1.  PERSONAL BEHAVIOR

1.1.  Membership in Circle of the Cosmic Self is a privilege, not a right and is open to being revoked.  All members of Circle of the Cosmic Self are expected to conduct themselves as mature, responsible adults at all times.

1.2.  Although the state of chaos is recognized as a magickal condition  in and of itself, it is to be understood that this state is not conducive to the type of magick the Circle wishes to work on an ongoing basis.  For that reason and to that purpose, Circle Members are each and all expected to do their part to ensure that energies are kept grounded and sane.

1.3.  Members are to take an active role in the “care and feeding” of their own personal lives.  Recognizing that situations and circumstances, perceived as both positive and negative, do not happen to us but for us is a first step in calming our personal lives and our reactions to the events that affect us.

1.4.  If a member is unable to resolve a personal issue independently, it is acceptable to “vent” to or seek counsel from another circle member if one is willing and available.

1.4.1.  This is to be accomplished in such a way that is productive and does not promote ill will among circle members.

1.4.2.  Both parties should establish the confidentiality level of the session prior to beginning.

1.4.3.  Confidentiality must be honored in all instances, the exception being if it is felt that a circle member may be at risk of causing harm to themselves or another, in which case the situation is to be immediately reported to the HP or HPS who will determine if intervention is prudent.

2.  CONFLICTS AMONG CIRCLE MEMBERS

2.1.  Conflicts among circle members are to be resolved at the lowest possible level and have no place in circle politics.

2.2.  As adults, circle members are expected to resolve conflicts while minimizing the spreading of the conflict among the circle.  Conflicts are expected to be restricted whenever possible to the persons involved.

2.3.  Conflicts among circle members are to be discussed only with those directly involved with the situation.

2.4.  Circle members are expected to use the “I.O.B.” method of problem solving as described below:

- IDENTIFY that a conflict exist and what that conflict actually is

- OBJECTIFY what has created the conflict, how far reaching it is and all possible as well as most likely repercussions.

- BANISH the problem by resolving it among the circle members involved.

2.5.  If one or more circle members are unable to effectively ground negative energies and participate in ANY circle function “cleanly”, the person(s) will be instructed by the HP or HPS to remove themselves from the circle environment until they are able to do so.

2.6.  If the conflict is not able to be effective resolved within a reasonable amount of time, intervention by the HP and/or HPS may need to occur.

2.6.1.  Once the situation has escalated to this point, the HP and/or HPS will hear all sides and render an absolute directive on course of action to be taken, which will be honored by all parties.

2.7.  If the problem continues, one or more parties involved may be asked to temporarily or permanently step down from circle membership and participation.

2.8.  Personal hostilities and conflicts have absolutely no place in our magickal working environment.  While the circle leaders are so naive as to believe conflicts will not arise, we do expect members to conduct themselves with decorum and handle conflicts independently and outside of the magickal working environment.

2.9.  Circle of the Cosmic Self vehemently refuses to participate in, acknowledge or condone “Witch Wars”, especially amongst our own witches.

2.10.  Gossip, backstabbing and other sophomoric behaviors will not be tolerated.

3.  CONFLICT WITH THE HIGH PRIESTESS OR HIGH PRIEST

3.1.  If a circle member takes exception to words, actions, intent or implication from the HP or HPS, the issue is to be discussed ONLY with the HP or HPS directly, NOT with other circle members.

4.  CIRCLE HIERARCHY

4.1.  Circle of the Cosmic Self is a matriarchal circle.  This means that the HPS has the deciding vote in any issue, with the HP only a small fraction of a vote behind.

4.2.  In the absence of the HPS, the HP carries her proxy, her voice and her conscience and may vote in her stead at her behest.  The HPS may do the same for the HP.

4.3.  Circle members will be consulted for input on many major decisions, with the HP and HPS rendering  final decisions together on most issues.  Their decision is to be respected and honored.

4.4.  The HP and HPS will use “Greatest Good of All” as the foundation of their decision making process.

5.  COUNCIL OF ELDERS

5.1.  Circle of the Cosmic Self will employ a “Council of Elders” composed of circle members who are 2nd level (degree) and higher.

5.2.  Appointment to the Council of Elders is not automatic and is only by recommendation by the HP and/or HPS.

6.  CIRCLE HEARTH HOME

6.1.  The Circle Hearth Home will be the home of the HP and HPS.  It will serve as the meeting place for most circle functions.

6.2.  The Circle Hearth Home will also house a lending library for the use of circle members and prospects.

6.2.1.  Books may be checked out for a period of 1 week or less.

6.2.2.  Books must be returned in the same condition or better than when they were checked out.

6.2.3.  If a book is damaged or lost, it must be replaced or the HP/HPS will be compensated with the full cost of replacement within 2 weeks.

6.2.4.  Books are not to be highlighted, annotated or otherwise marked beyond their current condition.

6.2.5.  Passages may be xeroxed at the member’s expense for personal use and reference.

6.2.6.  Donations to the library are always welcomed.

6.3.  The Circle Hearth Home is to always be treated with the deserved respect of being the home of the HP/HPS.

6.3.1.  All members are expected to assist with the cleaning and “reassembling” of the Hearth Home after a circle function.

6.3.2.  Members are expected to contribute ice, drinks, munchies, paper products and magickal consumables (charcoal, incense, oil, candles, etc) as needed for circle functions.

6.3.3.  Members and guests are expected to contribute a dish for the Sabbat Feasts.

6.3.4.  After ritual, feasting and socializing, upon request by the HP/HPS, the “party” will be relocated to another home or area to allow the HP/HPS to “power down”, rest and discuss the ritual.

6.4.  Children and animals who live in the Hearth Home will be treated with respect.

7.  ROUTINE CIRCLE FUNCTIONS

7.1.  Dark Moon/New Moon meetings will be set aside for specific instruction and are closed to all except circle members and prospects.

7.1.1.  On these “teaching” moons, classes of all kinds will be conducted, usually led by the HP and/or HPS.

7.1.2.  There is no charge for these lessons, however members may be asked to bring an item pertinent to the lesson, such as a cord, candle, jar, etc.

7.2.  Full Moon meetings will be used for training and specific magickal working.  Minor magicks, healing circles and practice for members in the art of circle casting and control will be accomplished at those times.

7.2.1.  Circle members who are 1st level (degree) and above will be involved in the preparing, conducting and/or assisting with many of these functions in training toward their level changes.  Full moons are closed except to members and prospects.

7.3.  The eight sabbats are open celebrations.  Members may invite nonmember guests and are responsible for the behavior of those guests as well as their training for the circle environment.

7.3.1.  All guests must be approved by the HP, HPS or Guardian prior to the evening of the ritual.

7.3.2.  All guests and members are responsible for being on time for rituals or they will be unable to participate.

8.  ATTENDANCE AT CIRCLE FUNCTIONS

8.1.  Circle members are expected to attend circle functions.

8.2.  A bonafied member who misses 3 consecutive meetings/functions or 4 within a 2 month period without valid preapproval by the HP/HPS will be considered for removal from membership.

8.3.  A prospect who routinely misses circle functions will not be considered for membership except in certain circumstances and at the discretion of the HP/HPS.

9.  PETITIONING FOR MEMBERSHIP TO CIRCLE OF THE COSMIC SELF

9.1.  Once the circle is determined by the HP/HPS to be a closed circle, a prospect must petition in writing to the HP/HPS to be considered for membership.

9.1.1.  At the time of petitioning, the prospect must have attended not less than 3 sabbats celebrations.

9.1.2.  The petition will be discussed with current circle members and their input considered.  A decision to accept or deny membership will be made by the HP/HPS with heavy consideration given to circle member input.

9.2.  When the circle is operating in an “open” status, a prospect may petition for membership verbally to the HP/HPS after having attended one sabbat celebration.

9.3.1.  The same procedure as outlined in item 9.1.2. will be followed in determining whether to accept, deny or delay membership.

9.4.  All who have petitioned for membership (“prospects”) are able to attend full and new moon circles.

10.  REMOVAL FROM CIRCLE MEMBERSHIP

10.1.  Members will be considered for removal from circle membership when there is determined to be minimal participation by the member and/or the continuation of membership is deemed to be detrimental to that member or the rest of the circle.

10.2.  Removal from circle membership may be temporary or permanent.

10.3.  All decisions regarding the removal of a member will be made by the HP/HPS directly.

11.  LEVEL ADVANCEMENT

11.1.  Advancement to promotional levels (degrees) will be determined by the HP/HPS only.

11.2.  Specific criteria must be met to be considered for promotion, as well as consideration given to the impressions of the member and the HP/HPS.

11.3.  Promotion through levels (degrees) is an issue between the HP/HPS and the member concerned and is not open for public discussion or concern.

11.4.  Members who are being promoted may determine who they would like to have present at their level change ceremony.

11.4.1.  The entire circle need not attend this function unless it is the desire of the person being promoted.

12.  TEACHER-STUDENT RELATIONSHIPS

12.1.  All circle members are considered to be “students of the circle” with instruction being provided by the HP, HPS or members of The Council of Elders.

12.2.  Members who wish to teach or be taught by nonmembers are required to have this arrangement preapproved by the HP/HPS.

13.  POSITIONS OF OFFICE

13.1.  Offices include but are not limited to:  HP, HPS, Maiden, Whipmistress and Guardian.  Duties of the latter three offices are limited to the boundaries of the magickal environment and do not extend to the mundane life of the officers or other circle members.

13.2.  Appointment to offices is considered to be permanent.  If a member requests to be removed due to personal reasons or relocation, a suitable replacement will be appointed by the HP/HPS.

13.3.  A member may be removed from office by the HP/HPS if duties are not being performed to satisfaction or the officer’s ability to maintain that office effectively comes into question.

14.  STYLE OF DRESS

14.1.  Circle participants are encouraged to be creative in their circle attire to enable them to feel more “magickal”.

14.2.  Skyclad or partial nudity is not acceptable except in closed ritual with all participants having prior knowledge and consent.

14.3.  Clothing or accessories that are disruptive to ritual will not be allowed.

14.4.  Magickal tools (wands, staffs, athames) are permited to be carried in ritual provided they do not present a threat to other participants and are never wielded in a threatening manner.

15.  TRANSPORTATION

15.1.  Members and guests are expected to arrange transportation to and from circle functions prior to the function itself.

15.2.  Participants are expected to arrive on time or not be included in the function except by approval of the HP/HPS.

16.  ALCOHOL/DRUGS

16.1.  Alcohol will not be consumed prior to ritual.

16.2.  Intoxication on the Hearth Home premises will not be tolerated at any time.

16.3.  The use of illegal substances is not allowed at circle functions.

17.  CONFIDENTIALITY

17.1.  WITHOUT EXCEPTION the confidentiality of guests and members will be honored at all times.

17.2.  Any member who is known to have revealed the attendance at a function, religious preference or other personal information regarding a person’s affiliation with The Craft will be considered for immediate removal from membership.

17.3.  The name, address and phone numbers of the HP/HPS and any other circle member, prospect or guest is to be considered confidential.  Anyone divulging such information will be considered for immediate removal from membership.

18.  THE CIRCLE AND THE OUTSIDE WORLD

18.1.  Each member of Circle of the Cosmic Self is considered to be a direct representative of the Circle and is expected to conduct themselves in such a way as to reflect honorably upon the Circle.

19.  CRAFT NAMES

19.1.  Any member, prospect or guests who requests to be referred to by a craft name will have that request honored.

19.2.  A member who requests the use of a Craft name should also specify when and where that Craft name is appropriate to be used (i.e. in mundane situations).

20.  MISUSE OF MAGICKAL ENERGIES

20.1.  Any circle member who is found to be using magick in a negative, destructive or manipulative fashion will be counseled and considered for immediate probation or removal from membership.

20.2.  Any prospect found to behave in such a way will not be considered for membership.

21.  THE CIRCLE AS A MAGICKAL ENTITY

21.1.  While the purpose of Circle of the Cosmic Self is to provide a magickal home for Pagans who are accepted into membership, as well as a place of Sabbat Celebration for Friends of the Circle, it is not the function of the circle to act as “Karma Police” and bear responsibility for or interaction with the magickal dealings of other Pagans in the area.