DEGREES OF CPWC

The Seeker level is our "Wicca 101," designed to introduce the religion to students who have little or no prior experience with the Wiccan faith, or are unsure whether Wicca is truly their path. These classes also allow us time to get to know our students while they learn about our church, so we usually require that all students begin in the Seeker level regardless of prior experience.

Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years or older. (Exceptions may be considered if a minor interested in initiation has explicit verbal and written permission to initiate from all parents or legal guardians, who must have met personally with the minor's teacher and at least one Elder member of CPWC.)
• Complete an application and be willing to submit to a background check.

The First Degree lessons teach our students the many aspects of Wiccan practice and show them how to incorporate their faith into their everyday lives. During the First Degree study, which usually takes about a year (to align with the traditional "year and a day" period), initiates learn the fundamentals of the Wiccan religion and complete written homework and hands-on assignments. They write and perform rituals, practice meditation and visualization, and create a magical journal and Book of Shadows, as well as a personal altar and tools. The course finishes with a written exam and, for students who complete all requirements, initiation.

To be granted to any person who has successfully completed the CPWC Initiate Course as taught by a qualified teacher in good standing in CPWC, and who meets the following requirements:

Qualifications:

• To the best of their ability follow their own higher power and true will as it harms no others.
• Must ask for initiation of their free will.
• Must demonstrate, through their behavior and written class work, a fundamental compatibility, in terms of beliefs, ethics, and values of CPWC.
• A student may be considered for initiation if they complete the course work to the satisfaction of their teacher.
• Initiation may be denied or not extended if a student’s teacher feels that the student is not ready or does not meets the requirements. Candidates who are denied initiation may contact an Elder member of CPWC to challenge the decision.
• Initiation cannot be denied based on any prejudice of race, gender, gender preference, lifestyle, nationality, profession, or other religious affiliations.

Definitions: Successful completion the CPWC Initiate Class is defined as follows:

• Has attended all classes and demonstrated the learning of all materials or has made up for any and all missed classes.
• Has attended six out of the eight Sabbat rituals.
• Has written a ritual that demonstrates the ability of the individual to perform as a Priest/ess in a private and public capacity.
• Has completed their Book of Shadows.
• Has taken and successfully passed the final exam.

Responsibilities & Rights: First Degree conveys no responsibilities to CPWC other than those the Initiate willingly takes on. The Initiate may:

• To the best of their ability follow their own higher power and true will as it harms no others.
• May teach their chosen specialty
• Seek training in order to become a teacher of the CPWC Seeker and Initiate Classes.
• May act as Priest/ess for ceremonies and rituals recognized by their community as those of a Priest/ess function.

To be granted to a CPWC First Degree in good standing who, in the agreement of at least two members of the of Second/Third Degree or higher, has met the following qualifications:

Qualifications:

• Minimum of six months after First Degree.
• Minimum of one area of specialization that is used to benefit the community/society.
• Members desiring Second Degree must be able to verify their work before attaining the degree.

To be granted to a CPWC Second Degree in good standing who has met the requirements and is sponsored by at least one Third Degree or higher member in good standing. The sponsor (s) may present the candidate's case to the Council who by majority decision will grant a Third Degree title.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of six months after Second Degree.
• Two or more specializations attained.
• Using one or more specializations to benefit the community/society by:
  • teaching or maintaining a practice in one of the specializations (e.g. astrology, healing).
  • teaching or having a practice in another area (e.g. the specialization may be “teaching” and the member may also make her living reading tarot)
  • Has demonstrated a devotion and high level of proficiency in their chosen specialization.
  • Has demonstrated an unselfish and passionate commitment to benefit or nurture others without a personal agenda (e.g.: self-aggrandizement.)
  • Has expressed a long term commitment to their spiritual path and activities that benefit the community.
  • At least one Elder must have personal communication with the candidate to verify that the individual has met and will continue to meet the requirements of Third Degree.

Responsibilities & Rights: Third Degree conveys no additional responsibilities to CPWC, other than those the member is willing to take on. In addition to their Second Degree, responsibilities and rights may:

• May take part in CPWC First, Second and Third Degree initiations.* (Attending a Third Degree initiation is by invitation of the Initiate.)
• May sponsor Second or Third Degree candidates from among the membership in good standing.

Elders are chosen by the majority agreement of the Council of Elders. A CPWC Third Degree may be recommended to the Council of Elders for consideration by any member or members of CPWC.

Responsibilities& Rights: Elder conveys additional responsibilities to the Order. In addition to their Third Degree responsibilities and rights they:

• Teach or assist in teaching and/or supervising others in the teaching of CPWC Seeker and Initiate classes at least once every three years that result in initiation of one or more persons.
• Teaching methods and class arrangement (or lack thereof) are the sole discretion of the teacher, as long as the material is covered.
• Is able to willing to speak for and about CPWC without a personal agenda.
• Unselfishly represents CPWC and the ideals and purpose of CPWC.
• Unselfishly represents CPWC to maintain CPWC's good name and relations with other Traditions.
• Avoids maligning CPWC or its members to others within and outside CPWC.
• Makes themselves available to members of CPWC for spiritual counseling, teaching and listening to the concerns of the members and/or students CPWC.
• Maintains archives of all available teaching materials and assists in updating and refining curriculum.
• Maintains CPWC confidentiality, which includes the names of members, legal issues, and where applicable the discussions of the Council of Elders and other internal CPWC business.
• May raise concerns over the use of the name of CPWC.

Disavowing Connection

• If a member has caused verifiable harm, an Elder may address the member or other members with regards to physical safety.
• Personal safety of any members of CPWC and the Community supersedes initiation to CPWC.
• If such case arises that an Elder is directly asked about a member who has verifiably caused harm to another the Elder may, without gossip or embellishment or personal agenda, comment on the member’s actions.
• An Elder will guide any questions regarding a member to the member themselves whenever possible.
• The Elder will be called upon to use discretion and their best judgment in such cases to preserve the integrity and safety of CPWC and all its members.
• When said person has caused verifiable harm as defined by the legal codes of conduct in the country/state/parish/county/city in which said member resides, the full Council of Elders voting unanimously will decide to disavow connection and brother/sisterhood to CPWC. Such person will no longer be considered an active or viable participant in CPWC functions and may not use the CPWC name with regards to any action or event.
• Actions such as rape, assault, murder, armed robbery, child abuse/molestation, spousal abuse, stalking, and threat of bodily harm, as verified through legal records are considered grounds for disavowing.
• Personal dislike is not considered a valid reason to disavow connection.

May be called upon to:

• Represent the CPWC to the public, inquiring parties, and the press or media. (if/when requested)
• Mediate disputes between and on behalf of members of CPWC. (if/when requested)
• Mediate disputes between and regarding CPWC and other Traditions or Religions (if/when requested).

Qualifications:

• Fulfills all of the qualifications of Master, and holds a Third Degree.
• Fulfills the responsibilities of an Elder as outlined above.
• Understands that Elders have NO authority over individual members of CPWC beyond outlined responsibilities.

Responsibilities to the Council:

• Keeps members of the Council informed of their activities (quarterly).
• Makes themselves available to other Elders for Council and CPWC business via email, phone, or in person.
• An Elder who, for whatever reason, loses the ability to communicate with the Council, must check in with and make a report to at least one other Elder at least quarterly to stay abreast of CPWC business until such time as communications have been restored.
• In the event that an emergency arises and an Elder is unavailable via any communication medium, the Council may act under majority decision if there is a quorum. A quorum is defined as 3/4ths of the members of the Council. It is the obligation of each Elder to contact and include all other Elders regarding decisions and/or situations affecting the Order or the Council.

Retirement from the Council:

• •Elders may decline an appointment or step down at any time and retain Third Degree.
• Elders who have stepped down may resume their place on the Council as they are able to resume the responsibilities at will, as long as there are no challenges or legitimate objections from the Council of Elders either individually or as a whole.
• An Elder who is unable to fulfill the responsibilities of the office may be asked to retire from the Council by unanimous decision of the other Elders, and would retain Third Degree.

Grandfather Clause:

• Elders who were called to the Council before this codification of responsibilities, held and still hold a Third Degree and may remain an Elder.