Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is S.O.T.E.G.?

S.O.T.E.G. (Standing for Servants Of The Elder Gods) is an ecumenical movement founded in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1992 By Durwydd MacTara, a "Traditionally" trained Wiccan Priest, and James Clement Taylor, an Eastern Orthodox Theologian, as a guild for Mystics of ALL paths. It has been, since then, standing up for ethicality, education and communication between non-traditional spiritual Paths. There have been several study groups and associations started under the soteg banner, yet the biggest impact has been within the Wiccan community.

What is S.O.T.E.G. WICCA?

S.O.T.E.G. Wicca exists for the purpose of promoting ethicality, understanding and a direct connection with the Lord and Lady, as well as to provide an alternative to British Traditional Wicca without losing the flavour and tone of those wonderful Traditions. SOTEG Wicca brings the practice of Wicca into the modern age.

How does S.O.T.E.G. Wicca differ significantly from British Traditional Wicca?

S.O.T.E.G. differs primarily in the areas of Coven Structure, Degree Structure, and attitudes toward secrecy and in the encouragement of "solitary" practice.

How does S.O.T.E.G. Coven Structure differ from the British Traditional model?

• In a S.O.T.E.G. Coven, all Coven Officers are elected from the general membership of those regularly initiated in S.O.T.E.G. for a standard "year and a day."
• The High Priestess and High Priest govern as a team, exchanging active  leadership and responsibilities at Samhain and Beltane, with the other half of the team supporting him or her;  i.e. the High Priest rules for the dark half of the year, with the Priestess in support, and then switch for the light half from Beltane to Samhain.
• Normal Coven business is conducted via a democratic process and voted on prior to implementation, with the High Priest or Priestess serving as the "chair" for the meetings. Many use "Roberts Rules of order" in conducting the Coven business meetings.

What is different about the Degree structure?

• In an effort to avoid the negative side effects of the traditional three (an, in some cases, more!) degree system, S.O.T.E.G. has but a single degree; that of Initiate. This is a very deliberate attempt to avoid the problems of people "collecting titles" and "ego tripping" on rank.
• ALL Coven members are either Dedicants or Initiates.
• Individual covens may vary on how they fit these two statuses of membership into their Coven. Some Covens allow Dedicants a voice in the running of the Coven, others only allow Initiates a full vote in the Coven's affairs.
• The titles of High Priest and High Priestess are HONORARY titles and a badge of service to the Coven. they have no status outside the Coven and are only used when serving as such. They are strictly temporary.

What about secrecy?

• There is very little that is secret about S.O.T.E.G. WICCA
• The only secrets involved are related to privacy and safety issues; i.e. Coven business is private to the Coven. and thus never discussed with "outsiders."   Certain magical techniques and practices are easily misunderstood and/or abused by the uninformed and hence can be dangerous in the wrong hands. These are also kept secret from the non-initiated.
• OATHS, however is a matter of public record. They were sworn before God and Goddess and fellow Humans, and therefore should be available for anyone to see. They are a PUBLIC statement and obligation.

What is S.O.T.E.G. Wicca's position on Solitary Practice outside of  a Coven Setting?

Unlike British Wicca, S.O.T.E.G. Wicca encourages solitary practice for several reasons:

• True Priesthood or Priestesshood requires that each person have a PERSONAL relationship and partnership with Deity; i.e. that they be "Priest or Priestess and Witch" for themselves.
• A person must be effective by themselves to bring anything of worth to a Coven
• Covens are not always available; nor is everyone necessarily good Coven material, for whatever reason including personal desire.

What is the significance of the rather unique Pentacle used for the S.O.T.E.G. Wicca Logo?

The copyrighted S.O.T.E.G. Wicca Logo is intended not only as a logo for the organization, but also to be used as a magickal sigil or talisman for the individual members. It is comprised of a standard Wiccan Pentacle with the mathematical integration symbol overlaying the path between the Points traditionally assigned to the elements of Earth and Spirit, signifying for Individuals as well as the organization a path of INTEGRITY in all of our dealings with the Divine. This symbol lies at the core of our magickal egregore and is copyrighted (soon to be also registered as a trademark) in an effort to keep our egregore from becoming diluted as has happened (and is happening) with the concept of "Wicca" in general.

 

 

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