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Teaching In The Order

Responsibilities of Teaching

General Learning Requirements

Those who have successfully completed a degree are then eligible to teach that degree to other members of the Order as long as the teaching is in line with the guidelines of the Order. Once a degree has been completed, the student may request Mentor status from their Mentor. If agreed, the Mentor will then submit the student’s name to the Circle as a Mentor.

There are two types of instructors in the Order: Mentors and Academy Teachers. Mentors assist students on a one-to-one relationship. Mentoring can be done in person or electronically. Academy teachers lead live classes and discussions.
The Order stresses a student-Mentor relationship that is always supportive and cooperative. Learning in the Order is primarily directed by the student and the Mentor is there to provide assistance and guidance. If, at any time, the student feels that the Mentor is no longer providing an atmosphere of growth and support, he or she should immediately find another Mentor or be asked that another Mentor be assigned. A record of changing Mentors must be recorded on the Circles’s rolls.

Mentors and Academy Teachers are free to use whatever style, order, and methods they feel appropriate to help their students learn but must follow the requirements for degrees agreed upon by the student and Mentor based upon the Order’s recommendations for degrees. Mentors should indicate when a student has successfully completed a degree so that their official records can reflect the new status.

Those considering becoming a Teacher or Mentor of the Order should become familiar with the Responsibilities of Teaching.

If you decide to become a Mentor or Teacher of the Order, you need to be aware of the responsibilities inherent in those positions.

Mentors and Teachers of the Order are responsible for:

• Teaching students in a manner that is fair and positive and which encourages growth in Pagan practice and study.
• Encouraging students to remain active in studying and learning in the Order.
• Encouraging students to be lead lives of honor and growth as representatives of the Order and of the Pagan community.
• Registering all activities of their students including any degrees and status earned.
• Informing the Order if students become inactive. If a student does not report on learning or practice methods for more than a year's time, that student should be registered as inactive with the last date of activity recorded.
• Ending teaching activities with any student that does not act or live in accordance with the Thirteen Principles or Five Precepts of the Order.

• Minimum requirements to earn the youth Neophyte Degree are to:
• be a minimum age of 5
• join the Pagan League of Youth and attend classes
• learn what it means to be pagan;
• learn what it means to be a member of the Order;
• participate in at least 20 Neophyte Level or related classes and activities
• help out with a service project;
• participate in a degree initiation.
• Minimum requirements to earn the youth Apprentice Degree are to:
• be a minimum age of 9
•  complete the requirements for the following Achievement Badges:
• Living Paganism
• The Elements
• The Magic Circle
• The Ritual Altar
• Basic Ritual
• complete the requirements for any 10 additional Achievement Badges;
• help design, organize, and engage in a service project; and
• participate in a degree initiation.
• Minimum requirements to earn the youth Mage Degree are to:
• be a minimum age of 14;
• participate in a Coming of Age Ritual;
• complete the requirements for the Apprentice Degree;
• complete the requirements for the following Achievement Awards:
• Pagan in the Community;
• Pagan in the Family;
• Pagan in the World;
• Caring for the Environment;
• Magick;
• Religious Tolerance;
• Phases of the Moon;
• The Sabbats;
• Pagan Ethics; and
• The Threefold Law;
• complete the requirements for 15 additional Achievement Awards;
• help design, organize, and lead a major service project;
• attend at least three adult rituals;
• attend at least one adult class; and
• participate in a degree initiation.

• Minimum requirements to earn the adult Seeker Degree are to:
• enact a ritual of dedication to study and practice with the Order.

• Minimum requirements to earn the adult Practitioner Degree are to:
• complete the requirements for the Seeker Degree;
• start a Practitioner journal;
• start a Book of Whimsy (collection of notes);
• be active in sabbats, esbats and astors;
• participate in a minimum of 8 hours of spiritual counseling;
• learn the following concepts:
• Introduction to the Order;
• The Thirteen Principles of the Order
• The Five Precepts and Ethics;
• 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;
• participate in a degree review; and
• participate in a Degree Initiation
• Minimum requirements to earn the adult Priest or Priestess Degree are to:
• complete the requirements for the Practitioner Degree;
• begin a Priest/ess Journal;
• transform the Book of Whimsy into a Book of Shadows;
• mentor or teach a Seeker;
• be active in all sabbats, esbats, and astors;
• 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.
• participate in a degree review; and
• participate in a degree initiation.
• Minimum requirements to earn the adult High Priest or High Priestess Degree are to:
• complete the requirements for the Priest or Priestess Degree;
• begin a High Priest/ess Journal;
• transform the Book of Shadows into separate grimoires;
• mentor or teach a Practitioner;
• be active in all sabbats, esbats and astors;
• 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.
• lead at least two rituals;
• practice healing and divination techniques;
• assist in a service project;
• complete a degree review; and
• participate in a degree initiation.
• Minimum requirements for obtaining Ordination as a Minister of the Order are to:
• complete the requirements for the High Priest or High Priestess Degree;
• learn the following concepts:
• techniques of pastoral counseling;
• techniques of pastoral listening;
• techniques of divinatory counseling; and
• techniques of leading special and legal rituals including:
• handfastings;
• weddings;
• blessings;
• rites of passage; and
• funerals and memorials;
• log 20 hours of time applying these techniques in consultation with a Mentor; and
• be succesfully reviewed by the Council of Elders.
• Minimum requirements to earn the adult Elder Degree are to:
• complete the requirements for the High Priest or High Priestess Degree;
• begin an Elder Journal;
• mentor or teach a Priest or Priestess;
• start a new Academy, Circle, or group within the Order;
• complete work on the separate grimoires;
• be active in all sabbats, esbats, and astors;
• learn the following concepts;
• Contemplations on death;
• Meditation on the void;
•  Process of seeking wholeness (self assessments)
• Preparations for a Ritual of Rebirth; and
• End of life cycle preparations;
• prepare and enact an Elder Ritual of Rebirth;
• write about and/or express your pagan experience for others;
• create and direct a major service project;
• participate in a degree review; and
• participate in a degree initiation.
• Minimum requirements to earn the adult Ancient Degree are to:
• complete the requirements for the Elder Degree;
• begin an Ancient Journal;
• assist in an Elder Ritual of Rebirth;
• establish a method in which you maintain a Pagan practice for a total of seven years;
• maintain an active and supportive relationship to the Order;
• be reviewed by a local Council of Elders; and
• participate in an Ancient Degree initiation.

last update August 11, 2007