ABOUT THE COVEN OF THE REDTAIL HAWK
Most of CORTH's founding members remain members today. Its purpose is to
provide its members with fellowship, a structure in which to practice the Wiccan
religion, education, training, including clergy training, counsel when needed,
love and support.
We meet at one of the members' homes, usually in Otselic or Norwich NY every
month. The meetings are for members and invited guests only. At our gatherings,
we usually begin with coffee, snacks and a chilling-out period, followed by
discussion and/or practice of whatever we are studying that month. After that
we join in group ritual, sometimes a formal circle, a sabbat or esbat
celebration, or a simply a group meditation.
We are a close, loving group, and try to always be available to each other.
Some of the areas we study, in addition to the RavenMyst Circle lessons, include
herbal healing, herbal magick, divination, majjou dancing, and much more.
We have a coven newsletter and listserve, and we have two members who are
legal clergy.
After a decade as a working solitary Witch, and a year as a Dedicant to the
Black Forest Clan, LadyHawke the Mythmaker was Initiated in Salem, MA. on
November 17th 1999 during a meteor shower. Officiating were Lady Stevie, a
Black Forest Elder, and Lord Shawn, a 3rd Degree High Priest. LadyHawke
received her Second Degree August 19th, 2000, and was elevated to Third Degree
High Priestess one year later in a ritual officiated by Lady Silver RavenWolf,
Lady Morgaine Autumnwolf, Lord Wayland, Lady Breid Foxsong, Lord Joe Akuna. She
received her certificate of Clergy at that time.
In January 2001, LadyHawke formed the Coven of the Redtail Hawk. By the end
of that year, circumstances led LadyHawke in another direction. LadyHawke loves
and respects her teachers and wouldn't trade her time with BFC for the world.
She remains devoted to Lady Silver Ravenwolf, grateful to her, and will love her
for always.
LadyHawke's coven linked itself with other covens to form a new organization
we call RavenMyst Circle, born at Yule 2001.
On September 14th, 2002, four other Elders surprised LadyHawke with the honor
of an Eldering Ceremony, held at The Gathering of the Tribes at Black Water
Campground in Virginia.
As in every RavenMyst Circle coven, members begin their work with RavenMyst
Circle as Dedicants, or "Novices." A Dedication ceremony is held to admit them
to the coven, and then the work begins.
There are six lessons designed to take members from Novice to Initiate, and
we expect this period to take approximately a year and a day. When the High
Priestess feels the Dedicant is ready, they are Initiated to the First Degree.
In RavenMyst Circle, once a student reaches this level, they may choose whether
they wish to continue advancing or remain an Initiate. If they keep working on
further lessons and other tasks, they will eventually be elevated to the Second
Degree, and then the Third Degree. Our thirds who take our Pastoral Counseling
training (provided to us by Judy Harrow) will be legal clergy.
Thirds who give of themselves above and beyond what is necessary in service
to our tradition, the community and the Goddess, are sometimes honored with a
ceremony of Eldership.
The Hawks of RavenMyst Circle are led by High Priestess and Elder, LadyHawke,
the Mythmaker.
COVEN NEWS
8/14/2007
Coven of the Redtail Hawk, a.k.a. The Hawks of Ravenmyst, are so proud to
announce three new Third Degree High Priestesses. Lady Phaezara, Lady Songbird,
and Lady Awen (formerly known as Topaz Moon) each completed the tasks and
lessons required, and demonstrated their readiness. Each received her Third
Degree Elevation at Witchstock, our annual trad-wide gathering. And all of them
were glowing! We are so proud of these fine high priestesses!
Lady Phaezara has hived, and is now leading her own Coven of the White Owl.
Lady Awan has hived and is now leading her own Coven of the Crow.
Lady Songbird will soon be forming her own Coven of the Nightengale.
But like their predecessors, Lady Blaze (Coven of the Heron) and Lady Phoenix
Fire (Coven of the Phoenix) these ladies will always remain part of their mother
Coven. Lady Songbird will be stepping up as the Hawks' second in command while
her own coven begins to take shape.
The Hawks have now "raised" six third degree High Priestesses, including Lady
Nightshade, and have hived four (soon to be five) new covens. We are proud and
honored to have been a part of the spiritual growth of these wonderful women,
and of all of our members, each of whom bring their own special energy to our
family.
Blessed be!
LadyHawke, the Mythmaker
HPS, Coven of the Redtail Hawk
Elder and Co-founder of Ravenmyst Circle
MEMBERSHIP IN COVEN OF THE REDTAIL HAWK
Because we are such a close group, we are extremely protective of the group
mind, and very careful to be sure new members are a good fit for us, and that we
are a good fit for them before any commitments are made on either side. We
look for potential members who:
- Will show up for meetings, be active members, participate
- Have their mundane lives in order
- Do the work, including the RavenMyst Circle Lessons
- Be trustworthy, treating all that happens within circle as sacred
- Be ready for spiritual growth and development
- Be willing to give as well as accept support, wisdom, and love
One thing we actively avoid in new members are those who are in the midst of
life-altering changes. We find you'll do much better focusing on getting your
mundane life in order, getting things rolling smoothly there. Joining a
Traditional Wiccan Coven is a commitment, and moving through its levels brings
even more life-changes. It's important to be ready to give of yourself in
support of your coven mates, as well as take support from them. It's a huge
commitment, and a lot of work. If your life is already in turmoil, it's not a
good time for you to make this decision.
Coven of the Redtail Hawk Members pay their annual dues on time, ($25/yr.) do
their lessons, show up for scheduled gatherings or call to let the hostess know
they can't make it, preferably ahead of time, contribute to the coven and the
tradition.
Potential members can expect a screening process that will include email
correspondence with the High Priestess, an initial meeting with her in a public
place. If all goes well, they may be invited to coven events. Only after
several of these will the decision be made, and the potential invited to to
become a Dedicant of The Hawks of RavenMyst Circle. It's not a matter of the
applicant being "good enough," but of them being a good fit with the group
mind. For some, another group would be better both for that individual and for
both groups involved.
We will consider teen members, but on a very careful basis. Those who are
family members of existing members will naturally be welcome to join when they
are deemed ready. Non-relatives will need to demonstrate their maturity and
seriousness about the Craft and will need parental permission.
COVEN OF THE REDTAIL HAWK CODE OF CONDUCT
The Laws of the Coven1. The Word of the High Priestess is Law.
At first, I didn't particularly like this Old Guard Law of the Craft. But
time and again I have misunderstood or failed to understand at all why a certain
decision was made by a High Priest, High Priestess, Elder, or other Craft
leader. Many was the time I thought that in his or her place, my decision would
have been different. But as the years of my study went on, it has never failed
that, given time, the reason becomes blindingly apparent. This experience has
taught me many things, above all, humility. I do not know all. There are those
who know more. Therefore, I will strive always to accept the decisions of
spiritually mature individuals, even though I may disagree at the time-because I
know that they are made with great wisdom, along with all the power RavenMyst,
and its ancestors, Gods, and totems. Those I teach must respect my decisions in
the same manner that I respect those of my spiritual elders. Most of the time,
decisions will be made with input from the entire Coven. But in the words of a
very wise woman who once taught me, "This is not a democracy." On very rare
occasions, it may be necessary for me to act without coven input, or contrary to
that input, for the good of the whole.
2. Strive to harm none-but remember that allowing evil to grow unchecked is
harm.
Refusal to act, especially out of fear of the repercussions, is itself a form
of harm, and a selfish one at that. Sometimes harm is necessary for the greater
good. To remove a malignancy, to seek justice for the wronged, to protect and
defend the innocent, to stop evil-these are the shadow-side missions of the
working Witch. If we do light work only, we are wasting half of the power we've
been given. A RavenMyst Circle Witch acts when Action is called for. That said,
you shall never harm an innocent!
3. Respect your Coven Family. Forgive and let it go.
Disagreements will arise within the Coven and within RavenMyst Circle as a
whole. When the matter has been settled, we will drop it and leave it behind.
Always give a coven sister or brother the benefit of the doubt. Believe the
best, don't assume the worst of them. Failure to solve conflicts quickly risks
breaking the Coven, or even the Tradition, into bits. I will drop a student if
necessary in order to protect the health and well-being of the Coven and the
Tradition. Family should be treated with perfect love and perfect trust.
4. Nothing that occurs within the circle is to be spoken of outside the
circle.
Enter in perfect love and perfect trust-be worthy of the perfect love and
perfect trust of the others. Remember this. Things brought up in circle are
shared in a spirit of love and trust. Don't repeat them casually to spouses,
relatives or friends, online or off, outside the circle. Respect the privacy and
mystery of the Sacred Circle. Likewise, you must never, ever identify anyone as
a Witch unless you first get their permission, nor may you reveal where they
live, nor even the existence of a coven in a given place. Say nothing without
checking first.
5. Know that you are the embodiment of the Goddess and the God…
…light as well as dark. Try not to make Them look bad. Live in a way that
reflects well on Wicca, and on RavenMyst Circle.
6. No Illegal Drug Use
I have personal issues going back to my childhood regarding the abuse of
marijuana and other illegal drugs. As a RavenMyst Circle teacher, I have the
right to choose who I will and will not take on as a student. I choose not to
teach anyone who uses illegal, recreational drugs, nor to have them or their
energy as a part of my coven. If nothing else, take a vow of abstinence while
you are studying under me. When you obtain your Third, I will release you from
it.
7. No Bigotry
Likewise, I choose not to teach anyone who demonstrates intolerance of others
due to their race or sexual orientation.
8. Gather Together When You Can
I will not institute a rule that you have to attend X-number of meetings. We
are a far flung group. You should come when you are able. BUT you should ALWAYS
let the host(ess) and HPS know if you cannot make it to a planned gathering.
Other than that you are an adult and must make your own decisions. You know you
will get as much out of this course of study as you put into it.
9. Annual Dues
To be considered ready for entrance into our Traditional Craft Organization,
students must demonstrate that they have their mundane lives in relative order.
In other words, you should have a job, a stable home, bills that are paid, an
even temperament: these things demonstrate that the mundane life is in balance,
and the student is ready to put his or her spiritual development at the
forefront. A person with his or her mundane house in order shouldn't have too
much trouble paying the $25 annual Tradition dues. (Due in January of each
year.) But if there is a case of hardship, let us know and we can try to make
arrangements for a payment plan.
10. Contribute from time to time to the ritual box of the Coven.
It does not fill itself. I'll try to keep a running tally of what we have,
what we need. But don't go crazy. It will grow naturally over the years until we
end up with more than we can possibly use.
11. Who May Attend Circles & Coven Gatherings
Be aware that this is a teaching coven, part of a Wiccan training seminary.
The circles are learning circles, and therefore, only open to students and
prospective students, unless otherwise stated. Spouses, partners, best friends,
relatives, and children may NOT attend rituals unless they are also working
witches, AND are considering membership AND it their presence has been cleared
first with the HPS and the rest of the coven. This isn't a spectator sport. DO
NOT EVER make the mistake of just showing up with non-members or children in
tow. If you absolutely cannot make arrangements, call first. Never ever just go
ahead and bring them without asking and assume we will work around them. If you
cannot make other arrangements, and cannot call first to clear it, stay home.
*At times, the coven will hold public events or circles. All will be welcome
at these.
COVEN ETIQUETTE, PROCEDURES AND EXPECTATIONS
A. Seekers
Those who come seeking entrance into the RavenMyst Circle Coven of the Redtail
Hawk will usually go through the following steps.
1. Correspondence with the HPS via phone, mail or email.
2. Initial interview.
3. Meet with HPS and possibly other coveners in a public place.
4. Attend not less than 4, and possibly up to 6 coven gatherings. (This
rule does not apply to long-distance students.)
5. Read The RavenMyst FAQ Document
6. Read The Coven Rules Document.
If after all of the above, you are deemed a good fit with the Hawks of
RavenMyst, and a good prospect for RavenMyst Circle Tradition, there will be
a few more steps.
7. Fill out the RavenMyst Circle Application Form and Return to the HPS
of the Coven
8. Pay the $25.00 Annual Dues Fee.
9. Be at the designated place at the designated time for your Dedication
Ritual. (Do not be late.)
B. Very Important New Member Info
Newcomers always enter our group with so much enthusiasm it often seems to be
bubbling out their pores. It always seems like kicking a puppy to have to tell
them these things, but nonetheless they have to be said. Your HPS is an
extremely busy woman. She does not set aside an entire day for Coven Gatherings,
because she simply cannot. She sets aside exactly the time specified. No more,
no less. When the gathering is over and the other members go home, do not
linger. Leave. If you feel you need to speak privately to your High Priestess,
call or email her and she will make an appointment to do that with you.Brand
new members often expect to become the HPS's new best friend, to begin "hanging
out" with her socially, and often they immediately begin planning to various
functions-parties, field trips, rituals-to which they invite the HPS, her
family, and often the coven. Know that your HPS rarely has time to attend
social functions even among her own relatives and long time friends. Besides,
you're still new. Give the group time to get to know you. Try to realize that
this group is made up of professional woman with demanding careers, lives and
families, and more obligations than they can keep up with. Adding your
well-intended social gatherings to that already tight schedule simply doesn't
always work for these women. We have trouble managing to attend all our coven
gatherings, much less fit your additions into our lives.
Don't start volunteering to host rituals at your home until you've been a
member for awhile. Your High Priestess will let you know when it's time, by
asking you if you feel ready to host an event or ritual.
C. The Stages of Your Growth
1. Dedication Stage: This is the stage when you get your life into
balance. If your mundane life was not already in order when you dedicated, it
will be by the end of your first year and a day in the Craft. We hope that most
of you enter with your mundane life under control. No matter how well you have
things going though, this is always a period of adjustment. This period is
usually the time when you begin to be open about your beliefs and practices with
your relatives and significant others. It's a time when you make more time in
your life for your personal spiritual study, work and growth. It's about
learning to balance your spiritual and mundane lives and integrate them. It's
about YOU. You should not be focusing on running the show, writing lessons,
hosting coven gatherings, but about getting your mundane and spiritual lives
working together, and beginning your spiritual journey. 2. Initiation:
From the point of your First Initiation on, your growth shift until, often
times, it gradually seems focused almost entirely on the spiritual. You'll get
stronger and stronger about managing your life, making the time, and over this
period, you'll find that your spirituality not only fits into your life, but
becomes a part of every other aspect of your life. You'll take on your studies
with new zeal and likely read tons of material. This period is about your
spiritual growth. It's still about YOU, but more spiritual now. During your
First Degree period, you'll often shed things you no longer need. This can be
painful, but is a growth experience.
3. Gradually, your HPS will notice you are less needy, less clingy,
more independent, and beginning to take on more responsibility within the coven.
These are a few of the many signs that will tell her you are entering your
Second Degree phase, and will mark the event with a ritual of elevation to the
Second Degree. During this phase, you will find you begin to shift into a
mindset of service.
This is the point when most students begin volunteering to host
rituals, writing rituals for the coven, adding to lessons and sharing in the
responsibilities of managing the coven. It's also a time when students often
come face to face with their own shadow selves, and learn to meet, understand
and come to terms with their darker natures. Again, as with every stage and
every initiation, it is a spiritual death and rebirth. Again, you will find
yourself shedding things you no longer need, and beginning a whole new phase of
development.
4. When you reach the time of your Initiation to the Third Degree,
you may very well begin thinking about forming a coven of your own. Your
transformation from the work of the student to the work of the teacher is
complete, and you will find the Goddess knows it, and begins sending seekers and
other demanding tasks your way. She demands that we fulfill our vows to her, and
the vow of the Third Degree is one of serving Her by serving Her children. All
the work that entails will be overwhelming, and yet you will find ways to cope.
5. Eldership is a ritual held to honor the High Priest(ess) for whom
service not only to one's own coven, but intense work for the good of the
Tradition and all its covens, has become a full time job. Elders work endlessly
to keep the tradition running, often in addition to running their own covens,
and other projects. Not everyone will be eldered, nor should they be. It's not a
degree of the Craft, but a title of honor.
D. More Meeting Etiquette
1. No smoking at indoor gatherings. At outdoor gatherings, smoke with the
utmost consideration of the others present, and dispose of your butts
properly.2. If anyone present is bothered by incense, we'll use oils.
Just tell us in advance.
3. No alcohol without first clearing it with all who'll be in attendance
and making utterly certain it isn't served to minors.
4. Again, absolutely no significant others or kids unless it's been
previously stated that they can attend and cleared with the host/ess and
HP/S
5. If asked to teach, teach. If asked to heal, heal. If asked for help,
help-but only to the extent you are able.
Do not hesitate to ask for appropriate compensation, and do not extend
yourself to the detriment of your own needs. An equal exchange of energy is
necessary for magick to work properly. Balance is vital. The Witch who cares
for herself will better be able to serve others.
We do not charge for teaching RavenMyst Wicca to students. Beyond that,
charging for your work is perfectly acceptable and even has magickal
benefits.
Saying no, when you have too much on your plate, is the right decision.
Remember not to try to help someone who suffers from an ailment or problem
that is out of your depth, or one that represents one of your own greatest
weaknesses.
6. Live!
Live to the fullest.
Feel Joy!
Laugh Often!
Dance!
Sing outloud!
Experience everything you can.
This is what your spirit came into the physical realm to do!
7. Be tolerant of other paths
I wish for all of my students to do their best to view Christianity as a
religious system of true beauty and sacred truths. If you must hold a
grudge, remember your grudge is with certain individuals within the faith,
not the faith itself. The ability to do this is a sign of spiritual
maturity.
8. Do not "preach."
If asked for advice, advise, but if the asker responds with arguments,
defensiveness, explanations as to why your advice does not apply in this
case, then wisely go silent. When the student is ready for the lesson, she
will see it. If she does not see it, she is not ready. Likewise, do not
proselytize. We are not evangelists out to convert the masses. Our path is
one of mystery. Those who would walk it face their first test by seeking it
out, following it as it twists and meanders through thick enchanted forests,
all without a guide. If they persevere in their quest for a teacher, one
will appear.
9. Learn!
Realize you will never know all there is, and that the most recent
newcomer may be bringing you your greatest lesson. My students will never
lord it over newer students. Nor will I lord it over them. Nor will I
tolerate any one else lording it over my students.
10. Listen!
Really hear what others have to say. Remember the adage contained in the
Rede, "Soft of eye and light of touch, Speak ye little, listen much!" If you
disagree with someone, do so gently, or better yet, silently. Know there is
no One True Way. We must strive to avoid the urge to "correct" people;
guests at our gatherings, or others. Everyone has his/her own way, and
that's as it should be.
11. Disengage yourself from Witch Wars
This is more a suggestion than a rule. I know it's difficult, but we
never look good when typing in all caps to an ignorant wretch online. Make
your point calmly, and then back on out of the fray.
Other Code of Conduct items may be added to this document as time goes
on, or removed if they no longer apply. Like the coven, this document will
grow, evolve and change, and that is as it should be.
It is the way of the Craft.
For More Information, please contact us at:
LadyHawke, the Mythmaker
High Priestess, Elder, and Co-Founder of the RavenMyst Circle Tradition
Coven of the Redtail Hawk
Or Contact us by traditional mail service at:
P.O. Box 180, South Otselic NY 13155-0180
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