Sacred Earth Covenant Degree System

Outer Court

Outer Court Members are registered members of the Tradition who are not members of the Priesthood. Outer Court Members may attend public ceremonies, take part in most Temple activities, and belong to Temple Orders. The Outer Court constitutes the laity of the Tradition. By far the largest number of members are Outer Court Members, and they form the back bone of our Tradition.

It is easy to become an Outer Court Member . We believe strongly in celebratory as well as initiatory Wicca. Because of this we welcome people to our Outer Court . We believe that the Goddess is for everyone, and that anyone can benefit from the timeless truths of the Wiccan religion.

Dedicant

A Dedicant is a person who has dedicated a period of one year and one day to study and training toward the Priesthood. During this period the Dedicant is considered a member of the Inner Court . At the end of their year and a day the Dedicant may return to Outer Court status, or request First Degree initiation.

Honorary

Honorary – Most often Honorary status is granted to initiated clergy from other Traditions who are affiliated with a given Temple as Outer Court Members, but have not pursued formalized clerical training. As Honorary Clergy they are welcome to attend ceremonies that are for clergy only, such as initiations, and even sometimes hold office within the Temple. Honorary status is not often given, and is reserved for highly respected people who have truly earned it.

First Degree

The Inner Court , or Priesthood of the Tradition, is much harder to join. We accept students readily, but students for the Priesthood must study hard and pass a series of tests to prove their knowledge. Our Lessons for First Degree Priesthood are considered among the best available, and cover many subjects, which the student is expected to learn about in depth.

A Novice Priest/ess. The First Degree Priest/ess should be familiar with the details of the Wiccan faith, having a thorough grounding in Wiccan philosophy and traditions. The First Degree Priest/ess should be able to answer most questions about Wicca on a practical (as opposed to philosophical) level. The First Degree Priest/ess should be able to take any role in ritual with reasonable confidence, short of ritual leader.

Second Degree

Full Priest/ess. The Second Degree Priest/ess should be able to take any role in ritual, and answer most questions about Wicca, whether practical or philosophical. The Second Degree Priest/ess should be able to manipulate energy in ritual and other settings, with reasonable competence. The Second Degree Priestess should be familiar with most Wiccan rituals and techniques, and be able to undertake them without direct guidance.

Third Degree (High Priesthood)

The Third Degree High Priest/ess should be able to answer all questions about Wicca, and to facilitate all Wiccan rituals met with in the ordinary service of a Temple.

Inner Court-Clerical Initiation Only a Third Degree High Priest/ess or one acting under the imperium of a
Third Degree High Priest/ess can initiate persons into the  Clergy under Northern Lakes Temple.