SOTEG is formed for the purpose of promoting friendship, ethicality, and brotherly/sisterly love between those who walk nontraditional spiritual paths. It is not intended to supplant any other particular path, but to provide an alternative for those who wish to form or participate in a support group of like minded people. It welcomes and encourages its membership participating with other groups of similar, or at least non-contradictory paths. It is even conceivable that some of the SOTEG may call themselves "Christian, Buddhist", etc. A cornerstone of the SOTEG is a combination of tolerance and acceptance of other Paths as valid for those who participate in them with an adherence to the Wiccan Rede, and a celebration of the mystery of "The descent of the Goddess". The term "Servants" in the name of S.O.T.E.G. is in NO WAY to imply any form of "Slavery"; it does, however describe a special type of TWO WAY RELATIONSHIP and obligation to God/dess.
The Coven of The Silver Wolf is hereby Chartered as a S.O.T.E.G. Coven, as of the Coven Dedication Ceremony held Lughnasadh, 1993. As a S.O.T.E.G. Coven it will adhere to the following guidelines for Coven Governance and Administration:
1. All who desire to do so may call themselves a Servant of the Elder Gods.
2. Three or more people who call themselves SOTEG may form a group for whatever purpose they deem fit; i.e. Religious, Magical, Study, etc.
3. Any group so formed, should name itself with a name indicative of its purpose; i.e. SOTEG study group of CO. Springs, for example, or
SOTEG association of Mages, etc. The use of the word "Coven" is reserved for religious group use only.
4. Coven Organization
a. A "Coven" is a group of the SOTEG organized for the purposes of worshipping the Elder Gods and Goddesses in a balanced manner, i.e. we of the SOTEG Wicca worship the Lord and Lady as a balanced pair of Deities.
b. A coven is considered to have met when such meeting was called by the currently elected Priest and Priestess calls such a meeting and at least 50% of the members of the coven attend In no case shall a meeting be considered a gathering of the Coven without at least three people present.
c. Coven Officers will consist of at least three: Priest, Priestess, and Scribe. Others may be elected as the need arises by the general membership of Initiates.
d. Within a consecrated Circle and during Ritual, the authority of the Priestess and Priest is absolute. Any other governance of the Coven is by consensus of the members.
e. After dedication, a student of SOTEG may participate in any general Circle ritual held by the sponsoring Coven, and special Circles by invitation of the Priest or Priestess presiding. In fact, such participation in celebration of Sabats and Esbats should be encouraged as part of the training and leading to his/her initiation into full membership of the Coven, however a Dedicant has no voice in the daily governance of the Coven exce[t as the Duly elected officers may permit.
f. After a suitable time of instruction decided by the Coven, a Dedicant may be presented for Initiation to full Coven membership. After the receiving of the Coven Initiation, the Initiate is eligible to vote in all matters of Coven governance, and has all if the rights and responsibilities of Coven membership. An Initiate Can elect to remain (or become) a Solitary Practitioner of the Craft at any time. The individual who wishes to become a solitary should notify the presiding clergy in writing so the notice can be recorded in the Coven records by the Scribe.
g. Any Elder Initiate of the SOTEG can leave a Coven and start a new Coven if they abide by the rules stated herein. Any initiate can do the same with permission of the Presiding Officers.
h. Elected Terms of Office - Election to the Coven offices of Priest, Priestess, or Scribe is for the pot of thirteen Lunar months and is by secret ballot. The exception to this rule is when an elected office holder resigns in writing or when expelled from the Coven.
i. Any exceptions or expansions to these rules must be approved by Unanimous Coven Vote.
j. Initiation
1. Be able to describe his/her religion to someone who knows nothing about it.
2. Be able to list all eight Sabbats.
3. Write and lead one Sabbat Ritual.
4. Succesfully cast a "tangible" circle.
5. Sucessfully call all 4 quarters in a "Tangible" manner.
6. Demonstrate a Personal connection to God/dess.
7. Have a basic understanding of Wiccan Theurgy as well as show the same or show definite progress on the same for at least one "other" path.
8. Demonstrate an understanding and continuous application of the Rede.
9. Have the unanimous consent of all Coven members to their initiation as Priest/ess and Witch."
5. Ritual Observance
a. Holidays/Sabbats
The traditional eight holidays of Wicca will be observed at appropriate times, to be determined by the Coven involved; i.e. many celebrate Holidays on the "Closest" weekend, others select the Nearest Full Moon, etc.
b. Esbats
The selection of Esbat observance is left to the SOTEG coven concerned, and the convenience of it's membership.
c. Dedication and Initiation
A Dedication Ritual should be performed to indicate a students dedication to learning about the Craft and to introduce him/her to the Coven as a student, as well as to give them a taste of Circle Ritual and to prepare them for participation in Sabat Circles as a dedicant.An Initiation Ritual is to admit the Dedicant to Full Membership in the Coven, with all the Rights, Privileges, and Responsibilities appurtenant thereto.
d. Ritual Sources
SOTEG is based on an eclectic approach to Wiccan Worship, therefore, the approach to Ritual Sources, is "if it works use it, and if it doesn't work for you and /or your group don't use it". These principles are , of course, to be applied within the framework of the principles of a balanced approach to worship of the Lord and Lady, the Wiccan Rede and the utmost respect for your fellow Man.
6. Degrees : There is a limited degree system or "hierarchy" involved in SOTEG. However there is a recognition of individual "specialties", for those who desire such recognition. In other words, "Dedicant" and "Initiate" are the only "degrees" in the SOTEG.
a. Specialties currently recognized are:
1. Priest or Priestess - indicating experience and ability in leading ritual on the eight Sabats and Circle worship at other times. Recognition for this specialty is dependent on demonstrated ability by the individual concerned on at least one each of these occasions. A group in need of one of this specialty may appoint someone as an "Acting" Priest or Priestess until such person becomes fully qualified. An "Acting" Priest or Priestess may be confirmed to this specialty, depending on Coven determination.
2. Mage - indicating experience and ability in working Thaumaturgical magic and Spell-work. Recognition for this specialty is dependent on demonstrated ability by the individual concerned on at least three occasions.
3. Healer - indicating experience and ability in working with healing of others, whether by magical/psychic means, herbal and naturopathic, medical, or other means. This capability must be demonstrated either by a certificate of training/accomplishment (mundane methods such as first-aid, nursing, etc), or successful application upon at least three occasions.
4. Counselor - Indicating expertise in interpersonal relationships and the healing of persons with psychological or social dysfunctions. This specialty is allowed only upon the documentation of three successes and the agreement of two others of the SOTEG in writing.
5. Warrior - Indicating devotion to bringing and maintaining Peace to (and between) both Brothers and Sisters of the Craft as well as the mundane world. This specialty is recognized only after written nomination by three others of the SOTEG.
6. Elder Priest or Elder Priestess - Indicating successful (as determined by the Coven) service of two or more 13 Lunar Month terms as Priest or Priestess of a SOTEG Coven.
7. Elder of the Craft - signifying experience as a member of a Coven for three or more lunar years with at least two years of successful experience in two or more of the listed specialties.
8. Scholar - This specialty is Coven recognition of expert Knowledge (but not necessarily active practice) of ALL of the specialties herein named.
9. Tutor - Indicating successful instruction of two or more dedicants, proven by their acceptance and initiation.
b. These specialties are listed as a requirement for a "journeyman" status in those specialties and are a recognition for Continuous practice in those specialties. Some Covens may wish to grant a "Master" level to these activities in recognition of exemplary service, expertise, and knowledge for a period of five or more years in a specialty.
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