newmembers

The Rules Of Dark Moon

General Coven Rules:

If you cannot attend a meeting you must notify coven members at least 3 days ahead of time if you do not you will not be allowed to attend the next meeting
If any member is upset with another member they must settle their problem in private and if they cannot they must go before the coven elders for resolution
No gossip among members
Every coven member should have his or her own color unless another member agrees to share
   Dedicates may wear whatever they wish
   1st degree must wear white
   2nd degree may choose a cloak or rope of the same color of their degree
   At third degree they may choose any color
Bring ritual attire to all rituals
Bring what you are asked to bring to meetings
You may not without the consent of a member perform any of their duties in the coven
All things affecting the coven shall be put to a vote with the coven elders
All members should try to have their own ritual tools
All members shall share workload and materials
   Ritual supplies
   Setup of rituals
   Special items for sabbats

Personal Standards:
An' it harms none, do what ye will.
If you know the Rede is being broken you must work strongly to correct the situation.
Watch, Listen, and withhold judgment; in debate, let your silence be long, your thoughts be clear, and your words carefully chosen.
Never boast, threaten, or speak ill of anyone.
Be truthful always, same when speaking would lead to a great harm
Do not haggle over the price of your ritual tools.
Keep clean your body, your clothes and your house.
Should you take a task upon yourself, work hard and well to accomplish it properly and in good time.
Responsibilities with Others:
Revere, honor, tend and heal the Earth
Of that which you grow, make, or use, let as much as possible return to the Earth as an offering to Her, as a way to nourish the cycle of life.
Do not judge those of others paths, instead offer them love and aid.
Do not steal from human, animal, or spirit; if you have needs you cannot meet, turn to our community.
Offer friendship and hospitality to those who visit among you.
You shall never handfast (wed) someone you do not love.
Honor the relationships and commitments of others, and do not couple together if it will (or could) cause pain to another.
Raise your children with kindness; feed, clothe, and house them as well as you can. Show them love and affection; teach them strength and wisdom.
You may not own slaves, or willingly be part of any nation, community, or organization, which allows this practice.
Deal fairly and honestly in all your transactions with others, following the letter and spirit of any contract you agree to, either in writing or verbally
Within the Coven:
The High Priestess shall rule her coven as a representative of the Goddess.
The High Priestess shall choose whom she will have as High Priest, providing he has sufficient training and rank.
The High Priest shall support her as a representative of the God.
In the circle, the commands and wishes of the High Priestess are law.
The High Priest commands the respect due a magus, counselor, and father.
If there are disputes among you, let the High Priestess convene the Elders. They shall hear all sides, alone, then together, and make a just decision.
If the High Priestess and High Priest find it necessary to correct, rebuke, or punish a covener, this should be done in private and accepted with good grace by the recipient.
Any who will not work under the High Priestess may hive off and form a new coven, if they have reached third degree. They and any members who choose to go with them must avoid the old coven for a time, until the new coven has bonded and harmonious relations can be established between the two covens.
If a High Priestess leaves her coven, but returns within a year and a day, she will be taken back and all shall be as before. Meanwhile, her Maiden or chief deputy shall act as High Priestess. If the High Priestess does not return within the allotted time, then a new High Priestess shall be elected, usually the person who has been acting in that role, unless there is powerful reason to the contrary.
The High Priestess shall gracefully retire in favor of a new High Priestess, should the coven so decide in Council.
You must immediately depose any High Priestess who consents to the breaking of the Rede.
Before the coven uses magick, let them debate at length; only if all are satisfied that none will be harmed may magick be used.
The circle must be duly cast and purified. The Wicca should be prepared and purified to enter the circle.
No one may tell outsiders where the covenstead is, or the meetings, without the consent of the coven.

Within the Craft:
Do not gossip or speak evil of others of the Wicca.
Never lie to the Elders or to any of the Wicca.
None but the Wicca may see our inner mysteries; but with the consent of the coven, friends and relatives may be invited to the ordinary rituals.
No one shall reveal to outsiders who is Wiccan, or give names or addresses, or anything that can betray any of us. No one may do anything that will endanger any of the Craft, or bring them into contact with the law of the land, or any of our persecutors.
Keep within your Book of Shadows the teachings of your coven, and also a record of your own rites and learning.
None may come to meetings with those with whom they are at odds. In any disputes among Wiccans, no one may invoke any laws but those of the Craft, nor any court but that of the Priest, Priestess, and Elders.
It is all right to accept money for the work of your hands, but not for work done within the circle. Never accept money for the use of magick, or for the teaching of the Craft within the circle.
Never use magick for show, pride, or for glory.
Give your skills, your work and your earnings to your coven, to the Craft, to priests and priestesses who do Her work, and to worthy causes that honor the Lady and the Lord. Honor those others who work willingly for the good of the Craft without pay.
Never do anything to disgrace the Goddess or the Wicca.

DARK MOON'S NEW MEMBERS PAGE

Coven Bylaws
Our Statement of Purpose
Our purposes are to:
1. Live according to our pagan beliefs, honoring the Lady and Lord, in balance with all of nature, light and dark.
2. Grow and educate ourselves in our spiritual beliefs.
3. Encourage and support our brothers and sisters of the coven in all possible aims, including the lending of our joined power to members in times of need.
4. Gather for Sabbats and Esbats, to celebrate the seasons, work magick, recognize growth, and to honor the Lady and Lord.
5. Encourage one another spiritually to live in accordance with our own personal ethics.
6. Share knowledge and wisdom openly with the coven.
7. Gain a working understanding of the less glamorized, equally balanced side of nature and the Craft; and�
8. Help members to develop or hone a personal philosophy integrating it.
B. Commitment: All members of this coven must have fully committed themselves to the above purpose in their beliefs, their activities, and their lives.
II. Membership
A. Qualifications: Individuals who wish to seek membership must first seek consensus approval from all members of the coven. This approval is usually given or decided through e-mail
1. Age Requirement - All members must be at least 21 years of age.
2. Solitary Application - All potential members must submit their own applications, which will objectively considered.
B. Degrees of Membership
1. Members � All who participate in the coven, Dedicants and Initiates alike, are considered to be members.
2. Coven Council � All initiated members of the coven are given membership within the Coven Council. Initiated members are those who have spent at least a year and a day with the coven, as well as the standing First, Second, and Three Degree members.
C. Membership Status: Any person�s membership may be curtailed, suspended, or terminated by decision of the Coven Council either for lack of attendance or participation, or in violation of privacy agreements/secrecy vows.
III. Administration and Operations
A. Body of Members: This body handles the ordinary business of the coven.
1. Membership - All those who have been approved for membership are included in this body.
2. Scope - The Membership discusses all matters of planning, activities, initiations, finance, and potential memberships.

3. Facilitation - The High Priestess shall ordinarily chair meetings of the Membership. Where she is absent, or chooses to delegate this responsibility, the High Priest shall chair the meeting.
4. Method of Operation� All decisions in darkmoon coven are made by consensus. When consensus cannot be reached, the members may refer the decision to the High Priestess or High Priest, who shall consider what has been discussed and make the decision.
5. Meetings � Meetings for all of the members are often held on the New Moon of each month, or when deemed necessary or desirable.

B. Coven Council: This body handles specific occurrences and problems.
1. Membership � The Coven Council consists of all initiated members of the group. Dedicants are not official members of the Coven Council, though they may be invited to participate in Council meetings as well.
2. Scope � The Council discusses emergency situations, such as violations of the privacy of members, or disagreements within the coven that may need to be moderated.
3. Facilitation � (As above with the Body of Members.)
4. Method of Operation � (Also as above with the Body of Members.)
5. Meetings � Coven Council meetings are only called on an as-needed basis.

C. Offices and Duties: The following offices shall be filled whenever a vacancy occurs.
1. High Priestess � Chairs meetings; provides counseling as necessary; leads the rituals or provides the resources to those doing so; supervises the work of other officers; directs the initiation of candidates to the priesthood; represents the coven to the Craft and the public; enhances the inner strength and harmony of the coven; provides overall guidance to the work of the coven; and exercises final authority regarding ritual, initiation, ordination, and other religious matters.
2. High Priest � Chairs the meetings in the absence, or at the request of, the High Priestess; provides counseling as necessary; helps to lead the rituals or provide resources to those doing so; assists in supervising the work of other officers; shares the responsibility for initiating candidates for second and third degree status; represents the coven to the Craft and the public; leads in the defense of the coven where worldly dangers threaten it; and supports and encourages the High Priestess in the performance of her duties.
3. Maiden � Assists the High Priestess with rituals and her other responsibilities, and assumes the duties of the High Priestess in her absence.
4. Summoner - Assists the High Priest with rituals and his other responsibilities; notifies coveners of meetings and the beginning of ritual; and assumes the duties of the High Priest in his absence.

D. Guidelines for Conduct: All members shall keep in mind their devotion to their own ethical codes of conduct, as well as the coven privacy and secrecy concerns.
IV. Meeting Schedule
A. Rituals
1. Esbats shall normally be held on the evening of the Full Moon.
2. Sabbats may be held on their actual date whenever possible or as determined by the members.
3. Rituals are held by default at the outdoor covenstead, except in the onset of inclement weather, where an indoor location will be sought.

B. Classes: darkmoon coven holds no formal teaching classes. While we are teaching one another, each member is responsible for attaining the level of knowledge that they seek. Books may be recommended.

C. Non-Ritual Meetings: Coven meetings may be held during an evening near to the New Moon, at a location selected by the members.
V. Attendance
A. Meetings are open to all members, save for Coven Council gatherings, where only initiated members are invited, by default.
B. Initiations are open to initiated members only.
C. darkmoon coven is not a public coven; rituals and meetings are not open to the public/guests.
D. Members are expected to participate in Esbats, Sabbats and meetings. If any attends fewer than 75% of these events, their status may be subject to review by the Coven Council. Second and Third degree initiates may be excused from the 75% rule in recognition of the work they may be performing for the community at large.
VI. Privacy of Members
A. The names, addresses, telephone numbers, and other information relating to individual members shall be considered confidential and may not be disclosed to non-members without the permission of the individual involved.
B. Disclosure of confidential information may be considered a violation of Secrecy and grounds for expulsion from membership.
VII. Revision of Bylaws
A. Any part of these bylaws may be amended by the consensus of the members.

Note: *Prior degrees attained will be honored, but only after a year and a day. Until this time is reached, the member will be asked to wear white, and will be considered a dedicant in membership terms.

Dedicant� Degree of basic craft understanding.
      At the time of membership in the coven, and before any initiation take place (*see above), the new member is known as a dedicant. The dedicant�s tasks are to attend to the initial study of the Craft, and to be introduced to the ritual practices and customs of darkmoon coven. We emphasize strongly that while we all learn continuously from one another, and will freely give guidance to all curious members, it is up to the dedicant to prove their desire to grow. There are no formal classes, but often a vast number of suggested texts, and plenty of time for discussion and demonstration. After basic introduction into the coven�s style, the dedicant is encouraged to begin working towards the attainment of the First Degree*. This period of preparation requires a minimum of a year and a day of study.

Areas of development that are suited to the ascension to the First Degree are:
Self-sufficiency. Ritual record keeping (Book of Shadows). Proficiency and understanding of basic ritual format, proficiency in constructing simple rituals for solo or group use. An exploration of personal talents within the craft such as forms of divination, magick, and psychic skills. Participating in the working of rituals, taking responsibilities within the coven (such as cleanup duties, bringing supplies, or keeping records). Developing an initial, personal idea about the balance of light and shadow sides of life, nature, and the craft.
Cord color: white
Recommended minimum time spent in degree: One year and a day
First Degree � Degree of applied craft understanding.
     The newly initiated First Degree witch should have an understanding of the importance of balance between the mundane and spiritual. This is the degree of gaining a working understanding of the craft. The member is expected to work towards releasing as much ineffective energy in their lives as possible, which may include fixing problem areas, and maintaining a strong, improving lifestyle. This helps to provide better focus on studies and practice.
     The coven is a group of people who will always be there with aid and support, but with the expectation that each member will ultimately take charge of their self-improvement and progress. The First Degree has already demonstrated the initiative required to further their training. Now they must start to practice what they have learned, and nurture their growing craft gifts and inclinations.
     The First Degree is the degree that formally makes one a witch and priest/ess. Inside a coven, or alone, if one has attained the First Degree, they are aligned with the Old Ones, and while starting out anew, reborn, they are past the stage of needing a guide to their aims.
Study topics for this degree usually include: Various forms of magick, pantheons, ritual design, group dynamics, applied craft knowledge, obscure craft history, psychic skills, divination, advanced craft philosophy, vision questing/meditation, presentation skills.
Among the many areas of development that are suited to the ascension to the
Second Degree is: Honing personal abilities, choosing key areas of interest to specialize in. Possibly exploring different God or Goddess aspects/choosing �patron� deities. Proficiency/practice in leading basic ritual. The conquest of at least one personal goal prior to ascension to the next degree, whether attaining a proficiency, or overcoming a great fear.
Second Degree cord color: your choice
Recommended minimum time spent in degree: Two years
Second Degree � Degree of personal understanding.
     Second Degree witches must move forward, and inward. The fundamental task of the second degree is to find all that exists inside themselves, and either transform it into something meaningful, or conquer it, so that they are free to serve others and prepare for full leadership. This is the carnal degree, the degree that embraces the shadows within. Here, the witch may begin to dig as deeply as possible into his or her past, and plan with all seriousness the path they will walk in the future of their spirituality. The grim nature of the degree often squares off the witch with their biggest hindrances, and rewards them by revealing their greatest sources of inner power.
     Throughout the work to attain a fully productive sense of self, the Second Degree is acting as a leader and guide for others, and working in tandem with the coven to develop the most productive methods of working with others.
Study topics for this degree usually include: Past life regression, or darker sides of self-exploration. Occult knowledge. Coven facilitation. Counseling. Healing. Teaching. Invocation.
Among the many areas of development that are suited to the ascension to the Third Degree are: Teaching basic Craft to new coveners, teaching or presenting at large gatherings, or on a community level. Discovering and/or understanding one�s True Will, the ultimate sacred desire. Having a full philosophy in regard to the balance of light and dark aspects.
Third Degree cloak and robe color: choice
Recommended minimum time spent in degree: Three years
Third Degree � Degree of applied personal understanding (leadership)
The Third Degree is a true elder. He or she is a High Priest/ess in all senses, whether in a working coven or without one. They may form a new, autonomous coven, not requiring any advising or approval from anyone. In the coven, they are treated with great respect, for they have attained the highest degree, and therefore have studied very diligently, and amassed both great experience and knowledge.
     The Third Degree may act as a coven elder or council, even independently, and is often called upon to help set policy, even if not an acting HP/HPS of the group. The elder�s wisdom is a gift to any coven, and they are free to help or simply observe as they choose.
Common Third Degree activities may include: Acting as elder/leader for a coven, and/or for the community at large. Advising/counseling. Attaining the results of one�s True Will. Becoming an adept in a number of Magickal or spiritual fields.
Degrees of initiation

Dedicant An Oath of a year and a Day
First Degree Usually last two to three years, and involves basic Wicca Theology the first year. Tradition Theology the Second year, and Magickal Practices the third year
Second Degree May last a full year. The year covers training dedicants and first degree students, as well as learning to substitute for the third degree members when necessary, However, Second Degree students in this system may chose to hive within a few months and begin what is called a daughter coven, which functions under the supervision of the mother coven until the second degree students take their third initiation
Third Degree/Elder Active Leaders of the Group and Responsible to serve as clergy, as well as teach second degree students. Here, third degree Witches are voted as elders for a spec Coven Information

Coven relationships
Coveners shall support one another outside of formal coven activities if a coveners is ill or hungry or otherwise in need they shall have reasonable support of the covens sisters and brothers all coveners shall strive to work and celebrate always in harmony with one another however if their should be conflict and the parties cant work it out on their own then they shall seek counsel and meditation from the high priestess/high priest or another initiate if meditation fails they shall agree to a arbitration by the high priestess /priest and willingly accept their decision no dispute between coven members shall be taken outside the coven except with permission of the coven council it is natural that each member will form close personal relationship with other members and with a group as a whole we encourage love trust and openness sharing of feelings constructive criticism and emotional support within the coven prospective participants whose partners are not joining must resolve any conflicts this may cause at home before being accepted for membership touching and hugging are a natural part of emotional sharing and support and are encouraged to the extent that the recipients welcome them sexual contact between members is not part of the usual affection shared within the coven members and dedicates may not engage in unwelcome and repeat sexual requests touching or comments with others sexual relations between consenting members are not part are not part of coven activities and should be kept private sexual relationships between dedicants and those of significantly higher degree i.e. in position to influence their craft advancement are discouraged

Coven communication
Authenticity inquire from a genuine desire to know and understand listen fully with the intent to truly hear speak your truth from the heart without attempting to make someone else wrong Respect speak one at a time do not interrupt avoid probing giving advice or attempting to change someone else�s point of view Thoughtfulness speak only when moved to speak take time to reflect before speaking honor silence speak through the center for all to hear allow time and space for everyone�s voice openness look for meaning not closure suspend assumptions

The outline of a ritual
A Wiccan ritual for any purpose usually includes the following steps
Preparation of the space and any materials you will need
Preparing yourself bathing centering meditating
Asperging the area cleansing the broom sprinkled saltwater or incense
Casting the circle drawing a circle with the athame or sword create sacred space
Calling the quarters powers of air fire water and earth
Invoking the goddess /god into yourself
Stating your purpose
Raising a cone of power through chanting dance song drumming ect. Channeling it toward your goal then grounding it
Relaxing with cakes and wine
Saying farewell to the quarters and thanking the goddess /god
Opening the circle

Sabbats are a celebration in nature and may include songs dances games and feasts there may also be special activities such as candle making at Imbolic gift giving at Yule or making a daisy wreath at Beltane

adapted from amber k's covencraft