The Philosophy Department includes courses in Eastern and Western philosophy with an emphasis on modern Druid thought and ancient pagan philosophers. "Philosophy" is here broadly defined in its original sense of "love of wisdom." Among its fields of thought, philosophy includes logic, ethics, metapysics, aesthetics, psychology, epistemology, and theurgy. Magical philosophy is also included here; magical praxis is to be found in the Department of Magical Arts.
PHIL 002 Harry Potter and Philosophy. (1 cr) Dr. Maertens (Alferian)
A free five-week course offered as a fun and whimsical introduction to philosophy and its concepts. Although the readings assigned from Bagget and Klein's book Harry Potter and Philosophy deal with the world of Harry Potter they are very applicable to philosophical issues and quandaries in the real wizarding world. This course is intended to be a way to see what study at Avalon College might be like, to try out e-learning using the Moodle course software, and to stretch your brain.
PHIL 101 Magical Philosophy and Ethics. (3 cr) Dr Maertens (Alferian)
An introduction to the history and development of magical philosophy and magical practices in the West. The tradition rooted in Egyptian magic and Hermeticism is compared with the practices of the ancient Celtic peoples and shamanic spirituality. Students will be asked to examine the reasons they are drawn to magic, to consider the connections between magic and religious experience, and to examine some theories about how magic works. The differences and similarities among witchcraft, Druidry, and ceremonial magic will be discussed. The course will examine negative critiques of magic from a Christian and positivist perspective, and also the ethics of magical practice, the idea of secrecy, and the modern role of the magical practitioner.
PHIL 102 Magical Metaphysics and Theory (3 cr). Joey Bernard.
Prerequisite: PHIL 101. This course will consider various types of magical “laws,” colors of magic, color theories related to chakras, auras, and psychology, Astral or psychic abilities, and the “subtle energy” theories of Taoism, Yoga, Qigong, Reiki, and other metaphysical schools. An overview will be given of the Cabbalistic worlds and sephiroth as a magical and metaphysical paradigm, along with the use of astrological correspondences in Hermeticism. The three types of magic -- informations, transformations, and circumstanciations – will be presented.
Through a study of traditional Celtic wisdom and ecopsychological principles we will address topics such as “The Wounded Soul”, thresholds and thin places, soul-initiation, and animistic perceptions in relation to healing the relationship between nature and humanity. Focus will be on the Druidic spirit and the Irish shamanic traditions. Through meditations, soulwork, readings, lectures, and group process we will explore our own relationship with nature and the wound. The course will instruct students in ways of opening their senses to the world and foster participation in the spirit of life.
PHIL 104 Sociology & Anthropology of Magic (3 cr).
An examination of various sociological theories of magic and its relationship to religion. The course will consider historical and cultural contexts for the magical arts; that is, magic as culture versus magic as a supposed "timeless" occult science. Students will also explore epistemology, intersubjectivity, phenomenology as they apply to shamanic theories of connectedness between human and non-human worlds.
This class explores the four “Greek elements” through folklore, popular culture, history, meditative excercises, crafts, and personal experience. You will also gain a beginning understanding of how to use elemental correspondences for various purposes. We will start out by developing and practicing our own interpretations of associating elements with the directions. Next, we will study the traditional methods of elemental and directional correspondences from a variety of sources. We will go on to explore the four elements through study, practical experience, meditations and crafts. We will also investigate the four directions through association with days, hours of the day and months of the year and then with various items, from the everyday to the obscure. At the end of the course, we will actively apply both ritual and magickal uses of elemental energies in actual practice.
PHIL 106 Earth and Water (3 cr). Elizabeth Sterling.
Focused study and ritual work on the feminine elements Earth and Water and on their correlate psychic functions, Sensing and Feeling. The implications of physical and extra-physical senses, the body in phenomenology, and the relationship of Earth to practicality, pragmatism, stability, fixity, and sensuality. Emotional "intelligence," human relationships, love, loyalty, hate, and betrayal, jealousy, etc. considered as aspects of the Watery element along with connection in community, continuity, reflection, dreaming, healing, and fluidity. Water, blood, and healing. Students will discuss the traditional association of these two elements with femininity, the planet Earth and the Moon. The Cauldron of regeneration and inspiration in myths of the Dagda and Ceridwen.
PHIL 107 Air and Fire (3 cr). Elizabeth Sterling.
Intensive work with the masculine elements Air and Fire and their psychic functions, Thought and Intuition. Consideration of how Fire has been interpreted as Action or Will and how this may or may not relate to Jung's concept of Intuition. Thought related to Reason and also to Inspiration. Passion, desire, and action as Fire principles. Vision, inspiration, logic, and reasoning as Air principles.
In a year-long series of course meetings (one each month), we will explore and experience each of the eight major festivals of the modern pagan ritual calendar. The focus of our reading and discussions will be on historical significance and practice of the seasonal festivals and on our own creative engagement with them today in our own lands. We will discuss how seasonal rites need to be grounded in our particular place - the land and its natural cycles, climate, flora and fauna where we are conducting our ceremonies. We will be discussing the construction of Ritual Scripts and Guided Meditations or Visualizations and their purpose.
PHIL 109 Critical Thinking (3 cr). Azrienoch and Breoghan
An introduction to the art of critical thinking. How to examine other people's arguments and assumptions and how to analyze your own opinions for their basis in logic and reference to sources of knowledge. Evaluation of sources and authorities, consistency, and plausibility, cognitive frames.
PHIL 110 Druidry Today (3 cr) Dr. Maertens (Alferian)
Here is a course designed for the seeker who has read a few things about Druidry but has a desire to get a firmer grounding in modern Druidic groups and their approaches. Is there a difference between Druidry and Druidism? Is it a religion, a philosophy, or what? Using books by four of the leaders in Druidry today, we will explore the very basics in a general and relaxed way. Reading: Philip Carr-Gomm, Druid Mysteries; Emma Restall-Orr, Living Druidry; Robert Lee Ellison, The Solitary Druid; John Michael Greer, The Druidry Handbook.
PHIL 200 Otherworlds and the World Tree (3 cr). Astrocelt
Prerequisites: PHIL 101, PHIL 105. In this course we will build upon the study of the Elements and the Four Directions of the horizontal plane to explore the vertical dimension (above and below) and the inward dimension. The Otherworld is a key concept in Celtic sprituality and the Druidic mysteries. We will read about and meditate upon the three realms of Earth, Sea, and Sky, the four worlds of Anwnn, Abred, Gwinfid, and Ceugant. Then we will look at the Norse World Tree and its Nine Worlds and consider ways of thinking about and interacting with the inhabitants of Faerie.
A course in number symbolism from ancient to modern times. The significance of numbers in Celtic mythology, Kabbalah, and the mystical dimensions of mathematics.
PHIL 203. Plato and Platonism. (3 cr)
An overview of one of the greatest of Greek philosophers, including his accounts of Socrates and his life. Some discussion of the later Platonist and Neoplatonist legacy.
PHIL 204. Aristotle. (3 cr)
An overview of the Greek philosopher who is often considered the father of scientific reason.
PHIL 205. Pythagoras and Pre-Socratic Greek Philosophy. (3 cr)
Readings and examination of Pythagoras and Pythagoreanism as well as the writings of the pre-Socratic philosophers.
PHIL 206. Roman Philosophers. (3 cr)
The Stoics, Skeptics, Epicurians, Marcus Aureleius, Lucretius, Cicero, et al. Readings and discussion of major figures in the philosophical schools of pagan Rome.
PHIL 301. Taoism (3 cr). Flidais Airmid.
An introduction to Taoism, one of the chief Asian nature-based religions. Considerations of its affinities and resonances with Druidry.
PHIL 302. Tibetan Buddhism and Magic. (3 cr)
Readings in the works of Alexandra David-Neel and other students of Tibetan magic and religion. Consideration of the tradition's influence upon Theosophy and its affinities with Druidry.
PHIL 305. Semiotics: The Study of Signs. (3 cr)
Introduction to the science of signs. We will look at the work of Umberto Eco and other contemporary scholars in the field of semiotics, examining theories and methods as they relate to the study of written texts, cultural artifacts, dreams, portents, and mysteries.
PHIL 306. Philosophy and Depth Psychology. (3 cr)
The writings of the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung have been very influential on New Age thought and magical theory. In this course we will examine the psychology of Carl Jung and his followers as a philosophical system. Theories of the archetypes, personality temperaments, the unconscious, synchronicity, and race memory will be discussed and readings assigned from Jung's work and the writings of his followers.
PHIL 401. Stone Circle and Round Table. (3 cr)
Prerequisite: PHIL 202 Sacred Numbers. Students will study the sacred geometry of stone circles and alignments, considering them from the standpoint of astronomy, ritual, and tribal council. After working with the stone circles in meditation upon the meanings of the stones, the class will use the circle to discuss the Druid doctrines of community, responsibility, peace, and truth in regard to becoming a spiritual teacher and mentor. Students will discuss situations, do role-playing, and learn to hone their listening skills. This course is to prepare students to engage in teaching and mentoring activities, as well as participation in tribal councils.
PHIL 402. Mysterium Coniunctionis. (3 cr)
Relationship of the masculine Active Fire to the Nurturing Feminine. Combining and merging yin and yang. Meditations and work with male and female deities, solar and lunar energies, and figures from Arthurian romance.
PHIL 403. Sacred Geometry (3 cr)
Prerequisite: PHIL 202 Sacred Numbers. The Platonic solids and architecture, the secrets of mystical design and number.
PHIL 501 Cultivation of Light (3 cr)
Focus on work as a solitary Druid. Meditation and community service. Drawing down energies. Prayer. Fasting. Soul work. The Druid inner grove and the cultivation of Light.
PHIL 502. Theology: Philosophy of the Divine (3 cr). Cynthia Clay, MFA
Study of the concept of the Divine in Druidry and other philosophical systems. Examination of particular gods and goddesses and their relationship to human imagination, need, and social roles.
PHIL 504. Directed Study in Philosophy (3 cr)
Students will design a course of study with a professor and their academic advisor in a topic of their choice.
David Hume
