It is 7:00 pm
slt and a class begins. Each student of
Woolston-Steen Theological Seminary is represented by an avi sitting in the
classroom. “Earn Your Degree From
Anywhere” is what Woolston-Steen emphasizes to their prospective students. All of their classes are held online in their
SL virtual classroom environment so that all students may participant from any
location in the world. If the student
has access to the internet, they have access to the campus through SL.
Sponsored by the Aquarian Tabernacle
Church, Woolston-Steen is recognized by the State of Washington as a religious
seminary able to grant degrees in Wiccan Ministry. You may earn an Associates’, a Bachelor’s, or
a Doctorate in Wiccan Ministry.
The Dean of
Seminary is Belladonna Laveau. She is
the Archpriestess of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church International. She authored the book Awakening Spiritwhich is used by the U.S. Military to assist
chaplains minister to Wiccan troops.
Today we get to hear from Dean
Belladonna Laveau about the school and it’s connection to second life.
Dean
Belladonna Laveau: Thank you for the
opportunity to talk to the SL Enquirer about what we do at WiccanSeminary.EDU, a real Wiccan College that holds
classes in Secondlife.
Seersha
Heart: Happy to hear all about the
college. There are ways to make a class offering online, why did
your school choose SL?
Dean
Belladonna Laveau: We teach
witchcraft at WiccanSeminary.EDU. Secondlife
is a 'tween space where magic can be done and energy can be experienced. It's
very similar to any other place "between the worlds". In this place
we can teach magic easier, because we can generate the energy in the space with
the students, and illustrate it. Students can see what we are doing
energetically, and learn faster.
Seersha Heart: Are any of your
students veteran SL residents? Are some familiar with SL before they
begin school?
Dean
Belladonna Laveau:We get a good bit of
our student body through Secondlife residents. It's helpful to be familiar
with, and a fan of Secondlife before starting school. Learning to navigate
Secondlife can be an additional challenge for the student, who is not already
adept with the software. Knowing how to shop, build, and edit makes it easier
to turn in assignments and progress through the school.
Seersha Heart: What training in SL
do you offer students? Do you have an orientation to SL?
Dean
Belladonna Laveau:We take them to
Caledon University, and accompany them while they go through. We also send them
to Builder's Brewery, or provide a simple building class. We try to utilize the
resources already provided on Secondlife, and be part of the greater community.
Seersha Heart: How long has your
school operated in the SL classrooms?
Dean
Belladonna Laveau:Our school has been
teaching classes in Secondlife since 2009. We first came in, when one of the
students offered to let us set up on his private land. We then were offered to
purchase Sacred Cauldron, which was already established. We couldn't resist
such a beautiful and sacred offer. The Goddess provided us the funds for it in
an immediate and miraculous way, and we were home.
Seersha Heart: You list possible
areas that need clergy on your website. Does the school help students
with job placement?
Dean
Belladonna Laveau: We do. The Aquarian Tabernacle Church sponsors
the school. It has many departments where a student can work. You start out
in intern positions that are volunteer, and learn the industry through
experiencing it from the inside. We have a Career Counselor that is
available for helping you map out your career path.
Seersha Heart: Is there a
graduation ceremony?
Dean Belladonna
Laveau: Yes. It is held inworld in the spring.
Seersha Heart: Do you know some rl
jobs your graduates are doing now?
Dean Belladonna
Laveau: Most of our graduates continue in service as
Ministers. They are running festivals and churches, writing books, and
articles, being spiritual counselors, and serving to help Wiccans and Pagans
all over the world.
Seersha Heart: Has SL proved to be
a good location for your virtual classroom? What are the good aspects and
what are the aspects that challenge the school in SL?
Dean
Belladonna Laveau: We love working in Secondlife. We find it
supportive of the many programs we have, and we continue to bring more programs
inworld as we grow. The challenge is not having voice on cellphone viewers. We
have started using Skype for Business for the voice chat aspect of the
classroom instead of SL voice. It's more convenient for students on the go, and
it allows us to record the class. We would be happier and more efficient if SL
integrated with outside technologies.
Seersha Heart: Can someone apply to the school in SL from the campus?
Dean
Belladonna Laveau: Yes, just pop into the castle and as for help,
or ask for help right on the Sacred Cauldron group list. There is almost always
someone online to help. You do have to interface with a standard web
browser to complete the forms and tuition requirements. The school does
not accept Lindens for tuition.
Seersha Heart: What do you want
prospective students to know about the experience and the school?
Dean
Belladonna Laveau:Sacred Cauldron is an
open campus, come and see what it's like to do magic in a virtual 'tween space.
There are so many layers that Secondlife brings to magical training, that I
couldn't cover them within the space of this article. Having to create a world
that changes with the seasons is a lesson of magical design that one wouldn't
expect, and that is only one aspect to the depth of knowledge you will receive
at WiccanSeminary.EDU. Another
very important, but unexpected perk of working within secondlife is the
exposure you have to the world-wide community of pagans. I have close friends
all over the world, because of my work in Secondlife. These are the future
leaders of Wicca, from all over the world. That's a networking perk that will
prove to be invaluable to the students of today in years to come. Knowing each
other across the globe, as you build your own churches, allows you to network,
and form common goals, making it a stronger spiritual foundation for not only
you, but for those who know you, and for the whole religion.
Not only is it extremely valuable, it is a fun place to learn. Never
discount the fun component when it comes to learning. Students that work in
Secondlife can't wait to come to class. They spend more time on campus, more
time focused on their studies, more time developing magical relationships, and
more time learning. Our students advance faster, and become more accomplished,
as their careers develop. We find Secondlife an invaluable addition to our
online campus.
Seersha Heart: Thank you so much
for answering my questions.
Dean
Belladonna Laveau: Thank you for the opportunity to
answer your questions. We at WiccanSeminary.EDU appreciate
the chance to share our magic with you.
For more information, visit their
website or visit Sacred Cauldron at the links
below. It is a magical experience.
Additional Information:
**This article has been updated on 2/27/17 to correct the mispelling of Dean Belladonna Laveau. The SL Enquirer apologizes for any inconvience it may have caused
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