Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is the outer court?
The bylaws define the Outer Court (OC) as �Outer Court Members: People who have filled out the application, been accepted as a Dedicant and received a sponsor, but have not been Initiated and Dedicated as an Inner Court member.� Each dedicant/outer court member may receive a sponsor, a person within the coven who can answer any questions about the coven, the tradition, etc.

Who chooses my sponsor?
The HPS chooses the sponsor based on a few factors, including relationships, experience, interests and energy.

Will I be initiated?
As an outer court dedicant, you will be expected to participate in a dedication ritual at an esbat, dedicating yourself to the coven and your sisters. If it happens that you are asked to join the inner court, you will then be initiated into our coven and the tradition.

What is expected of me?
You are expected to dedicate yourself to the coven and your sisters. In doing so, you are expected to come to all esbat and sabbat rituals. (A few esbats may be inner circle only) You are also expected to come to social events and contribute dues monthly on a sliding scale $5-20. For example: 75% attendance is mandatory. If your attendance falls below that, a discussion with the High Priestess will be required. In addition to the in-person meetings, you will be expected to check into the online forum, at least once every few days. You are expected to act as a participant at ritual, and may be asked to help take down or put up the altar.

What about training?
You will be invited to join our Beginning Wicca classes that will take place weekly. Also, you may be invited to a few advanced classes depending on your experience, interests, and other factors.

How many degrees are in the Twilight Tradition?
We have three degrees. When one is initiated into the Inner Court of the coven, she receives her first degree. In order to receive the first degree, one must have some background knowledge of Wicca. One then works toward the second degree, gaining lots more background knowledge, as well as knowledge of catalysts, spellwork timing, etc. Once one receives her second degree, she is ready to train for the third degree, the priestesshood, if she chooses. Once the initiate earns third degree, she is rightfully are able to use the title �Lady,� and will probably hive off a coven of her own. The degree program is mostly individualized, self paced study using a working book of shadows compiled by Ivy, though when training for the third degree, there will be meetings with the HPS to train in counseling, group dynamics and other work.

We are an eclectic-traditional Wiccan coven. What exactly does that mean?
The term "eclectic Wicca" is widely used nowadays and can be used to mean the practice of anything that isn't in the traditional sense. Most traditional covens work with the Gods of just one pantheon. Many traditional covens stick with one ritual pattern, a few set ways of raising energy, and follow a set of practices that are never wavered upon.
The term "eclectic Wiccan" is tough to define. If you are too eclectic, and aren't really following most of the Wiccan traditions, then you really aren't Wiccan anymore. (even if you DO follow the rede). So it's a fine line to be trod.
Our "eclecticness" pulls from our willingness to honor Gods from different pantheons, and our willingness to explore different ways of ritual and magick. We will have a usual "ritual outline" that follows the traditional Wiccan outline, but we will be open to different types of ritual. We will be open to different ways of raising energy and be willing to be serious during times where we need to be serious, but open to laughter when we need that as well.
Sometimes eclectic groups tend to be disorganized and not really serious. That's not us. We are serious about our religion, we are serious about our craft, but we know how and when to let loose and have fun! :) We are traditional in our ritual structure, our hierarchy, our officers, and our degree structure.

What should I wear to ritual?
In the colder months, all black. The Inner Court will be in black robes, so if you want to wear a black robe, that�s great, otherwise black clothing that you can move comfortably around in.In the spring, and summer, we change to white ritual garb.