This page is a Work In Progress - please bear with us.

More will be added to the later steps if and when the Founder actually reaches said steps ;)

The Steps on the Path

The Order of the Eclipse is a monastic-esque path of growth. To mark this path, there are "titles". We make no claims that these titles generalise... A Priest of the Order of the Eclipse who specialises in the Nordic religion should not claim to be a Godhi of Asatru, even if he is an Asatru. Priesthood within that religion must be achieved separately. Still, A Priest of the Order is still a Priest, and recognized so within the Order.

The Order does not mark your work. You are expected to uphold your own levels of study. A title means nothing on its own; it is a representation of the work one does to earn it. It is upon each individual to do this work. However, this doesn't mean one can't share. On the Path, we sometimes need someone to bounce our ideas off of, or someone with which to share. That's a main function of the Order: to share with others, learn from others, and expand our study.

Just a note: anyone choosing to become a part of the Order of the Eclipse is free to leave at any time. Letting us know would be nice, though ;)

Neophyte

The term "Neophyte" refers to people who are interested in joining the Order, but have yet to make the decision to join; or who have joined but are not yet ready to dedicate themselves to their paths to the point of entering their Novitiates. There is no set length to this stage and can last from a few hours to a few months, depending on how ready the person feels. It's like the pre-step.

Novice

Six months of contemplation and preparation.

The first step is the Novitiate. During this time, the Novice will find his or her feet as a member of the Order and in her personal Paganism. She will plan out the work she will do as a Dedicant, and try to accumulate what sources she may need.

The Novice may wish to take this time to choose a "hearth culture". She may already have one, of course... if not, she might seek a particular Pagan culture that resounds with her. This may be a difficult decision... if there are many, she should narrow things down over the course of her Novitiate. She should feel free to continue studying many cultures if she wishes, but for the purposes of Dedicancy, she should choose one only. There's no reason this can't be changed at a later date if you realise it's not a good fit.

A hearth culture may be one of what we typically consider "Paganism", such as Celtic, Norse, Hellenic, Egyptian etc. The OoE also accepts ones a bit more wide, such as African faiths (including ones that have been merged with Catholicism), Native American faiths, Shinto, and polytheism based on the Hindu faith. The OoE also considers Ceremonial Magick and Wicca as a "hearth culture", for lack of a better phrase.

The basis of the Order of the Eclipse is to expand and grow within one's faith. The Order is not a religion, and does not expect (nor would ever ask) one to reject one's religion. A hearth culture is simply an area of focus, or study. Wicca, a religion with a variety of influenced, is accepted, though it isn't a "culture" as such.

Dedicant

One year of study

During dedicancy, one begins the study one hashed out in one's Novitiate. The Dedicant will:

1. Devote time to studying and honouring the deities of his or her "hearth culture". The Dedicant should know a fair amount about a number of deities in his pantheon.

2. Pick a spiritual exercise such as meditation, spiritual dance, chant. Aim to practice this exercise once a week at the least.

3. Study a form of ritual most useful to your own path, and write three rituals based on this form.

4. Create a holiday/ritual calendar for one's hearth culture(s). This might be simple or complicated, depending on your personal choices and how many cultures/religions you are exploring. (Note that this calendar is every holiday you would like to celebrate. You don't actually have to hold ritual for each one of these, but some attempt should be made to mark them, even if it's just a short prayer or meditation or a walk in nature.)

5. Pick one practice to research. This might involve creating prayer beads, studying the tarot or the Runes, a particular form of magic... whatever you prefer. Some attempt should be made to work this into one's spiritual practice. While the spiritual exercise you pick focuses inward, on yourself, this religious practice focuses more outward, on gods or ritual. As well, while your spiritual exercise is something you work into your day or week from the beginning, the practice you research here may be something that will take you a while to understand.

6. Students should create a spiritual journal and record spiritual moments. Even if they're small, having a record will help you both remember to do it, and show how you grow. Record meditations, prayers, daily devotionals etc. Ideally, this journal would be online, so one can share it with other people in the Order. Essays, rants, issues, frustrations, prayers, poems etc... record anything in here.

7. Try to take time each day to centre and pray. This needn't be the same prayer each day, or even at the same time every day. If you can, also spend some time in quiet contemplation.

Deviant

Two years of study and exploration

The Order embraces chaos. It is with a gleeful smirk that the Order creates the title of "Deviant". During one's Deviancy, one explores beyond that which one might be comfortable with.

The Principia Discordia is required reading for this step. One is reminded that "there are no rules, anywhere".

At the beginning of one's Deviancy, one plans out a schedule of study similar to that of the Dedicancy.

Time should be spent understanding and loving one's deities on a personal level, exploring oneself and the world around one. One also studies "chaos", what it means to oneself and one's life, and the world around one.

In addition, one should study the deities most associated with Chaos either within their hearth culture or that appeal most to you. If possible, forge a relationship with said deity and learn what you can of Chaos from them.

Acolyte

Two years of study

The last step before Priesthood. Time should be spent studying ritual form, writing rituals, prayers and perhaps even myths.
(More coming soon....)

Priest

"Priest" is the highest step in the Order of the Eclipse (at least, it is at the moment). But as a Priest or Priestess, one cannot sit back on one's laurels. Spirituality and religious exercise should now be a part of one's life.