The KK Wicca 101 study program reviews Wiccan principles by addressing how they are revealed in each of the Sabbats — Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Eostare, Beltaine, Midsummer, Lammas and HarvestHome: available below.
Origin & Development of the Sabbat Lessons Program
The Sabbat Lessons Program was started in 1993 by one of the founders of PFPC (Pagan Federation Canada) and PPO (Pagan Pastoral Outreach) to supplement other study programs; and then further developed by the Kairosean Kithen tradition and Kala-Vi coven. The impetus was that many study programs or books require tools, supplies and conditions (such as in a coven setting) that may not be available. Such study programs also often focus on the 'how-tos' (of particular traditions, with assumptions some people can't fulfil), rather than the 'whys' — why do we believe what we do, why do we practice as we do, why is mythology significant at all, etc. — and how those 'whys' can be applied, both to the modern world and to a prison environment.
Another problem is that practitoners are often restricted in what they are allowed to do ‘in nature’, and therefore have little that helps them stay in touch with the cycle of life (seasons/sabbats). The timing of set study lessons is not necessarily geared to the current sabbat/season, and therefore doesn't impact on the inmate's 'experiencial' sense of what they are studying (rather than being primarily abstracted 'in the head'). .
As it evolved, the Sabbat Lessons Program became considerably different from most others. It is not based on a set study program, but rather ‘year themes’ that consider one broad issue within Wicca and how it particularly relates to each sabbat and the wheel of the year. Although the program does have some bias (Kairosean Kithen tradition, Universalist Wicca), the lessons are kept as multi-traditional as possible. These introductory lessons each have a sample of a simple Sabbat ritual at the end. Its focus is developing one's own spiritual path — rather than arcane information, 'spells', etc.
The advantages to this kind of study program are:
Because it is multi-traditional, and to some degree Universalist, it is useful for a broad range of students who may have backgrounds in particular Wiccan, or even non-Wiccan/Pagan, traditions. A few of the past students have been 'spiritual seekers' with no specific religious affiliation, or from another faith but interested in a Pagan perspective).
Because it focuses on spiritual development – rather than the 'how tos' of Wicca (although those are included) — it remains as personal as a correspondence program can be.
The structure allows practitioners to experience what they are studying about each Sabbat, in related streams each year.
Since there is a focus on including current life/world situations, it is able to explore the relationship between Wicca and the living realities of the present-day world.
- Wicca 101 Introduction to Sabbats and Wicca – a special ‘year theme’ as an introductory program. More in-depth lessons are available on the right side menu.
*The Godde – a term that includes all possible Goddesses and Gods as a collectivity, and avoids the sexist term 'Gods' when referring to all faces of the Divine
Please note that teachers are not available, but you are welcome to use these lessons for your own study or your coven's.
