Coven Structure
Outer Court
In our Coven the Outer Court is comprised of Seekers who have gone through a formal Ceremony to mark the beginning of their journey that will hopefully lead to initiation.
Usually the High Priesthood will together with the Seeker first make a determination in terms of which Traditional path the Seeker will follow. If the decision is for them to follow the Horsa Tradition path towards initiation they will be invited to a Dedication ceremony and they will be known as the Probationer grade.
If the decision is for the person to follow the Sacred Pentagraph Tradition path, then they will undergo a formal ceremony and become Neophytes in the Tradition.
At this level the Neophytes/Probationers are initially taught the basics of Witchcraft, our Religion and Traditions As they explore the materials publically available.
During this training period Neophytes/Probationers will receive training with the High Priesthood and will also receive classes with the Teaching Assistant.
At this level the Neophytes/Probationers are not able to attend any Sabbats or Esbats of the Coven but they do have opportunities to interact with the rest of the coven during our Social activities and also during our monthly Coven days.
Inner Court
The inner court consists of Initiates who are part of our Coven, they make up the Coven Council.
Grades in our Traditions
Each Tradition has its own grade system.
The Horsa Tradition only has three grades who belong to the coven structure they are:
1st Degree Initiates- Coveners
2nd Degree initiates -2nd Degree High Priesthood level, they can continue to be part of the existing Coven, or they can under the leadership of a 3rd Degree Elder, hive off and lead their own coven.
3rd Degree initiates - the 3rd Degree is an Elder degree.
The Probationers are outside of the Coven structure and have non-coven roles.
The Sacred Pentagraph Tradition has a somewhat different structure and is as follows:
Neophytes - outside of the Coven Structure, non-coven role, these are the students and part of the outer court.
Probationer -outside of the Coven Structure, non-coven role, these are the Students who are on probation to potentially take on the role of a Sacred Pentagraph Witch.
Craftsman 1st degree - They do not belong to any specific coven, but they are considered Sacred Pentagraph Witches of the 1st degree. They can attend Sabbat rituals , they do not have a vote on the Coven Council.
Covener 1st degree- These are Sacred Pentagraph Witches who have been accepted into the Coven by the Coven Council, they can attend all Coven Sabbats and Esbats and have a vote on all Coven matters.
Artisan II degree - This is the start of the vocational grade, often Artrisan II degree witches assiste with teaching within the coven.
Practicus/Handmaiden III degree - A Vocational grade, at this level these witches are apprentices to the High Priesthood and can fill in for the HighPriesthood if needs arises.
High Priesthood IV degree - officiates at all Sabbat and Esbat rituals, at this degree they have been conferred the power to form new Covens under the Guidance and with the Support of the Elders of the Tradition in the specific Covendom.
Elder V degree: Eldes of the Tradition are active Coven Elders. They can particpate in Circle activities if they wish. They supervise the workings of their covendom
There are more degrees after the V degree but they are usually outside of the regular coven structure. The Sacred Pentagraph Tradition is effect, a sort of Occult Lodge, as it is practiced in many areas. Each level in the degrees of the Craft requires a lot of effort and energy to properly attain. Initiations are earned and not given. This is how an initiate raises in the degrees of the Craft in the Ancient Order of Bell, Book and Candle.
It is a method of rising on the planes of consciousness in the material world, as we know it. It is an initiatory process elevating the total person from birth through death in a series of successive grades to master the ordeals of life by application of Craft religious ideals and philosophical outlook.
Nothing is ever gained without expenditure of energy and application of willpower. Nothing worthwhile comes from faint-hearted efforts. Nothing is given without a compensating value in return.
This inductive method of advancement in the Craft presents an 11-fold path of learning and spiritual guidance from 0-10, birth to death, in a guided, step-by-step process marking the levels of knowledge and gathered experience and wisdom as they are met on life’s journey.
You can find more information on the Sacred Pentagraph grade system in Book I - The Covenant in The Sacred Pentatgraph: A Craft Work in Five Volumes by Tarostar.
