What makes a good Pagan teacher, priestess, or service provider? There are a few reasons I have been thinking about this question.
A few weeks ago, I saw a well-known Australian Witch refer to herself as a “Principal Ordained Reverend Minister” of her Pagan community. She didn’t just say it. She tried to use it to throw her weight around, to position herself as a figure of authority, power, or influence. This is problematic for reasons I’ll describe further below.
A second reason is that I’m currently studying a series of pedagogical moral principles for priestesses developed by one of my teachers. I’ve been reflecting on the qualities of teachers and priestesses I’ve known and want to cultivate as a priestess.
Serendipitously, I recently wrote a Tarot Code of Ethics and Conduct. So, I have been thinking about my approach to tarot, my values, standards, and duty of care when I’m reading the cards.
Lastly, during these months, I’m reflecting on the past year and thinking about what I want to pursue next year. I’m exploring subjects, courses, credible institutes and weighing my options.
The scope of this article
Anyone can be a teacher, but I’m referring to the formal teaching of students carried out by a paid educator in the context of this article. They may or may not be a professional teacher, and I’ll address the subject of credentials, but they are offering education that you are paying for. This may be an online mystery school or a series of classes at the local metaphysical store.
In the context of this article, a service provider is an individual that provides a paid service to another party. This may be divination, a ministerial service such as a handfasting, or a house cleansing.
There are many ways to be a priestess. She may or may not be a teacher or provide public services, and, if she does, she may or may not charge for them. For example, the High Priestess of a Traditional Wiccan coven wouldn’t charge her students for traditional training, but she might if she taught a class at a local New Age store or offered tarot readings at the monthly community market.
I can only speak to what I look for and value in a Pagan teacher, priestess, or service provider. Given our diversity and changing needs, we seek different characteristics, value different skills, and have varying tolerances.
Basic qualities of a good Pagan teacher, priestess, or service provider
I appreciate teachers, priestesses, and service providers who connect to their students and clients, respond to their needs and empower them. They are strong communicators, deep listeners, and empathetic. They are flexible and patient.
Good teachers, priestesses, and service providers are lifelong learners. They are committed to personal and professional growth and have a love of learning. They practice self-reflection, assess their abilities, and seek to learn more about their strengths and weaknesses.
I value a teacher with high standards and who knows how to set high expectations in a caring and supportive manner, who gives students specific and actionable feedback to support them in their effort to master materials.
I expect a teacher, priestess, or service provider to respect me, my time, and my commitment. That means being on time, prepared, and present. I expect a service provider to be honest about their fees and not surprise me with hidden charges.
Credentials
Good teachers, priestesses, and service providers have a thorough, up-to-date knowledge and deep understanding of their subjects.
Titles and credentials don’t necessarily speak to a person’s experience or expertise. This is especially true in our magickal communities where people can invent or adopt a title without earning it. There may be few recognised institutes we can earn credentials. When seeking a teacher or a priestess, we ought to be curious and discerning about the sources of their education.
For example, the title “Principal Ordained Reverend Minister” of a Pagan community in Australia is suspect. A Witch may have trained in a coven or mystery school, initiated and earned the title of Priestess, or perhaps she adopted it because she felt she was deserving of it after years of study, practice, and service. Similarly, the Aussie Witch in question may have adopted “Principal Ordained Reverend Minister, ” which is perhaps respected within her community. However, there is no such official Pagan title in Australia.
Australian readers, please correct me; as far as I know, there are no accredited clergy institutions or legal ministerial credentials available for Pagans in Australia. There have been efforts to establish them and to obtain legal recognition for Pagan religions, such as with the Church of Wicca (1989), the Church of All Worlds Australia (1992), and the United Pagan Church of Australia (2012).
Even without belonging to a recognised denomination under the Marriage Act, a Pagan can become a celebrant, a professional that conducts weddings and funerals. Anyone can pursue the qualification that the Australian government requires to become a civil celebrant, and that is the title. So, when an Australian Pagan or Witch refers to herself as a Reverend or Minister, especially to position herself as a figure of authority, power, or influence, interrogate that.
This is trickier in the United States, where Pagan organisations can establish themselves as churches. The Universal Life Church offers legal ordination to become a minister for a fee. When I lived in the U.S., I received my ministerial credentials through the Covenant of the Goddess, and I used it to officiate a handfasting/wedding. Even then, I didn’t call myself a Reverend though I see how that title can be helpful under some circumstances.
Hollow titles aside, credentials that reflect study, achievement, and competence are valuable. There’s something to be said for a person that has undergone the rigours of magickal training. A good teacher, priestess, and service provider can present you with verifiable credentials. For example, if you meet a priestess claiming to be a Third Degree Georgian Wiccan and offering training in this tradition, you can verify this claim with the Georgian community. Some teachers, priestesses, and service providers may belong to associations and have a Code of Ethics or Conduct.
Investigate social media teachers and individuals who have published one or two beginner’s books before you decide to engage their paid services or products. A large social media audience, a beautiful aesthetic, and a beginner’s book on a popular topic don’t speak to the person’s experience or expertise.
Research and revelation
I value both research and revelation, but I keep them separate and don’t replace one with the other. Both are important, and I prefer a teacher, priestess, and service provider with a healthy balance of research and revelation.
Integrity
Integrity is the inner sense of wholeness when an individual’s actions are consistent with their principles. A person with integrity is honest and authentic.
I am wary of a teacher who does not live her lessons or the priestess whose life is constantly a mess. Everyone experiences challenges, overwhelm, and even compassion fatigue. It doesn’t mean the teacher or priestess isn’t knowledgeable, skilled, or talented, and it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy her company or learn from her. However, if your teacher or priestess is often disorganised, unprepared, and not present for you, she may not be in the right place to manage students.
Intellectual honesty is also important to me. I’m cautious of people who seriously engage with unfounded political conspiracy theories such as QAnon, Pizzagate, Birthers, and so forth.
These are characteristics of what I think make a good Pagan teacher, priestess, or service provider. I hope that we can agree on some of them and that you will consider these the next time you’re seeking a teacher or service provider.
