Application process
In April (or whenever I get my tax return) or hopefully sooner, I'll pay the yearly tithe to the Covenant of the Goddess and send in the application with the local chapter of the Covenant. I'm so excited! I'm working very hard to make us totally official.
Oh, no...you ask questions every person should ask. Any HPS/HP who doesn't want to answer those questions shouldn't run a coven. I say small and new as in very small and very new. The current status of our wee coven consists of myself, my husband, one woman (Starfyre as she is known in the coven). I have two potiential students who are both women so while I'd be very happy to have you join us, I'm focusing on hopefully finding some gentlemen to join us as well to balance us out. Balance is very important. My husband is not yet a Priest. He is shy and is not yet comfortable with that role at this time. So the circles we do are not a "Wiccan" circle as they require a HP as well. We celebrate with a "pagan" circle at this time. Again something we are working toward this year is establishing a HP. I'm hoping my husband will take the role when he feels ready but I do not wish to push him. That's a huge role and isn't for everyone. If it isn't my husband, it will be someone carefully chosen.
I'm currently working on getting us registered with Covenent of the Goddess as an official church of Wicca. It most likely won't be complete until I have a HP, but I've started the process. I can give you a copy of our mission statement.
Now, I teach what is called Neo-wicca. I learned Gardnerarian through the Whispering Willow Coven and then studied for years on my own. I am ordained and can also present the certificate. I was ordained through the Church of the Human Spirit, which is a non demoninational church that supports Wicca. I can legally perform services in the state of Georgia and I do. I have performed Handfastings, offered support services to hospitialized people, etc. Thank the Goddess I have not been called to perform a funeral yet, but at some point I will. If you choose to study with us, you will learn a little bit about the different traditions of Wicca (Gardnerarian, Alexandrian, Reclaiming, etc) however you will actually study neo-Wicca. You will learn various ways to cast a circle for Sabbat, to call on the Goddess and God and what their roles are in Wicca. You will also study and learn their different names and aspects. Though we simply Goddess and God, many neo-Wiccans will have a "patron Goddess and God" relating to one or more aspects depending on the need of the working. You will learn how to find and choose one if you wish. I will expect you to eventually pick a tradition of Wicca and study it and I will help you on your path with following your progress and testing you on your particular path. As a novice in my coven you will learn the different traditions. As part of your attaining first degree, you will pick one tradition or path and focus your study on that. You will then also perform parts of our group workings as a Handmaiden. To attain 2nd degree, you must be able to demonstrate an understanding of your path and cast a sabbat circle, a circle for a working, etc. At that point, you will begin to teach other students who may be interested in your path under my supervision. You will take on the role of Priestess of the Circle and begin to share leading the holiday celebrations with others of your level. This duty will be rotated. You might be responsible with Imbolc for example and another will lead Ostara until each person has had a chance to lead a holiday celebration and group working in their particular path. Your path can ecclectic neo-Wicca or a more traditional path, but you must show me that you can teach and function on your chosen path to be raised to 3rd degree. Once attaining 3rd degree you will be a High Priestess. At that point with the support of Whispering Oak, you will create a sister coven of your path. You will then be on your on however, Whispering Oak will be there to support you and yours always and lend assistance when needed. You will however be the final decision maker in all things. Once attaining 3rd degree, you may chose a solitary path. You will be again supported in that choice as well. If that is your choice, you will always have a study place and a place in our circle should you wish it. In other words, should you choose to create your own coven or a solitary path, you and yours will always have Whispering Oak to lean on.
You may be looking for a more established coven or traditional coven. If so, blessing on that path. You are looking for someone to guide you in "your" beliefs. My way and path is help you find yours. I am versed in different paths though I chose an open, ecclecitic path. I feel each person has a personal relationship with the Goddess and God. My job is to foster that relationship. I don't presume that relationship is like mine or that my path is right for you. It's a different coven of Wicca to be sure, and doesn't suit everyone. Whether or not it is right for you, blessings to you on your path and your study.
Blessed Be
Oh, no...you ask questions every person should ask. Any HPS/HP who doesn't want to answer those questions shouldn't run a coven. I say small and new as in very small and very new. The current status of our wee coven consists of myself, my husband, one woman (Starfyre as she is known in the coven). I have two potiential students who are both women so while I'd be very happy to have you join us, I'm focusing on hopefully finding some gentlemen to join us as well to balance us out. Balance is very important. My husband is not yet a Priest. He is shy and is not yet comfortable with that role at this time. So the circles we do are not a "Wiccan" circle as they require a HP as well. We celebrate with a "pagan" circle at this time. Again something we are working toward this year is establishing a HP. I'm hoping my husband will take the role when he feels ready but I do not wish to push him. That's a huge role and isn't for everyone. If it isn't my husband, it will be someone carefully chosen.
I'm currently working on getting us registered with Covenent of the Goddess as an official church of Wicca. It most likely won't be complete until I have a HP, but I've started the process. I can give you a copy of our mission statement.
Now, I teach what is called Neo-wicca. I learned Gardnerarian through the Whispering Willow Coven and then studied for years on my own. I am ordained and can also present the certificate. I was ordained through the Church of the Human Spirit, which is a non demoninational church that supports Wicca. I can legally perform services in the state of Georgia and I do. I have performed Handfastings, offered support services to hospitialized people, etc. Thank the Goddess I have not been called to perform a funeral yet, but at some point I will. If you choose to study with us, you will learn a little bit about the different traditions of Wicca (Gardnerarian, Alexandrian, Reclaiming, etc) however you will actually study neo-Wicca. You will learn various ways to cast a circle for Sabbat, to call on the Goddess and God and what their roles are in Wicca. You will also study and learn their different names and aspects. Though we simply Goddess and God, many neo-Wiccans will have a "patron Goddess and God" relating to one or more aspects depending on the need of the working. You will learn how to find and choose one if you wish. I will expect you to eventually pick a tradition of Wicca and study it and I will help you on your path with following your progress and testing you on your particular path. As a novice in my coven you will learn the different traditions. As part of your attaining first degree, you will pick one tradition or path and focus your study on that. You will then also perform parts of our group workings as a Handmaiden. To attain 2nd degree, you must be able to demonstrate an understanding of your path and cast a sabbat circle, a circle for a working, etc. At that point, you will begin to teach other students who may be interested in your path under my supervision. You will take on the role of Priestess of the Circle and begin to share leading the holiday celebrations with others of your level. This duty will be rotated. You might be responsible with Imbolc for example and another will lead Ostara until each person has had a chance to lead a holiday celebration and group working in their particular path. Your path can ecclectic neo-Wicca or a more traditional path, but you must show me that you can teach and function on your chosen path to be raised to 3rd degree. Once attaining 3rd degree you will be a High Priestess. At that point with the support of Whispering Oak, you will create a sister coven of your path. You will then be on your on however, Whispering Oak will be there to support you and yours always and lend assistance when needed. You will however be the final decision maker in all things. Once attaining 3rd degree, you may chose a solitary path. You will be again supported in that choice as well. If that is your choice, you will always have a study place and a place in our circle should you wish it. In other words, should you choose to create your own coven or a solitary path, you and yours will always have Whispering Oak to lean on.
You may be looking for a more established coven or traditional coven. If so, blessing on that path. You are looking for someone to guide you in "your" beliefs. My way and path is help you find yours. I am versed in different paths though I chose an open, ecclecitic path. I feel each person has a personal relationship with the Goddess and God. My job is to foster that relationship. I don't presume that relationship is like mine or that my path is right for you. It's a different coven of Wicca to be sure, and doesn't suit everyone. Whether or not it is right for you, blessings to you on your path and your study.
Blessed Be