Thorn, Oak, & Ash Coven Bylaws

The Thorn, Oak, & Ash Coven

Statement of Purpose

Our purposes are to be as follows:

1. Live according to our pagan beliefs, honoring the Lady and Lord, in balance with all of nature, light and dark as we go about our daily lives.

2.         Explore and practice ancient beliefs and traditions regarding Witchcraft as an Eclectic Coven heavily influenced by the Gardenarian and Alexandrian Traditions.

3.         Support one another within the Coven in our healing, growth, and aspirations;

4.         Hold ancient rites & rituals on the Sabbats and Esbats and other special occasions, in order to celebrate the seasons, work magick, recognize rites of passage, and honor the Goddesses and Gods;

5.          Teach the adopted beliefs and traditional skills of The Thorn, Oak, & Ash Coven to its members and Dedicated Students

6.         When appropriate:

a: Educate the general public about the art & path of Witchcraft.

b: Assist in providing aid to sisters and brothers in the Craft and

kindred spiritual paths when deemed necessary.

B.      Commitment: All Members of this Coven must have fully committed themselves to these purposes in their beliefs, their activities, and their lives.

II.   Membership and Affiliation

A.          Coven Membership:  The Thorn, Oak, and Ash Coven does not take applications for Membership in the Coven. Rather, Membership shall be offered to individuals upon recommendation of the High Priestess and High Priest, and consensus of all Members of the Coven.  No person shall be denied access to Membership on the basis of gender, race, ethnic background, sexual preference, physical handicap, or age providing they have attained their majority. Outer circle members may be members of other covens, but Inner circle members and dedicated Students are restricted from being members of other covens

B.      Degrees of Participation and Membership:  Participants in the programs sponsored by this Coven shall be defined as follows:

1.      Invited Guests:  Interested parties who may attend all open activities, and Coven related activities in the company of a Dedicate or Initiate, with the Council’s approval.

2.      The Outer Circle: Will consist of Friends of the Coven, past students who have chosen a Solitary Path, and family members (ie spouses) of Coven Members. Members of the Outer Circle MAY be allowed to attend specific events that are not designated as Open Events with the full consensus of Full Members of the Coven.

3.      Children:  Unless accompanied by a parent or guardian children under the age of 18 are not allowed to attend any Coven functions or rituals due to any possible legal ramifications or disputes.

4.      Children of the Coven:  Children of Coven Members or the Inner Circle, are accepted at most Coven functions and are considered Associate Members as long as their parents or Guardians remain current and active Members of the Coven.  Upon the age of majority children of Coven Members are considered for full Membership if it is their wish to join the Coven.

5.      The Inner Circle of the Coven shall be limited to:

a. Dedicates:  Persons, whom have dedicated themselves to the study of Witchcraft and who, with the approvals of all active Initiates, are following the prescribed course of study in this Coven.

b. Member: Persons who have met the requirements for membership and been initiated as full members of the Coven. Coven Founders and Full Members of at least Second Degree, are considered to be members of the Coven Council.

1.      First Degree Member:  Persons who have been active in the Craft and this Coven for at least a year and a day and have met all requirements for initiation as defined by the Coven Council.

2.       Second Degree Member:  Persons who have been active in the Craft for at least two years and two days, and have met all the requirements for Second Degree status as defined by the Coven Council; and have been recommend by the High Priestess and High Priest, and approved by a consensus of the Second and Third Degree Initiates.

3.      Third Degree Member:  Persons who have attained Third Degree Status; have demonstrated proficiency in ritual design and leadership, teaching, counseling, group process and administration; and have been recommend by the High Priestess and High Priest, and approved by a consensus of the Third Degree Initiates.

Membership Status: Any person’s Membership or participation may be curtailed, suspended, or terminated by decision of the Coven Council, either for lack of attendance and/or participation, or violation of the Coven Creed.

III.     Administration and Operation

A.           Coven Council:  This body shall handle the ordinary business of the Coven.

1.      Membership:  The Coven Council shall consist of all Coven Founders and all Coven Members that have attained their Second Degree. (Although members that have achieved their First Degree are not considered Members of the Coven Council, they MAY be allowed a voice on the Council, though no vote.)

2.      Scope:  the Council shall discuss all matters of:

a.       Program planning and activities, Education;

b.      Dedication, initiation, and Membership generally;

c.        Finance and budget; and

d.      Outreach, networking, and affiliations.

3.      Facilitations:  The High Priestess shall ordinarily chair meetings of the Council.  Where she is absent, or chooses to delegate this responsibility, the High Priest shall chair the meeting.

4.      Method of Operation:  The Coven Council shall make decisions by consensus.  When consensus cannot be reached, the Council may refer the decision to the High Priestess (or in her absence, the High Priest), who shall consider all that has been discussed and make the decision. Note: In all Cases, the HP and HPS are final arbiters of all decisions in which a consensus among the Coven Council cannot be reached.

5.      Meetings:  That Council shall meet quarterly on a regular basis, or as called by any Member.

6.      Quorum:  A quorum shall consist of the active Members present at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Coven Council, or three-quarters of the active Membership at any specially called meeting.

B.                      Offices and Duties: The Coven Council shall fill the following offices whenever a vacancy occurs.

1.      High Priestess: Chairs the Coven Council; coordinates the teaching program; provides counseling as necessary; leads the rituals or provides resources to those doing so; supervises the work of other Officers; directs, with the HP, the initiations of candidates to the priesthood; supervises the work of candidates for second and third degree status; represents the Coven to the Craft and the public; enhances the inner strength and harmony of the Coven; provides overall guidance to the work of the Coven; and exercises final authority regarding ritual, initiation, ordination and other religious matters.

2.      High Priest: Chairs the Coven Council in the absence, or at the request of the High Priestess; teaches; provides counseling as necessary; helps to lead the rituals or provides resources to those doing so; assists in supervising the work of the other officers; directs, with the HPS, the initiations of candidates to the priesthood; supervises the work of candidates for second and third degree status; shares the responsibility for initiating candidates to second and third degree status; represents the Coven to the Craft and the public; leads in the defense of the Coven where worldly dangers threaten it; and supports and encourages the High Priestess in the performance of her duties.

3.       Maiden:  Assists the High Priestess with rituals and her other responsibilities, and assumes the ritual duties of the High Priestess in her absence.

4. Summoner/Guardian:  Assists the High Priest with rituals and his other responsibilities, and assumes the ritual duties of the high Priest in his absence.

5.      Bard:  Collects songs and chants; teaches and leads the Coven in music, and provides accompaniment; collects lore and traditions.

6.      Scribe:  Keeps minutes of the Council meetings, handles correspondence as requested.  Keeps records of Coven projects, rituals, and activities.

7.      Ritual Leaders, Project Leaders, and Trip Leaders: Coordinate design, logistics, and implementation of Coven events.  These positions are vacated at the conclusion of each event.  A team may share responsibility for any given event.

8.    Additional, temporary offices may be created and filled, as the Coven Council deems necessary.

C.           Guidelines for Conduct:  All Dedicates and Members shall be guided in their conduct by The Coven Creed, the Law of Return, local laws of the land, and the Goddess and God within each person.

IV.              Meeting Schedule

A.     Rituals

1.      Esbats shall be held as close to the evening of the New Moon or the Full Moon as possible according to the Coven meeting schedule.  Special Esbats may be scheduled on the evening of the New Moon or Full Moon if it is deemed necessary by the Coven Council. Note: acceptable times besides the day of the New or Full Moon being within three days before or after the event.

2.      Sabbats may be held on their actual date or on the weekend nearest, as determined by the Coven-meeting schedule or the Coven Council, except that Samhain shall always be celebrated on the night of October 31.

3.      Once scheduled, a date shall not be changed unless two or more Members request it, and unless the entire Membership can attend on the proposed alternative date.

4.       During clement weather, rituals shall, if possible, be held outdoors at a site established by the Council.  During inclement weather, rituals shall be held in the Covenstead, at other Members’ homes, or in a public place selected by the Coven Council.

B.         Coven Classes

1.      Classes for Dedicates and Members shall be held as determined by the Council.

2.   The Coven Council shall establish the curricula.

3.   Classes shall be held at the Covenstead or such other location as the High Priestess designates.

4.   No fees shall be charged for classes that are part of the regular curriculum of the Coven and congregation.

D.       Field Trips and special events shall be held at such times and place as the Council decides.

V.                 Attendance

A.           Esbats shall be open only to the Inner Circle and by Coven Council invitation.

B.           Sabbats shall be open to Assoicates and the Outer Circle and by Coven Council invitation; except the Coven Council may schedule a second, Coven/Inner Circle-only celebration on or near selected Sabbats.

C.           Classes shall be designated open only to Inner Circle or open to individuals within the community by approval of the Coven Council.

D.           Members of the Inner Circle are expected to participate in Esbats, Sabbats, and classes.  If any attends fewer than 75% of these events, their status shall be subject to review by the Council.

VI. Practices

1. Thorn, Oak, and Ash Coven adheres closely to those known practices of the Gardenarian Tradition with some notable exceptions including but not limited to:

a. Thorn, Oak, and Ash Coven does not Practice Sky Clad

b. Students/Dedicates receiving their First Degree will not receive the Five-Fold Kiss unless they are being initiated into the Coven at the same time.

c. In Coven Matters, The Great Rite is always performed symbolically.

d. Members rising to the Office of The HPS or HP of the coven will undergo a “Crowning” ritual prior to assuming their office.

VII. Teaching/Mentoring

From time to time, the Coven will endeavor to Teach others of the Craft.

1. Due to vows taken at Their dedication and subsequent initiations, Members of Thorn, Oak, and Ash Coven are prohibited from teaching online or to those that have not dedicated to a year and a day course with Thorn, Oak, and Ash Coven.

2. Dedicats (students), though considered Coven Members during their Year and A Day course, are also considered Solitary Practitioners and will revert to full Solitaire Practice upon completion of their Year and A Day.  During their Year and A Day, dedicates are prohibited from belonging to or taking classes from other covens.  This is not to belittle other covens, but rather to clarify responsibility.  The Teachers accept responsibility for Dedicates and thus, cannot be responsible if the dedicate is being taught elsewhere or has a divided focus. A dedicate of Thorn, Oak, and Ash that is also a member of another coven or taking lessons from that coven must choose one or the other.  If the dedicate does not choose, the HP and HPS will release the Dedicate from their vows and wish them well on their journey with the other coven.

3. In most cases, Dedicates will not be considered for full membership within the coven until they have completed their initial Year and A Day, yet prior to their First Degree Initiation. If the Student/Dedicate has no desire for Coven Membership, they will not be considered.

4. Romantic/sexual relations between Students/Dedicate and Teachers/Mentors are strictly prohibited.

5. Whenever possible, Mentors and Students/Dedicates shall be matched Traditionally. IE, a female Student/Dedicate will be Mentored by a Male Coven Member of at least Second Degree and a male Student/Dedicate shall be Mentored by a Female Coven Member of at least Second Degree. It is the responsibility of the HPS to match Students/Dedicates with a Particular Mentor.

6. Mentors are those Coven members of at least Second Degree that will act as aides and sponsors of particular Students/Dedicates as they work through the Year and A Day Course as set forth by the Teacher.

7. Teachers are those Coven Members of at least Second Degree who have been assigned by the HPS and HP to present and guide ALL Students/Dedicates through the Year and a Day Course.

8. Students/Dedicates will be taught both Coven and Solitaire practices.

9. Students/Dedicates that desire Coven Membership but are not invited by the Coven should not be dismayed. The lack of an invitation in no way reflects the feelings of friendship the coven may have for the Student/Dedicate, but rather may show an honest acknowledgement that Friendship alone is not enough to guarantee a smooth working coven.

10.Knowing that a Coven must be able to work well together, Thorn, Oak, and Ash Coven has decreed that any desiring Coven Membership must, despite past experience, go through the Year and A Day Course with regular Students/Dedicates in order to give the Candidate and the Coven the opportunity to get to know one another and learn if they can work well together.

a. Such Candidates will be expected to “set aside” their previous experiences/knowledge for the duration of the Year and A Day Course

b. Upon Dedicating to the Year and A Day, Candidates will be considered no different than any other Student/Dedicate though the Teacher may, with permission of the Coven Council and the HPS, assign such persons duties as a Teachers Aide.

VIII.               Privacy of Members

A.           The names (including Mundane and Magical names), addresses, telephone numbers, and other information relating to individuals associated with Thorn, Oak, and Ash Coven shall be considered confidential and may not be disclosed to non-Members without the permission of the individual involved.

B.           Disclosure of confidential information may, at the discretion of the Council, be considered a violation of the Coven Creed and grounds for expulsion from Membership.

IX.            Revising the By-Laws.

Any part of these By-laws may be amended by consensus of the Coven Council.

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