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Post by *Gypsy* on Dec 25, 2007 19:24:57 GMT -5
I've been having an ongoing discussion with a friend of mine on what makes a High Priest and High Priestess, well a High Priest and High Prestess.
Is it a title given to them by studying in a coven over years finally earning the title? Is it something you just kind of fall into? Is it something you grow into? Maybe a combination of all these things? Do you even need a coven to hold the title?
He had pointed out it was like being a medical person or a cop. You could have all the education there was to be had but until you got in there and did the job you really were not qualified to hold the title.
So quite a few questions to think and comment about but I have one more to toss into the mix. Are we as pagans- neo pagans to wrapped up in titles for our own good?
What are your views?
BlessedBeGypsy
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Post by dragonsteve on Dec 25, 2007 20:17:06 GMT -5
I dont need any title of any kind to do what i do. so i dont think it holds much wight. But then when given the wrong name it affends me so at some point it makes a diffrence. by not wanting the wrong name i do brand my self with a chosen name.
As for a priest and priestess, I think within there coven's they may play an importent part. but they are not in my mind any thing more then any one else in the coven. Not being of wicca i would love to hear more from other members on this topic.
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Post by Fallen on Dec 28, 2007 14:40:08 GMT -5
I think that the titles of high priest / high priestess are only relevant within the hirearchy of a coven. Many covens feel the need to rank their members given titles to the older more experienced members, and in a way I feel like this is done to keep the newer less experienced members in the position of being on a lower level. To me it's like wearing a big shiny new badge saying look at me! Not only have I reached the level of priest / priestess but I've gone one step beyond that, I'm the high priest / priestess!!! Are the high priests / priestesses more experienced than a regular priest / priestess? Maybe within that particular coven....but say you take 100 different covens and put them all together in a room ( a very big room of course), now some covens will be small, and some large, some will be made up of people who have been practicing pagans for years and years and years, and some will be put together by people who have just recently come into the craft and yet every single one of them could in theory have a high priest and/or high priestess. Some of those high priest /priestesses will be way beyond some of the others, and yet they all hold the same title. I do think we as a group tend to put too much emphasis on titles. I've seen many cases where those titles have been abused, not all but a lot. As a solitairy practitioner I have no need of a title. I know my experience level and the knowledge I have and am able to share speaks for itself, which is enough for me. Once again, just my thoughts.
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Post by ladyjay on Jan 4, 2008 18:14:30 GMT -5
well it is a title that I would love to have because it means that I hjave earned. Like doctor, priest,judge,etc. Earned titles. But I will still do what I do with or without that title. I am working towards earning that title but I will not be a part of a coven just because I hold that title.
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Post by starr on Jan 13, 2008 11:49:40 GMT -5
The titles of High Priest and High Priestess actually relate back to the bible and the Melchizedek. This belief system was practised by Moses, Jesus, Mary, most major "prophets" in the bible. Unfortunately, through the destruction of the books of the bible, most referrals to this are lost and this has to now be traced through the study of the gnostics. The title is conferred unto a person who has reached a level of spirituality and wisdom which makes them capable of channeling there energy into what we now refer to as "supernatural" acts or magick, often referred to as "miricles" in biblical references. In an effort to limit the ability of the individual person's ability to empower themselves, varies reigning powers throughout history destroyed most estriterical knowledge contained in the original scriptures. In order to preserve the ancient wisdom various groups developed differant ways of conveying this in hidden forms or coded languages, i.e. the parables of Jesus and development of the tarot.
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Post by starr on Jan 13, 2008 11:54:27 GMT -5
And to stay on topic, lol, it is usually a title that is earned, however, obviously those raised by a member of the Melchizedek or High Priest/Priestess have the advantage of learning this knowledge much younger because of the teachings of there elders, making it seem as though the titles are inherited. My grandfather was a practising High Priest in the Melchizedek priesthood, which explains my knowledge of this.
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Post by *Gypsy* on Jan 17, 2008 7:54:16 GMT -5
Thank you Starr
Very nice post!
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Post by aislinstorm on Feb 20, 2008 23:51:31 GMT -5
I believe that if a coven needs a leader of sorts (I have never been in a coven so bare with me) then they should have the title. However, I do not believe a solitary practitioner should be called by this title. I know that there are a lot of gifted solitarys, but I consider the High Priest/High priestess as a leader of a group.
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