Frequently Asked Questions

A clan is a group of covens in the Black Forest organizational  structure. Under specific circumstances, a coven becomes elevated to  clan status, and as its members found their own Black Forest covens, the  new covens remain members of the original clan.                      

Black Forest Clan is the umbrella clan founded by Silver RavenWolf that  encompasses all other clans in Black Forest. A founding clan is referred  to as a tradition only after the founder passes through the veil. Since  Lady Silver is still with us, we are not yet referred to as a  tradition. Because Black Forest has 42 clans and hundreds of members, it  is often referred to as a tradition, but that is not traditionally  accurate.                      

Clan of the American Eagle operates as a whole in almost every capacity,  which is to say that we all join together for all classes, holiday  celebrations, life-event services, travel, etc. There is some variation  from clan to clan in Black Forest; for example some clans only gather  once or twice a year and classes, holidays, etc. take place within its  covens.                      

Yes, if you consider a family oriented Tradition stuffy. We work robed.  We do not serve alcoholic beverages during ritual. We do not perform the  physical Great Rite. We do not advocate drugs within a ritual circle or  while you work magick. What you do on your own time is your business,  but don't bring it to circle. We are very PR conscious. We have to be.  The whole magickal community is looking at you and your behavior.                                          

Lady Silver is a nationally recognized leader and elder of Wicca, and  via her writing has been instrumental in guiding the future of one of  the fastest-growing faiths in America today. The author of 17 books, she  has been interviewed by The New York Times, Newsweek Magazine, and the  Wall Street Journal among others.                                                             

 We fully support the spiritual paths of all individuals and will gladly  cooperate with clergy of other faiths to make any life-event ceremony a  positive and beautiful experience. Ceremonies for families of mixed  faiths may entail special considerations and planning, so please let us  know about this and any other special considerations as soon as possible  to ensure a seamless spiritual experience for everyone.                                           

 Like all life-event ceremonies, the altar and quarters setup will be  provided, if you don't have ritual items that you want used, and the  clergy alone will cast the sacred space and circle. Then guests enter  and are seated outside the circle, followed by the participants, who  enter through a "doorway" opened and then closed by clergy. The baby is  blessed, officially named, and dedicated to the Goddess and God (or  Divinity within our Celtic and Germanic pantheon of your choosing).  Participant and guests then exit, and clergy will close the quarters,  circle and properly store ritual items.                                  

 Life-event service entails a $150 hearthstone fee for non-Black Forest  clients. This fee covers the High Priestess and Priest, other clergy as  required, and the use of ritual items, if not provided by the clients.  The fee may vary depending on any special circumstances. Any travel  expense would also be the clients' responsibility, and should be  arranged and paid for in advance.                                       

First, we will schedule a meeting in a restaurant or similar public  place to discuss your interest and that Black Forest is a good match for  your goals. Then you may be invited to attend open circle holiday  celebrations, and open classes to help you decide if Clan of the  American Eagle is right for you. After a few visits, you may decide to  "dedicate" to Black Forest, which is a life-long dedication to our  Wiccan tradition; or, you may decide that you haven't found the right  fit, and we part ways in love and light. If you dedicate to Black  Forest, you will become a member of one of our covens and begin seminary  training.                      

We have a Skype option for those who do not have access to a BFC  Facilitator in their region. BFC also has cyber covens.  However, the  student must be prepared to travel on occasion. Dedication and  Initiations must be performed in person. The Grand Coven Meeting and  other possible Coven gatherings also require the physical attendance of a  student.                                        

Yes, we have several. Partly due to the fact that we are less  constrictive on your personal time and energies than other Traditions,  and partly because... well... who knows? These individuals must serve a  two year probationary period before their next elevation in the BFC and  must complete the required lessons.                      

Usually, you become a member of the coven that you first make contact  with. Since the entire clan carries out all functions together as a  whole group, considerations such as location are immaterial.                                                          

Yes. Black Forest and its clans and covens were founded to train clergy.  We can point you to resources that might help you find a non-teaching  coven if that's your preference, just ask us.                                                                                

Even if we wanted to, Black Forest could not be for everyone because everyone is different, seeking various levels of information, training,  and socialization. Black Forest is what each of us puts into it,  representing years of hard work by everyone. 

Even if we wanted to, Black Forest could not be for everyone because everyone is different, seeking various levels of information, training,  and socialization. Black Forest is what each of us puts into it,  representing years of hard work by everyone. 

Yes. Many of our members now communicate with each other on-line, as  well as more conventional methods of communication. Silver encourages  communication between covens, clans and individuals.  Every four years  the Grand Coven convenes just outside Harrisburg, PA.  This is a  gathering of all the BFC members from around the world.  Yes, the world.   We have covens in multiple countries.  There is a facilitators'  website for all facilitators to share information, lessons, and  discussions.                       

This is truly a working/learning organization.  It is a clergy seminary  training program.  There are ten written lessons that must be turned in  routinely, usually within three months, over a three + year time period.   The biggest reason people are "former BFC" members is that they did  not want to complete the work. You don't get something for nothing - the  lessons are for a reason.  You will learn a tremendous amount of  information.  This is not an easy program but it will teach you more  than any program out there.  We have resources from 400+ people, and  about a third of them are third degree witches with a minimum of four  years study behind them.  Read Silver Ravenwolf's many books to see our  level of dedication.   This program includes a lot of memorization and a  lot of oral recitation for altar dedications, quarter calls, circle  cast, rituals, etc.                        

Yes. We urge Facilitators to try to bring in as much extra-curricular  training as they can.  American Eagle holds training classes twice a  month in Deer Park or by Skype. We also offer training in altar tool  cleansing and dedication, quarter calls, circle cast, and altar  dedications before every meeting.  Our website contains the handouts  from lessons and rituals as well as various magickal postings since  2007.  This is only available to BFC members.                      

At completion of the program you are eligible for licensed clergy status  in Texas.  BFC is the only pagan licensed clergy in Texas, and you will  have, at the minimum, a working knowledge of Wiccan theology, clan and  coven organization and administration, the knowledge and legal license  to perform handfastings, wiccanings, and funerals, over ten magickal  disciplines, including high magick specialties, and practical  application of all of these in a coven setting.                      

 Our costs are $25 per year dues payable in October for the following  year until June 30. After that we forego dues until October.  There is a  $20 per lesson fee for nine lessons (payable on receipt of each lesson,  not all at once) and $35 for lesson ten which is much larger  (astrology).  We used the dues to offset travel expenses for annual  out-of-state meetings, supplies, and other expenses that benefit the  Clan.                                                                              

No. At one time it was expected that the Coven give initiates their  tools, however, times have changed. We feel that part of your training  involves collecting your own tools. You will need your tools by your  second initiation. You will need a black robe during your dedication  year.