What is Priesthood?

Depending on whom you ask, "priesthood" means different things. To some, it means a person who serves a specific deity and dedicates their life to that purpose. To others, it means a person who leads a group in ritual and serves their community.

Priesthood in the Order of the Eclipse involves service to deity - be it one in particular, or a few with whom one has a special bond. It also means that one has particular experience with ritual - writing and performing, be it for oneself or for a group - knowledge of relevant mythologies, experience with meditation, and spiritual and magical skills relevant to one's path.

Priesthood, to us, is part education and knowledge, part spiritual experience, and part service to deity. A priest of the Order of the Eclipse might also serve as teacher and mentor, might hold public rituals, might lead a coven or worship group.

It's important to note that Priesthood in the Order of the Eclipse does not make one a priest in any Pagan religion, Order, or path save this one. A Priest of the OoE with a Norse hearth culture cannot claim to be a Godhi, for example, unless he has trained as a Godhi.

What is a Pagan Order?

A religious or monastic Order is generally a place separated from society, like a commune, that can be run on a mostly self-sufficient basis. In said Order, time can be dedicated to

We are using the term a bit differently. Pagan Orders tend to be religious groups based on study and education, working towards priesthood, and a sense of community. There's a sense of a "monastic" life: one of study, peace, spirituality and devotion to deity.