What Makes a HPS?
By Patti Wigington, About.com Guide to Paganism / Wicca

Thursday October 8, 2009
A reader writes in with a good question. She says, "I am a solitary who wants to
start a coven of her own. I want to start it as a study group, then eventually
turn it into a coven if all the members comply. I know I need to learn a lot
more but I don't know exactly what credentials I'd need to become a priestess of
a coven. What are some of the fundamentals a High Priestess should know?"

Typically, the title of High Priestess is one that's given to you by someone
else -- specifically, someone who's got more knowledge and experience than you.
While that doesn't mean that a solitary can't learn enough to BE a HPs, what it
does sometimes mean is that you'll find advantages in learning from a mentor at
some point.

The reason I say this is because a HPs has to know more than just how to cast a
circle or what the different Sabbats are for. Being a HPs (or HP) is a
leadership role, and that means you'll find yourself solving disputes,
performing counseling, making occasionally tough decisions, managing schedules
and activities, teaching other people, etc. These are all things that tend to
come a little easier with experience, so the fact that you're setting yourself a
goal is a good one -- you've got something to work towards.

I think the idea of starting off with a study group is an excellent one -- it
puts everyone on an even playing field, and helps you evaluate the group dynamic
before anyone gets too committed. You may want to read How to Start a Study
Group for some ideas. However, if you're looking at moving into a leadership
role some day, I'd strongly recommend you find some other folks to learn from.
Again, no one will tell you that you can't be an HPs if you don't train under
someone else, but it really will help you out in the long run if you've got
someone to mentor and guide you through the early part of your studies. For an
idea of how different covens use degree systems (and what's typically required)
you should read about Degree Systems.