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Rebel Rede

Who is a High Priestess?

Who is a high priestess? The literal answer is that she is someone is has received at least a third degree in a specific Pagan/Wiccan tradition and is the leader of a coven.  This definition is a brief and generic answer, because like most things in life there are gray areas. Someone can attend one public Pagan festival and have multiple women tell them they are a high priestess. Most likely each one of those “high priestesses” has a different definition of what that title means and they probably obtained their high priestess status differently as well. Is someone a high priestess just because she says she is? This is a tough question, and one that is not my place to answer. The real answer to “who is a priestess” is not found in someone’s credentials, but rather in their qualities.

A high priestess is a member of the clergy, just like in other religions. A clergyman is someone who the community looks up to, someone who people come to first in a crisis. Religious leaders not only lead their communities spiritually, but they are usually the ones running the local homeless shelter, the ones volunteering in their communities. A high priestess is first and foremost a leader. She is a leader in both her coven and in her community. A high priestess is someone who spiritually leads her coven and students. A high priestess takes care of her religious family spiritually, physically, emotionally, and financially (when appropriate and possible) to the best of her ability. A spiritual leader is someone who puts others’ needs before their own. This means that being a high priestess is not necessarily a glamorous or easy job. The truth is that being a high priestess is a difficult job and is not for everyone. This is not true because only some are qualified to be a high priestess or because a high priestess is more special than other coven members, but because it takes hard work to be a true leader. Only some are meant to bare the burden of leadership. We are all priestesses of the Goddess, but not all of us take on a leadership role. Leadership takes effort and energy. A true leader is someone who inspires those they come into contact with. We all know these types of leaders, women who amaze and inspire us. Women like my mentor Angie or my high priestess Crystal. Women like Rosemary who not only organize multiple witches’ meetup groups, but who is starting the first eclectic Pagan church of Arizona. Women like Angie, Crystal, and Rosemary radiate the Divine through their actions and leadership. They spend endless amounts of energy guiding, coaching, and mentoring Pagans within their communities. Women like this inspire me to serve the Divine and my community better! Who is a high priestess? A high priestess is someone who looks in a mirror and sees the reflection of the Divine staring back at them. What do you see when you look in the mirror?