Alexandrian Wicca - Ranks and Degrees

Ranks and Degrees

Alexandrian Wicca shares with other traditional Wicca systems the belief that "only a witch can make another witch". The process through which an individual is made a witch is called "initiation". As in Gardnerian Wicca, there are three levels, or "degrees", of initiation, commonly referred to as "first", "second", and "third" degree. Only a second or third degree witch can initiate another into witchcraft, and only a third degree witch can initiate another to third degree. A third degree initiate is referred to as a "High Priestess" or "High Priest". The Farrars published the rituals for the three ceremonies of initiation in Eight Sabbats for Witches. but it is important to point out that it was common for Sanders to alter his 'modus operandi'. Stories abound among Alexandrians of the unorthodox methods that Sander's used to initiate people up to third degree. In the case of at least one line originating from the 1980s, the progenitors of that line were sent away to do the third degree initiation by themselves without any other third being present. Regardless, this line is now well established and accepted.

Some Alexandrians have instituted a preliminary rank called "neophyte" or "dedicant." In these Alexandrian covens, a neophyte is not bound by the oaths taken by initiates, and thus has an opportunity to examine the tradition before committing to it. Neophytes are not, however, considered to have actually joined the tradition until they do take first degree. As such they would not experience certain aspects of rituals that were considered oathbound.