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The Order is not led by a single individual or controlling group. Instead, it is led by an idea which is given form in our constitution. We wish to avoid the intoxication and abuse of power that often comes when humans are put in charge of a religious movement and chose to have the Order led by a written document instead. This gives individual Circles the freedom to teach and operate as they wish within the guidelines of this document.

THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE SACRED ORDER OF LIVING PAGANISM

I. Name

II. The Nature of the Order

The name of this organization shall be the Sacred Order of Living Paganism, Inc. herein referred to as "the Order."

I. This organization is incorporated as a non-profit religious and educational corporation.

II. The Order shall exist inclusively on the national, international, and local levels of organization to celebrate, educate and worship according to Pagan beliefs and to promote community service for the betterment of all.

III. Organizations within the Order shall consist of the following:

a. Academies: groups dedicated to the study and learning of the Order, its Degrees, its Principles, and its Precepts.

b.Circles: Academies which have grown in interest and size enough to support an organizational structure in the Order.

c.The Council of Elders: The Council shall be the governing body of each Circle.

d. The Grand Council: The governing body for the Order as a whole.

e. Additional Groups: other groups, committees, and positions may be formed and empowered to pursue specific social, educational, or religious goals consistent with the Purposes of this Constitution.

IV.This Constitution shall be the supreme governing instrument for the Order as a whole. Individual Circles may create their own set of By-laws which shall not be in conflict with this Constitution.

III. Statement of Purpose

I.The Order shall exist as a fellowship of individual members, ministers, and Circles and shall openly and publicly serve both members and non-members seeking spiritual guidance, education, and support in accordance with the Principles and Precepts of the Order. In order to meet this goal, the Order shall:

a. establish a community of like-minded people who will have similar religious beliefs by offering and extending membership to those who wish to join the Order.

b. educate its Members and Associates through the study, practice, and exploration of Paganism in several degrees of learning and experience as outlined in this constitution;

c. ordain Ministers of the Order so they may offer spiritual guidance and support and may conduct legal sacerdotal functions;

d. support, preach, publish, research and teach the Principles, Precepts, Purposes and Concepts of the Order;

e. establish and maintain places of worship and teaching in accordance with the traditions, rites and practices of the Order;

f. establish organizations of the Order;

g. provide discipline to its members and clergy who act consistently in defiance of, or in opposition to the Principles and Precepts of the Order; and

h. exercise any, all, and every power to which an establishment of religion is entitled.

I. In the event of the dissolution of the Order or of any organizations within the Order, the assets remaining at the time will be disposed of as follows:

a. First, to pay all of the just debts and taxes incurred by the organization, and then

b. the remaining assets will be disposed of by donation to:

i. other organizations within the Order; and/or

ii. one or more 501(c)(3) or other similar charitable organizations whose stated purposes are not inconsistent with this Constitution.

I. Throughout these documents the term “mail”, “mailing”, or “writing” shall refer to any form of verifiable communication, electronic or otherwise. The official date for such action shall be the date of transmission or posting.

I. Proposed amendments to this Constitution may be submitted to a Circle or Minister of the Order in writing by any active full member of the Order.

II. Proposals must be submitted in writing to the members of the Grand Council.

III. After a minimum of thirty days from the date of submission to the Council, the Grand Council must vote on the proposal.

IV. Final approval shall be made by a two-thirds majority vote of the Grand Council.

I. The Order defines its beliefs in the Three Principles and Five Precepts of the Sacred Order of Living Paganism.

II. The Three Principles of the Order are:

A. Sources: we believe that Earth, all being, and all things, being part of a single source we call Spirit, are sacred.

B. Choices: We believe that we each have the right to make our own choices in spiritual and other matters so long as, to the best of our ability, harm is not caused either to ourselves, to others, or to Earth.

C. Cycles: We believe that Spirit exists as a cosmic force of ever changing cycles manifested in nature and in our lives and that we should celebrate and honor those cycles through observance and ritual.

III. The Five Precepts are:

A. Reason: to live through thoughtful intent in all actions.

B. Respect: to promote and honor all people, beings, and spiritual paths which do not seek to cause harm.

C. Responsibility: to live in honor by being responsible in word and deed.

D. Reverence: to live in the understanding that all beings and all things are sacred.

E. Revelry: to, whenever possible, encourage ourselves and others to live through Spirit in joy and to reveal that joy.

I .Membership in the Order may be granted through several classifications which shall be named: Friend, Associate Member, or Full Member.

II. Only Full Members will be eligible to vote in any business of the Order.

III. A Friend of the Order shall be one who has not joined the Order but who wishes to participate in activities of the Order.

IV. Associate Membership in the Order requires:

A. a minimum age of 18

B. participation in a Dedication ceremony in which the dedicant accepts and vows to live by the Principles and Precepts of the Order.

V. Full Membership in the Order requires:

A. fulfillment of the requirements of Associate Membership;

B. successful completion of the First Degree; and

C. participation in an initiation ceremony.

VI. Members shall be considered active as long as they:

A. continue to pursue Degrees;

B. attend at least two Pagan rituals;

C. do not allow more than a year to pass between both requirements I and II above.

VII. Membership in the Order shall not require the renunciation of membership in any other religious or spiritual tradition or practice, so long as such tradition or practice is not inconsistent with the Principles and Precepts of the Order.

I .The Order shall recognize and support, in the least, the following organizations:

A. Academies (teaching organizations);

B. Circles (fellowship organizations);

C. A Council of Elders (governing organizations for each Circle); and

D. A Grand Council (the governing organization for the Order).

II. Academies

A .Any Full Member of the Order who has at least two (2) students interested in pursuing the teachings and learning the Concepts of the Order may create an Academy.

B. Academies must be sponsored and recognized by an active Circle or Minister of the Order.

C. New Academies must submit a teaching schedule and curriculum consistent with this constitution to the sponsoring Circle or Minister.

D. Academies shall recognize advancement by degrees consistent with this constitution.

E. Academy teachers may only teach up to the degrees they have themselves completed.

F. Academies may ordain as Ministers of the Order members who have reached at least the Third degree and have completed ministerial training as outlined in this constitution.

III. Circles

A. An Academy which grows in size enough to need an organizational structure or which desires to expand its activities may become a Circle of the Order.

B. A minimum of three active members of the Order may form a Circle.

C. A group which seeks to be recognized as a Circle of the Order must:

D. adopt, accept and approve this constitution as a whole;

E. be sponsored and recognized through a ritual of recognition by an active Circle or Minister of the Order.

F. Circles shall be considered active as long as they:

a. have met the requirements of becoming a recognized Circle of the Order;

b. have at least 3 members;

c. maintain a schedule of regular and annual meetings, classes, or rituals; and

d. act in accordance with this Constitution.

G. Each Circle may adopt bylaws, if needed, that supplement, interpret, and are in accord with this Constitution.

H. Each Circle shall hold, at a minimum, a Circle Meeting at least once per calendar year that consists of all full members of the Circle.

IV. The Council of Elders

A. There shall be a Council of Elders for each Circle which shall minimally consist of three officers and optionally other members as defined in that Circle's bylaws.

B. The Council of Elders should consist of those members of the Circle who have completed the Degree of Elder. If enough Elders are not active in the Circle then the Council shall be filled by those of the highest Degrees.

C. All actions of the Council shall be approved by a majority vote of the Council.

D. The officers within the Council shall be at a minimum the Summoner (President), the Hierophant (Vice President), the Scribe (Secretary), and the Almoner (Treasurer).

E. One person may serve the functions of both Scribe and Almoner.

F. Officers shall have and exercise all rights and privileges given or granted to them by this Constitution.

G. The Council shall have, as a minimum, the responsibilities of:

a. holding regular business meetings;

b .maintaining the integrity and requirements of the Order within the Circle;

c. maintaining lists of the Members, Teachers, Mentors, Academies, and Students of the Circle;

d. maintaining a record of Degree status of members;

e. taking action to discipline members, if necessary;

f. conferring ordination upon ministers of the Order;

g. registering and promoting new Academies and Circles;

h .mediating any conflicts within the Circle; and

i. overseeing compliance in accordance with this Constitution.

H. The Summoner shall be responsible for:

a. calling and leading all meetings of the Council and Circle;

b. coordination of all ritual events for the Circle;

c. joining the Grand Council, if needed;

d. delegation of duties to members or subgroups of the Circle;

e. overseeing the formation and operation of all subgroups; and

f. the overall operation and care of the Circle.

I. The Hierophant shall be responsible for:

a. maintenance, storage, and care of all Circle ritual items and property;

b. assuming the role of Summoner when necessary;

c. overseeing the operations of the education and social action programs; and

d. assisting all other officers when needed.

J. The Scribe shall be responsible for:

a. the recording and storage of all notes, records, and minutes for Council meetings and Circle activities;

b. the writing and dissemination of information about the Circle;

c. the publicity of events;

d. the documentation of the evolving history of the Circle; and

e. preparation of a report for the annual meeting including a review of the past year.

K. The Almoner shall be responsible for:

a. all monetary transactions of the Circle;

b. maintaining all records of monetary transactions; and

c. overseeing all fund raising activities.

L. The powers of the Council are those necessary to fulfill its purpose, and are granted through the adoption of this Constitution and through the adopted bylaws of the individual Circles.

M. Should an officer resign or leave office for any reason, the Summoner shall appoint someone from the council to replace that person, who will be approved by a simple majority vote of the Council, and will serve until the next Annual Meeting.

V. The Grand Council

A. There shall be a Grand Council which shall exist only for the following purposes:

a. discussing and enacting changes to the Constitution;

b. doing business for the good of the whole Order that cannot be done through individual Circles and Ministers of the Order.

B. The members of the Grand Council shall consist of the Summoners of all active Circles and all active Ministers of the Order.

C. The Grand Council shall be organized by a Grand Summoner who, when needed, will be elected by a majority vote of the members of the Grand Council.

I. The Order shall recognize and support the following degrees:

A. Seeker

B. Practitioner

C. Priest and Priestess

D. High Priest and High Priestess

E. Minister of the Order

F. Elder

G. Ancient

II. Minimum requirements to earn the Degree of Seeker are to:

A. be at least 18 years of age;

B. state an agreement to support and live by the Three Principles and Five Precepts of the Order; and

C. enact a ritual of dedication to study and practice with the Order.

III. Seekers shall have the right to participate in any activity open to the membership of the Order.

IV. Minimum requirements to earn the Degree of Practitioner are to:

A. complete the requirements for the Seeker Degree;

B. be active in group and/ or personal rituals;

C. participate in a minimum of 8 hours of spiritual counseling; and

D. learn the following concepts:

a.Introduction to the Order

b.The Three Principles

c.The Five Precepts

d.The Elementals;

e.The Wheel of the Year;

f.Pagan Symbolism;

g.Deities;

h.A History of Neo-Paganism;

i.How to Develop a Personal Ritual Practice;

j. The Basics of Meditation;

k. Spells and Magick;

l. Methods of Magick;

m. Basics of Divination;

n. Basics of Numerology;

o. Basics of the Tarot;

p. Basics of the Runes;

q. Basic Astrology;

r. The Pendulum;

s. Spiritual Healing;

t. The Aura and the Chakras;

u. Basics of Herbalism;

v. Mythology;

w. Basic Teachings of World Religions; and

x. Magickal Alphabets;

E. participate in a degree review; and

F. participate in a Degree Initiation

V. Practitioners shall have the right to:

A. maintain all rights of the Seeker; and

B. be a full voting member of the Order.

VI. Minimum requirements to earn the Degree of Priest or Priestess are to:

A. complete the requirements for the Practitioner Degree;

B. mentor or teach a Seeker;

C. be active in all seasonal rituals for at least one year; and

D. learn the following concepts:

a. Preparation for Second Degree Work;

b. Working with the Personal Aura;

c. Developing an Inner Temple;

d. Meditations on the Four Elements;

e. Meditations on the Seven Chakras;

f. Meditations on the Deities;

g. Meditations on Divination Symbols;

h. Methods of Raising Energy; and

i. Psychic Development.

E. participate in a degree review; and

F. participate in a degree initiation.

VII. Priests and Priestesses shall have the right to:

A. maintain all rights of the Practitioner;

B. become officers of a Circle;

C. lead personal rituals; and

D. assist in the leading of group rituals.

VIII. Minimum requirements to earn the Degree of High Priest or High Priestess are to:

A. complete the requirements for the Priest or Priestess Degree;

B. be active in all seasonal rituals for at least a year; and

C. learn the following concepts;

a. Introduction to the Third Degree;

b. Meditation on Spirit;

c. Meditations on Father Sky and Mother Earth;

d. Advanced Energy Raising;

e. Aspecting Deity;

f. Group development and conflict techniques;

g. Advanced Ritual Techniques;

h. Effective Public Speaking;

i. Effective tutoring and teaching techniques; and

j. Community Service.

D. lead at least two rituals;

E. practice healing and divination techniques;

F. assist in a service project;

G. complete a degree review; and

H. participate in a degree initiation.

IX.The High Priest or High Priestess shall have the right to:

I.maintain all rights of the Priest or Priestess; and

II.lead group rituals.

J.Minimum requirements for obtaining Ordination as a Minister of the Order are to:

I.complete the requirements for the High Priest or High Priestess Degree;

II.learn the following concepts:

III. techniques of pastoral counseling;

IV.techniques of pastoral listening;

V.techniques of divinatory counseling; and

VI. techniques of leading special and legal rituals including:

a.handfastings;

b.weddings;

c.blessings;

d.rites of passage; and

e.funerals and memorials;

VII. log 20 hours of time applying these techniques in consultation with a Mentor;

VIII. submit 5 letters of support from people who have been helped.

IX. be successfully reviewed by a Minister of the Order or the Council of Elders; and

X.participate in a ritual of Ordination.

K.The Ordained Minister of the Order shall have the right to:

I.maintain all rights of the Degree of High Priest or High Priestess;

II.perform all legal sacerdotal duties;

III.officially recognize and dedicate new Academies;

IV.officially recognize and dedicate new Circles;

V.become a member of the Grand Council;

VI.ordain other ministerial candidates who have successfully completed the requirements for becoming a Minister of the Order as described in this constitution;

L.Minimum requirements to earn the Degree of Elder are to:

I.complete the requirements for the High Priest or High Priestess Degree;

II.be active in all seasonal rituals for at least a year; and

III.learn the following concepts:

a.Contemplations on death;

b. Meditation on the void;

c.Complete a process of seeking wholeness (self assessments)

d.Preparations for a Ritual of Rebirth; and

e.End of life cycle preparations;

IV. prepare and enact an Elder Ritual of Rebirth;

V.create and direct a major service project;

VI.participate in a degree review; and

VII.participate in a degree initiation.

M.The Elder shall have the right to:

I.maintain all rights of the Degree of High Priest or High Priestess; and

II.become a member of the Council of Elders within a Circle.

N.Minimum requirements to earn the Degree of Ancient are to:

I.complete the requirements for the Elder Degree;

II.begin an Ancient Journal;

III.assist in an Elder Ritual of Rebirth;

IV.establish a method in which you maintain a Pagan practice for a minimum of seven years;

V.maintain an active and supportive relationship to the Order;

VI.participate in an Ancient Degree initiation.

O.The Ancient shall have the right to:

I.maintain all rights of the Degree of Elder.

I. Minimum requirements to earn the youth Neophyte Degree are to:

• a) be a minimum age of 5;
• b) join the Pagan League of Youth and attend classes;
• c) learn what it means to be pagan;
• d) learn what it means to be a member of the Order;
• e) participate in at least 20 Neophyte Level or related classes and activities
• f) help out with a service project; and
• g) participate in a degree initiation.

II. Minimum requirements to earn the youth Apprentice Degree are to:

• a) be a minimum age of 9
• b) complete the requirements for the following Achievement Badges:
• 1) Living Paganism
• 2) The Elements
• 3) The Magic Circle
• 4) The Ritual Altar
• 5) Basic Ritual
• c) complete the requirements for any 10 additional Achievement Badges;
• d) help design, organize, and engage in a service project; and
• e) participate in a degree initiation.

III. Minimum requirements to earn the youth Mage Degree are to:

• a) be a minimum age of 14;
• b) participate in a Coming of Age Ritual;
• c) complete the requirements for the Apprentice Degree;
• d) complete the requirements for the following Achievement Awards:

  1) Pagan in the Community;

  2) Pagan in the Family;

  3) Pagan in the World;

  4) Caring for the Environment;

  5) Magick;

  6) Religious Tolerance;

  7) Phases of the Moon;

  8) The Sabbats;

  9) Pagan Ethics; and

  10) The Threefold Law;

• e) complete the requirements for 15 additional Achievement Awards;
• f) help design, organize, and lead a major service project;
• g) attend at least three adult rituals;
• h) attend at least one adult class; and
• i) participate in a degree initiation.

IV. Minimum requirements to earn the adult Seeker Degree are to:

• a) enact a ritual of dedication to study and practice with the Order.

V. Minimum requirements to earn the adult Practitioner Degree are to:

• a) complete the requirements for the Seeker Degree;
• b) start a Practitioner journal;
• c) start a Book of Whimsy (collection of notes);
• d) be active in sabbats, esbats and astors;
• e) participate in a minimum of 8 hours of spiritual counseling;
• f) learn the following concepts:
  • Introduction to the Order;
  • The Thirteen Principles of the Order;
  • The Five Precepts of the Order;
  • The Elementals;
  • The Wheel of the Year;
  • Pagan Symbolism;
  • Deities;
  • A History of Neo-Paganism;
  • How to Develop a Personal Ritual Practice;
  • The Basics of Meditation;
  • Spells and Magick;
  • Methods of Magick;
  • Basics of Divination;
  • Basics of Numerology;
  • Basics of the Tarot;
  • Basics of the Runes;
  • Basic Astrology;
  • The Pendulum;
  • Spiritual Healing;
  • The Aura and the Chakras;
  • Basics of Herbalism;
  • Mythology;
  • Basic Teachings of World Religions; and
  • Magickal Alphabets;
• g) participate in a degree review; and
• h) participate in a Degree Initiation

VI. Minimum requirements to earn the adult Priest or Priestess Degree are to:

• a) complete the requirements for the Practitioner Degree;
• b) begin a Priest/ess Journal;
• c) transform the Book of Whimsy into a Book of Shadows;
• d) mentor or teach a Seeker;
• e) be active in all sabbats, esbats, and astors;
• f) learn the following concepts:
  • Preparation for Second Degree Work;
  • Working with the Personal Aura;
  • Developing an Inner Temple;
  • Meditations on the Four Elements;
  • Meditations on the Seven Chakras;
  • Meditations on the Deities;
  • Meditations on Divination Symbols;
  • Methods of Raising Energy; and
  • Psychic Development.
• g) participate in a degree review; and
• h) participate in a degree initiation.

VII. Minimum requirements to earn the adult High Priest or High Priestess Degree are to:

• a) complete the requirements for the Priest or Priestess Degree;
• b) begin a High Priest/ess Journal;
• c) transform the Book of Shadows into separate grimoires;
• d) mentor or teach a Practitioner;
• e) be active in all sabbats, esbats and astors;
• f) learn the following concepts;
  • Introduction to the Third Degree;
  • Meditation on Spirit;
  • Meditations on Father Sky and Mother Earth;
  • Advanced Energy Raising;
  • Aspecting Deity;
  • Group development and conflict techniques;
  • Advanced Ritual Techniques;
  • Effective Public Speaking;
  • Effective tutoring and teaching techniques; and
  • Community service.
• g) lead at least two rituals;
• h) practice healing and divination techniques;
• i) assist in a service project;
• j) complete a degree review; and
• k) participate in a degree initiation.

VIII. Minimum requirements for obtaining Ordination as a Minister of the Order are to:

• a) complete the requirements for the High Priest or High Priestess Degree;
• b) learn the following concepts:
  • techniques of pastoral counseling;
  • techniques of pastoral listening and spiritual direction;
  • techniques of divinatory counseling; and
  • techniques of leading special and legal rituals including:
    • handfastings;
    • weddings;
    • blessings;
    • rites of passage; and
    • funerals and memorials;
• c) log 20 hours of time applying these techniques in consultation with a Mentor; and
• d) be succesfully reviewed by the Council of Elders.

IX. Minimum requirements to earn the adult Elder Degree are to:

• a) complete the requirements for the High Priest or High Priestess Degree;
• b) begin an Elder Journal;
• c) mentor or teach a Priest or Priestess;
• d) start a new Academy, Circle, or group within the Order;
• e) complete work on the separate grimoires;
• f) be active in all sabbats, esbats, and astors;
• g) learn the following concepts:
  • Contemplations on death;
  • Meditations on the void;
  • Process of seeking wholeness (self-assessments);
  • Preparations for a Ritual of Rebirth; and
  • End of life cycle preparations;
• h) prepare and enact a three day Elder Ritual of Rebirth;
• i) write about and/or express your pagan experience for others;
• j) create and direct a major service project;
• k) participate in a degree review; and
• l) participate in a degree initiation.
  

X. Minimum requirements to earn the adult Ancient Degree are to:

• a) complete the requirements for the Elder Degree;
• b) begin an Ancient Journal;
• c) assist in an Elder Ritual of Rebirth;
• d) establish a method of which you maintain a deep Pagan practice for a total of ten years;
• e) maintain an active and supportive relationship to the Order;
• f) be reviewed by a local Council of Elders; and
• f) participate in an Ancient Degree initiation.

last update June 11, 2008