Church of Universal Eclectic Wicca

What the Circles Mean:

In UEW, the degree system of many other traditions is replaced by three "Circles." This page is designed as a quick review of what is required to become a member of each circle and what those circles represent.

The First Circle

ENTERING: The First Circle is an indication of a beginning in UEW. It is entered when a student demonstrates a basic understanding of the two seminal writings of UEW, The Five Points of Wiccan Belief and The Affirmation of Acknowledgment.

PARTICIPATING: Participation in the First Circle includes learning about the elements (this should include elemental visualization,) a brief lesson in the reasons behind casting a circle, an intensive study of the tools used in Wicca, both historically and presently, a brief introduction to the concept of multiple correct traditions, the elements of a basic Wiccan Circle, how to Cast a circle, usually two methods, one that is UEW specific and one that is more general Wicca.
In addition, the first circle must include an introduction to comparative religion concerning the uses of words like "morality," "truth" and "good/evil." This introduction should challenge the student to examine his or her assumptions about such terms. Ideally, the lessons will include further exploration of the Five Points of Wiccan belief, the four cardinal directions as used in Wicca in general and their relationship to elements, tools and Spheres of Influence associated with them in Modern Wicca in general, the use of the Pentacle to represent the five elements, a brief explanation of "lesser" elements and a brief discussion of at least one of the sets of symbols used to represent Earth, Air, Fire and Water in Modern Wicca. Lastly, a first circle student must understand the concept of Patron and Matron Gods and the idea that the Divine is not easily quantified.

FINISHING: To finish The First Circle a student must first focus on "who they are" this is often accomplished by a project that helps them define not only who they are but what they perceive as their place in Wicca. In order to promote a person to the Second Circle a teacher must feel that the person's desire to further study both Wicca and UEW is genuine. A student may be refused promotion into The Second Circle if their teacher, priest(ess) or mentor feels they are unprepared. This may be appealed to the leadership triad. Please note that ending The First Circle is not the same as being accepted into The Second Circle, although one must complete The First Circle to enter The Second Circle.

The Second Circle

ENTERING: The Second Circle is entered when a student decides to make a commitment to be a part of Wicca and UEW, specifically. Whereas in the First Circle participation in Celebratory ritual was not focused upon, The Second Circle involves subtly changing your life with Wicca...being more involved with its practice and being more aware of your actions. Often The Oath of Practice is first studied as one enters the Second Circle.

PARTICIPATING: Participation in the Second Circle includes learning about the Wheel of The Year of Modern Wicca, and recognizing the Wheel of The Year or, in the Case of a Sept, a Modified Wheel of the Year. The Solstices, Equinoxes, February Eve, May Eve, August Eve and November Eve, or, in a sept, both these holidays and the cultural equivalents used in said sept. Solemnities, Celebratory rituals and Working rituals should be discussed, as well as basic ritual construction. A student should be encouraged to write several rituals, using other rituals as an example, with a teacher evaluating the finished product. The Student should further explore his/her relationship with the divine, working with a Patron/Matron God if appropriate. What being a Modern Wiccan means should be discussed, including political issues (not political views, but the legal cases and laws affecting Wiccans), as well as the "bad habits" of Wiccans both inside and outside of UEW. The actual Wiccan Rede versus the poems of Thompson and Valiente may be discussed if suitable to the student. The student should be encouraged to do his/her first community service project (second circle members should spend a minimum of 20 hours a year in community service) and a "choosing a community service organization" project is helpful at this point. Situational ethics, intellectual integrity, expanding the circle, coven management, the creation of a "religious regimen" of daily worship and the where, when, and if of magic(k) should be discussed, as well as the creation of a sept, if appropriate to the student.

FINISHING: The student should now have both a journal and a collection of rituals they have written, at least one for each holiday. The Circle is completed with the signing of the Oath of Practice, if desired, and a student should have all they require to teach and live Wiccan if that is their desire. To complete The Second Circle, a student may form a working organization or coven that succeeds for one year or they may otherwise demonstrate leadership qualities, even if they do not desire to be leaders themselves. Second Circle members may lead covens and become lay ministers. [Note: Even those who are not interested in leadership are supposed to get leadership experience as a form of empathy training; you cannot truly understand what leaders go through if you?ve never tried.] A student may be refused completion of The Second Circle if their teacher, priest(ess) or mentor feels they are unprepared. This may be appealed to the leadership triad. Please note that ending The Second Circle is not the same as being accepted into The Third Circle, although one must complete The Second Circle to enter The Third Circle.

The Third Circle

ENTERING: The Third Circle is entered when a current member of the Third Circle speaks for a person who has completed the Second Circle and believes that the prospective student has the dedication to Wicca to focus their life in service to the community. The Prospective Third Circle Member must then create a unique project that requires one year of work to complete and provides a service or resource to the Pagan community as a whole.

The onus of finding a Third Circle member to speak for the student is on the STUDENT, not on the student?s teacher, CUEW leadership or other people who AREN?T THAT STUDENT. This spokesperson, or mentor, will be responsible for seeing that the student stays on track with their project and should give updates to the triad on a regular basis. (The mentor may be a member of the triad, but should be clear when they are acting as mentor versus as a leadership member.)

The unique project must be approved by the CUEW triad BEFORE it begins to be worked upon. The student must set deadlines and schedules with their mentor. If the project does what the student said it would, it will be accepted when completed. If it is not quite right, the triad may expect an additional month of work as per their instructions. A project that does not do what it was ?sold? as doing cannot be accepted and the Triad may expect anything from a completely new project to an additional 2-12 months of work on the original project- so make those proposals clear!!!

PARTICIPATION: Participation in the Third Circle is a lifetime spent furthering Wicca and ones place within it. Third Circle members may choose to organize themselves into paths, guilds or advisory groups as they feel necessary in order to pursue their goals within the community. Third Circle members may serve on the Council of Elders and, of course, the leadership Triad. They should be actively contributing- producing works, items, students, ideas, research and the like, for the betterment of Wicca, UEW and themselves.

FINISHING: The Third Circle is a lifetime commitment and is not left unless one decides to leave Wicca or UEW. When someone reaches a state of age that prevents continuing contribution, they may maintain the title of the Circle or chose to be known as "esteemed elder" "Mother" or "Father," or even Grandmother or Grandfather!

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