Degrees

                                                                                                             Degrees

The Temple of the Sacred Moons Church operates on a degree system. We have 4 degree or levels of attainment for clergy. These are: Dedicant, First Degree, Second Degree, Third Degree,

Dedicant: represents a dedication to the Goddess and the God, and a commitment to study either for a strong base in Wicca and/or for the clergy within Wicca.

First Degree: represents the attainment of a beginning degree of knowledge of Wiccan ways in a broad and general sense; an overview of the larger picture of what constitutes priest/ess/hood within the TSM tradition.

Second Degree: represents the attainment of more detailed and complex knowledge of the functions of priest/ess/hood, and the ability and knowledge necessary to begin teaching others under the guidance of a third degree teacher.

Third Degree: represents attainment of full clergy status, and indicates the achievement of a high degree of proficiency in ministerial as well as magical fields, including pastoral counseling, ritual construction, and general conduct of the Temple's congregation.

Requirements for an TSM Dedicant to reach 1st degree initiation:

Before First Degree Initiation, the dedicant must have:

1 basic knowledge of and dedication to the Pagn path;

2 know the TSM s focus and know that it matches their own;

3 know and respect ritual etiquette;

4 understand the mechanics of casting a circle and calling the quarters;

5 know the basic correspondences to the quarters (the tools,
colors, elements, etc).

6 basics of energy working (solitary or group experience).

7 know and understand the three fold law.

8 started a Book of Shadows;

9 attend a Pagan/ Wiccan group open circle and/or festivals

10 attend at least one major festival;

11 know the basic God and Goddess names and mythology.

12 know the names and meanings of the 8 Sabbats;

13 submit a list of books on the craft that they have read.

14   Obtain their own White robe with Yellow Stole for Men. White Robe with Yellow Long Vest for Women. White Cord Presented.                   ~First Degree:

Must have already entered into a dedicantcy or degree training program TSM tradition have a understanding in leading a group ritual or circle acceptable to the TSM Elders and be well versed in the traditional knowledge required for priesthood as commonly understood in the religion of Wicca. There is fixed time period after which 1st degree is appropriate. This shall be not less than one full year and a day from elevation to Dedicant. Formal training shall be on a regular scheduled basis and for not less than a year and a day minimum.

1 The candidate must have performed significant service to/for the Community at large, its members, and the Gods. Some examples could be: donating blood regularly, organizing events for the Pagan community, etc. Must be a significant contribution to the betterment of the community or the religion.

2 Must be willing to dedicate self to continued service of the type to resemble the Temple’s concept of service, with the specifics to be decided by the individual after discussion with the High Priest/ess..

3 The individual should be vouched for by a Priestess or Priest of the Temple, in writing.

4 The following checklist should be used to judge the experience and knowledge of a dedicant or 1st level candidate:

a Facility with meditation,

b Knowledge of basic circle symbolism, including:

b1 The Quarters and Quarter Calls of the TSM tradition.

b2 Altar dressing of the TSM tradition.

b3 Robes, tabards and stoles of the TSM tradition.

b4 Circle protocol and etiquette of the TSM tradition.

c Knowledge of the sacred elements.

d Knowledge of the TSM tradition sigils and glyphs.

e Knowledge of the TSM tradition.

f Knowledge of the greater and lesser sabbats, their mythology and meaning.

g Introductory knowledge of the Healing Arts.

h General knowledge of the power of symbols and symbolism in Wicca.

i Ability to cast a basic circle creating sacred space, and conduct a basic moon ritual.

j Knowledge of and skill at one or more forms of divination.

k Knowledge and an understanding of the TSM tenets, and be living them in daily life.

i Have served the proper time as a dedicantant.

j Be completely free of substance and alcohol abuse.

k Demonstrate a self-sufficient and personally responsible lifestyle consistently.

l Obtained their own White Robe with Green stole For Men. White Robe with Green Long Vestfor Women. Light Green Cord Presented                                     ~Second Degree:

Second Degree will begin assisting with the teaching of 1st. degree Coven members. There is fixed time period after which 2nd degree is appropriate. This shall be not less than one full year and a day from elevation to 1st degree.

Candidates shall demonstrate familiarity with the following:

1 Degree Requirements, Tenets..

2 Circle Etiquette and Pagan Ethics.

3 Learn the basics of the Psychology of Leadership, Leadership Skills and Teaching Methods.

4 Be adept at one form of divination and have familiarity with at least one other.

5 Ritual Writing - shall have written a complete ritual for a Sabbat celebration, healing or holiday, , and be able to perform the TSM Full Moon Ritual from memory.

6 Be familiar with all of the Sacraments and their administration.

7 Be adept at writing and leading Guided Meditations

8 Know the types of Magic and theories behind magical workings.

9 Have a basic knowledge of Herbalism and have a competentcy at at least one healing art.

10   Obtain their own White Robe with Dark Blue Stole for Men. White Robe with Dark Blue Long Vest for Women. Light Blue Cord Presented                                                           11 Have a demonstrated facility with:

a Group Sharing.

b Handling Criticism Constructively and Profiting from It.

c Dealing with Difficult People in Your Congregation.

d High Level Energy Working and Grounding.

e How to Effectively Organize and Manage an Open Circle.

f Dealing effectively with non-Pagans (neighbors, the public, officials etc.): both privately and publicly.

g Basic Jungian Psychology.

h Basic Counseling Skills.

i Ministering to and serving others in the larger community.

j Initiations: understanding theory and the effects on initiator and initiate.

Third Degree:

Third Degree will assist with the teaching of 1st and 2nd Level coven members. There is fixed time period after which 3rd degree is appropriate. This shall be not less than one full year and a day from elevation to 2nd degree.

Candidates shall demonstrate a real facility with the following:

1 Degree Requirements, Etiquette and Ethics, and the Tenets.

2 Shall have performed the TSM's Full Moon Ritual in public prior to attaining third level.

3 Shall have continuously demonstrated a self-sufficient and personally responsible lifestyle throughout their training at all levels.

4 Leadership and Organization of Core Group / Group Dynamics.

5 Participated effectively in training of 1st and 2nd degree trainees.

6 Handling and Working with People / Personality Types, both within and without the church.

7 Obtain their own Black Robe with White Stole with Yellow, Green, Blue and Red colored Strippings at end of stole for Men. Black Robe with White Long Vest with Yellow, Green, Blue and Red colored stripping along bottom of Long Vestfor Women. Yellow, Green, Blue and Red Cord Presented.