Structure of Spawn Far Coven

Meetings

Members actively working toward a degree should make every effort to attend all rituals. Rituals should follow a regular schedule determined and announced well in advance, if possible. Rituals will be held on the following occasions:

Training

The Spawn Far initiatory system consists of the ranks of Dedicant, Initiate, and Elder. Since our second degree (the rank of Elder) is intended to be equivalent to the third degree in traditions that have a three-degree system, in most cases we expect the period of study between the first and second initiations to require much more than the minimum of one year. Although the coven does have a High Priest and High Priestess, we see them as differing from the other Elders in terms of office, not rank. In theory, any Elder should be capable of leading a coven.

  1. Dedicants: After attending Sabbats for at least a year and a day, a person may request to undergo the Rite of Dedication. We encourage those seeking dedication to make a point of visiting other covens or similar groups before dedicating to ours, so that an informed decision has been made. A Dedicant must attend all circles for at least a year and a day after dedication in order to qualify for Initiation. The coven Elders will set requirements for first degree to be presented to the Dedicant. The assembled Elders will determine whether the Dedicant has passed the requirements for first degree after a year and a day; it may take longer. Minimum requirements for Initiation: Know the layout of the Temple, know the basics of our rituals, learn the Witches' Rune, Quarter Invocations, Circle Casting, invoking and banishing Pentagrams. Know how to raise and ground energy, be able to participate in the Geometry of Power and rituals based thereon. Learn to be introspective. Learn to distinguish between magical perception and magical projection.
  2. Initiates: An Initiate who is a candidate for second degree [an Initiate may be an active member of the Coven without seeking second degree] must attend all rituals for at least a year and a day after initiation. Other requirements for second degree include, but are not limited to, the following: Write and lead some rituals (more than one). Do some research and write one or two short papers (2-5 pages) on Craft-related topics. Practice practical magic: scrying, divination, astral projection, dreamwork, spellwork (group and individual), herbcraft (magical or medicinal), and healing (hands-on and long-distance). Spend time listening to other people, even if you disagree with them. Get your affairs in order: make sure your career and personal life are headed in the direction you want.
  3. Elders: An Elder (second degree initiate) active in the Coven shall be responsible for preparing and leading training lessons in rotation with the other Elders, and for arranging and maintaining the Temple as needed. Elders are expected to provide support and set a good example within the coven, and are encouraged to participate in and contribute to the greater Pagan community. All members shall share responsibility for bringing cakes and wine to Circle, and for replenishing the coven supply of candles, incense, etc.

Comments

A Dedication is performed for the benefit of the Coven; it does not confer rank on the Dedicant, and does not necessarily promise future degrees. It is more or less a contract whereby the Dedicant agrees to stick it out in training either until Initiation (and beyond) or the Elders decide that training is neither to the Coven's nor trainee's benefit. This is why the applicant is given at least one full year to decide whether or not to Dedicate. After Dedication, the Elders and the Dedicant must discuss any problems that arise in the process of training, and attempt to work them out to the Elders' satisfaction. The Dedicant should not leave training without discussing it with the Elders. In return, Elders should be aware that training often begins with a "honeymoon period", and that problems that arise some months into training are part of a natural process of the Dedicant relaxing and becoming more comfortable with the Coven environment; one should be prepared for it when it happens rather than shocked that a "good student suddenly went bad". Elders should be mindful of Coven standards for progress, and make sure the standards are clear to the Dedicant. Attendance at all required meetings by the Dedicant does not necessarily make him or her automatically eligible for Initiation. Initiation is usually conferred a year and a day after Dedication if the Dedicant meets Coven requirements; individual circumstances may suggest a longer training period.

Back to my Home Page