WTI Online Programs

The Women's Thealogical Institute (WTI) encourages women to embark on a program of self-directed spiritual development activities designed to further both personal and spiritual growth. WTI Online Programs are structured, but not rigid training for women who wish to deepen their understanding and commitment to women’s spirituality.

Unlike most other educational programs WTI allows you to work at your own pace taking as much time as you need to complete activities. In time, you can choose a Path or area of specialization. The activities in each Path will allow you to further refine your knowledge and spiritual growth. (link to Path information)

WTI training programs provide a way for women to learn, practice, and share their spiritual work with others. WTI has three programs of self-directed spiritual development activities designed to further both personal and spiritual growth.

What’s the difference between the different WTI training opportunities?

• WTI Online Programs

  Cycle I and II of the Cella and Guardian Program and Cycle I of the Crone Program are offered online. Online participants take part in regular training with their Advisor and become part of a learning and sharing online community. WTI Programs Online are longer programs which require enrollment and may lead to certification and/or ministerial credentials.

• WTI Online Classes

  WTI online classes offer a variety of training in 6 - 12 week increments several times a year.

• WTI Weekend Groups

  Weekend programs happen in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Indianapolis, IN, Madison, WI, Austin, TX, and Bellingham, WA. Women in the weekend program meet 2 weekends a year with their groups to share their program work in person with others. WTI Weekend Groups are longer programs which require enrollment and may lead to certification and/or ministerial credentials.

What WTI Programs are available online?

Three WTI Programs are available on line: the Cella Program, the Crone Program and the Guardian Program. Information about each of these programs follows. Because these programs are self-directed, you may choose any or all of these Programs.

• Cella - In a conventional dictionary Cella is defined as the "inner part of a temple." The women of the Congregation chose the word "Cella" in hopes that those participating in the Cella Program would discover the inner mysteries of both themselves and women's religion.
• Guardian - Guardian describes a specific energetic. This energetic is exemplified by women who identify as Amazons.
• Crone - The Crone Program is for women over 53, and is a program of spiritual development that builds on a women’s past, while focusing on creating a future for the Crone years. As Crone years can be some of the most productive in a women’s life, many women choose to make time for their spiritual development in a more focused way. The Crone program is designed to honor this time and provide direction in the process.

How Does WTI training work?

Unlike most other educational programs, WTI training does not tell you what you must learn or know to progress. The program provides a structure, and women participating in WTI set their own pace and define their own activities. Each woman’s activities are unique and the responsibility for designing and following through on the training rests with her. Women participating in the program receive an Advisor who assists with suggestions about spiritual studies and provides support as your program progresses. Advisors within WTI training are knowledgeable about Goddess spirituality, women’s witchcraft, and the course of study.

How do WTI Online Programs work?

Participants in WTI Online programs become part of a learning and sharing online community. Instruction and dialogue takes place in this online format. WTI online groups have 5 - 15 members who interact to report progress on activities, share knowledge, and learn together. You may be in a group with your neighbors or women from around the world.

Each WTI Online group has an Advisor. WTI Advisors are graduates of WTI and are knowledgeable about Goddess spirituality, women’s witchcraft, and the WTI course of study. Your Advisor will convene your group, assist you in developing your program and provide regular learning opportunities. You will be asked to be an active participant in your online community.

How do I Enroll?

You may enroll on the RCG-I web site. Participates in WTI Online Programs must be a member of the Re-formed Congregation of the Goddess-International. Membership in the Congregation is free. If you are not a member and would like to join, membership information is available on the RCG-I website.

Information on RCG-I Membership
To enroll in WTI Online Program

Affirmations

All members of the Congregation sign the Affirmation of Women’s Spirituality; the Consecration Affirmation is signed by those women wishing to further declare their commitment to Goddess study/service by participating in WTI Programs.

The Congregation is dedicated to those following a positive path of spiritual development. This philosophy of spiritual development is expressed in the Affirmation of Women's Spirituality and the Consecration Affirmation. Those wishing to join a WTI Program are asked to read and consider the Affirmations. Considering the Affirmations challenges you to define your spiritual beliefs. It is not necessary that you come to the same conclusions as those expressed in the Affirmation in order to become a member of the Congregation.

The Affirmation is not a test of faith. It is a statement of belief which a majority of the women in the Congregation hold to be a valid expression of their spiritual experience. It is not asked that you agree totally with the Affirmations. It is asked that you think about your beliefs and define them for yourself. The Congregation encourages the independent investigation of truth. If you find, after considering the Affirmations, you are primarily in agreement with them or willing to explore your areas of uncertainty, we will welcome you into a WTI Program.

How often do WTI Online Groups meet?

WTI online groups have facilitated learning 8 times a year near the Solstices, Equinoxes and the Cross-quarter days. (Feb. 2, March 21, May 2, June 21, Aug. 2, Sept. 21, Oct. 31, and Dec. 21.) Group members respond to the facilitated learning, report their progress to the group, and share related information with each other.

What will be expected of me as a member of a WTI online group?

To be a member of a WTI Online Program you need to be willing to:

• be a member of the Re-formed Congregation of the Goddess
• create and follow through on your own program.
• make a commitment for at least one year.
• complete a WTI contract.
• post a response to each fascinated learning.
• purchase program books.

How much is the tuition?

Tuition is on a year-by-year basis and is on a sliding scale*. The cost per year is $383 - $590 (US$) Each WTI participant is offered a yearly contract. Your contract will give you the opportunity to choose to make a payment all at one time, by the quarter or by the month. All WTI fees are accepted by credit/debit card only.

Intensive tuition-Fees for intensives are not included in the above tuition. You may incur additional cost for travel and/or registration depending on our choice of intensives. You can choose the subject, location, and price of the intensive you wish to attend among those offered.

*A "sliding scale" is payment system that allows each woman to select what she wishes to pay for her training. Selecting to pay a higher tuition contributes to the overall health of WTI and RCG-I.

What happens when I complete the Program?

The Re-formed Congregation of the Goddess-International, sponsors the Women’s Thealogical Institute. Women who complete WTI Programs receive a "Mistress of Goddess Spirituality" certificate from the Congregation. Completion of a WTI Program is considered, by WTI, to be the equivalent of a Masters degree from a traditional educational institution.

The Congregation is legally incorporated and recognized by the United States federal government as a religion, and, as such, it can provide legal Priestess (Ministerial) credentials.

Those completing a WTI Weekend Program may apply for legal ministerial credentials as a Priestess of the Congregation. (See "How does ordination work" section below.) Completion of a WTI program alone does confer ministerial credentials. (more information about ordination)

How does ordination work?

A woman in the WTI Online Cella or Guardian Program interested in ordination through the Re-formed Congregation of the Goddess-International may complete Cycle I and Cycle II online. To be considered for ordination, Cycle III must be completed as part of a WTI Weekend Program that meets in several locations in North America. If you are not seeking ministerial credentials you may complete your entire program online.

Those in the Crone Program may complete Cycle I as a part of an Online Program. Cycles II and III must be completed as a participant in a WTI Weekend Group. If you are not seeking ministerial credentials you may complete your entire program online.

A woman who has completed Cycle III in a WTI Weekend Program may apply for ordination as a Priestess of the Re-formed Congregation of the Goddess--International. Please be aware that not all women completing WTI Programs will be ordained nor is ordination automatic upon graduation. If Ordination is a goal, you can design a course of study that meets the requirements for ordination. Specific information about the process of applying for ordination is available for review on the RCG-I website (More information about ordination) Please be aware that all candidates for Ordination must participate in a sixty-four hour internship in the office of the International Congregation in Madison, WI.

What if I do not choose to be ordained?

You can complete your entire training online and receive your Mistress of Goddess Spirituality Certificate.

What are Intensives?

You can meet other WTI participants and learn about your specific interests by attending WTI Intensives. Intensives cover the WTI areas of study not part of the Core Curriculum. Examples of the topics of some intensives are Death Priestessing, Divination, Comparative Religion, and Sustainable Healing.

Only WTI participants are eligible to attend WTI Intensives. Several weekend Intensives are held each year at a number of locations in North America. If you wish to apply for ministerial credentials, attendance at a minimum of four intensives will be required.

Who is eligible to participate in WTI Training?

Any woman over the age of 18 who has considered both the Affirmation of Women’s Spirituality and the Consecration Affirmation, who is willing to become a member of the Re-formed Congregation of the Goddess-International, and who is interested in pursuing further knowledge of Women’s Spirituality, Goddess religion, female divinity, or women’s witchcraft is welcome to enroll in WTI training.

How long are the Programs?

The Cella and Guardian Program are, at minimum, six-year programs. The Crone Program is a three-year program.

What about WTI Classes?

You can take WTI online classes that will contribute to the completion of activities in your program.

What Program books will I need?

The basics of each Program are provided in four curriculum books. You will need two or three of these books depending on what program you decide to enroll in.

How to tell what Program book you will need...

Cella	Crone	Guardian
Core Curriculum Cella/Crone Curriculum	Core Curriculum Cella/Crone Curriculum Crone Curriculum	Core Curriculum Guardian Curriculum

• The Core Curriculum provides the basic information that forms the basis of all programs. $15 + postage and handing.
• The Cella/Crone Curriculum provides the program curriculum as well as more detailed information regarding paths and sample activities. $15 + postage and handing.
• The Crone Curriculum provides detailed information about how to design your crone program. $5 + postage and handing.
• The Guardian Curriculum provides the program curriculum as well as more detailed information on the Guardian Program paths and sample activities. $15 + postage and handing.

Postage and handling is $2.50 per book.

Information on how to purchase books

What is WTI’s orientation?

In making your decision to participate in WTI training, it is important to be aware that WTI training provides credentials in Goddess Spirituality. Although it is possible and even encouraged to create a multi-cultural approach to your studies, the Institute wishes to make clear that basing a majority of your work on activities outside the context of Goddess Spirituality is not within the purview of the program. Specifically, the Institute is not able to provide credentials to those studying Native American Spirituality, African and/or Eastern religions outside a Goddess context. Additionally, the Institute is unable to provide credentials in male-based traditions.

Diversity

Please do not plan to enroll in WTI if you cannot accept those whose ethnic or racial background, social or economic class, appearance, or sexual orientation are different from your own.

Special Needs

If you have special needs please advise the Institute of these needs along with your registration. You may write, call or email to discuss your special needs and WTI’s ability to meet them. Please note: WTI cannot provide special services for you if you do not advise the Institute of your needs ahead of time.

College Degrees Through WTI

Those interested in pursuing a WTI Program and receiving a college degree may co-enroll at De Paul University, Chicago, IL. De Paul sponsors online adult learning and recognizes WTI Programs as providing a significant portion of the work needed to receive a degree. DePaul offers Bachelors degrees and may offer Masters degrees in the future.

For more information on DePaul contact
     Pat Monaghan at pmonagha@depaul.edu

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