Coven ByLaws.

These Bylaws are taken from ancient coven laws written by the High Priest & Priestess of this coven and are to be upheld at all times.

These laws are made for the Witches to advise them in their troubles. Do not change them and abide to them at all times.

The Black Thorn Coven has been established and created for the following purposes, please read through the guidelines of our coven:

1. To facilitate the practice of witchcraft in the form and manner considered most suitable by the members of the coven.

2. To provide a safe and supportive environment for free religious expression by Witches, Wiccans and Pagans.

3. To Identify, develop, and training caring and competent clergy and ritual leaders to server the Witch, Wiccan and Pagan community.

In accordance with the Bylaws of the tradition, The Black Thorn coven shall be structured and organized as follows:

The Coven shall consist of the High Priestess and High Priest, eventually a Coven Council and the general membership of the Coven.

PART 1 - The High Priestess and High Priest.

Both the High Priestess (HPS) and the High Priest (HP) of The Black Thorn Coven will have enough Knowledge between them to lead the Coven and educate members.

The High Priestess and High Priest shall be responsible for overseeing rituals and meeting the spiritual needs of the Coven and its individual members as he/she sees fit.

THe HPS/HP shall be responsible for establishing policies for The Black Thorn Coven and for making these known to members. These policies may be specific to the coven, and may be either oral or written policies at the discretion of the HPS/HP of the coven. Coven Policies shall neither circumvent nor contradict the Bylaws by Oath.

The founding High Priestess and High Priest of the Coven.

The HPS/HP shall have authority to dissolve the coven at any time, with the consent of the other HPS/HP of the coven. In the event of the dissolution of the coven , these bylaws shall become null and void. No member of the coven with the exception of the founders, shall use the name " The Black Thorn Coven" in connection with any other Witch organisation.

Part 2 - The Council.

1. The Black Thorn Coven shall have a Council consisting of 3 -6 valued members of the coven. These members will be required to attend the rituals/meet ups of the Coven and least once per quarter. This council shall advise the HPS/HP of the Coven on matters of coven policy.

2. The council shall convene meetings on a regular monthly basis. These may be held in person on in cyber space as per the covens availability. These meetings shall deal with all matters of policy and opportunities within the coven.

Part 3 - Circles.

1. In accordance with the Bylaws of the tradition, members of the The Black Thorn Coven may form circles.

2. A circle may consist of any members of The Black Thorn Coven who meet together on a regular basis for a specific purpose other than the celebration of ritual. Circles may be established for any purpose in keeping with these Bylaws, the Bylaws of the Coven and the traditions of the Witch, Wiccan and Pagan Community.

3. The establishment of a Circle by members of The Black Thorn Coven is subject to review by the Founder High Priestess and High Priest of the Coven.

4. Any Circle formed by the members of The Black Thorn Coven shall make regular reports of their activities to the High Priestess and High Priest of the Coven.

Part 4 - Guests.

1. Any person who wishes to attend a Black Thorn ritual or meet up as a guest must convey that desire to a member of the Coven. The member will arrange for the guest to meet with the HPS/HP of the coven. ( The HPS/HP may designate a member of the council to meet with the guest in his/her place).

2. The Guest must meet with the HPS/HP, or their representative, at least 25 hours prior to the time of the ritual which they wish to attend.

3. The HPS/HP, or their representative, has the right to deny attendance as a guest at any Coven ritual or activity to a person who makes the request.

4. No person who is not legally an adult shall be allowed to attend any Coven ritual or activity.

Part 5 - Conduct of members.

1. All members of the coven shall conduct themselves in a manner in keeping with the Witches Rede :"An it Harm none, Do as though will"; and in accordance with the traditional stricture that Witches should deal with one another in a spirit of "perfect love and perfect trust".

2. All members of The Black Thorn Coven are expected to conduct themselves in a manner keeping with these Bylaws, The Oath and the traditions of Witch, Wiccan and Pagan community.

- Furthermore, we hold that every individual has the right to be secure and respected in his/her own person : in mind, body and spirit. Therefore, The Black Thorn Coven will neither countenance nor tolerate the following on the part of any celebrant, student or initiate :

1. The use of harmful black magick, this shall include both the current practice and the teaching of harmful black magick whether alone or in conjunction with another member of The Black Thorn Coven or with any other persons. Members are expected to disclose any past practices or teaching of black Magick to a council member or the HPS/HP of the coven, and do so without fear of reprisal. However, the wilful failure to disclose such activity shall be subject to disciplinary action.

2. The use or possession of illegal drugs at or in connection with rituals, Recreational drug use is not something we condom or support however what you do outside of coven business is up to you as long as it harms none.

3. Forcing or coercing another individual to participate in sexual activity against his or her desires, or to consume mind altering substances against his or her will ; or requiring complete or partial nudity of any individual against his or her will; or obtaining consent to any of these by deception or misrepresentation, or under colour of authority, regardless of the circusmstances.

4. Any deliberate action directed toward another individual that is calculated to cause, injury, harm or pain; be it physical, mental or emotional, where it is clear that the member in doing so has acted inappropriately, out of proportion to the circumstances, or in abuse of his or her discretion.

Part 6 - Students.

1. A student of The Black Thorn Coven shall be defined as a member who is actively studying for Initiation within the Coven, You will be classed as a student if you have no basic knowledge of witchcraft or your path. Once you have enough knowledge you will be approved by the coven council and HPS/HP.

2. All students of The Black Thorn Coven must be 18 or Over.

The procedure for becoming a student is as follows:

1. The possible student shall make her or his intention to study for initiation clearly known to a member of the coven.

2. The member shall bring this information to the Council of the Coven or the HPS/HP who may then accept the possible student.

3. Upon acceptance the student shall be assigned a teacher from within the Council of the coven or an experienced member who shall then supervise the student's training toward initiation.

4. The teacher shall be of any gender to the student, as its up to the student with what gender that are comfortable with, and may be neither a member of the students immediate family nor a person whom the student is romantically involved with.

5. A review of the Bylaws of the Coven, and the traditions of the Witch, Wiccan and Pagan community, shall be covered during the first formal lesson unless the student already holds a degree within the tradition.

6. A student who does not live close enough to the coven to make face-to-face instruction practical, may be taught by correspondence which makes our coven different as we are focused around cyber space.

7. A student must have at least one face - to -face meeting with his or her teacher prior to the students initiation, this may be completed via video call or Skype, so that the teacher may form an impression of the students ritual competence. This meeting shall be scheduled at the convenience of both teacher and student.

8. The Initiation of the correspondence student may be performed at a ritual conducted by a council member or the HPS/HP of the Coven, this is to be conducted at the convenience of both parties.

9. For a student to be initiated as a full member of the coven, he or she must complete a detailed explanation of the path or practice which he or she seeks and must show dedication and passion to grow their practice.

Part 7 - Members.

1. Members within The Black Thorn Coven shall be defined when initiation has been completed and confirmed by the HPS/HP of the Coven. Every member must swear on an Oath dedicated to the Coven.

2. Members of the coven shall be responsible for conduction the business of the coven, under the supervision of the HPS/HP as follows:

- members are encouraged to attend cyber meeting of the coven held by the council or the HPS/HP of the coven.

- members shall teach the methods, traditions, and customs of their path and practice to their students within the Coven and also teach and share with other members.

- members are expected to regularly contribute to the teaching lore of the coven.

Part 8 - Grievances and disciplinary actions.

Grievances of individuals

1. Any member of The Black Thorn Coven who has a grievance which cannot be set aside or resolved in accordance with the traditions of the Witch, Wiccan or Pagan community, and which interferes with her or his participation in ritual may request that the grievance be resolved in the following manner. [NOTE: this procedure is not designed to interfere with matters outside of The Black Thorn Coven; however, upon agreement of all parties involved, the council may advise and assist in the resolution of mundane grievances.]

2. If a member has a grievance such that he or she feels unable to honour the traditions of the witch community, ( for example, if she or he is unable to stand in circle in a spirit of "perfect love and perfect trust" because of the grievance) the that member shall not attend rituals until the grievance is resolved.

3. The member with the grievance shall first schedule a meeting with the person(s) with whom he or she has a grievance to attempt to find a resolution. This can be face - to - face or again via skype. The meeting shall take place on neutral ground. The participants may request the presence of an member who is not currently involved to act as a fair witness.

4. If the grievance cannont be resolved by the aforementioned method then the member with the grievance shall schedule a meeting with a council member to attempt to find a resolution.

5. If a resolution cannot be reached by the aforementioned method, the member with teh grievance should schedule a meeting with the Covens HPS/HP to attempt to resolve the Grievance. Another council member shall act as fair witness to the proceedings.

6. If a resolution cannot be reached by any of the above steps, the grievance shall be brought before the council and HPS/HP who will reach a final decision on the matter.

Disciplinary Actions.

1. Disciplinary action may be imposed by the members of the Council of The Black Thorn Coven and the HPS/HP on the members of the coven.

2. Members may be asked not to attend rituals, classes or group spell work until the grievance is resolved.

3. Members who are deemed a cause for concern or damage the coven will be banished and outcast. This can have sever effects on your future as a Witch, Wiccan and Pagan community.

4. Any memeber who has been banished or outcast may not claim current membership to the coven.

5. Any person who contacts any council member or the HPS/HP of the Coven concerning any members(s) who have been banished or outcast will be told the date, time and reason why. This could affect you in the Witch community in the future.

We, the High Priestess and High Priest of The Black Thorn Coven acting for, and on behalf of the general membership of the Coven, do herby declare that the fore mentioned Bylaws of The Black Thorn Coven are fit and suited to our purpose, we further declare that these Bylaws shall be effective from this, the fifteenth day of January, in the two thousand, one hundred and ninth year of the Common Era.

SO MOTE IT BE!