How do you become a High Priest or High Priestess?

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Permalink Reply by Ken Ra on February 21, 2010 at 10:14pm

I became a HP because I needed a team to do the research work I really wanted to do. Leading and teaching were incidental at the time but necessary. Most of us who are HP's did not really want the job. Those who want the job tend to be bad at it. Mainly because the job requires you to put the needs of the group ahead of your own ego. How do you tell a HP? by the thickness of their emotional scar tissue. It is not a nice job. Yes it is worth it but it is still not a nice job.

Permalink Reply by Raey on February 21, 2010 at 10:24pm

Thank you. This is very educational. I can see where think emotional scar tissue is a must. I myself may not think I have enough of my own knowledge to be a HP, but I can definately promise thick scar tissue.

Again, thank you.

Permalink Reply by Aislynn on February 21, 2010 at 10:27pm

I'd disagree. Some do want the "job" for selfish reasons (like to make themselves sound important), but others are genuinely called to do it. I've known I was meant to be a HPess for quite a while. I'm just starting down that path, and I won't take on the title until I feel truly ready, but I know it's for me. It's sad that the Pagan community feels so betrayed by the majority of their "clergy" that they fear or show disrespect for anyone called to be clergy.

Anyway, there are a few ways to become a HP or a HPess. The first, and most traditional, way is to join a coven and work for a few years. If it's a coven with degrees, when you reach your second degree, you can form your own coven and be its HP. Some choose to wait until 3rd degree because of various teachings at the level, or they wish to know more/feel more confident in their own knowledge before leading others.

Another way is to learn as a solitary for years and years, perhaps with a teacher, perhaps without (or from a seminary like Cherry Hill or Ardantane) and take on the title yourself when you form a coven. This is becoming more mainstream (some rather famous authors have done it), but it is somewhat looked down upon by traditionalists. With the need for clergy what it is, it's becoming more accepted. Plus, if the person has the knowledge, I see nothing wrong with it.

Permalink Reply by Raey on February 21, 2010 at 11:50pm

Thank you. I find that this is also helpful. I've always wondered, but never really knew who to ask. Out of curiousity, and if you are willing to answer, which way are you taking?

Thank you very much for answering.

Permalink Reply by Aislynn on February 21, 2010 at 11:56pm

I'm going the second route. I haven't yet found a coven that suits my needs in my area (despite a large Pagan population). I've been studying as a solitary for about eight years, and I'm planning on attending Ardantane when I find the funds in addition to pursuing other means of education.

Permalink Reply by Raey on February 22, 2010 at 12:27am

I wish you luck. And thank you for replying again.

Permalink Reply by Serpent on February 22, 2010 at 1:50am

I think there is a subtle but noticeable difference between being a Priest or Priestess (in terms of clergy work) and being a High Priest or High Priestess (in terms of coven management experience).

I divide the two titles a bit because that seems to be what is typically done out there in the world. Concepts like Wiccan Clergy are just now starting to become a bit more mainstream and accepted because for many years, the belief was proclaimed that Wicca is a religion of individual priests and priestesses.

Yes, it is, in some ways, but when you're defining what it is to be clergy, there needs to be a clearer definition.

Clergy is service. Period. Clergy is seeing to the spiritual needs of an individual or a community. Clergy duties are things like counseling, mentoring, conducting marriage and funeral rites, visiting hospitals or doing other ministerial work.

In a traditional Wicca 3 degree system the first degree means one is a Witch, the second degree means one is a Priest/Priestess and can teach or work on leading a coven -- sometimes still under the wing of the 'mother circle' to offer guidance before becoming totally autonomous, and third degree is High Priest/High Priestess or Elder and their coven is totally autonomous within the tradition. Different traditions organize their degrees and requirements for those degrees a bit differently, but in my experience this seems to be the most common.

Some covens or traditions operate on the 3 degree system, but don't necessarily equate their High Priest/ess with the role of Clergy and some who hold the title of HP or HPs shouldn't call themselves clergy because they don't fill the role of service.

Also, the title of HP or HPs should not exist outside of a coven or tradition that elevates to such a title. It is a traditional ranking given, not something someone can claim on their own. If you are going through a seminary such as Cherry Hill or Ardantane, and achieve ordination, the proper title to use is simply Priest/Priestess. It's not any 'lower' than the name HP or HPs, it simply signifies that you have met this rank outside of a traditional 3-tier system and are licensed/ordained, trained, and filling the role of service -- and Gods bless you for stepping up into that role :)

It is my opinion that people who call or consider themselves HP/s without going through the actual elevations within a tradition to receive such a title are grasping for something to inflate their ego. Because being a High Priest or High Priestess sounds more powerful or exotic than just 'priest'. IF it means that much to you to bear the title, then seek out the training to earn it.

Also, it is my understanding and experience that the rank of High Priest or High Priestess or the rank of Clergy is not bestowed until the person has passed through their Saturn Return (age 28-30). Because of this, I look on anyone under the age of 30 who claims the title of HP/s with a skeptical eye and wary ear. I'm not saying they are a liar or anything -- they may be a very skilled and caring Witch. I just am skeptical of someone who traditionally is meant to fill a role of clergy who hasn't had enough life experience to bear the title.

To be honest, I feel the same way about clergy of any religion claiming that position without being 'of age', not just Wiccans :)

Three years isn't enough to earn the 3rd degree in most traditions -- in fact, the second degree usually takes several years on its own to work through. One can't achieve degrees through books so a self-taught Witch is just as much a true Witch as a tradition-trained one, but the self-taught isn't going to earn the title that is a traditionally bestowed name.

Permalink Reply by Ken Ra on February 22, 2010 at 1:14pm

HP can mean either a job as a Coven Administrator or a Ritual Position. A while back they were the same. With the advent of team ritual the Ritual position has been falling into general disuse. I believe that the Traditions ( Gardenerian etc. ) still maintain it.

Permalink Reply by Raey on February 22, 2010 at 1:19pm

Oh wow. Thank you. I'm so thrilled to get so much information. Thanks. :)

Permalink Reply by Raey on February 22, 2010 at 1:21pm

Oh? Yeah I guess so. I think I remember reading something like that last night. How interesting that you posted the same thing this morning. Thanks.

Permalink Reply by Aislynn on February 22, 2010 at 3:08pm

First of all, I'd like to thank you for acknowledging that clergy not trained in a coven setting is still clergy nonetheless. I like the distinction you made between Priest(ess) and High Priest(ess). I never truly considered that before, and I like what you said.

I think it's hard for any clergy not trained in a coven to be taken seriously on any level nowadays with all the bickering between traditionalists and eclectics. While I definitely understand why (especially after looking into some of the "qualifications" of local eclectic clergy); it's difficult for those of us who are serious about wanting to serve others and not only to inflate our own egos or "make a name for ourselves" to actually be able to do so.

I'm just curious now. What exactly would you say, in your opinion, would a Priest(ess) trained at a seminary be qualified to do? Just counseling, performing marriages and other rites, etc? Or would they be qualified to lead an eclectic coven?

Permalink Reply by Bad Seed on February 22, 2010 at 3:38pm

In my tradition, a high priest or high priestess is anyone who has received their second degree initiation. But that person is not necessarily THE high priest or high priestess of a coven. That happens when a person hives from their mother coven, which is nearly always some time after they've received their third degree initiation, except in a few very unusual cases where they might lead a coven as a second degree while working towards their third, but only under the supervision and leadership of the high priestess of their mother coven. A third degree is autonomous as a coven leader.

I do intend to become a high priestess, and to attain the third degree and form my own coven, because I believe it's important to continue to pass on the Craft that I have learned. The Craft has given me so much, and that is the only way I can really give back to it, by continuing its survival into another generation of priests and priestesses.

Note: in my trad, ALL initiates are priests and priestesses of Wicca. The man and woman who lead a ritual are the priest and priestess of that circle. They may or may not be high priests or priestesses. They may or may not be the high priest and high priestess of a coven. Most often, they are, but my HP and HPS will often turn those roles over to another initiate or even a neophyte at some rituals, for training purposes. I am only a first degree initiate, but I have been called upon to act as priestess in circle a number of times for this reason, or because the HPS isn't well or isn't there, and as handmaiden of the coven, it's my job to step in if she can't be at circle.

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