The Victorian Society of Metaphysics & Magic (VSMM) is an organization and community that is open to anyone regardless of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, current or past religious experience, political beliefs, or personal philosophies. The only thing we ask of our members is that you actively seek to raise the energy of the group and are respectful of everyone while keeping an open heart and mind in all that you do within the organization.
That said, however, we’ve established a hierarchical membership system for the following reasons:
The primary reason for such a system is to help grow and guide our community with a clear focus on natural progression. It is important for a new member to understand the basic principles of Society ritual, basic magick and energy work, inner awareness, and divine connection before one progresses to involvement with deeper levels of Society mysteries and workings. By progressing naturally, the experience is much more enjoyable and rewarding as the foundation is set on which to build a long-lasting personal practice. In many metaphysical and neo-pagan traditions, there has been a system of keys to unlock the next level. So it is with us as well.
The idea of hierarchical levels within the community has nothing to do with power structures or control. Hierarchical frameworks exist within the VSMM strictly as a way to honor those who’ve made commitments to actively growing the organization, as well as help those new to the Society find and connect with the elders who can assist them along their own journey.
Although we stay optimistic that the world is generally a good place and we pray to the Goddesses and Gods to protect us, we also know that there is a reality that can’t be taken for granted. The membership system provides a gateway to the Society that allows us to learn about each prospective member coming into the group so that we can not only help protect that member, but also all current members from those who would just seek admittance to cause havoc within the temple.
It’s not just those who wish to disrupt. I’ve witnessed way too many groups in the past who’ve been founded on a premise that sheer numbers of membership are key to a successful community. In reality, it’s not the numerical numbers but the quality and commitment of the members that exist within the group that can establish a long-lasting community.
Although there are other levels of learning and progression within the temple, the most important basics for the person interested in becoming a member are the following:
Interested Member – This is the first gate, if you will. By signing up as an interested member, the person is put into contact with an elder who can answer questions and guide them through the process. We aren’t selling anything here, so there is no commitment and no expectation from the interested person other than to respect the information that is given them and keep an open mind. At this level, other parts of the online site are opened in order to allow the person to continue learning about the temple and its traditions and make an informed decision if the Society is the right path for them.
Initiate – An initiate is someone who has made a commitment to the temple. The initiate is first presented before the Society membership and undergoes the Ritual of Intention whereby they profess a desire to learn within the tradition as well as become an active member in helping to raise the energy of the group as a whole. After the Ritual of Intention, the initiate must finish the Initiate Course and be active in those activities open to their level within the community for the period of a year and day before they are eligible to become a full Society member.
Society Member – A full VSMM member has been initiated into the community and enjoys the full privileges of community life. They are also welcomed to continue their spiritual learning by entering other inner sanctum mystery workings.
Society Elder – A VSMM elder is someone who has been an active and committed member for a period of at least five years and has chosen to make themselves available as guides to the newer members.
With each of the above levels there are a few costs and fees. These monies are for the administration of the VSMM as well as to help the organization sustainably grow to provide greater service to our members. The following one-time fees apply:
Interested Member – No charge, although a donation for the support of all who seek is greatly appreciated.
Initiate – There is a $50 sign-up fee as well as costs associated with the Initiate Class that usually amount to around $100 depending on the preferences of the initiate.
Society Member – There is a $100 fee per individual, or $250 for a family (3+ members).
The rest of the money to maintain the organizational structure and help it grow will come from donations, fund raisers, sales of Society produced goods and services, etc. Although we don’t want to make any kind of recurring payment necessary for our members, the Society retains the right to ask this at a future point in time if we cannot meet our budget. Any such implementation of a recurring financial commitment would be voted on by all Society members in good standing.