The Degree System

What is the Degree System?

Traditional Wicca and many earth-based religions, share core principles and guiding rationale as well as a system of three degrees of Initiation. In a broad sense, initiation to the first degree is open to all [potential] Witches, governed by the following concepts. However, the second and third degree criteria are quite demanding, and essentially anyone who seeks and becomes 2nd or 3rd degree is responding to a deep inner calling.

Higher degrees are not about levels of magickal prowess, power or learning; although esoteric principles are involved, the 2nd and 3rd degree witch is involved in a mundane yet diverse array of skill sets. These skills include but are not limited to: people skills, management skills, communication and teaching skills as well as the esoteric and specific detailed knowledge of various aspects of magick. Those who are not currently well balanced emotionally, psychologically and socially; and who may not consistently display these attributes, would not be able to successfully lead a Coven, nor would they be able to fulfill all the requirements that would be needed of them.

One of the greatest issues that plague today’s Covens is that of having inexperienced or ill-equipped people in leadership positions. Memorizing rituals and having a dominant or charismatic personality does not a good Priestess or Priest make. Because of this we work within a strong but flexible training, development and assessment structure; one which ensures that we do not unleash any imbalanced, power hungry, exploitive or unstable people on to the pagan community.

Let's first of all take a look at the basics of this in a simple way:

First degree: Is for those newly coming into the Craft. As you will see elsewhere in the information about Initiation, this brings the new Witch into the Coven, connects them with the Coven group-mind, connects them to the Inner Plane power sources which that Coven and Tradition works with, and Initiates- starts them on their path in a powerful and guided way.

Second degree: Marks the beginning of a deeper path within the Craft, and acknowledges the commitment, work and effort that the 2nd degree candidate has made following their first-degree initiation.

Third degree: Is granted to those of sufficient experience and knowledge who are either in a working partnership together and are going to leave their parent Coven to form a new one, or for a small number of individuals who do not have a working Craft partner to form a new Coven with and who have been Initiates for sufficiently long that they are becoming Elders of the Craft and of their Coven.