Outer Court

What is involved / expected in the Outer Court Program?

So… you want to join a coven and think BFC is for you… Coven is not for everyone. Coven is an intimate family and group that work together and share their spirituality. Some people are called to it. Some trip over into it. Some never make it. Some walk their own beautiful and unique path. It is hard to tell if a coven is right for you or if you are right for it.

That is why Northern Cougars now hosts an Outer Court Program.

1. All new applicants must fill in the application and await contact from a member of the clan or coven. They will be called “candidates” after the first meeting. The applicant must be well versed in basic Pagan, Wiccan, and magical knowledge. The applicant should already be familiar with and have read works by the following authors: Gerald Gardner, Raymond Buckland, Ray Malbrough, Starhawk, Margot Adler (Drawing Down the Moon), Scott Cunningham, and Silver RavenWolf.

2. The coven and clan will perform preliminary divinations and check the astrological chart of the new applicant.

3. At Least two coven members will meet with the applicant somewhere public (like a coffee shop or restaurant) for a first meeting. The applicant is responsible for this bill as a courtesy for the time taken to meet with him/her. At this meeting, we will review the application information, get to know the applicant, and discuss any curiosities about the BFCCS FAQ’s.

4. The candidates references will then be checks and a second set of divinations will be performed based on the feedback from the people who met the applicant. It is at this point that an applicant will be approved for a second meeting and considered a candidate or refused. There are other evaluation checkpoints. This is the first.

5. If approved, at least two coven members will meet with the candidate somewhere public (like a coffee shop or restaurant) for a second meeting. The candidate is responsible for this bill as a courtesy for the time taken to meet with him/her. At this meeting, we will discuss expectations and scheduling. This is the Outer Court Orientation meeting.

6. The second evaluation checkpoint occurs next before approval for full Outer Court study. At this time, the candidate will meet with two coven members to have their Basic Pagan Knowledge tested. If the candidate is unable to pass this evaluation, they will be made two offers. The first is refusal till they have acquired sufficient knowledge/experience. The second is to ask what the candidate brings into the coven that is significant enough to overlook their missing information. We would then fill in the gaps with a mentor before continuing the Outer Court Program.

7. If approved, the candidate will be invited to a coven pot luck dinner. At this dinner, the candidate will be given the Outer Court Lesson ($20 fee). Please bring food and beverage to share. Also, please bring an agenda so a study schedule can be arranged.

8. The candidate will work through the lesson on his/her own and in meetings (twice a month for three months). These meetings will also take place in a coffee shop or restaurant (see #3) unless otherwise arranged.

9. The candidate will be expected to attend one coven ritual in the four month Outer Court time frame.

10. The fourth month is a month of service as handmaiden (or male equivalent).

11. At the end of the four months, the coven will review the assignments and the feedback from the candidate’s mentor. The candidate will meet privately with the mentor or coven to discuss his/her acceptance or refusal. Refusal is not meant to be cruel or discriminatory. Not everyone meshes. We will endeavor to guide the candidate to other covens or help the candidate set up his/her own.

12. If you are accepted for dedication, you will receive a contact letter and further information.