Membership FAQs
What Tradition is the Society?
The New American Tradition
The Society is coven of people which also offers a degree system and ordination. The teaching is built from various contemporary authors on the concepts of Wicca, Druidry, Shamanism, Norse, High Magic, and cultural traditions to create a mix and balanced approach to Nature spirituality. Each person brings their background and traditions to the group and the Society works together.
What Deities are Patroned at the Society?
SLPS Patrons a wide variety of Gods and Goddess. The following currently live at the temple
Gods: Fu, Lu, Shu, Ganesh, Shiva, Krishna, Hanuman, Lugh, Hern, Cernunnos, Osiris, Anubis, Thoth, Ra, Hades, Apollo, Kanaloa, Green Man, Odin, and Perun.
Goddesses: Hekate, Medusa, Artemis, Athena, Aphrodite, Freya, Baba Yaga, Sekhmet, Isis, Bast, Hathor, Quan Yin, Kali Ma, Brigid, Arianrhod, Cerridwen, and Gaia.
House Spirits: Eleggua and Domovoi.
Who is Qualified?
Any person seeking admission regardless of race, class, gender, gender identity/expression, economic status, sexual orientation, religion, education, and who is of sound mind, body, and soul. A basic belief in deity, in some fashion is required. It is ok to be exploring the path of Paganism, but it is expected that you will have already developed a faith, belief, or knowledge in a higher power.
Honesty and being a person of good ethics is also required. Those interested in Wicca, Witchcraft, Druidry, Shamanism, Nature, Magic, Meditation, the Occult, Service, Metaphysics, Fun, and the study of the Mystic Arts will find they will fit in naturally.
The culture of the group is liberal. Any one who is pro gay, pro life, or otherwise is for equity and equality will be a good fit.
Who is not Qualified?
Those seeking a social club. While social aspects are abundant in the Society, we are here to Work. Those whose intentions are to corrupt, disrupt, back bite, not of good ethical standards, seeking power to control others for their own gain, gain titles for ill use, hostile take over, stir the cauldron or otherwise cause problems.
Persons not believing in the divine in some fashion, as well as Left-Hand path Pagans. The focus on the Society is Right-hand paths such as Druidry, Shamanism, Witchcraft, Norse, Egyptian, Hindu, Greek, Native American, Aztec, High Magic, and Wicca.
People who find syncretic combining of faiths offensive. We do interfaith work and cross cultural holidays. Sometimes this includes holidays of non-Pagan faiths such as Christianity and Judaism.
Conservative minded, anti gay rights, conspiracy theorist, people who adhered to George Orwell’s philosophy of “All are created equal, but some are more equal than others” or consider themselves or their ways of doing better will not fit well.
Also those with Cat/Dog/Bee allergies will find it very hard to participate as there are many temple cats, beehives, and a dog. Many activities take place inside during winter, so if you have allergies, be ready to take appropriate medication for allergies to these pets.
General Membership
Most people will be joining as a regular member. This means you are not required to do any candidacy work, but are still expected to be at activities on a regular basis. The Society would hope to benefit from each person who joins in as much as they would benefit from the Society. As a general member you are not bound by any special requirements except agreeing to the Societies Code of Ethics. Regular members may participate in all activities except those designated for clergy (leading rituals, interfaith leadership, etc.).
Distance Members
SLPS accepts members from around the world for those interested in studying the mysteries. You submit a regular membership form and will schedule a video interview. Understand that since you cannot attend functions, this is a correspondence in which you are expected to complete study alone, attend events in your local area, or join SLPS on the astral.
What can I Expect?
You can expect the highest level of sincerity, honesty, and inclusion by the officers and members of the society. A membership certificate and welcome letter if approved. Group, one on one, as well as independent study and practice of mysteries. Opportunities to make crafts, enjoy movie nights, game nights, sewing classes, book club, dinners, nature walks and all sort of fun activities along your new journey. We are tight knit and closed community, so you can expect to find a safety net and new family if you join.
For those interested in Clergy Membership
What are the Degrees?
THERE ARE THREE DEGREES
With activities, rituals, and hands on training, each degree focuses on a different aspect of self and element, taking you through each of the elements from most dense to most ethereal.
Earth Path Candidacy. This is the beginning period a year and a day study with the coven where you demonstrate your desire to study and work, begin to explore the magical side of yourself. It gets you involved with the Living Earth, nature, natural magic, working with the element of earth, being embodied in yourself, present, as well as interacting with your surroundings.
Degree 1– Moon Path. This is the Goddess Path. You learn to work with a goddess of your choice, learn the inner mysterious of the tradition such as meditation, divination, moon magic, working with the element of water, fairies, astrology and phases of the moon.
Degree 2 -Sun Path. This is the God Path. You learn to work with a god of your choice, what the outer mysteries are, solar rites, candle magic, working with the element of fire, high magic, non-leader ritual roles, and writing and designing rituals and getting involved in the community through service hours.
Degree 3– Spirit path. This path is the end of the training and teaches you to continue your studies in the inner and outer mysteries, ritual leadership, receiving spiritual messages for others, working with the element air, leading groups, guiding others on vision quests, starting your own circle, advanced magical practices, drawing down the moon, completing a community service project, aspecting deities and taking on the mantle of High Priest or High Priestess.
How Intense is the Degree Training?
The training is designed for personal work and focuses on the three areas of self: physical, practical, spiritual. It is writing intensive and is designed to give you training with options, and exposure to a number of areas in magic, spirituality, the occult, community, self work, and group working. The tradition focuses especially on Earth living and sustainability, spiritual maturity, knowledge of Paganism and magic, and serving the community. The later degrees have service hours that will be completed before advancement to following degrees. With each degree you receive a certificate of completion and a color cord for the level completed.
What if I Want to be a an Ordained Minister and Marry Couples?
Great! We offer that upon complete of the third degree. We have the right to ordain you. Utah law says in Title 30, Chapter 1 Section 6: “Who may solemnize marriages — Certificate”
(1) Marriages may be solemnized by the following persons only:
(a) ministers, rabbis, or priests of any religious denomination who are:
(i) in regular communion with any religious society; and
(ii) 18 years of age or older;
What If I Don’t Want to be Ordained?
Ok, you don’t have to be! That is just a certificate we grant upon complete of the last degree so that you have the right and entitlement in Utah to perform sacred ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, baby blessings and so on. The third degree is the High Priest/tess degree and entitles you to form you own coven and teach new initiates.
So How Do I Join?
Send in your completed application and nonrefundable application fee and the process will begin. We will evaluate the application and get in touch with you for a personal interview. The application is used a way to gauge who you are and if you will succeed in the Society. The followup interview gives the in person face-to-face meeting. Be honest and sincere in your application, as this can only help you. Once approved, you start attending regular functions.
For those entering clergy training, you take an ethics test and sign the Candidacy agreement which beings the year and a day study.
If you are denied membership, you may continue to attend the open meeting and events, and reapply with a new application and fee in one year’s time.
Why is the fee $20
Although no one is paid, this fee indicates you are serious about applying. It honors the time it takes for the people to come together and review your application, meet with you, write comments, and approve or deny it. It goes towards your first year’s membership dues.
Earth Path Candidacy
The Earth Path Candidacy is the year and a day candidacy for initiation for degree training into the clergy of the society. Please read the Guide for Candidates, which informs you of the policies, expectations, and information for the potential candidate into the clergy system.