A n Coven Scathach (ACS) is forming a coven in the San Francisco area, that is loosely structured around a Celtic-Alexandrian tradition, interested persons should e-mail Lailoken

**If you have an AOL Email address, sometimes, I can't E-mail to an AOL address, This may have to do with anti-SPAM features in AOL. If you have not heard from me for a while and you have an AOL account, this maybe the reason, try E-mailing from another address. Our next meet date will be: TBA

ACS follows the basic tenets of Wiccan laws and beliefs. 'An it harm none, do what you will'. Sums up our beliefs on which we continue to build and grow from. ACS is open to all members who have an interest in the Wiccan path. We are open to both men and women.

ACS has a four-fold degree system, new members will train as neophytes for a year and a day, after successful completion neophytes may be accepted into the 1st degree circle. After which they will become coven members and may continue training toward the 2nd and finally 3rd degree. After the 2nd degree initiation one is considered a Priestess (PS) or Priest (P), and is expected to lead Sabbat celebrations. After the 3rd degree initiation one is considered a High Priest (HP) or High Priestess (HPS) and will lead Esbat celebrations and may 'hive-off' and start a new Coven. Well-trained HP/HPS are valuable and we do not want to lose them. Our goal is not to 'assembly-line' initiate any of our members and then kick them out into the world to start a new coven. Our goal is to develop strong practice circles, which are usually made up of one's peer group and is lead by senior members. 1st Degree's help Neophytes, 2nd degree's help 1st degree's and 3rd degrees help 2nd degree's.

ACS does not have any legally recognized certificates or diplomas that are given to members after completing the degree's at this time. All training is for personal development. After each successful completion of a degree the member is given a token of completion appropriate to the completed degree. Any members looking for clergy status may want to visit our links page or visit the Universal Life Church.

ACS celebrates the quarter festivals: Samhain, Imbolc, Bealteine and Lughnasadh as well as 13 Esbats throughout the solar year. The dates of which change slightly depending on the phase of the moon and members schedules. The Equinoxes and Solstices are currently not celebrated.

ACS is democratic, members who are 1st degree and higher and who attend more then 2 Sabbat celebrations per solar year (from Samhain to Samhain) are encouraged to vote and speak openly and freely about any thoughts or concerns they may have about the present Coven. A member has 1 vote regardless of seniority or length of membership. HPS/HP lead the Coven and Esbat celebrations and are decided by lot and rotate every 6 months.

Special Note: ACS symbol has an inverted pentacle in its center, this is not to imply that ACS has any association with Satanism. We view that path with no animosity, it is just not part of our belief system. The greek characters are from the Pythagorian Pentacle and symbolize the elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit.

*PENDING* ACS's online Book of Shadows:An Leabhar na Scáthe