Code of Ethics for Teachers of Wicca
Below is a code of ethics for teachers of Wicca.
A Code Of Ethics for Teachers of the Wicca
All initiations, previous experience and group affiliations to be made
known to your students.
Before beginning training tell your student you don't know everything
about the subject, but are willing to refer them on to another person if
you don't have the personal expertise.
Tell your student of your personal beliefs, teaching what you know but
also emphasising Paganism is about personal spirituality and that they
must find their own truth.
Students should be of legal age (i.e. 18) or have parental permission.
This does not exclude passing on basic information of religious beliefs to
minors.
All theoretical information should be supported by ritual
demonstration.
All lessons must be preprepared by reading up on the area to be teached
about, decide how you're going to present this information for the easiest
understanding of the individual student and make notes to be given to the
student.
There is to be a nominal fee for teaching to cover ritual supplies and
fluctuates depending on the student. It is at the discretion of the
teacher if they choose to loan books or give supplies from their personal
collection.
All teachers must continue their own education also. It is impossible
to know everything.
Do not proselytise. All students must seek out their teacher.
You do not take on more than 4 students at a time per mentor.
Students can be taught on an individual basis or in a teaching circle.
Students should be told if the training would not lead to initiation.
You respect the confidentiality of your own students first and foremost
but also respect the confidentiality of group members, other Pagans and
clients for whom you perform the Occult arts.
The only time that confidentiality is broken is if you feel that the
person is a danger either to themselves or to others in a physical or
mental way.
A teacher must never have a sexual relationship with their student. It
destroys the power balance and has led to much disrepute in the
communities both inside and outside the Pagan paths. If relations occur
between the teacher and student, a new teacher must be found for that
student.
Teaching is to be given on a mentor basis, the teacher adapting for
each student.
A student can be rejected and all psychic links can be broken if they
use the magickal arts outside the restraints of the magickal law of "harm
none".
A list of the code of teaching ethics is given to the student to show
your position on various issues. This is to be kept and training can be
broken by either parties, but a reason should be given out of courtesy.
Note: Many teachers ask the students to draw up a corresponding
Students code of ethics to show commitment.
A good teacher:
- Teaches spiritual as well as magickal aspects of Paganism
- Encourages healing magick
- Has a well-balanced life. If they can't have a balanced life they
can hardly teach a balanced method of magick.
- Is willing to teach differently for each student.
- Encourages practice as well as theoretical teachings
- Welcomes questions and is willing to admit when they don't know
- Networks with other Pagans and groups, being able to refer you on
when they are not proficient in the area of Paganism you are seeking to
explore.
© Brian M. Walsh 2002 as a brief to all students in Pagan and Magickal
training.
This article may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes, providing
that this original copyright notice stays in place at all times.
Permission for commercial, or periodical publications shall be granted
through the author at
black_raven43@hotmail.com
© 2002 Brian M. Walsh |