Wicca is a discipline. Like any other discipline, we have our own set ways of doing things, our own lessons to learn, our own mode of behavior.

As a part of our discipline, we practice chivalry. Students are expected to call their elders 'Lady' or 'Lord.' While students have not earned the title, they are encouraged to call each other 'Lady' and 'Lord' as well.

Witchlings (as 1st year students are lovingly called) must treat each other with respect, and work well together. They must take direction from their elders, without a question.

Males bow and females curtsey to pay respects to their instructors and to elders. They bow to the knowledge and experience held by the people farther along the path.

We are taught that to lead, you must follow, and our ultimate goal is to train leaders.

Our Temple is led by a Lady. Our classes are taught by a Lady. Our lineage is matrilinear. We are a Goddess religion. We acknowledge the Goddess aspect of divinity; we cherish her, adore her, and elevate her to her rightful place.

Women find a place in our religion not offered anywhere else - the opportunity to lead, to be considered equal and treated as such.

Men find their prime attributes are appreciated, rather than negated, by women's role in the Temple. Where strong men and women work together, supporting each other, balancing each other, true magic flows.

Males have their own Gods to aspire to, and these are not the sour, domineering God of the monotheistic religions. They are male aspects of divinity that, while strong in their own way, relish the companionship of fully realized females.

The connection to nature is fundamental to the craft. While not as close to the land as our ancestors, we celebrate the Earth daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc. Therefore, we hold our celebrations outside.

While Lady Morgana's coven works with Egyptian deities much of the time, these are too specific and demanding for the beginning student.

So, we practice along Gardnerian/Alexandrian lines, and are initiated to be a solitary.

The deities we work with are primarily Celtic; we work with the elements, and raise our own energies.

We of COURSE do not worship Satan, or even acknowledge him. We were here first.

We do NOT practice sex magic, nor will any student ever be expected to.

We do NOT sacrifice animals or people. We make offerings of wine, cakes, fruit and vegetables.

We are a religion of joy, awe and laughter. We develop our students by re-awakening the wisdom that we all once shared.

It has been said many times before that all peoples' ancestors, at one time, were pagan. All cultures, all societies, all nationalities, if you trace their history, you will find them lovingly, joyously and vigorously worshipping many Gods and Goddesses.

Wicca is a modern version of the oldest religions on the planet. The Horned God images on cave walls from prehistoric times are virtually the same as the main male God of Wicca - Cernunnos, Freyr, Herne, Tanus, Pan, et al.

Even older are the robust, voluptuous Goddess images that so pervaded our ancestors' (and even our early model humans') minds. Gaia, Inanna, Hertha, Isis, and other beautiful, loving Goddesses adorn our altars, and hear our prayers.

Though the worship of Nature deities has been under fire for over a millennia, it has never been stamped out. Christians still faithfully carry on Druid traditions (Yule logs, Christmas trees, Easter eggs, etc.) and all English speaking countries call upon Tyr, Woden, Thor and Freya on their respective days. Vikings live!

Science, education, and experimentation enhance, rather than contradict our ways. We see proof of Nature's sanctity every day. We celebrate the turn of the seasons, without fail, eight times yearly. This endless circle shows us that nothing truly dies, all is born again, and by being a part of it, our link to nature grows stronger and fuller.

What we teach at the Temple is not spirituality. We teach Wicca; we teach our students to be their own Priest or Priestess. Their link to deity is their duty - we can't wave our wand at them and -poof- make them spiritual or more evolved.