What is a Priestess?

a female spiritual mentor.

A Priestess is responsible for guiding a person through the questions revolving around their place in the universe, their purpose, and their questions about life and death. The role of a Priestess is not to promote a specific religious belief, but to guide the person towards answers that give them peace of mind to live a fulfilling life, free of doubt and fear.

A Priestess has a sacred responsibility to each person they mentor. A Priestess is a person in a position of service, not in a position of authority or power.

In Traditional Witchcraft, a Priestess is not selected by any governing body or authority because Traditional Witchcraft is typically a closed-community and does not recognize outside authorities.

Traditional Witchcraft is more likely to have one-on-one spiritual mentorship where a person may or may not be referred to as a Priestess.

Due to discrimination, Traditional Witchcraft and Hereditary Witchcraft practices will rarely refer to someone in their community as a Priestess or High Priestess due to a fear of being harmed by, shunned, or killed by outsiders. These terms are known but rarely said out loud.

Most instances in becoming a Priestess involves no formal training but a person naturally assumes this role. As people in the community seek their guidance, the role is filled. A person does not ‘assume the role and/or title’ of Priestess. A community chooses a Priestess.

A Priestess is only a Priestess if the community accepts them. As community members seek out the Priestess, the role is assumed. If community members naturally shy away, then the role is not right for that person or a different community would possibly be better served by the Priestess.

In Hereditary Witchcraft, a person in the family that shows potential will mentor under an elder. This is a form of apprenticeship training, which is how all skills and roles are taught in Hereditary practices.

A Priestess is not the same as a High Priestess.