Personal Shrine
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
a. This Shrine exists to provide a welcoming place for people to learn about Pagan and Wiccan religions and to practice witchcraft/wiccan/pagan ceremonies etc, here after called The Craft.
b. This Shrine exists so people can participate in rituals of The Craft, in particular, but not limited to, the Correllian Tradition.
c. This Shrine will hold rituals on the Sabbats and Esbats and other special occasions, in order to celebrate the seasons, work magic, recognize rites of passage, and honour the Lord and the Lady.
d. This Shine is a member of the Correllian Tradition, and shows respect for its ways, leaders and traditions.
II. DEDICATION
a. This shrine is dedicated, particularly, but not limited too:
1. Gnosis-Knowledge in all forms; from all sources. With knowledge comes power. Not the sort of power that can be wielded over others, but rather knowledge that provides one with power within themselves and the confidence to be true to themselves. We seek this knowledge from all sources, pagan and not, Correllian and other traditions, religious and secular, magical and scientific. Sofia, Goddess of Gnosis, watches over this study.
2. Dark Mysteries- the study and practice of moon magic, feminine magic, the power of the dark, crone magic, divination, and psychic abilities. We seek to learn more about the power in our own abilities, the mysterious in the world and �darker nature in our souls�. Hecate watches over this area of study.
3. Web of Life- �As above, so below; as the universe, so the soul; as within, so without�, we seek to understand the interconnected nature of the universe. We seek to understand our place within the universe and our own individuality.
We can achieve this in many ways. Some possible ways to do this would be:
a. The environment- By exploring environmental issues, our relationship with the environment, how the economy, politics, and material needs affect it, we see Mother Earth, as a whole, and can better understand why changes may be needed to reach global sustainability. We may begin small, within our daily lives and local communities, yet even small seeds can grow into big trees.
b. Healing- be it energy healing, herbal wisdom, or any other form of healing. We seek to understand the healing faiths in the world. We also will work at healing ourselves, our community and world around us.
c. Energy- we seek to understand the nature of energy in the universe; how it affects us, and how we can affect it; for healing, creativity, and creating connections in the world.
d. Personal Creativity- Through personal expression, whatever the medium, we can explore our relationship with the universe, the divine and our place in it.
Brighid, Goddess of the hearth, watches over this area of study.
4. Demystifying Misconceptions and Interfaith Relationships- Pagans and The Craft are greatly misunderstood in the world today. There is a lot of struggle and strife between religions, and on a smaller scale within the pagan community as well. The shrine seeks to help bridge these misunderstandings though personal conduct and education within the pagan community and with other faiths. The Goddess Blodewedd represents the need to challenge misconceptions and the desire to be more than the title�s we are judged by. She watches over this area of study.
5. Not taking ourselves too seriously- as important and fulfilling as personal grow and study is, all too often we forget to laugh at ourselves and how silly it is to �be a witch�. Laughter is always a vital part of any experience and the shrine will always encourage its members to smile, laugh and enjoy their studies and journey with The Craft. If we forget and get to serious, the Fae, who watch over this area of study, and truly all areas, will surely remind us by bopping us over the head with our own wands.
b. The Shrine is dedicated to these above topics, though all its members may choose their own path within these areas, or without. As one of the wee ones in known to say, �One needs ground to stand on, if one�s going to fly away.�
c. These are but mere guidelines from which we can draw topics of study and conversation. As the shrine evolves so too, will our choices and interests.
III. COMMITMENT
a. It is understood that everyone has very busy lives and it is often hard to commit a lot of time and energy to something. One must decide for themselves level of commitment to the shrine, its studies and work.
b. Commitment to the shrine means: Commitment to improving ones education in The Craft; Commitment to be a better person, it what every form that takes for you; and Commitment to bettering the Pagan community.
c. Although this is a casual group, membership should not be taken lightly. This is a group for people who are serious in their studies of the Craft and who want to practice regularly, and of course want to meet and have fun with other pagans.
IV. MEMBERSHIP
a. Membership in the Shrine is by the discretion of the board or directors. One may request membership, or one may be asked to join by one who is already a member.
b. Members can be of any Pagan/Wiccan/Witch Tradition or background.
c. Members do not have to be affiliated with the Correllian Tradition, however as this Shrine is connected to said Tradition and respect of its beliefs is vital.
d. No person shall be denied membership because of gender, race, ethnic background, sexual orientation, physical handicap, previous religious association, or age (provided that they have attained the age of legal majority). Candidates for membership who have not attained the age of legal majority may be considered for membership only after permission of their parents or guardians has been given. (And it can be proven that you didn�t fake it)
e. No person shall be refused membership because of his or her education level within the craft. People who are brand new to the journey of the Craft will be made welcome, as well as wise Crones who have been practicing their entire lives. Each person has a unique perspective to share and that is always welcome.
f. However, the board reserves the right to refuse membership to anyone they feel will not or does not contribute to the Vibe of the Shrine. Or if we think you�re creepy.
1. CATEGORIES OF THE SHRINE
a. The Metaphysical Shrine- is for those who wish to be part of the online discussion group located at yahoo. This is also for members who do not live close enough to come to the Shrine�s physical location in Vancouver BC
b. The Corporeal Shrine- is for those in the Vancouver BC lower mainland area who wish to get together in person! And meet regularly, either at the Shrine, or other locations.
2. CATEGORIES OF MEMBERSHIP
a. There are two types of membership- or a combination of both.
b. <b>Metaphysical Membership</B> is for those who wish to be part of the online discussion group located at yahoo. This is also for members who do not live close enough to come to the Shrine�s physical location in Vancouver BC
c. </B>Corporeal Membership</B> is for those in the Vancouver BC lower mainland area who wish to get together in person! And meet regularly, either at the shrine, or other locations.
d. Of course, one can be both.
3. THE RULES EACH MEMBER MUST FOLLOW:
1. Respect for people; this includes, but is not limited to, respect for other members and their beliefs, which may differ; respect for the privacy of each member, phone numbers, addresses, email address and other personal information WILL NOT be given out without expressed permission of the individual
2. Respect for the Shrine, both the metaphysical and physical space in which it inhabits. As the shrine is located in a private home, it�s location and address WILL NOT be given out without permission of the ShrineKeeper, (that�s Fairmoon by the way)
3. Respect for faith; this includes, but is not limited to, respect for other pagan faiths as well as their clergy; respect for other world faiths and their clergy.
4. Responsibility; this includes, but is not limited to, being personally responsible for your actions when within in the Shrine�s sacred spaces; and the responsibility to treat the rest of nature, and the world, as a sacred space as well.
5. Live in a manner, which honours the Lord and Lady, following the Wiccan Rede, �Do as you will, but harm none.�
6. Support one another within the Shrine in their personal healing, growth, and aspirations.
7. Honour the Earth and all Her creatures as sacred, and work to heal and protect the environment within our community, throughout our nation, and around the world.
8. These rules can be amended at any time, without notice, or added to, without notice, by the ShrineKeeper or Members of the Board, as it becomes necessary.
d. Any breach of the rules or etiquette listed above will result in suspension of membership privileges in both the Metaphysical and Corporeal shrines, pending a review.
e. After such review, any further breach will result in expulsion and we�ll tell all our witchy friends you�re a big meanie.
IV. ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION
a. The ShrineKeeper will look after most admin, operation procedures, and maintenance of the Shrine. The ShrineKeeper will have complete authority over the following areas:
1. The release of the location of the Corporeal Shrine. It�s her backyard, and she doesn�t want strangers bugging her family.
2. Overall maintenance, structure, design and decoration of the Corporeal Shrine, again, it�s in her backyard.
3. Basically anything involving the physical nature of the Corporeal Shrine.
b. A Board of Directors is in place to act as a governing body when needed for conduct reviews or member applications. The board will have no less then three members, but is not limited to that number. Membership in the board of Directors is by the invitation of the existing Board.
c. Members of the Board must be members of both the Corporeal and Metaphysical Shrines.
d. Additional offices may be created at the discretion of the Board, to facilitate the smooth running of the shrine as the need grows.
e. In all other areas, the Shrine is run by democracy of the group, and decisions will be made thought discussion and voting if required.
V. FINANCES
a. The Shrine�s income shall include donations, profits from fundraising projects, class fees, and member and guest contributions.
b. All required forms and reports shall be filed with provincial and federal governments to maintain the Shrine�s legal status. This is the responsibility of the Board of Directors or ShrineKeeper.
c. The Shrine�s Board of Directors shall keep proper books of account for the Shrine and shall prepare such statements of the Shrine's financial affairs and membership as the Tradition directs.
d. Though right now this part seems way too serious for what we do.
VI. REVISING THE BY-LAWS
a. The ShrineKeeper and the Board of Directors can amend any part of these By-laws at any time, by discussion and a vote.
b. The Shrine�s members can request the amending of laws by the Board and ShrineKeeper. If such a request is made, then the members will also have voting rights for such amendments.
