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Answers From The Ask-A-Mage Desk
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I am a Wiccan Witch and I was wondering exactly what you do to be a priest. I have been told all you do is be initiated but I was surfing the web tonight and ran across a page about eclectic wicca (which I am) and said "you" aren't a priest unless you are a wiccan for "X" number of years and can't be High Priest until you have neen wiccan for 10 years. I was wondering is this true??? I am confused on this issue.
That is an interesting question and one that you'd probably find a different answer from each Witch you ask. I am curious if you have the address of that page still as I find 10 years both a bit unusual and a bit excessive, but I'd like to look more at what the author has to say. What is interesting to me is that a website purporting to be eclectic (which is by definition, "anything goes & use what works for you") is making broad declarations of what can and can't be done. I would say the first thing you should do is read into EVERY page on Wicca, "In my opinion" or "In the opinion of my Path/Tradition." Many Wiccan paths will tell you that every Witch is a priest. And on most levels this has been true, although I see this as evolving, as the Craft is beginning to develop of lay worshippers who wish to be led in occasional worship, but who do not wish to take on the duties of priesthood. In my Path we define a "priest" as a "servant." A "Witch" - 1st degree initiate is seen as a "priest to self". At 2nd degree, "Priest/ess they are a priest to their circle, (their coven, etc). At 3rd degree they take on the title "High Priest/ess," and are seen as a priest to their larger community - not just the circle of the coven or the Path, but to the larger pagan and non-pagan community outside of that. At 4th degree (which is more an honorarium given to those who have birthed covens under them) they are priests to the Dragon (the Tao/Source/Force). Additionally, one can act as the High Priest/ess of a group without being 3rd degree. This definition of High Priest/ess merely is the person who leads and facilitates circle and teaching for the rest of the group. In some Paths/Traditions, this is one particular person for life (or until they are ousted); in others the duty is passed from one to another member over on a yearly or semi-yearly cycle, and in still others the HP/SS is whoever is hosting circle that time. The majority of Traditions I've come across have a year and a day between degrees. In my Path we don't set time limits. I tend to think a year and a day is wise, but we don't suggest that someone must or automatically will be initiated to a higher degree just because they've been there a certain amount of time. It is a matter of personal growth and development. Some people may take a year to initiate, others may take 2 or 3. Neither is "right," except if it is appropriate and necessary for the Witch involved. My advice is to err on the side of waiting rather than going too fast. I've seen few Witches who were initiated/degreed too late; but I've seen some who were initiated/degreed too soon, and that tended to get them into a race for power. It's not about the amount of years that you have in the Craft, nor about your title. What matters is your relationship to your self, the people about you, your community and the Gods. |
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