Circles of the High Sierras Temple

Organization

The organization of Circles of the High Sierras Temple (CHST) is best conceptualized as a series of concentric circles. The circle levels represent increasing levels of responsibility and accountability within the Temple.

Circle System

The purpose of the circle system is to facilitate personal development (First through Third Circles) and train leaders in the Temple (Fourth Circle and above). One does not have to be theistic (believe in God/s) to be eligible for entry into any level.

First Circle

A member who is taking or has taken First Circle classes. First Circle classes are intended to teach basic magic and the CHST system, introduce people to the group, and the group to people. In First Circle, people learn basic magical concepts, practice simple spellwork, and decide whether they mesh well with the group.

First Circle class is a 12-week cycle, and classes are held once a week. The cycle concludes with a personal ritual (a “test-out”) during which students demonstrate their understanding of the CHST system.

The date and time of the class varies between cycles, to accommodate as many schedules as possible.

Second Circle

A member who has completed First Circle and has begun Second Circle classes. Second Circle classes are about continuing education in magic, using magic to improve and transform one’s life, and applying the tools people learned in First Circle. In Second Circle, people learn the history and theory behind western magic, and have practical opportunities to use magic to meet their Maslow needs (i.e., Maslow Hierarchy of Needs).

Second Circle classes are held twice a month, with one class devoted to theory and study, and the other to magical practice. The class cycle is 12 months long; new cycles begin in September of each year.

Third Circle

A member who has completed Second Circle and wishes to continue pursuing an individualized program of study and magic to meet their personal and spiritual goals. In Third Circle, people work with a spiritual sponsor (Deity, spirit, or ancestor) and a member of the hierarchy (Fifth Circle+) to meet these goals. Third Circle is not the same as or a substitute for professional counseling and therapy, and part of the Fifth Circle+ sponsor’s responsibility is to know if and when to encourage members to meet with a professional.

Third Circle processes are individualized, but will typically involve two meetings a month, including a ritual devoted to the spiritual sponsor and a self-directed check-in with the Fifth Circle+ sponsor. Special events with other members of Third Circle will be held monthly or quarterly, as needed. Third Circle rituals are open to all Third Circle+ members, unless otherwise noted on the calendar. Check-ins are private unless otherwise agreed.

The Third Circle cycle is at least 12 months, though the process can be as long as it needs to be. New Third Circle cycles begin in September of each year.

Fourth Circle

A member who has completed Third Circle and wishes to pursue a leadership role in the Temple. In Fourth Circle, a person is ‘junior leadership,’ and has opportunities to learn ritual craft, class structure, specialized magic, etc., under a Fifth Circle+ sponsor. A Fourth Circler may lead rituals and/or classes with the supervision and support of their sponsor. Entry into Fourth Circle requires the support of a sponsor and the assent of the rest of the hierarchy.

Fourth Circle is an individualized process with no time limits. Fourth Circlers will meet with their sponsors on an as-needed basis (minimum of once a month, but likely more).

Hierarchy Circles

CHST uses the term ‘hierarchy’ to refer to the spiritual leadership of the community. From the Greek “hieros,” it implies service to spirit and the community, rather than superiority. Members of the hierarchy are responsible for the health of the community and are accountable to the community.

Fifth Circle

Someone that the community and the hierarchy has recognized as able to lead rituals, classes, and/or spells without supervision and who has made personal contributions to the Temple. As a Fifth Circler, a person can lead their own events and sponsor Third and Fourth Circlers (with the support of Sixth Circle+ members as needed). Fifth Circlers have a vote in hierarchy meetings, but are not yet members of the official Temple Leadership. Entry into Fifth Circle requires personal application/ presentation to the community and the recognition and assent of the community at-large.

Fifth Circle is a role in the community that may be held indefinitely. Individuals are accountable to the community and can be demoted from this role for legitimate causes if such are brought to the rest of the hierarchy and/or community.

Sixth Circle

Someone that the community and the hierarchy have recognized as able to train other leaders and who has made significant contributions to the health and development of the Temple. As a Sixth Circler, a person is responsible not only for their own classes, rituals, etc., but for the overall well-being of the group. Sixth Circlers are part of the Temple Leadership. Entry into Sixth Circle requires unanimous agreement of the hierarchy, personal presentation to the community, and the recognition and assent of the community at-large.

Sixth Circle is a role in the community that may be held indefinitely. Individuals are accountable to the community and can be demoted from this role for legitimate causes if such are brought to the rest of the hierarchy and/or community.

Seventh Circle

Someone that the community and the hierarchy have recognized as a leader of the Temple and someone who has taken responsibility for the health and development of the community. As a Seventh Circler, a person is responsible for the management of the temple, facilitation of new paths and traditions, and is competent to support any other member of the hierarchy as needed. Seventh Circlers are at the head of the Temple Leadership and hold legal responsibility for the Temple. Entry into Seventh Circle requires unanimous agreement of the hierarchy, personal presentation to the community, and the recognition and assent of the community at-large.

Seventh Circle is a role in the community that may be held indefinitely. Individuals are accountable to the community and can be demoted from this role for legitimate causes if such are brought to the rest of the hierarchy and/or community.

Eighth Circle

This role cannot be achieved during a lifetime – or rather, it requires a lifetime to achieve. Eighth Circlers are ancestors (deceased members) who are ritually elevated to their role by their spiritual descendants. They serve as spiritual guides for the Temple.

Priesthood

Circle membership is not equivalent to priesthood. Priesthood involves service to a God or a spiritual philosophy, and for this reason, priesthood is conferred by member temples, e.g. House of Zephyros.

Due to the de-centralized nature of pagan religious practice in the United States, there is no single, universally accepted definition of a “priest” in a pagan context. At CHST, we define a “priest” as a person who:

Has completed a course of study relevant to their religion or spiritual tradition.
- This course of study may be completed through an educational institution or another religious organization. It may also be self-directed, as many individuals do not have access to formal or organized spiritual instruction prior to joining CHST.
Has demonstrated their commitment to their religion or spiritual tradition and exemplified its values and ethics.
Is fluent in the appropriate ceremonies, rituals, and worship practices necessary to the authentic practice of the religion or spiritual tradition.
Has demonstrated the ability to effectively convey information about the religion or spiritual tradition to others.
Is recognized by the congregation of the relevant CHST Member Temple as an authority within the religion or spiritual tradition.

Ordination and recognition as a temple priest is conferred by CHST’s individual member temples and an individual’s role, responsibility, and authority as a temple priest are confined to that temple. For example, an individual may be a priest within the Hellenic Temple, but would not exercise authority as a priest within the Kemetic Temple unless the individual was also recognized as a priest within that tradition.

To be eligible for ordination and recognition as a temple priest, an individual must complete the Core Curriculum of CHST at the First, Second, and Third Circle levels and a course of study relevant to their spiritual and religious tradition. Courses of study are provided within the member temples and currently include the Hellenic Pathworking course and the Kemetic Pathworking course. These courses are a minimum of nine months in duration and include a capstone project to conclude. The courses involve study of the history of the religion, instruction in the faith, teachings, and values of the religion, and pastoral training.

In some cases and at the discretion of the Temple Leadership, CHST may recognize a course of study completed at an outside educational institution such as Cherry Hill Seminary (cherryhillseminary.org) or a self-directed course of study, as we recognize that many pagans do not have access to community resources prior to joining CHST. However, an individual who has completed an outside course of study must still complete the prescribed course of training within the relevant member temple to be eligible for ordination and recognition as a temple priest.

CHST Temple Leadership

The body of CHST’s Temple Leadership is composed of members of the Hierarchy and Temple Priests. The same individual(s) may be both members of the Hierarchy and Temple Priests, however the roles are not equivalent. Members of the Hierarchy are responsible to CHST as a whole and exercise authority across the programs of the whole organization, while Temple Priests may exercise authority only within their individual Member Temple. Both, however, are recognized as authority figures within CHST.

An individual is not required to be a member of the Hierarchy in order to be ordained as a Temple Priest, nor vice versa.