Hekate’s Wheel Process of Study and Initiation is a comprehensive program designed to teach seekers the beautiful ways of Wicca in a loving and supportive, yet challenging environment. Students may go from absolute beginners to third level High Priest/esses while studying with Hekate’s Wheel. This process includes classes and seminars as well as ritual practice.
Aradia I: Postulancy
Just as the Goddess Aradia rules the realms of knowledge and learning, those of the east, of the mental and of air, so this is the aspect of training associated with Her. We see the Eastern Quarter-point as a time of dawnings and beginnings and the time of commitment to learning all of the left brain materials and correspondences of the craft. It is a time of studiousness and of the first workings with that knowledge and energy.
This phase requires that students go through the Philosophy & Magick of Wicca class, which spans from eight to twelve weeks, and entails much book learning and hands-on practice of Wicca.
Philosophy and Magick of Wicca (up to 12 weeks)
Required texts:
- Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, Scott Cunningham
- The Spiral Dance, Starhawk
Required Activities: Completion of Philosophy Class
- 1 Dark Moon or Full Moon
- 1 Sabbat
Aradia II: Apprenticeship
The successful completion of Aradia I, Postulancy, makes students eligible to enter an apprenticeship. This phase of training takes place within the ritual circle. Apprentices learn to set up ritual space, to invoke the energies of the quarters, to work with magickal energy, and to learn the ways of ritual.
This period is seen as a time of spiritual awakening and development. Students are expected to keep journals, to open themselves up to the mysteries that they are experiencing, and to become conversant in the basics of ritual construction, choreography and performance.
The second phase of Aradia may span from six months to a year and a day. Successful achievement in Aradia prepares students for First Level Initiation also called Fire Keeping.
- Attendance: Apprentices can miss up to 3 rituals per year, 24 hours notice required for regrets
- Craft Workshops Mandatory
- Daily devotions to the Eastern Quarter Point of Air
- One week’s worth of dream journaling collected at Beltane, Lughnasagh, Samhain, and Imbolg for review.
- Homework: 1 originally crafted Dark Moon, Full Moon and Sabbat ritual.
- Exam: Oral and Written
Required Texts:
- The Elements of Ritual, Deborah Lipp
- Grandmother of Time, and Grandmother Moon, Z. Budapest
- Eight Sabbats for Witches, Janet & Stewart Farrar
- Mysteries of the Dark Moon, Demetra George
Firekeepers
This phase of training is very exciting for Apprentices. The first ritualized Rite of Passage, First Level Initiation is undertaken. Priest/esses become one with the Southern Quarter Point of Fire. This work entails movement, ever greater abilities with magickal energy and the assumption of more responsibilities within the Circle, always under the supervision of the High Priest/ess. The cord for First Level is White, and the Sigil is the upright Pentacle, indicating a conscious seeking of wisdom. The length of this phase is variable, but generally spans a year and a day. Many witches stay at this level of initiation for a much more extended time, content with a participatory role.
- Seminars: Total required: 4, All geared toward Practical Magick, Deeper Learning, and Ritual Crafting
- Voluntary Activity in Grove matters
- Daily devotions to the Southern Quarter-point of Fire
- 10 hours community service
- Attendance and journal keeping policy same as Aradia II
- Create an original Fire/Transformation Ritual
- Exam Oral and Written
Required Texts:
- The Witches Bible, Janet & Stewart Farrar
- Dreaming the Dark, Starhawk
- Incense Oils and Brews, Scott Cunningham
- Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft, Raymond Buckland
Seminars:
- Ritual Crafting
- Creating Tools of Magick
- Candle Magick
- Magickal Herbology
- Shamanism
- Visualization
- Meditation
Water Keepers
This level of training is often the true test of willingness to proceed deeply into Wicca. The Second Level Initiation propels the Witch into a serious commitment to self-development and self-knowledge along his or her spiritual journey, and bonds the Initiate with the Powers of West and of Water.
This is intense emotional work and demands a strong sense of personal motivations, a commitment to ethics and excellence, and beginning mentorship. Second Level Initiates must be present at all Moons and Sabbats and work as organizational assistants to the High Priest/ess. The initiate must also develop a second discipline and witness or take part in another group’s rituals.
The cord for the Second Level is Red and the Sigil is the reversed Pentacle, reminding us that now the Elements and the Gods will be teaching and working on us. The phase may span from a year and a day to a much greater period of time.
- Attendance policy same as Fire Keepers
- Continued Initiative
- Daily Devotions to the Western Quarter-point of Water
- Mentorship
- Meditation
- Magickal Journals
- Mastery of a Divination form with test
- Create an original Water/Emotions Ritual
- Counseling: The Mentor shall be responsible for checking up on Initiate’s emotional and mental health during particular stages of development
- Rites of Passage: Participate in Initiations, Wiccanings, Cronings, Requiems, etc.
- Examination: Student must teach Aradia I on their own, supervised by mentor
- A visions paper that explores a discipline deeply or studies Wicca in comparison to other world religions
Required Texts:
- The Witches Bible, Janet & Stewart Farrar
- Sea Priestess, Dion Fortune
- Truth or Dare, Starhawk
- The Way of the Shaman, Michael Harner
- The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge, Carlos Castaneda
Earth Keepers
This level is the culminative level of training and suggests mastery of the principles of the Hekate’s Wheel training and at least one other discipline. This achievement enables the Initiate to instigate and run his or her own coven and to train others up to his or her Level. Third Levels may also apply for co-Directorship in Hekate’s Wheel and become active teachers therein. The Cord for Third Level is Black and the Sigil is the five pentacles within one pentacle.
- At this time, the student has reached peership, and is responsible only to the Gods.
- The Third Level may request co-Directorship at this time.
- Third Levels are expected to teach or Mentor in some fashion within the Wheel.
- Must maintain presence in a national or international organization.
- Must maintain an active role in the Pagan community**
- Should participate in a cause as a Pagan**
**Modifications such as donations of time or money, or managerial support are available for those individuals with sensitive political orientation (still in the Broom Closet!)
Elder Status
This achievement is reserved for those who have maintained an active status as a Third Level High Priest/ess within the Wheel for at least five years, or Hived from the Grove and have been active as a Third Level High Priest/ess of Wicca for at least five years. Elders may be consulted for their advice and counsel. This may also include elders who emerged from the Grove of Diana in Syracuse, NY, from the Grove of Aphrodite in Chicago, or will emerge from the Grove of Gaia or Hekate’s Wheel. The cord for this distinction is Silver.
Our practical goal is to be present in the community as a resource for the study of Wicca. We seek to channel the Goddess energy into the world through practice, example, and our Magickal Selves. It is our oath to create students with a sound foundation in eclectic Wiccan beliefs and practices so that they may attain spiritual autonomy, or Power Within.
Leave Taking
Any initiate who desires to depart from Hekate’s Wheel is expected to participate in a brief formal Leave-Taking Rite of Passage.
Hekate's Wheel 