Seminary
Spiral Moon Seminary & Ordination Program
The Spiral Moon Seminary & Ordination Program is a structured yet deeply personalized path of spiritual formation for those called to Pagan clergy and public ministry. Our program is designed to prepare ethical, competent, and grounded leaders who can serve individuals, families, and communities with integrity. Ordination through Spiral Moon is not automatic, nor is it based solely on time served or coursework completed. It is a process of discernment, formation, demonstrated skill, and accountability, supported by mentorship and community connection.
A Seminary Designed for Pagan Clergy Formation
We recognize that many people who feel called to Pagan ministry arrive with significant prior experience—through covens, solitary practice, family traditions, teaching, ritual leadership, or professional work. Spiral Moon Seminary:
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Evaluates prior learning and lived experience
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Avoids unnecessary repetition
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Builds a customized formation plan for each student
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Focuses on readiness for real-world ministry, not just theory
Each student’s program is tailored to address both strengths and growth areas essential for ordination.
The Five Levels of Clergy Formation
1. Basics & Self-Knowledge
This foundational level emphasizes spiritual maturity, ethical grounding, self-awareness, and personal responsibility. Students examine belief, theology, boundaries, power dynamics, and the inner work required of clergy.
2. Your Own Workings & Worship
Students establish and refine a sustainable personal spiritual practice, including ritual, devotion, magic, prayer, and seasonal observance. Clergy-in-formation are expected to demonstrate consistency, discernment, and spiritual self-care.
3. Leading Our Inner Court
This level focuses on leadership within close spiritual communities, such as covens, circles, study groups, or family-based practice. Training includes ritual leadership, pastoral awareness, group facilitation, conflict navigation, consent culture, and mentoring.
4. Pagan Community Connections
Students engage with the wider Pagan community, learning how to serve responsibly beyond their immediate group. Topics include community ethics, collaboration across traditions, accessibility, inclusion, and the role of clergy in Pagan public life.
5. Interacting with the Public
The final level prepares students for public-facing ministry. This includes officiating life rites, teaching, media interaction, interfaith work, legal and ethical considerations, and representing Paganism with clarity and care in public spaces.
Discernment, Accountability, and Ordination
Ordination through Spiral Moon reflects both personal readiness and community trust. Throughout the program, students are evaluated not only on knowledge, but on:
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Ethical conduct
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Emotional and spiritual maturity
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Leadership skills
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Ability to serve others responsibly
Ordination is granted when a student has demonstrated the competencies necessary for Pagan clergy and has completed their individualized formation plan.
A Calling Rooted in Service
Spiral Moon Seminary exists to support those who feel called to serve—not to elevate status, but to answer the needs of community with wisdom, compassion, and accountability. If you are discerning a call to Pagan ministry and are ready for serious formation, we invite you to explore the Spiral Moon path to ordination.
Who Should Apply
The Spiral Moon Seminary & Ordination Program is intended for individuals who feel a sincere calling to Pagan ministry, religious leadership, or public spiritual service, and who are prepared to engage in thoughtful formation, ethical accountability, and ongoing learning.
This program may be a good fit for you if you:
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Feel called to serve as Pagan clergy, priest/ess, minister, chaplain, or religious leader
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Are already providing—or preparing to provide—spiritual guidance, ritual leadership, or religious education
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Seek a mixture of structured study, self-study, and conversation
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Value ethical leadership, consent culture, and community accountability
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Are willing to engage in self-reflection, feedback, and personal growth
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Understand that ordination is a responsibility of service, not a title of status
Applicants may come from a wide range of Pagan, Wiccan, polytheist, or earth-centered traditions. Solitary practitioners, coven leaders, teachers, and community organizers are all welcome to apply.
Prior experience is respected and evaluated. Applicants are not required to begin at an introductory level if they already possess relevant training or lived spiritual experience.
Who This Program Is Not For
The Spiral Moon Seminary & Ordination Program may not be a good fit for individuals who:
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Are seeking ordination primarily for legal convenience or personal credentialing
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Are unwilling to engage in ethical oversight or community standards
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Expect ordination to be automatic or guaranteed
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Are not prepared for the responsibilities of public or pastoral ministry
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Prefer a purely academic program without spiritual formation
Discernment Is Part of the Process
Applying to Spiral Moon Seminary is itself an act of discernment. Admission to the program does not guarantee ordination. Ordination is granted only when a student has demonstrated readiness, competence, and alignment with Spiral Moon Family Circle’s ethical and ministerial standards.
We encourage applicants to approach this process with honesty, humility, and a clear sense of service to others.
Clergy Status & Legal Recognition Statement
Spiral Moon Seminary is a religious education and formation program operated under the authority of Spiral Moon Family Circle, a religious organization established for spiritual, educational, and ministerial purposes.
Individuals who complete the Spiral Moon Seminary & Ordination Program and are formally ordained by Spiral Moon Family Circle are recognized by the organization as Pagan clergy and authorized to perform ministerial functions on its behalf, consistent with the organization’s religious beliefs and practices.
Ministerial functions may include, but are not limited to:
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Leading religious worship and ritual
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Providing spiritual guidance and pastoral care
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Teaching religious doctrine and practice
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Officiating religious rites and ceremonies, including weddings and funerals
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Representing the organization in interfaith or public religious contexts
Ordination is granted following a structured process of religious education, spiritual formation, evaluation, and discernment, and reflects the organization’s determination that the individual is qualified to serve as clergy within its tradition.
Spiral Moon Seminary takes prior religious education and lived spiritual experience into account and provides individualized formation plans; however, ordination is not automatic and is conferred only upon those who meet the organization’s standards for ethical conduct, spiritual maturity, and ministerial competence.
Legal and Tax Disclaimer
Clergy status is defined by religious organizations according to their sincerely held beliefs and practices. Recognition as clergy by Spiral Moon Family Circle is intended to meet the Internal Revenue Service’s functional criteria for ministers as outlined in applicable federal guidance; however:
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Tax treatment of clergy (including housing allowance eligibility) is determined by the IRS on an individual basis
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Legal recognition of clergy authority (such as solemnizing marriages) varies by state and local jurisdiction
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Ordained individuals are responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable laws and regulations
Spiral Moon Family Circle does not provide legal or tax advice. Ordained clergy are encouraged to consult qualified legal and tax professionals regarding their specific circumstances.
Ongoing Accountability
Ordination through Spiral Moon Family Circle is granted with the expectation of ongoing ethical conduct and accountability. The organization reserves the right to limit, suspend, or revoke ministerial authorization if an ordained individual no longer meets its standards or acts contrary to its ethical guidelines.
