In order to understand fully the Hierarchy of the Coven one must also understand ranking. There are three levels of ranking for Witches. These levels (in ascending order) are: ◘Apprentice (New) (Yet to Ascend) ◘Novice (Intermediate)(Ascended) (In order to gain a title one must have made it into the initiation of a Novice.) ◘Elitist (Master)(Mastered all of their abilities fully.
Here is a list of Witch Hierarchy.
◘The High Priestess - The Matriarch of the Coven. She sees over everything and will create laws that she sees fit for the Coven to prosper. Her word is law and should never be challenged unless you feel lucky or really stupid. In order to become the High Priestess one must endure the Seven Trials of Hecate. At such a point to do so they are considered a Novice at the least after completion of all seven trials she will be initiated as an Elitist.
◘The High Priest/Elder Acolyte - This is the male offspring or closest male relative to the High Priestess or if unavailable the previous Acolyte. his job is to act as advisor for the laws. He holds the right to act as the leader of the Coven in the absence or stead of the High Priestess. The High Priest must be a Novice.
◘Acolyte/Summoner - Someone who has been hand picked by the High Priest to help with ceremonies, rituals, and circle castings. They are much like an apprentice to the High Priest to one day replace them. The Acolyte is normally related in some way to the High Priest. Their main job is to draw the lines for circles and prepare for rituals and ceremonies. Without them to light the flame a ritual cannot commence. A very special and trusted person who calls all of the Coven members to a ritual, holiday, or meeting. They are the ones who keep the listing of each member's phone numbers, addresses, and anything else for emergency purposes. They are also tasked with speaking to the other Covens in the area, knowing about them and their members, and keeping tabs on them for the High Priest or Priestess. This position can be held by a Novice or higher, though it is not impossible for an Apprentice to impress the High Priest or Priestess enough to be gifted with the title.
◘Seer/Vice - The Seer holds influence over the laws. They are consulted by all to bless or damn an action or ritual to take place. They are sought for their divine power to gaze into the future. They have the right to establish a blessing for a marriage, childbirth, war, punishment, etc... They can also decline the acceptance of a marriage if the future deems it an act that should not take place. If the Seer states that a couple should not be together due to troublesome future events then it will not be so and the couple must split. the only way possible to challenge a Seer is to prove that the future holds promising events as well as troublesome for both the couple and the Coven. This, however, has never come to pass as the Seer sees all. Another way to go against the Seer is to perform a ritual that proves true devotion to the said topic of which the Seer damns. The Seer can also revoke laws and allow exceptions to pass during the breaking of laws.
◘Elder - An Elder is anyone within the Coven who has passed through a number of trials without being able to move further into the hierarchy. Elder's are quite powerful together and have been known to hold many secrets from even the knowledge of the High Priestess. To be an Elder is to be in a cult within the Coven. They can oversee events and they can disrupt them. To challenge an Elder would be a great offence punishable by banishment. Elder's normally stand as a council and observe the high Priestess and High Priest. They also act as judges for punishment during most affairs. Only Elitist can become Elders. Elder's are not young, however. They will reach a point that they do not advance further and will be elected if they are of age by the other Elder's, the High Priestess, High Priest, Acolyte, and Seer. They normally range from 35 + as it is required they have passed through a number of the Seven Trials of Hecate.
◘Guardian/Secret-keeper - A Witch or Mortal who is in relation to the Coven is assigned to cover-up any signs of the Coven's presence. They keep the secrets of the Coven and pass them down in their families. They protect the Coven from Witch Hunters and ensure the safety of every member within the Coven. Should the High Priestess ever go out into public she is seen with at least one Guardian or the High Priest as protection. Apprentices can undergo training to become Guardians, but will not make such a title until initiation of a Novice. Mortals are initiated at the age of 21.
◘Caster - Before anyone can go up in rank to become a Guardian, Elder, Seer, or Acolyte they start here. Caster's are the basic members of the Coven. they create the body of the group and are seen to be strongest in number. Caster's are known to stay together in tight knit groups or families. It is this very selection of Coven members that the High Priestess will choose her replacement at which time the Seven Trials of Hecate must commence. Most Caster's are Witches who have not gone through the Rite of Ascension, yet. These range from Apprentice to Elitist.
◘Familiar - A Familiar was once a Sleepwalker who has proven their loyalty after a year and a day from the time that they were turned into a Sleepwalker. They are bonded to a single Witch and are no longer controlled to change by night, but by their own and master's will. They cannot go against their masters will and are forced into obedience. The act of bonding takes place during a full moon ritual during which the chosen Sleepwalker will lay with the selected Witch. this bonds them in life and death and so should the Witch die the Familiar shall too, but should the Familiar die the Witch does not. If a Sleepwalker becomes a Familiar they are immediately placed into rank as a Novice. Should a Sleepwalker not prove themselves worthy to join rank again they will continue to be a Sleepwalker. Those who have proven their loyalties are assigned by the High Priestess or elected by a Witch to become a familiar for the electing Witch or chosen Witch by the High Priestess.
◘Sleepwalker - Once a Mortal or a Witch who knew too much or disobeyed the law. Cursed, Damned, and Tortured for all eternity with Immortality. Sleepwalkers turn into a single animal every night against their will. These animals are normally in the form of a cat, dog, frog, bird, or snake. They remain as members of the Coven, but at the lowest of rankings. Nearly a century ago a famous High Priestess once stated, "It better to be banished than cursed as a Sleepwalker. For all freedom and rights are revoked from existence as a Sleepwalker. While in banishment freedom is still intact, protection is what lacks." Once turned into a Sleepwalker they are considered Apprentice ranking once more.
◘Wraith - A Caster who has completed the Rite of Ascension before their time or during their time through the act of killing another Witch. They are the lowest of the low and upon the commitment of murder are banished by magical forces from ever entering the sacred circle of the Coven ever again. If caught the Wraith will face death by whatever means the Elders feel necessary. Wraith's hold no rank at all as they are not part of the Coven. Wraith's can kill all their lives, but it is killing another Witch for their powers upon Ascension that makes them a Wraith. If they make a deal with the Ruler of the Netherworld/Satan/The Devil/Lucifer/etc...For as long as they offer their first born child to him they will not grow weak should they not kill. To offer the blood of a pure innocent to the Devil a Wraith will be able to do as they please without the constant need to kill for strength. Wraith's must kill at least once every six months to attain their youthful attributes and keep their power at full strength. Should a Wraith fail to take the powers and soul of another Witch they will find that their bodies aging process quickly accelerates until they become dust. Once a Wraith always a Wraith there is no turning back from the dark arts. Not even a deal with the devil can cure the horrors created by becoming a Wraith.
◘Rogue - A Caster who does not have status within a Coven and has not murdered another Witch for power. They are mistaken as Wraiths due to their solitary lifestyle and have been falsely accused as Wraiths in the past. Spells and potions have all been developed ove rhte ages to learn the difference between those with blood on their hands and those without. A Rogue Witch can be a term used for both a Rogue and a Wraith, but a true Rogue Witch does not have their powers confined by the Coven nor do they have to follow coven laws if they are not in a Coven's territory. A Rogue Witch who has killed a Witch before Ascension does not make them a Wraith, simply a murderer. The only way to become a Wraith is by killing a Witch for their powers on the day of ascension.
There are three levels of ranking for Witches. These levels (in ascending order) are:
◘Apprentice (New) (Yet to Ascend)
◘Novice (Intermediate)(Ascended) (In order to gain a title one must have made it into the initiation of a Novice.)
◘Elitist (Master)(Mastered all of their abilities fully.
Here is a list of Witch Hierarchy.
◘The High Priestess - The Matriarch of the Coven. She sees over everything and will create laws that she sees fit for the Coven to prosper. Her word is law and should never be challenged unless you feel lucky or really stupid. In order to become the High Priestess one must endure the Seven Trials of Hecate. At such a point to do so they are considered a Novice at the least after completion of all seven trials she will be initiated as an Elitist.
◘The High Priest/Elder Acolyte - This is the male offspring or closest male relative to the High Priestess or if unavailable the previous Acolyte. his job is to act as advisor for the laws. He holds the right to act as the leader of the Coven in the absence or stead of the High Priestess. The High Priest must be a Novice.
◘Acolyte/Summoner - Someone who has been hand picked by the High Priest to help with ceremonies, rituals, and circle castings. They are much like an apprentice to the High Priest to one day replace them. The Acolyte is normally related in some way to the High Priest. Their main job is to draw the lines for circles and prepare for rituals and ceremonies. Without them to light the flame a ritual cannot commence. A very special and trusted person who calls all of the Coven members to a ritual, holiday, or meeting. They are the ones who keep the listing of each member's phone numbers, addresses, and anything else for emergency purposes. They are also tasked with speaking to the other Covens in the area, knowing about them and their members, and keeping tabs on them for the High Priest or Priestess. This position can be held by a Novice or higher, though it is not impossible for an Apprentice to impress the High Priest or Priestess enough to be gifted with the title.
◘Seer/Vice - The Seer holds influence over the laws. They are consulted by all to bless or damn an action or ritual to take place. They are sought for their divine power to gaze into the future. They have the right to establish a blessing for a marriage, childbirth, war, punishment, etc... They can also decline the acceptance of a marriage if the future deems it an act that should not take place. If the Seer states that a couple should not be together due to troublesome future events then it will not be so and the couple must split. the only way possible to challenge a Seer is to prove that the future holds promising events as well as troublesome for both the couple and the Coven. This, however, has never come to pass as the Seer sees all. Another way to go against the Seer is to perform a ritual that proves true devotion to the said topic of which the Seer damns. The Seer can also revoke laws and allow exceptions to pass during the breaking of laws.
◘Elder - An Elder is anyone within the Coven who has passed through a number of trials without being able to move further into the hierarchy. Elder's are quite powerful together and have been known to hold many secrets from even the knowledge of the High Priestess. To be an Elder is to be in a cult within the Coven. They can oversee events and they can disrupt them. To challenge an Elder would be a great offence punishable by banishment. Elder's normally stand as a council and observe the high Priestess and High Priest. They also act as judges for punishment during most affairs. Only Elitist can become Elders. Elder's are not young, however. They will reach a point that they do not advance further and will be elected if they are of age by the other Elder's, the High Priestess, High Priest, Acolyte, and Seer. They normally range from 35 + as it is required they have passed through a number of the Seven Trials of Hecate.
◘Guardian/Secret-keeper - A Witch or Mortal who is in relation to the Coven is assigned to cover-up any signs of the Coven's presence. They keep the secrets of the Coven and pass them down in their families. They protect the Coven from Witch Hunters and ensure the safety of every member within the Coven. Should the High Priestess ever go out into public she is seen with at least one Guardian or the High Priest as protection. Apprentices can undergo training to become Guardians, but will not make such a title until initiation of a Novice. Mortals are initiated at the age of 21.
◘Caster - Before anyone can go up in rank to become a Guardian, Elder, Seer, or Acolyte they start here. Caster's are the basic members of the Coven. they create the body of the group and are seen to be strongest in number. Caster's are known to stay together in tight knit groups or families. It is this very selection of Coven members that the High Priestess will choose her replacement at which time the Seven Trials of Hecate must commence. Most Caster's are Witches who have not gone through the Rite of Ascension, yet. These range from Apprentice to Elitist.
◘Familiar - A Familiar was once a Sleepwalker who has proven their loyalty after a year and a day from the time that they were turned into a Sleepwalker. They are bonded to a single Witch and are no longer controlled to change by night, but by their own and master's will. They cannot go against their masters will and are forced into obedience. The act of bonding takes place during a full moon ritual during which the chosen Sleepwalker will lay with the selected Witch. this bonds them in life and death and so should the Witch die the Familiar shall too, but should the Familiar die the Witch does not. If a Sleepwalker becomes a Familiar they are immediately placed into rank as a Novice. Should a Sleepwalker not prove themselves worthy to join rank again they will continue to be a Sleepwalker. Those who have proven their loyalties are assigned by the High Priestess or elected by a Witch to become a familiar for the electing Witch or chosen Witch by the High Priestess.
◘Sleepwalker - Once a Mortal or a Witch who knew too much or disobeyed the law. Cursed, Damned, and Tortured for all eternity with Immortality. Sleepwalkers turn into a single animal every night against their will. These animals are normally in the form of a cat, dog, frog, bird, or snake. They remain as members of the Coven, but at the lowest of rankings. Nearly a century ago a famous High Priestess once stated, "It better to be banished than cursed as a Sleepwalker. For all freedom and rights are revoked from existence as a Sleepwalker. While in banishment freedom is still intact, protection is what lacks." Once turned into a Sleepwalker they are considered Apprentice ranking once more.
◘Wraith - A Caster who has completed the Rite of Ascension before their time or during their time through the act of killing another Witch. They are the lowest of the low and upon the commitment of murder are banished by magical forces from ever entering the sacred circle of the Coven ever again. If caught the Wraith will face death by whatever means the Elders feel necessary. Wraith's hold no rank at all as they are not part of the Coven. Wraith's can kill all their lives, but it is killing another Witch for their powers upon Ascension that makes them a Wraith. If they make a deal with the Ruler of the Netherworld/Satan/The Devil/Lucifer/etc...For as long as they offer their first born child to him they will not grow weak should they not kill. To offer the blood of a pure innocent to the Devil a Wraith will be able to do as they please without the constant need to kill for strength. Wraith's must kill at least once every six months to attain their youthful attributes and keep their power at full strength. Should a Wraith fail to take the powers and soul of another Witch they will find that their bodies aging process quickly accelerates until they become dust. Once a Wraith always a Wraith there is no turning back from the dark arts. Not even a deal with the devil can cure the horrors created by becoming a Wraith.
◘Rogue - A Caster who does not have status within a Coven and has not murdered another Witch for power. They are mistaken as Wraiths due to their solitary lifestyle and have been falsely accused as Wraiths in the past. Spells and potions have all been developed ove rhte ages to learn the difference between those with blood on their hands and those without. A Rogue Witch can be a term used for both a Rogue and a Wraith, but a true Rogue Witch does not have their powers confined by the Coven nor do they have to follow coven laws if they are not in a Coven's territory. A Rogue Witch who has killed a Witch before Ascension does not make them a Wraith, simply a murderer. The only way to become a Wraith is by killing a Witch for their powers on the day of ascension.