What is Silver Grove?

This is the third-year program for those who have completed Ninth Wave and Farther Shore, and who are called to the path of priestess. Working with Lunaea and other Priestesses of the Silver Branch, the priestess-dedicant will explore a year of deepening in her own particular calling, whether that be as teacher, ritualist, healer, artist, writer, seer, hermit, or whatever other form her service to the Goddess will take. She will be supported and mentored as she moves through the year, with specific suggestions for magical work, ritual, divination, and so on, as appropriate.

How do I know if this is the right path for me?

The decision about whether you are priestess material is between you and the Goddess. Our task is that regard is to offer what we think could be helpful guidance for a year's worth of exploration and deepening. One of the things that defines a priestess is that you are willing to offer your life to Her service. Indeed, you are more than willing – you have no choice! You may not know what that will look like, what that service will entail, or what you will be called to do, but you know you trust the Mother. You have surrendered yourself into her hands. In the Silver Grove year, you can come to know more about how that surrender works in your life. You will continue to make your spirituality a priority and a living reality in your everyday world. You're not going off to Avalon to learn the ways of the Goddess. She is right here, right now, in you and in everything around you. It is a joyful calling, as well as a deep and mystical one.

If I complete the Ninth Wave and Farther Shore years, will I be accepted into the Silver Grove year?

Not necessarily. That decision will be made together with the Grove Mother and any other supporting priestess who may have been working with you, after the completion of your Farther Shore year. There is a pause between Farther Shore and Silver Grove, so that the dedicant may have the freedom to truly consider if this is her calling. The pause period may vary, but you should expect it to be at least a few months. (Part of this is dependent upon how many priestess-dedicants are currently in the Grove already, as there are never more than nine at a time.) If becoming a Silver Branch priestess is your primary intention and priority before you begin the Ninth Wave journey, let's talk about it before you begin.

Does this program lead to legal ordination?

Although it may change in the future, at present the Sisterhood of the Silver Branch does not offer legal ordination. If you are particularly interested in such things as performing weddings, check with the laws of your state, and see if in fact legal ordination is required.

So what does it mean to be a Priestess of the Silver Branch?

It is our goal to establish a web of Priestesses of the Silver Branch worldwide, who are affiliated with an organization known for its commitment to sacred service, compassion, integrity, communication, wisdom, and love of Goddess. These Priestesses offer their expertise in many realms, depending on their own gifts and skills. Calling yourself a Priestess of the Silver Branch means you have not only dedicated yourself to the Goddess for life in Her service, you have proven this devotion through at least three years of dedicated work and inner searching. You can trust that your sister Priestesses have done the same, and that the Sisterhood as a whole will support your work in the years to come.

How do I sign up?

If you have not completed Ninth Wave and Farther Shore, this isn't something you need to think about yet! Feel free, though, to contact Lunaea if you have more questions.