagree with some of the information
or views in the textbooks?
While we ask that you open your mind to consider other viewpoints,
ultimately it is up to you to take what you like and leave the rest.
This is one of the strengths of Women's Spirituality -- You are Goddess,
You are Source. Trust your inner-knowing, and find what's right for
you.
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20. What if I feel very uncomfortable with an assignment?
Will I be required to complete it?
Again, you will be encouraged to "push the envelope" a bit
on your comfort level. But if your intuition tells you something is
definitely wrong for you, feel free to modify the assignment into something
that is more comfortable or to request an alternative assignment.
21. Will other students harass me because of my spiritual
beliefs?
Certainly not. Such harassment will not be tolerated. So far, we haven't
had any problems with this whatsoever. However, if any harassment
does occur, it will be immediately stopped. Our teaching staff is
dedicated to making the school a safe, comfortable environment for
everyone. If you ever feel uncomfortable with a thread of discussion
or with a developing situation, please contact us immediately.
22. Why only focus on The Goddess? What about God/The
God?
Many of our students do honor God or The God; some feel more comfortable
focusing on The Goddess only. The purpose of the school is to contribute
to a restoration of Spiritual Balance. Right now, the world is clearly
out of balance with an over-emphasis on male-dominated spirituality.
There are many more places to learn about male expressions of the
Divine than there are places to learn about female expressions of
the Divine. As we honor the Feminine Divine, we honor the Divine
in ourselves, as women. We empower ourselves spiritually, psychologically,
emotionally, and physically. This is the focus of this school.
23. Why aren't men allowed to join the school?
In focusing on female empowerment, it is necessary to limit the scope
of the school. Women need women-only spaces in order to heal and
grow. While we certainly hope that men will explore Goddess studies,
we regret that our limited focus here cannot include them.
However, we are pleased to announce that Rowen Saille,
a High Priestess trained in The White Moon School of the Feminine Divine,
has opened The
Shining Crescent, a brother order of this school for men. If you
are a man who wants to learn more about The Goddess, we encourage you
to join! Online Goddess School for Men
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24. What is the required time-frame for completing
this course?
The suggested completion time is 13 months for all three levels. A
student needs to submit one lesson per week in order to complete
the course within this time frame. Students are allowed to work more
slowly, but they must submit at least one assignment per month during
Level I or they will be placed on "inactive status" and
eventually disenrolled. Once a student completes Level I, however,
she may remain as part of the school community regardless of whether
she pursues Level II studies or not.
25. What is "inactive status" and how can
I avoid it?
When a student is not submitting lessons, she is inactive. When she
has been inactive for 3 months, she will be disenrolled from the
school.
Inactive status may be avoided under special circumstances when a
student requests an extension due to a crisis of some kind, but please
note that extensions will be for a definite period of time. The student
must resume submitting lessons in a timely manner.
26. What is your refund policy?
When you are either voluntarily or administratively disenrolled from
the school, you may request a refund on your tuition if you meet
the following criteria:
1. You originally sent payment within the last 90 days.
--and--
2. You did not submit any part of any lesson in the 4-lesson block
for which you are requesting a refund.
--or--
3. You have not progressed past Week 1, and you have decided to disenroll
from the school.
If you are requesting a refund for a payment made by check, your refund
may take 4 - 6 weeks to be processed. If you are requesting a refund
for a payment made by online payment, you should received a credit
within 2 - 4 weeks.
To request a refund, Click
Here. If you DO NOT request
a refund and decide to return to the school at a later date, your previous
tuition
will apply to your future lessons for up to one year from the date
of your last payment. If you feel the need to request a refund or a
school credit under special circumstances, please do not hesitate to
ask.
27. Are further studies offered?
Yes, Level III graduates are eligible to receive public ministry training
and ordination in Level IV.
28. What is The Order of The White Moon?
The Order of The White Moon is an eclectic international order of women
who honor The Goddess. Our members all are Level I+ graduates of
White Moon teachings. To find out more, click
here.
29. The Gadon text seems to mainly focus on Indo-European
Goddesses. Do you include a multi-cultural focus?
Yes. In order to educate ourselves about World Goddess Cultures, students
are required to do independent Pantheon Research of African, Asian,
indigenous American, and Pacific Basin Goddesses.
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For more information contact Diana.
Moonlit River, P.O. Box 44, Thornton, PA 19373-0044
