Degrees & Titles
Seeker
A Seeker is someone who is interested in learning about wicca and or magick. Typically people who know someone that is involved in wicca or people "testing the waters" are Seekers. They seek just information. I've heard the term "Skimmer" as they skim books or webpages for information, not really delving. There is no required time period for a Seeker.
Dedicant
A Dedicant is a person who has decided to dedicate themselves to learning more about the Craft. What is the difference between a Seeker and a Dedicant? A Dedicant makes a formal oath, whether to themselves or to a group to study. Seekers do not. Some Dedicants perform a small ritual, some simply say "I'm a Dedicant". The only requirement for being a Dedicant is the desire to learn. There is no required time period for a Dedicant.
Initiate
An initiate is one who has decided to commit themselves to the Craft. They are serious about learning about both Wicca and Magick. Initiates tend to have mentors, someone with whom the Initiate can talk with and learn from. Very much like an apprentice and a master. The mentor is someone of a higher degree (not necessarily a High Priest/ess). Some people stay at this level, some choose to move on. Most Solitary practitioners are usually at this level.
Requirements of an Initiate
* Work hard to learn the Craft for as long as you are associated with the Craft.
Set aside time for study, meditation, reflection and practice.
* Meet on a regular basis with your Mentor, if any, to discuss your learning and growth within the Craft. If you do not have a mentor, look for wisdom of those more experienced than yourself.
* Cultivate relationships of cooperation, friendship, and respect with other members of the Craft.
* Follow the Wiccan Rede: "An ye harm none, do as ye will".
* Honor the Goddess and the God.
* Work to protect and heal the Earth and Her creatures.
* Use magick affecting individuals only with their express consent.
* Support your sisters and brothers within the Craft in their learning, growth, and aspirations.
* Keep the identity of other Craft members and friends confidential, except with their permission.
* Support the work of the craft with energy, money, or other resources while first giving priority to the needs of yourself and your family.
* The required minimum amount of time to be an Initiate is a year and a day.
First Degree
In some groups, the Initiate step is completely disregarded and the First degree is the first step. This considered to be the most important step in the Craft. Most groups see this as your birth into the Craft. Like the Maiden, everything is new to the First Degree. Learning about the world around her as well as herself. Study tends to cover a lot, but only superficially as the First Degree is testing things for the first time. At the end of this degree attainment, the title of Priest or Priestess can be taken if desired. At this point the First Degree initiate takes on a craft name (if one wasn't chosen before hand). Example: Stareena.
In order to obtain your First Degree you must first meet the following:
* Requirements of a First Degree
* Meet the criteria for an Initiate.
*Know how to cast, open and close a circle by heart.
*Know how to call the quarters by heart.
*Meet a challenge designed especially for you by your mentor or group.
*Provide a magickal diary to your mentor that covers your magickal experiences,
working and findings for the year and a day you've spent working.
*Have written and led four (4) spells, one (1|) ritual for solitary work and one (1) ritual for a group.
*Show that you are a responsible individual who can be trusted by all members of the Craft and your traditions brothers and sisters.
*Provide a written paper two pages long hand written or one page typed (minimum) on a form of divination. History, spreads (if applicable) and 'How to do it' are all required to be covered. Can perform, with little problems, a reading of said divination.
*Pass all of your lessons.
*Be able to pass a written test.
The required minimum amount of time to be a First Degree initiaie is a year and a day.
(Some initiates never go past this first degree.)
Second Degree
While the First Degree is learning about external forces, the Second Degree turns inwards. Coming to terms with death and rebirth, obtaining and maintaining a balance between thought and emotion, letting go of guilt and grief as well as helping repair the earth and to teach others at their request.
Like the Mother, the Second Degree is learning to balance her own life with that of one learning from her. It is at this time that study is taken to a serious, but still fun level. The topics of study from the First Degree is deepened. At this point the Second Degree may take on a sur name. Example: Stareena Catchaser.
If the Second Degree wishes to become a High Priest/ess and lead their own group, they take on that title after attaining the full second degree training.(CAUTION! This is something not to go into lightly! I suggest reading Covencraft by Amber K).
Generally at this point the Second Degree's elders look at their history. If granted, the Second Degree may receive their Third Degree and the new group is usually kept an eye on by the original group for a while.
In order to obtain your Second Degree you must first meet the following:
Requirements of a Second Degree
* Meet the criteria for the First Degree.
* Be able to perform, in front of the tradition elders, circle casting and quarter calls for your own initiation with only two errors.
* Have collected all the tools deemed necessary for your use.
* Have taken on a student.
* Write a lesson to share with your brothers and sisters of the Craft.
* Draw down the God or Goddess for a solitary and group ritual.
* Complete a challenge designed especially for you.
* Have joined a community service project and logged at least 10 hours of your personal time.
* Know a dedication ritual by heart, and have dedicated at least one individual approved by the tradition.
* Keep a magickal journal for one year.
* Make an inventory of your Craft supplies and submit it to the instructor.
*Choose an aspect of the science of the Craft in which you have chosen to specialize.
* Have investigated the laws of your state and how they relate (or don't) to your religion.
* Know the history of the Witch and completed a 25 page research paper on the history of the Craft.
* Have written rituals for a new and full moon for a group and for a solitary.
The required minimum amount of time to be a Second Degree initiate is a year and a day.
Third Degree
The Third Degree now turns from looking within herself to, once more, the world around her. But this time with new and learned eyes. The decision to live spiritually, protect the earth, and pass on wisdom is essential to the Third Degree. Like the Crone, the Third Degree now becomes the teacher. Still a student as the Crone looks to her future and contemplates the mysteries of what wait for her. The Third Degree now watches the world with a new attitude. At this point the Third Degree is responsible for the spirituality of others, whether to lead a group or to continue being a teacher. The title of Lord or Lady can be taken. Example: Lady Stareena Catchaser.
If the Third Degree wishes to become a High Priest/ess and lead their own group, they take on that title (CAUTION! This is something not to go into lightly! I suggest reading Covencraft by Amber K).
In order to obtain your Third Degree you must first meet the following:
Requirements of a Third Degree
* Meet the criteria for a Second Degree.
* Have proven your dedication to the Craft by random acts of service and kindness.
* Know one type of divinatory tool in which you are qualified to council other individuals and have logged 200 hours of such counseling.
* Know how to fill out the appropriate paperwork for training, including applications, preparing lesson plans, designing testing procedures, etc.
* Have kept all holidays in solitary fashion - this means that you have celebrated appropriately on each holiday in a solitary ritual or meditation.
* Have trained at least two individuals for one full year.
* Have written a funeral, wiccaning and handfasting ceremony and performed at least one, if appicable.
* Have written and performed all High Holiday rituals.
* Have written and tested twenty spells that can be shared with other members of the Craft. The spells must include complete steps, astrological correspondences, etc.
* Have written ten meditations and have shared them with others.
* Have chosen your totem animal and have performed at least ten rituals with that totem.
* Show that you are able to overcome hostile, verbal attacks without losing your temper.
* Have performed at least thirty rituals alone and ten rituals with a group, not counting those previously listed.
* Write a ten page paper explaining why you think you are ready to carry out the title of Wiccan clergy.
* Have logged 100 hours in magickal community service.
* Have logged 500 additional hours in general community service.
* Prove you can cast a magickal circle in your head before a panel of elders.
* Know an initiation ritual by heart.
* Be able to recite the Charge of the Goddess.
* Have become proficient with the specialization you chose at the second level.
* Meet a challenge designed especially for you.
The required minimum amount of time to be a Third Degree initiate is a year and a day.
Eldering Degree
An Eldering Degree is not a formal degree per se, but it is still an honor, nevertheless. It means that your group trusts you in decision making and leadership. Your magickal skills are better than the groups average and you are capable of leading as an example of what to strive for. With some groups this means leading the group in rites, being an impartial ear for conflicts, making important decisions for the good of the group and help with teaching. I've noted that the leaders of some groups, who don't have a lot of experience, take on this title rather than High Priest/ess (and I encourage that). Most have told me they are uncomfortable with the HP/S title and fear ridicule from others of rank. I've also noticed that the few study groups I've come across do this as well, usually as a way to enforce that they are not a coven. Wicca Coven started doing this about six months ago. For example: Elder Stareena.
Requirements of an Elder Degree
* Have proven on some level that you are a capable leader.
* Have proven on some level that you maintain your cool in the face of opposition.
* You are a pillar of pagan society.
* You are an example of what to strive for.
* You are capable of tough decision making.
* You are capable of teaching to others.
* You adhere to the Wiccan Rede.
Handmaiden
The Handmaiden is the assistant to the High Priestess, mainly for ritual work but may bleed over to daily coven work. She can be of any degree (but usually of the Second). Generally the Handmaiden is a High Priestess in training, taking over for the HPS at a moments notice. Counseling others and helping supervise events and activities are also a part of the Handmaiden's duties. There is a male equivalent called the Page and is the same for the High Priest, however these are few and far between, mainly because most groups only have a High Priestess.
High Priest
The male leader of a coven, the representation of the God; Page, Father and Sage. Spiritual leader, teacher and friend, the High Priest has the same duties as a High Priestess. However because of the popularity of Goddess worship, most groups go without him. There are a few covens that only have a High Priest, but these instances are rare. This is a tough job and one not to take lightly. Consider carefully before traveling the path of the High Priest. Some solitaries take on this title.
Suggested requirements of a High Priest
* Meets the criteria for a Third Degree but goes beyond, willingly.
High Priestess
The female leader of a coven, the representation of the Goddess; Maiden, Mother and Crone. Spiritual leader, teacher and friend, the High Priestess has the same duties as a High Priest. Because of the rise of Goddess worship, this position has become tougher. In groups that only have a HPS, she becomes the all for the group. This is a tough job and one not to take lightly. Consider carefully before traveling the path of the High Priestess. Some solitaries take on this title.
Suggested requirements of a High Priestess
* Meets the criteria for a Third Degree but goes beyond, willingly.
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