Welcome, Seeker. We're glad that you're interested in learning more about Ravenmyst Circle. This document covers some of the most commonly asked questions.  If you have questions about things not covered here, please ask any Ravenmyst contact.

Our Lineage

Ravenmyst Circle can claim a connection to the origins of modern Wicca, albeit distantly. Gerald Gardner initiated our nearest linear ancestor, Raymond Buckland.  It is through Buckland and his connection to Michael Ragan, Lord Serphant of the family of SerpentStone, and Silver RavenWolf that many of us in Ravenmyst are linked to the birth of Witchcraft, or Wicca as it is most commonly recognized today.  Ravenmyst's founders each received at least one of their elevations from Lady Silver.  One was Initiated by Lord Serphant.

While our connection cannot be termed Gardnerian lineage per se, it is known that Michael Ragan honored Lord Serphant by bestowing eldering on him and later in his life Lord Serphant bestowed the honor of eldering onto Lady Silver.

Buckland wrote that he initiated Ragan into the Saxon tradition, not Gardnerian, and that Michael Ragan immediately left the Saxon tradition to form his own Celtic tradition. Therefore, the connection between Gerald Gardner and Ravenmyst Circle is through the honor of eldering, not Initiation or Elevation.

Nevertheless, we are proud of the hands that brought us here, and those who have benefited the Craft through their service.

While our connection may not be considered in the form of Old Gard lineage nor do we make any such representation, we nevertheless trace a physical, as well as a spiritual link, to those who have gone before us. It is the way of the Craft.

Why a Trad?

So what about this whole concept of lineage? Does a traditional Witch make a better practitioner than an eclectic Witch? Will a person trained and elevated under the RavenMyst Circle be more valid than someone who studies on his or her own?

We think it is important to remember the real distinction the Traditional Craft offers. A person associating with a group is likely to come away with a more uniform and disciplined application of the Craft, but certainly not with more validity than a person who embraces the Old Ways on his or her own.

In joining with like-minded people, those trained under a formal group simply come away with a blend of their own interests and talents and the benefits that the group mind has to offer. There is little doubt that the unity of a group is something that intensifies and focuses the unique gifts and talents that each individual brings to the group, but under the stars, all magickal people are equal.

One of the few significant differences, other than the pleasures of working within a group, between being with this group, and being on your own, is that if you choose to elevate to Third Degree and become clergy in Ravenmyst, you will have the certification to apply as proof of your ordination. Other than that, all forms of the worship of Spirit are meaningful and respected by those who embrace the Craft. It is not about hierarchy, it is about spirituality.

Ravenmyst Government

Ravenmyst was born on the Winter Solstice, in the year 2001. The five founders of RavenMyst are Wayland Raven, Lady Morgaine, Lady Coyote, Lady Falcon and LadyHawke, the Mythmaker.

The governing body of Ravenmyst is known as the Guardian Council or "The Guardians of the Myst." This council consists of between 5 and 7 members. One seat of this council is a permanent one, which will always be filled by one of the five founders, for the duration of their lifetimes. The Founders themselves decide how and when to rotate this seat. The other seats are elected positions, which are open to election every other year.

Qualified Candidates interested in sitting on the council may announce their intention to run for election to one of the three seats that is open in any given year. An election of the voting membership is held, and the three candidates who received the most votes, take the seats. Terms are for two years. Each year, three seats are open for election.

Ravenmyst Degree Structure

All students must enter RavenMyst as Dedicants and complete the basics course of study in order to achieve the First Degree. Ravenmyst may eventually accept degree Transfers from those Traditions approved by the Guardian Council. Council will attempt to investigate traditions as the need arises, to determine whether their standards and the education of their members are compatible with our own. Transfer Degrees will be provisional until the Transferred Member has completed the basics course of study.

Students may then decide on the area(s) of study that they wish to pursue. Those who wish to remain at First, as Initiated Witches, may do so. They may choose to pursue mastery in any one of our areas of specialization, including, but not limited to, Clergy Training. These students will work their way up through second and third degree in their chosen area of study. (All courses of study will include lessons in group management.)

Those on the path of Clergy may apply for ordination at any time after receiving their Third Degree Elevation. It may not come automatically with the Third Degree, and additional study (in the area of counseling) may be required.

Students who achieve the third degree will be qualified to act as teachers of basic and RavenMyst Wicca, teachers of the subject(s) they have mastered, and leaders of their own covens or groups.

Entrance into Ravenmyst

Those wishing to enter the RavenMyst Tradition may petition any member to put them in touch with a teacher. Seekers will be interviewed and if they seem like a good fit with this group, will be matched with a teacher, if one can be found who is accepting students. We will not discriminate on the basis of race, gender or sexual orientation.

Separation

To the utmost of our ability, we shall treat those who wish to leave this group with perfect acceptance. No path is for everyone. Those who wish to separate may do so in perfect peace, knowing they will carry no hard feelings with them, and will be welcome to join with us again at our open gatherings. We hope they will keep in touch and tell us of what they find on their journey. We are here for as long as we need to be, and then we move on. Life is never static, and those who fight change, risk stagnation. Growth involves constant change. It's as it should be. It is healthy and good that members will come and go. Separations will be treated as solemn occasions, and observed by a ritual of separation during which we send love and blessings with the person who is leaving. We hope that person will wish to be a part of these rituals.

We ask those separating to return nothing we have given them. We will return their cord of measure to them if one has been taken. The only requirement we have of those who leave us, is that they respect the copyright holders of the lessons and written work (including the BoS) they have received, and refrain from illegal photocopying and/or distribution without our prior written consent.

The Oath

It is traditional in the Craft to take an oath at the time of dedication. In many traditions,. This oath is not known to the dedicant until the time they are dedicated, but it is the belief of the Ravenmyst Circle that an oath demanded and taken without consideration beforehand is less meaningful than an oath taken, fully aware.

Should you choose to dedicate to Ravenmyst, you'll be asked to take to following oath:

"I _________________, upon my honor, offer to the Great Ones my solemn oath to be in service to the Goddess and God for one year, to learn the mysteries now before me and do the work that is required. My oath is to this tradition, but my obligation of service is to Spirit. I will never reveal and ever conceal the secret arts, work, and instruction entrusted to me. These secrets I shall never share with any person, unless it be to a lawful sister or brother of the RavenMyst Tradition. I further promise that I will never reveal and ever conceal the identity of all witches, the names of my Tradition family, their service to this Tradition, the places where they work, study and live. I swear this oath by the very spirit that engenders me, before the Ancient Mother Goddess and the Horned God.
Blessed be!"

If you are a prospective Dedicant, who is for any reason uncomfortable taking this oath, or you feel that you could not keep such an oath, you are welcome to continue to attend our open gatherings, but you may not be dedicated.

Covens

Each coven will have its own set of coven rules, laws and guidelines, and its own unique group mind. You will also need to view these guidelines, and show yourself a good fit with the group mind in order to be admitted.

Witchstock

This is a new tradition we hope to keep building on. The far flung covens of Ravenmyst Circle gather together annually for a weekend of camping, ritual and magick at Letchworth State Park in western NY State.  This gathering usually takes place during the month of August.  

Moon Phase

Copyright © October, 2007 All rights reserved.