Join the next cohort on Tuesday, July 15!

Register now for Summer 2025

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Here's what this course includes...

  • Solid Background

    This in-depth course will include live virtual lessons via Zoom (always recorded), self-paced instructional content, and private as well as community assignments to provide a solid background for pagan clergy. 16 Hours of Instruction!

  • Practical Knowledge

    We will explore the ethics and expectations of a pagan leader in the community, and guide you through the creation of your own statement of belief, code of ethics, and a portfolio of ceremonies & rituals.

  • Initiation Ritual for Priesthood

    Completion of all lessons and assignments will give you the opportunity to take part in an initiation ritual for priesthood facilitated by Rev. Mela Borawski. If desired, you can be ordained at the end of this course as well. There is an additional cost, and paperwork that must be completed to become ordained.

Pricing options

We never want cost to keep you from education. If you need financial assistance, contact Mela at [email protected].

Course curriculum

  • 01

    Let's Get Started

  • 02

    Suggested Reading

    • A Practical Guide to Pagan Priesthood by Lora O'Brien

    • Constellated Ministry: A Guide for Those Serving Today's Pagans by Holli Emore
  • 03

    Week 1 - Your Calling to Ministry

    • Lesson 1: Your Calling to Ministry

    • Reflection Questions from A Practical Guide to Pagan Priesthood

    • JOURNAL PROMPTS: What do you believe?
  • 04

    Week 2 - Statement of Beliefs, Ethics, Professionalism & Accountability

    • Recording: (2) Statement of Beliefs, Ethics, Professionalism, Accountability

    • Your Statement of Belief (10 Statements)

    • Compassion Fatigue Questions

    • Confidentiality, Anecdotes & Stories

    • Accountability

    • Your Code of Ethics
  • 05

    Week 3 - The Celebrant: Ceremonies & Rituals

    • NO LIVE LESSON THIS WEEK

    • Recording: "The Celebrant: Ceremonies & Rituals"

    • Cleanse, Clear & Creating Sacred Space

    • Portfolio Creation: Seasonal Ceremony, Full Moon, Intake

    • [Resource] Simple Celebrant Intake Form
  • 06

    Week 4 - The Celebrant: Transitions & Rites of Passage

    • Recording: (4) The Celebrant - Rites of Passage

    • Portfolio Additions: Wedding, Funeral & Baby Blessing

    • Upload Portfolio

    • Metamorphosis Ritual

    • (OPTIONAL) Podcast with Ifetayo White on Rites of Passage

    • (OPTIONAL) Handfasting - Unity Tree Wedding - Wedding Haka

    • (OPTIONAL) Video of Pagan Funeral & Pagan Funeral Chant

    • (OPTIONAL) Video of Home Funerals
  • 07

    Week 5 - Pastoral Counseling: Spiritual Guidance

    • Recording: (5) Pastoral Counseling - Spiritual Guidance

    • Sacerdotal Duties

    • Prayers & Invocations

    • Pastoral Counseling Session

    • Your Priestly Tool Kit

    • (OPTIONAL) Pastoral Counseling Session Practicum
  • 08

    Week 6 - Pastoral Counseling: Grief, Death & Dying

    • Recording (6): "Pastoral Counseling - Grief, Death & Dying"

    • Your Beliefs

    • Stages of Grief

    • Grief Protocols

    • Your Last Words

    • NEW: Interventions for Prolonged Grief (Resource)

    • (Optional) Life Review Practice
  • 09

    Week 7 - Storytelling, Persuasion & Spiritual Authority

    • Recording (7): Storytelling, Persuasion and Spiritual Authority

    • Logos, Pathos & Ethos : Modes of Persuasion

    • Writing a Persuasive Message

    • Authority & Power Dynamics

    • Meditation & Introspection Exercise (Three Things)

    • Spiritual Message - Your "Homily"

    • (Optional) Listen to Joseph Campbell talk about Mythology & Story
  • 10

    Week 8 - Your Constellated Ministry in the Community

    • TONIGHT'S LESSON IS A RECORDING

    • Recording (8) "Your Constellated Ministry - with Special Guest Holli Emore"

    • Your Ministry Plan

    • (Optional) The Constellations around Your Practice
  • 11

    Ordination Information

    • Ordination through Greenwild Spiritual Fellowship Information

    • Ministry Project Guidelines

    • Upload Ministry Project Report Here

Instructor(s)

Instructor Bio:

I'm Rev. Pamela "Mela" Borawski, CHt (Certified Hypnotherapist). I'm an ordained pagan minister, and have followed an earth-centered spiritual path for over 20 years. I created 3 Rays of Light LLC after my graduation as an integrative healing arts practitioner, and I focus on healing the mind, body and spirit using various healing modalities including hypnosis. I've been teaching in the community and overseas for 35+ years (since I was a teen!), and teaching is my passion. I'm 51 years old, married, and have two adult children. We are creating our own little homestead in the country. I am the Pagan Faith Representative on the State Board for IPSC (Interfaith Partners of SC) and am currently working on building a spiritual nonprofit organization, Greenwild Spiritual Foundation.

Mela Borawski

Senior Instructor