The
RavenMyst
Tradition

At Yule, 2001, four Elders and one Third Degree High Priestess were called to serve the community in a very different way. They collectively made the decision to forge a new path for themselves, their respective covens and their students. Thus RavenMyst Circle was born.

Raven is a totem honored by each of the founding covens, including our largest one. And "Myst" is for the mysteries we would be exploring, the mists that separate the mundane world from the spiritual one, the mists and fog that are "in between" places, being in between air and water, and therefore places of great power, and the mystics of the ages, whose wisdom we embrace.

The branches of the Wiccan family tree twist and split and spread new seed. None of our spiritual forebears have remained within the Tradition of their Initiators. Instead, each moved on to find or create his or her own path. In creating our own path, the Founders of RavenMyst are in fine company, and completely in keeping with the history, practice and evolution of Modern Wicca. We honor our teachers and those who came before us and remain grateful for all we have learned from them.


Core Beliefs

In RavenMyst, we recognize that every Witch, regardless of age, sex or rank is a thriving individual, and that all are equal in the eyes of the Gods. Our Gods are those who came before mankind got around to naming them. In the oldest written language, the Goddess of Earth was called simply "Ki," which was the Sumerian word for Earth. The Sky God was "An," the word for Heaven. We call on the Lady of the Oceans, the Goddess of the Moon, Mother Earth. We call on the Lord of the Woodlands, the God of the Sun, Father Sky. If pressed to describe Her, we might fall back on Oberon Zell's "Millennial Gaia," with DNA strands twining through her hair and all the living things of the Universe sprouting upon her body. For Him, we might turn to the mythical half-Stag, half-man known as Pan or Herne, playing his magickal pipes, which mimic the breath of life throughout the forest. Each individual RavenMyst Witch identifies with her/his own ideals, has his/her own patron and matron deities. We recognize the Gods both as real individuals, and as parts of a greater whole - just as we are each real individuals and yet parts of a greater whole. We believe that all life is sacred to the Gods and use traditional methods of casting circles and calling in quarters.

Role of Clergy

RavenMyst is a 5 tier tradition consisting of Dedicant, First Degree, Second Degree, Third Degree and Elder levels. All members enter at the Dedicant level. When they finish the level one lessons, plus a year and a day of training, and/or when their teacher feels they are ready, they will be Initiated to the First Degree. Initiates may elect to remain at First, or continue their work and training up through Second and Third Degree. Thirds who elect to take our counseling lessons, a curriculum created for us by Judy Harrow, will be given legal clergy status. Legal clergy will be able to sign documents pertaining to births, marriages and passing, in accordance with laws in their state. In addition, all Third Degree members may form covens of their own.

Organization of Groups

The covens of RavenMyst share the same curriculum, circle cast, quarter calls, totems, Dedication and Elevation rituals, and many other things. Yet each coven is autonomous to the fullest possible extent.

Newcomers go through a careful screening process as we determine whether they will be a good fit with the group mind. As a rule, a newcomer will attend several coven gatherings and/or open circles before being invited to Dedicate to one of our covens.

Dedications and all Elevations must be performed in person, even in the Cyber Coven. Long distance students have a much more difficult challenge than local ones do, and while it's not fair, it is necessary. We are open to new seekers, though we do want them to be aware that we have an extremely limited number of teachers and, currently, only one Cyber Coven.

Standards of Conduct

RavenMyst is incorporated as a Michigan non-profit organization, and is in the process of applying for Federal Tax Exemption. Thus, RavenMyst was created with a Guardian Council made up of the five founders plus two appointees, but with a plan in place to hold annual elections so that the seats of authority could rotate among the membership. Anyone of First Degree or higher may hold office and vote in the elections. The Guardian Council ensures fair policy making and just governance of the group.

You can learn more about RavenMyst and its covens at the
RavenMyst website.

- LadyHawke, the Mythmaker -




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