Ravenmyst Government
Ravenmyst was born on the Winter Solstice, in the year 2001. The five founders of RavenMyst are David Norris, Christine Norris, Mary Caliendo, Nicole Greevy and Maggie Shayne Benson.Over the years, RavenMyst has grown and so have the individuals; some of the founders have moved away from the tradition in perfect love and perfect trust. The founders of RavenMyst are Davd Norris, Maggie Shayne Benson, and Nicole Greevy.
The governing body of Ravenmyst is known as the Guardian Council or "The Guardians of the Myst." The Guardian Council consists of members elected from the whole trad who serve a term of two years. The Guardian Council reviews issues of tradition-wide concern such as lessons, bylaws, changes to common rituals, adaptation of new rituals or lessons. The autonomy of the covens is considered the highest good of the tradition and the Guardian Council strives to interfere as little as possible while providing some guiding principals.
Ravenmyst Degree Structure
All students must enter RavenMyst as Dedicants and complete the basics course of study in order to achieve the First Degree. Ravenmyst may accept degree Transfers from other Traditions; each transfer is approved by the Guardian Council.
Students may then decide on the area(s) of study that they wish to pursue.Those who wish to remain at First, as Initiated Witches, may do so. They may choose to pursue mastery in any one of our areas of specialization, including, but not limited to, Clergy Training. These students will work their way up through second and third degree in their chosen area of study.
Those on the path of Clergy may apply for ordination at any time after receiving their Third Degree Elevation. It may not come automatically with the Third Degree, and additional study (in the area of counseling) may be required.
Students who achieve the third degree will be qualified to act as teachers of basic and RavenMyst Wicca, teachers of the subject(s) they have mastered, and leaders of their own covens or groups.
Entrance into Ravenmyst
Those wishing to enter the RavenMyst Tradition may petition any member to put them in touch with a teacher. Seekers will be interviewed and if they seem like a good fit with this group, will be matched with a teacher, if one can be found who is accepting students. We will not discriminate on the basis of race, gender identification, or sexual orientation.
The Oath
It is traditional in the Craft to take an oath at the time of dedication. In many traditions, this oath is not known to the dedicant until the time they are dedicated, but it is the belief of the Ravenmyst Circle that an oath demanded and taken without consideration beforehand is less meaningful than an oath taken, fully aware.
Should you choose to dedicate to Ravenmyst, you'll be asked to take to following oath:
"I _________________, upon my honor, offer to the Great Ones
my solemn oath to be in service to the Goddess and God for one year,
to learn the mysteries now before me and do the work that is required.
My oath is to this tradition, but my obligation of service is to Spirit.
I will never reveal and ever conceal the secret arts, work, and
instruction entrusted to me. These secrets I shall never share with
any person, unless it be to a lawful sister or brother of the RavenMyst
Tradition. I further promise that I will never reveal and ever conceal
the identity of all witches, the names of my Tradition family,
their service to this Tradition, the places where they work, study and live.
I swear this oath by the very spirit that engenders me,
before the Ancient Mother Goddess and the Horned God.
Blessed be!"
If you are a prospective Dedicant,who is for any reason uncomfortable taking this oath, or you feel that you could not keep such an oath, you are
welcome to continue to attend our open gatherings, but you may not be dedicated.
Covens
Each coven will have its own set of coven rules, laws and guidelines, and its own unique group mind. You will also need to view these guidelines, and show yourself a good fit with the group mind in order to be admitted.