This page is designed to provide a brief overview of the structure of the Clan of the Laughing Dragon. It discusses some of the things expected of students and some of the obligations of the priesthood.

The Clan of the Laughing Dragon is a group of people, loosely organized around a coven structure. That means that we are led by a priestess and/or a priest, we have a "degree" system (periods of study followed by initiations), we practice [non wiccan] pagan forms of religion and, we do ethical magick on a regular basis.

The primary sources for our study and practices are based on the Celtic/Druidic forms of paganism and magickal practices. However we are an eclectic discipline, drawing from any form of magick and paganism that will further our abilities to perform High Magick daily and bring us closer to understanding, worshipping, and working with the Elder Gods and Goddesses.

We are also very focused on working with "mythological" beings, especially Dragons. There is an entire magickal system that members learn called "Walking the Dragon Path."

Beginning with eight to twelve weeks of "getting to know each other" meetings, prospective members participate in a dedication ceremony. This ceremony establishes that the dedicant will give a year and a day to the studies that will lead to a "first level" initiation. At this time serious vows are taken. These vows are not to be taken lightly.

After that period of time, if the student no longer wishes to work with Laughing Dragon, they will be set free from their vow of dedication and sent on their way with blessings. If the student wants to continue to be a part of this group, he or she will be evaluated by the Priestess. If that student has successfully completed all of the studies and workings required to achieve "first degree," he or she will then participate in an Initiation Ceremony. This ceremony will grant the recipient a "first degree" in the Laughing Dragon path and he or she will be considered a fully vested member of the Clan.

Each dedicant student is allowed to work at his or her own pace. If it takes longer than a year and a day to complete the "first" studies, that is perfectly fine. Initiations will be given only when the Priestess feels that the applicant is ready and/or the applicant successfully passes an Inquisition by the initiate members of the Clan.

The "First" makes one a full-fledged member of the Clan of The Laughing Dragon, with all of the knowledge, mysteries, and magickal practices learned in that first year. At this time, the member may choose to stay a "First" and be a open member of the Clan or may choose to continue to study and work to obtain further "degrees."
Two more levels of "degree" are offered. Each degree level will require approximately one year of study and work and will involve greater mysteries and a deeper level of knowledge and practice of the craft.

When a "Second" is earned, one will be given the right to priest or priestess (under the supervision of the High Priest or Priestess) and to teach and guide dedicant students working towards their "First." You will also be made privy to a deeper level of mystery and magickal practice.

When a "Third" is earned, one will become a High Priest or Priestess and be expected to hive off and begin a clan (coven) themselves, following the Laughing Dragon Path.

The first year course of study will include (but not be limited to) basic magickal skills, magickal tools and their uses, circle casting, ritual planning, participation in open and closed rituals, forms of divination, working with the various Deities, entities, energies, elemental and, other magickal beings who assist and empower the craft.

• All students will follow a rigorous course of study designed to educate and empower you as a witch and a practitioner of the craft. Each student will be required to design and make a complete set of magickal tools.

• Each student will be required to show proficiency in at least three forms of divination.

• Each student must also design and orchestrate an entire ritual.

• A working knowledge of successful spell craft must be learned and each student must be able to maintain a "contact" communication with a Deity and allow a full aspect of a Deity during a regular meeting of the group.

• Regular journals must be kept and will be reviewed periodically.

• Each student must develop a working knowledge of "mythological" creatures.
  A pairing of the student with such a creature is preferred but is not mandatory.

• Meditation skills will be developed and each student will learn to maintain a trance state, travel freely in other planes of existence, learn from the other side, and bring back that knowledge, conveying it to the rest of the group.

There will be occasional guest teachers so that everyone has the best possible training.

Homework will be assigned.

During the dedicant year, students must yield over to the priest/priestess a small measure of control.

• Students must clear with the priestess/priest any participation in any ritual, other than those put on by the Clan.
  

• The taking of any outside [magickal and/or metaphysically oriented] classes or workshops must be discussed with your priestess/priest.
  

• ANY spell work should be discussed with the Priestess before you do it.
  Usually this will not be a problem. It is more of a courtesy to your Priestess, having given her the charge to guide your magickal growth.
  Usually there will be little or no problem with your participation in other activities. However, occasionally, you will be directed not to participate in another ritual or class. This is usually because that activity is not in agreement with what we are studying or the priest/priestess feels that the activity is contraindicated for some reason.
  Usually he/she will give you the reasons why. Of course, personal private rituals done by oneself are mostly exempt from this restriction.

Also, any student who seeks to study with the Clan of the Laughing Dragon, who already has initiations with another coven or another course of study, will be asked to set aside their initiate status until they have received their "first" from this Clan.
This is not to lessen prior achievements or to degrade in any fashion any work done before. It is designed to start all dedicants at the same level.
After your "first" initiation, you will be encouraged to wear any cords, jewelry or other emblems earned, prior to joining Laughing Dragon. Any "degrees" earned before you are a member of this group will not change your status within the group. They will be recognized as having been earned in other disciplines.
For example: you may be a third "degree" in the diddly-bop tradition, so after initiation in Laughing Dragon you would be a "first" in our trad and a "third" in diddly-bop.

The priestess/priest has an obligation to provide the best possible magickal education to his/her students. In areas where he/she might not be as knowledgeable, guest teachers will be provided.

It is the obligation of the coven leaders to provide a place of safety for the dedicant student to practice their developing skills.

Confidentiality between student and teacher is a must.

Honor, honesty, and respect are very important in this Clan.

The student has the right to expect to be treated with respect and dignity, just as the priestess/priest should also be shown every respect. Even as the dedicant and the initiate each take vows to the Gods and to the priest/priestess, so do the priest/priestess take vows to the Gods and to the students.

It is hoped that this brief description of our focus, student expectations and priestly obligations will help you to understand the Clan of the Laughing Dragon.

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If you would like to contact us (or be added to our links page), drop us a line (and/or send your submission to): info@laughingdragonclan.com

You can contact our High Priestess directly at ladiflight@yahoo.com.

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