Third Degree Requirements

A Third Degree Initiate is a Witch and a High Priest/ess of Wicca. The "journeyman" stage is complete, and this Elder is now a master of his/her Craft. Like the Second Degree Priest/ess, s/he is fully committed to the Craft and has integrated Craft ways into his/her life, giving service to the Coven and to the community, sharing him/herself in a healthy manner, acting as a mentor and example of Pagan clergy, and leading and guiding others to the best of their and his/her abilities.

 

The major difference of the third degree initiate is that s/he has completed leadership training and is deemed fully able to begin his/her own coven. S/he may hive off and form his/her own coven at any time, and when s/he does so, s/he is considered completely independent of the home Coven. Third Degree (a witch who has studied the craft in depth, and is capable of teaching others and/or serving as High Priest/High Priestess); Elder

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During his/her tenure as a Second Degree Priest/ess, and as a Third Degree Priest/ess within our Coven, s/he will continue to actively participate in rituals, continue personal work on the individual self, and contribute to teaching classes on an as-needed basis.

All Coven rituals are open to the Third Degree Priest/ess while s/he remains a member of the home Coven.

Requirements for Third Degree Initiation in our Coven are:

The Priest/ess must have been at Second Degree in the Coven for a minimum period of a year and a day. There is no maximum period specified. The Priest/ess is ready for Third Initiation once the requirements are met and s/he feels ready for it. S/he must petition the High Priest/ess for Initiation.

The Elder must continue to demonstrate qualities of sincerity, integrity, honesty, and respect; be ethical and communicate in a positive way with people.

The Priest/ess must have continues to demonstrate a willingness and ability to actively participate in rituals.

The Priest/ess must have helped to teach classes to those of the previous degrees. These classes will be assigned and observed by the Third Degree Elders.

The Third Degree candidate must complete any additional requirements given by the High Priest/ess.