Pagan titles refer to various names and designations given to individuals or groups within pagan religions or spiritual practices. These titles hold different meanings and may vary between different pagan traditions and beliefs. They can be used to denote specific roles, achievements, or levels of expertise within the community. One common type of pagan title is the "High Priest" or "High Priestess," which typically refers to the leader or head priest of a coven or pagan community. The High Priest or High Priestess is usually responsible for guiding and leading rituals, teaching spiritual knowledge, and ensuring the smooth functioning of the coven or community. Another title often found within pagan circles is the "Elder.

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Cat Treadwell — professional Druid and nature-mystic - gives us a perspective from the English countryside.

Titles, Labels and Names

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This week, I was acting as Public Druid at two (fortunately) well-attended events. The first was a talk I was giving on Paganism at a local University, as part of their Equality & Diversity initiative; the second, the launch of my first book.

Two very different situations, but in both, I was clearly The Pagan in The Room. Even though I was dressed relatively normally at both (jeans and neutral blouse), people were aware of me and my role, and viewed me accordingly.

Now, I'm not just trying to give myself airs, as my ancestors might have said. I try my damnedest not to be one of those egotistical 'Big Nose Pagans' that everyone knows about; I'm just me, doing my thing, and trying to represent Druidry and Paganism as well as I can, as a real person, not a stereotype.

Officiating at a Handfasting (photograph © J. Baxter)

But clearly there's a way to go yet. One of the questions at the talk was about how I refer to myself: 'Druid/Druidess, Priest/Priestess, or something else'. The enquirer genuinely wanted to know out of interest but also because he was concerned about potentially causing offense by using the wrong terminology.

At the book launch, jokes were made about my being 'High Priestess', and a 'big, famous Author'. At least, I hope they were jokes.

To me, words have power. By which I don't mean that if you know something's true name, you have power over it (that just means you can yell at it with a reasonable chance of a reply). Look at the labels above. The simpleness of adding 'ess' to a title immediately changes that word, making it female in connotation - thus making the original male, and thus 'default'.

I know full well that adding 'High' to Priest or Priestess is incredibly loaded within the Pagan community. To everyday Muggle folk, it's a honorific; to others, it may mean that I'm a teacher, community leader, organiser of a coven or group, bestower of initiations. any number of things.

My favourite introduction was a colleague at the Healing Centre where I work, asked to describe me. She pondered for a moment, before saying: "Well, Cat's just. Cat."

Private Connection - from book jacket (photograph ©Peacock Pix)

I know that we need labels as useful tools to quickly categorise things. I know that we do understand them more deeply than as just a name. But it's difficult to communicate the truth of a thing so simply. A label is the start of an understanding, not a total description.

And yet, in the Pagan community, we set such store by those titles. I've spoken before of it, being aware of the minefield that I'm about to step into with this discussion, but it genuinely confuses and frustrates me.

If you're worked hard for your title, then I'm very glad - but I would learn that not simply from the title alone, but by your actions.

If you bought the title on the Internet, exactly the same applies. This is true of anything worked for (or not) - quite often, those who feel the need to wave their honorifics around are often least qualified to do so.

At the end of the day, I'm just me. I live my faith as best I can, walking my path, and trying to inspire by example. Every person's path is their own; nobody can be in exactly the same situation, with exactly the same background experiences. But my experiences don't entitle me to claim authority over those of others; mine are not somehow 'more valid' because I'm out there in public.

I love to hear the stories of those who chat to me, be they active students, family members at their first Handfasting, or those seeking help. I think that would be true just because I love to hear stories - that's part of my make-up.

It took me a long time to take the decision to call myself 'Priest' (in the same sense that female Actors call themselves Actor, not Actress) - but that was because that word carries huge weight in my head. I wanted to ensure that I was worthy of the title, more than the gender issues. And to be honest, I'm really not bothered what people call me. As I told the questioner at the University, as long as it's not rude, I'm generally fine.

I prefer people to ask, to learn, rather than to take a title, label or name and place assumptions onto that. These are based on associations rather than real experiences, and so are basically groundless, fiction. You wouldn't believe how many times I've been asked about Druidry being male-oriented, why I don't wear white robes (grass stains), or my partner being assumed to be in charge (I refer to him as my 'stunt beard', as Druids seem to require one).

It's my challenge to remember to hold on to myself while working in public. To not buy into any vague notion of 'celebrity', but to keep my integrity to myself, my gods and my ancestors. I know that if I don't, I'll be tripped up soon enough - but deterrent alone is not the reason.

If I'm representing Druids and Pagans in the wider world, I'm doing my best to do right by them. There's a multitude of beliefs out there; there's no way that I can strike exactly the right chord with them all. But by walking my path honestly, living my truth and trying to learn as I go (as well as teach), I hope to inspire that same curiousity and integrity in others - and create interest rather than fear.

So when you next step out as a Pagan, Druid, Witch or whatever. why are you taking on that label? Do you represent it well? And does it best represent you?

Me and Partner walking the dog, while photographer hides in a bush to catch us 'naturally' (photograph ©Peacock Pix)

religious titles

For all faiths, the title Dr. is generally not used before the names of scholars or clergy who hold academic doctorates. If the person’s academic credentials are important to the story, it is better to give specifics, as in Jane Doe, who holds a doctorate in systematic theology, led the discussion. Never combine Dr. with other titles, such as the Rev. Dr.

Baptist churches: All members of the Baptist clergy may be referred to as ministers. Pastor applies if a minister leads a congregation. Use the Rev. on first reference before a clergy’s name. On second reference use only the last name.

Buddhism: Titles for Buddhist teachers or masters are capitalized when used with a name but lowercase otherwise. The title of lama generally precedes a name; rinpoche, sensei and roshi generally follow the name, but practice varies, especially in the United States. (For example, a well-known Japanese Zen teacher is always referred to as Maezumi Roshi; a well-known American Zen teacher is Roshi Bernard Glassman.) To determine how to refer to a particular Buddhist teacher, ask or try looking up the name through a database or other Web tool.

Teachers may be addressed by their titles (e.g., “Rinpoche, may I ask a question?”). Dalai Lama is capitalized when referring to the man who holds the title and no name is used; dalai lama is lowercase otherwise. Buddhists address the Dalai Lama as Your Holiness in person and His Holiness in writing. Ordained monks in Theravada Buddhism are given the honorific Venerable before their names.

Church of Christ, Scientist: This denomination, also called the Christian Science Church, has lay leaders called readers who lead its worship services. The faith also has practitioners, who are self-employed healers. Capitalize these titles before a name, and on second reference use only the last name. Do not use the Rev. in any references.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Apostle is a title used for the church’s highest-ranking members. The senior, or longest-serving, apostle serves as the church president and carries that title. Other titles used by Mormons are bishop, elder and sister. Capitalize all of these when used before a name. The terms minister and the Rev. are not used.

Eastern Orthodox churches: The patriarch of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) is known as the ecumenical patriarch; he is regarded as “the first among equals.” Capitalize this title if used before a name, but not otherwise.

In the Eastern Catholic and Orthodox churches, a metropolitan heads an ecclesiastical province, a metropolitan see, and ranks below the patriarch. Capitalize metropolitan when used as a title before a name.

Eastern Orthodox archbishops and bishops frequently follow a monastic tradition in which they are known only by a first name. In those cases, repeat the title before the name in subsequent references. Archbishop may be replaced by the Most Rev. on first reference.

Use the Rev. before the name of a priest on first reference; on second reference use only his last name.

Episcopal Church: Among Protestant churches, the Episcopal Church has titles that are particularly challenging. Capitalize titles before a name but lowercase otherwise. Note that some positions have more than one title or honorific. Because some U.S. congregations have broken ties with the Episcopal Church and affiliated with Anglican bishops, be sure to make clear in stories about such disputes whether a bishop is Anglican or Episcopal.

The presiding bishop is the chief pastor and primate who leads the national Episcopal Church. She is addressed as the Most Rev.

All other bishops use the title the Rt. Rev. before their name. Priests and deacons use the title the Rev. Priests who head a chapter, or governing body of a cathedral, are called deans and are addressed as the Very Rev. Archdeacons are addressed with the honorific the Venerable, as in the Venerable Jill Smith. Women and men in religious communities are called brother or sister and may be ordained.

A diocesan bishop has jurisdiction over a diocese and is sometimes known as the Ordinary. They may be assisted by other bishops, known as bishops suffragan. In addition, bishops who retire or resign from their diocese may assist in another diocese in some capacity; the church variously refers to them as assistant bishops, bishops assisting or assisting bishops.

The archbishop of Canterbury is the spiritual head of the Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church is part. Capitalize the title when used before the holder’s name. He is also referred to by the honorific the Most Rev., as in the Most Rev. Justin Welby, archbishop of Canterbury, but it is sufficient to refer to him as Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby.

Hinduism: Hindus have no formal clergy but do have spiritual teachers, or gurus. Capitalize guru before a name on first reference, and use only the last name on second reference. Swami is a title of respect and reverence conferred on a religious teacher and, in particular, one who has taken vows of celibacy and renunciation; it, too, should be capitalized before a name.

Islam: Capitalize all Islamic titles when used before a name and lowercase otherwise. Use the title and name on first reference and only the person’s last name after that.

Shiites and Sunnis use a few of the same religious titles but differ on others. Shiites have a more-defined hierarchy than Sunnis. For example, Sunnis call people who lead congregational prayers imams, while Shiites almost exclusively reserve imam to refer to any of the 12 descendants of the Prophet Muhammad who Shiites believe were his rightful successors. Sheikh, on the other hand, is used in both communities, but can be used either as a term of respect – to address older men, for example — or for a formally trained scholar. Among Sufi Muslims, sheikh holds a more exclusive status that is reserved for highly trained scholars and heads of Sufi orders.

Among Shiites, mullahs are lower-level clergy who generally have only rudimentary religious education. A hujjat al-Islam is more learned than a mullah but does not have the authority to issue legal rulings. Mujtahids and faqihs are jurists with the authority to issue rulings. A higher-level mujtahid is a marja, the most educated of whom are called ayatollahs.

In addition to imam and sheikh, Sunni titles include mufti and grand mufti, which indicate a higher status usually conferred by an institution. Grand muftis are usually the top religious scholar in a country.

Jehovah’s Witnesses: Jehovah’s Witnesses have no formal clergy titles and do not use honorifics such as the Rev. They refer to baptized members who evangelize as publishers and those who devote greater time to ministry activities as regular pioneers. Full-time workers are called special pioneers.

Judaism: Rabbi and cantor should be capitalized before a name on first reference. On second reference, use only the person’s last name.

Nation of Islam: Its clergymen use the title minister, which should be capitalized on first reference before a name. On second reference, use only the person’s last name.

Pentecostalism: There are dozens of Pentecostal denominations as well as many nondenominational churches that are Pentecostal, so titles vary greatly. Common titles are bishop, minister, elder and superintendent; capitalize them before a name. Evangelist is another common title, but do not capitalize it, even with a name. Some clergy use the title of the Rev., but some do not.

Protestant churches: Customs vary in different traditions. Many, but not all, use the Rev. before a clergy member’s name on first reference. Do not include the honorific unless you are certain it is acceptable in that tradition. Among those that do not use the Rev. are Churches of Christ and the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Some Protestants use other titles for their clergy, including pastor, bishop or brother. Capitalize when used before a name.

Quakers have no recognized ranking of clergy over lay people. Their meeting officers are called elders or ministers, and these terms should be capitalized when used before a name. Many Quaker ministers in the Midwest and West use the Rev. before their names. On subsequent references to Protestant clerics, use just the last name.

Roman Catholic Church: A pope should be referred to by his full papal name on first reference, as in Pope Benedict XVI. On subsequent references, use the pope, the pontiff or just his papal name (without Roman numerals), as in Benedict. Catholics also refer to the pope as the Holy Father, a term that should be used only in quotes.

For cardinals, archbishops, bishops and deacons, capitalize the title when used with a name on first reference, as in Cardinal Bernard Law, but lowercase otherwise. On second reference, use just the person’s last name.

For priests, use the Rev. before the name on first reference; on subsequent references, use just the last name. Monsignor can be substituted if a priest has received that title. Catholics commonly address priests as Father; use this only in quotes, and capitalize it with or without a name attached, as in She said, “We asked Father what we should do.”

For nuns, sisters and brothers, capitalize sister, mother or brother before the name on first reference. In subsequent references, use just the last name for those who keep surnames; otherwise, continue to use the full name, as in Mother Teresa.

The title Venerable is applied to a person posthumously if a pope has approved the first stage in his or her official cause for canonization, as in Venerable Fulton Sheen.

Ivy the Witch!

You are walking along at your local Pagan Pride day, and you come across a few covens advertising their existence and telling you all about who they are, and what they believe. You see one that catches your eye and you walk up and read one of the pamphlets. A tall woman with flame red hair steps up to you and stretches out her hand and says “My name is Lady Coral, I can answer any questions you may have”

You speak for a moment, hear their spiel about their coven life, rituals, volunteer work and such. Thank them for the information and move on to the next one.

You are now greeted by a man who calls himself “Thane Anton of the Inner Court” You’re a bit confused as this guy is no older than 30, why does he have such a fancy name? You speak a bit, and head on over to the main ritual for the festival.

All the while, you were asking yourself one big question. “What the heck kinda names are those?”

Within a traditional Wiccan Coven, Titles are given to practitioners as a mark of their rank and role within the coven structure. It sort of describes their job and responsibilities within the circle. Not all covens participate in this tradition, but I will give a rundown of some of the titles I have heard in my journey, and give a brief description of what they entail.

Before I get to that however, I want to remind everyone that just because you are initiated and ranked within your coven, that does not give you power or rank over the members of another coven. (Unless that coven is a direct branch of your specific tradition, then other rules apply)

Most covens operate on a Hierarchy. This means that certain people will have more power, say or responsibility within the coven, while others just have to move with the group.

This is something I see in a lot of Covens. If everyone is in charge, often times the coven falls apart, too many cooks in the kitchen as it were. The most successful covens I have seen and been a part of have been Democratic Hierarchies. Everyone gets a vote, but the people at the top get final say.

So, on to the titles I will start at the top of the ladder and work my way down to the brand new, just joined the group people.

Another title often found within pagan circles is the "Elder." An Elder is typically an experienced and respected individual within the pagan community who has accumulated significant knowledge and wisdom over the years. Elders often act as mentors, advisors, and mediators, offering guidance and support to those seeking spiritual growth or navigating challenging situations.

High Priest and Priestess

These people are most often the ones responsible for well, EVERYTHING. They are the head honchos, the big kahuna, the rulers of the group. Now, they are typically very calm, level headed individuals who are not power hungry. They are just well versed in every aspect of leading a group of people on a spiritual journey.

Some of the duties involved with being a HP or HPS are leading and writing Sabbat and Esbat Rituals, teaching classes to other members, performing weddings and wiccaning rites and any other sort of ritual that group members require. They are in charge (most often) in hosting all these classes and events, either in their home, the Covenstead, or finding a space to host in. They are also responsible for the other Members Spiritual Welfare. They provide guidance, counseling, prayer, support, whatever their coveners need.

They are also the physical embodiment of the God and Goddess on earth WHILE WITHIN THE SACRED CIRCLE outside the circle, they are just themselves.

In some pagan traditions, individuals may also be granted specific titles based on their accomplishments or mastery of certain skills. For example, a "Bard" is someone who has honed their artistic and storytelling abilities to effectively convey the myths, legends, and spiritual teachings of their tradition. A "Druid" is a title associated with those who have studied the lore, wisdom, and sacred practices of the ancient Celtic culture. Additionally, pagans may also adopt titles that reflect their personal spiritual journey or beliefs. These titles can be self-chosen and vary greatly depending on individual preferences. Some may identify as a "Witch," emphasizing their practice of witchcraft, spellcasting, and connection to nature. Others may take on titles like "Priestess," "Magician," "Shaman," or "Healer," signifying their specific spiritual path or area of expertise. It is important to note that the use of titles within pagan communities is not universally enforced or mandatory. Some pagans may choose not to adopt titles at all, preferring to focus on their individual spiritual practices and experiences without formal designations. Ultimately, the use of titles in pagan traditions can vary widely and is often a personal or community-specific choice..

Reviews for "The role of pagan titles in personal identity: How labels can shape our beliefs and values"

1. Lisa - 2 stars

I found "Pagan titles" to be uninteresting and lacking any depth. The characters were one-dimensional and the plot was predictable. The writing style felt uninspired and did not do justice to the potential of the concept. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.

2. John - 1 star

"Pagan titles" is a poorly written book with a confusing narrative. The constant shifts in perspective made it difficult to follow the story and connect with the characters. The plot seemed haphazardly put together and the dialogue felt forced. I struggled to finish this book and was left feeling unsatisfied.

3. Sarah - 2 stars

I found "Pagan titles" to be a tedious read. The pacing was slow and the story lacked any real excitement. The characters were not well-developed and their motivations were unclear. The author attempted to create a mystical setting but it fell flat for me. I was underwhelmed by this book and would not recommend it to others.

4. Mark - 2 stars

I had high expectations for "Pagan titles" but was ultimately disappointed. The story lacked cohesion and the world-building was not well executed. The characters felt flat and their interactions seemed forced. I struggled to invest in the plot and found myself losing interest. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and would not recommend it.

Pagan titles and the divine feminine: Rediscovering ancient goddesses and their significance