(Note: This is "outer doctrine" and may be watered down compared to data provided at various "Degrees") Wiccan initiation is in three grades or degrees. A Coven has three Officers: High Priestess, High Priest, and Summoner. The High Priestess is the representative of the Goddess, and is appointed by being of the Third Degree and deciding to start a Coven of her own. The High Priest is the representative of the God, and is appointed by being of the Third Degree and being chosen by a High Priestess to be her High Priest. The Summoner is the representative of the Messenger of the Gods, and is appointed by the High Priestess and High Priest, possibly with the advice of the Elders in Council. The duties of the Summoner include but are not limited to the summoning of persons to attend meetings (informing all of when and where they are and ancilliary details) and the ritual challenging of any who approach the Circle. The Summoner is essentially a sort of executive secretary to the High Priestess and High Priest. The Three Degrees of Wiccan initiation correspond to the first three degrees of classical western Magickal initiatory tradition. That is, the uninitiated aspirant corresponds to the sephiroth Malkuth, the First Degree to Yesod, the Second Degree to Hod, and the Third Degree to Netzach. A High Priest or High Priestess should be of the Third Degree or higher, and versed in the traditions and rituals of the craft. The confirming ritual for the Second Degree (Priest or Priestess) is the Second Degree Initiation Ritual, which includes the oath "I, ________ swear upon my mother's womb, and by my honor among men. And my Brothers and Sisters of the Art, that I will never reveal, to any at all, any of the secrets of the Art. Except be it to a worthy person, properly prepared in the center of a Magic Circle such as I am now in. This I swear by my hopes of salvation, my past lives, and my hope of future ones to come, and I devote myself and my measure to utter destruction if I break this my solemn oath." Then the High Priest or High Priestess (opposite sex to initiate) passes on all his or her power to the initiate in Wicca's Apostolic Succession, essentially. Finally, the Legend of the Descent of the Goddess into the Underworld is re-enacted. The confirming ritual for the Third Degree is the Third Degree Initiation Ritual, which includes the Great Rite. An Initiate of the Second Degree or higher is a Priest or Priestess. An Initiate of the Third Degree or higher is qualified to serve as a High Priestess or High Priest. Normally, a High Priestess is a female initiate of the Third Degree or higher who forms a Coven of her own. Normally, a High Priest is a male initiate of the Third Degree or higher who is chosen by a High Priestess as her High Priest. In the event of there being no qualified (Third Degree) person to fill the role of High Priestess, a person qualified to be a High Priest may initiate a Maiden to stand in as High Priestess until a qualified person becomes available. In the event of there being no qualified (Third Degree) person to fill the role of High Priest, a High Priestess may choose an unqualified person to fill the role until a qualified person becomes available Grimore Home Spells. |
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