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About
PagansPath.com
Lady SpringWolf, D.D.
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 Lady SpringWolf, D.D. -
 I hate talking about myself. I'm
just an average person with experiences that have brought me
to this place in life. I guess to start with, I was blessed with
being raised in a Pagan/Christian home. Though my Mom used different
labels, she was a Kitchen Witch and often talked of her own psychic
experiences. In many ways I think I was destined for the path
of a pagan. Even my family name comes from the Irish surname
Ó Ciardha, which means "descendent of Ciardha".
The name Ciardha means "dark" in Gaelic. ie: Children
of the dark. So perhaps my early Celtic ancestors were pagans
who practiced in the dark hours of the day, under the moon and
along side the great bonfires of old. So, I dedicated myself
to a pagan spiritual path in my early teens. While both my sisters
took to church and being baptized, it just wasn't something I
felt compelled to do. So I'm not one of those people who went
to Christian church, took communion, was baptized and then became
disillusioned with the church and converted.
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- I began official study at 18. It was the beginning of years
of study, practice and qualification exams within my chosen tradition,
The Deborean Clan of Celtic Shamanism. (Don't confuse this with
Deborean Wicca). The Deborean Clan holds specific criteria for
initiation degrees. From 1st degree initiation of participation
to a 5th degree as Clan Elder. Initiation degrees are earned
through education, exams and demonstration of knowledge through
out one's participation in the Clan. Clan leaders evaluate both
your conduct and applied knowledge, along with the written tests
and exams.
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- My transition through each degree was normal in line with
the criteria of the Clan. Each step built upon the previous foundation
of training. I was invited to join the Clan in 1982 as a member
at large, the 1st level initiation. I guess you could say I've
always felt a calling to the ministers path. Making a declaration
to become a teacher in my clan is a requirement to moving to
the next level of participation. My declaration was made May
31st, 1983 and I received the 2nd degree of initiation. Which
placed my feet firmly on the path of commitment to my education.
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- There are three levels of initiation within the 3rd degree
Sage program in the Deborean Clan. What we call the Sage path.
There are 3 specific areas of study within the Sage path, Faith,
Divination and Healing. Some people are drawn to just one of
these paths and become expert teachers within that area of study.
But for those who feel called to the path of the Shaman, all
of these areas of study are required and must be completed successfully.
I completed the three areas of study and received the last 3rd
degree initiation in 1986. That earned me the title of Clan Sage,
not Shaman.
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 During my time studying to be a
Sage of Holistic Healing, I was exposed to Reiki.
Reiki is an oriental form of hands on healing. It was brought
to the United States by Hawayo Takata. Before her death she initiated
22 Masters. One of these was Rev.
Beth Gray. I was initiated by Rev. Gray in the Spring of
1989 for my Reiki I certification. And again in the fall of 1989
for the Reiki II certification.
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- At this point a student Shaman becomes an apprentice to the
existing Clan Shamans. This apprenticeship is required to put
your knowledge to full use. Conducting business of the clan,
leading rituals, ministering to members and the community at
large, community building, counseling and so on. This process
helps an apprentice use their knowledge in practical form. Gaining
experience and working to expand knowledge into wisdom and discernment
for at least 5 years. At the end of this long 5 year period,
you must pass exams and evaluations by the Shamans Council. Even
if you pass those trials, you must still be nominated for a Shaman's
role in the clan. I was honored with a nomination for this 4th
degree initiation at the end of my 5 year apprenticeship, in
1991.
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- In 1992 I began courses at a local metaphysical chapel with
a dear friend. This was a wonderful experience for me and opened
a great many doors to new perspectives and insights outside that
of the Deborean tradition. It was also an opportunity to expand
my training in Ministerial Counseling and spiritual therapy.
Something I love very much. And another path I've felt drawn
to through my own personal traumas and dramas.
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- In 1993 I hived from my local Deborean chapter and established
the Clan of
the Forest Moon. Specifically, The Deborean Clan of Celtic
Shamanism - Chapter of The Forest Moon. Chapters of the Deborean
Clan are individual established groups (ie: Covens), that further
the knowledge and expand the understandings of the Traditions
Principles of Belief. Forest Moon provided a great deal of opportunities
for me. It was exciting and a little scary getting organized
and established.
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- But we can't stop learning and reaching for the next goal
in our spiritual education. In April of 1996 I completed the
next level of Reiki training and I was initiated by Rev. Wilma
Donald for my Reiki Masters certification. I was also honored
with the nomination to the status of Elder in the Deborean Clan.
And was initiated to Elder status in October of that year. 1996
was also the year PagansPath.com was born and implemented on
the internet. It was another step to further the knowledge of
the Deborean Clan and Forest Moon.
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- Many things have changed since those early days. In 2002
I acquired a Ministers License in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
I continued teaching classes in my area until the fall of 2002
when I entered into a wonderful relationship with my partner
and became pregnant. Now with the demands of a toddler taking
up my time, most of my teaching is done through Paganspath.com,
email and the path's message board. Most of the Deborean Clan
has disbanded, though the tradition still lives in various Chapters
of the Clan. Forest Moon being one of these. There are 3 others
that are now closed and private organizations. At the time of
this writing, all but 3 of my former teachers have transitioned
into the spirit world. Much of my effort is dedicated to my family,
PagansPath.com and spreading tolerance of our pagan ways to non-pagans.
A mission I take very seriously and feel honored to share with
others on the path of the pagan.
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- In late 2007 I decided to take the advice and requests of
many online associates to take PagansPath to the next level.
Bringing the education into the 'real world' through a physical
education center. The planning for Spring's Haven, LLC began in earnest in December
2007 and the legal filings were drawn up in late January 2008.
Culminating in the acquisition of funding for the legal side
of the center in March 2008, Spring's Haven, LLC was incorporated
in the Commonwealth of Virginia on Ostara March 2008.
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- We never stop learning and continuing education is something
I think we all should take part in. I hold a Doctorate of Divinity
in Metaphysical Science from the University of Sedona and acquired a second
ordination in the International Metaphysical Ministry (IMM)
in March 2008. The IMM is an organization that has been working
around the world for over 50 years and is the parent organization
for the University of Metaphysics and the University of Sedona.
Professionally I call myself a Minister of Metaphysics and a
Celtic Shaman.
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- Degrees & Certifications
- If you were to visit a professional office, you would find
the degrees and certifications of the individual hanging on their
wall. So why shouldn't you be able to see those same items online?
I strongly believe you should have the opportunity to review
the credentials of the teachers and ministers you interact with,
even if they're on the web.
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- If you desire to see my degrees and certifications, you can
view them on SpringsHaven.com. You can click an image to review
an enlargement of the certificate/degree and learn more. The Cyber Office Wall
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- I have also been asked to include a link to my Masters Thesis
and Doctorate Dissertation. I have included a link to these files
in PDF format for those interested in reading them.
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 Many
Blessings,
 D.D.
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- Some Notes About The University
of Sedona
- In 1959, Dr. Paul Leon Masters began a metaphysical organization
that later on evolved into the International Metaphysical Ministry.
The I.M.M. joined Unity and Religious Science as one of the major
metaphysically oriented movements. Also 1959, Dr. Masters opened
the Institute of Parapsychology in the heart of Beverly Hills,
California. The aim of the institute was to research higher and
expanded states of consciousness as they related to spiritual
reality and human self betterment.
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- In 1976, to meet a now rising interest by ministerial graduates
for degree programs. Dr. Masters applied for and gained the legal
right to establish the University of Metaphysics and grant non-secular
degrees for use by those who were ordained within the University.
In 2003, Dr. Masters sought after and established the legal right
in Arizona to found the University of Sedona and award non-secular
degrees up to Doctoral or Ph.D. level in the various ministerial
specialties of the organization—the International Metaphysical
Ministry. You can read more about the chronological history of
the IMM and the University of Sedona on their website @ Metaphysics.com.
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- In the US, there is something called Separation Of Church
and State. US state education systems can not get involved with
accreditation of purely religious institutions. They have no
jurisdiction over, and can not legislate when it comes to religion.
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- That means that if a religious institution teaches only it's
religious philosophy, and not the secular subjects such as Calculus
and English Literature, there is no way the state can pass judgment
on the curriculum. The most a state can do is say that the institution
is not listed as accredited by any accreditation agencies recognized
by the state and the institution is listed as having “No
accreditation from a CB recognized accreditor”.
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- Some of the most prestigious religious institutions of higher
learning in the world are not recognized as accredited by any
US state government because they teach religious philosophy and
not secular subjects. The University of Sedona and the University
of Metaphysics are two examples of this category of higher learning
religious institutions.
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- But keep in mind that accreditation is seen by many to serve
one purpose. To acquire and qualify for Federal and or State
funding of the school, University or College. The University
of Sedona is sponsored by students, former graduates and generous
donations from the public. As such, they do not seek to acquire
Federal or State Funding.
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- There have been many prestigious graduates from the University.
In 2008 Rev. Dr. Della Reese-Lett, who received her doctoral
degree from the University of Metaphysics, received the International
Metaphysical Ministry’s Lifetime Achievement Award for the
work she has done and the inspiration she has given to others
around the world.
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