(^238) A Wiccan Bible
household). This structure is led by one or two parents (what I call the host and host-
ess). Should a Hearth grow to include three unrelated children, it becomes a Circle.
A circle is led by two people called ‘circle leaders’; again, these are what I have
called here a host and hostess. This is the core or basic Spiral Scout group. For practi-
cal reasons, these two must be members of the opposite sex, the reason being that
there are matters a girl member would be best to turn to a female adult that is a woman
and a boy member would be best to turn to a leader that is a man. However, these
‘circle leaders’ do not rule the circle, they simply provide structure and hospitality. All
parents are not only welcome to participate, they are strongly encouraged. A clan is the
next largest organizational structure. Generally speaking, a clan is made up of circles
that are united by a geographical area such as a city. Those clans form the next largest
organizational structure, a tribe. The tribe is made up of individual clans who are united
by a geographical area, such as a county.
Spiral Scouts officially started in 1999. Although my book Wicca for Couples had
absolutely nothing to do with the founding of Spiral Scouts formation, after reading
their literature and meeting many of its members, both adult and child, I take immense
gratitude in knowing that the concepts presented in that book are shared in part by an
organization as fine as this, especially that a couple is the core of community, be that
community Wiccan or other. Bless you Spiral Scouts! You are the salvation of the Tem-
pest Smiths of this world!
In the glory of our Lord and Lady, so mote it be!
Circle Guide to Pagan Groups
The problem still remains: How does one find Pagan community? You see, each of
these groups is part of the Pagan Community, but with the exception of Spiral Scouts
(which is child-oriented) each is also an individual tradition or denomination unto it-
self. Despite my tremendous favor of the above listed organizations, they might not be
the one you want to join. Where then does one turn?
Some folk might tell you that Web indexes are a good option. I think they are the
worst way to find like-minded folk for two reasons. Web indexes are inevitably inaccu-
rate because they are too easy to join. Click here, fill in this form there, and presto:
You are now the head of an international Pagan organization. Most important, web
indexes tend to be all-inclusive without respect to the organization’s qualifications or if
that organization is of good report. So what is a person to do?
Fortunately, there is a partial solution that has helped thousands of folk. That solu-
tion is Circle Guide to Pagan Groups, available from Circle Sanctuary. Circle Sanctuary
is in and of itself a Pagan organization, but I have little experience with them other
than to know that they are of good report. Their annual publication of which I speak is
a collection of public Pagan groups and resources across the world. While Circle does
not make an attempt to determine who is of good report and who is not, they do keep
their list current, list national affiliations, and check their references annually by more
than simply sending an email out and seeing if it bounces back. Yes, all this takes a bit
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