Vircle: The Virtual Circle

Kaatryn MacMorgan-Douglas

The collected works of author, educator and gadfly, Kat MacMorgan.

What is Vircle?
Vircle is a system for gaining the third circle (terminal degree) in the Universal Eclectic Wiccan tradition which is primarily done online. For technical purposes, the student is a part of the Coven at MacMorgan Covenstead, in Buffalo, New York.

It began because of the bottleneck at the Third Circle. Although most CFFN students do not reach the third circle (nor should they-CFFN is not a 'degree mill') there have always been more students for the Third Circle than there were mentors to teach them.

Vircle is how Kat handles a larger load of third circle students than would normally be recommended.

How do I gain the Third Circle in Vircle?

A student in Vircle gains entry to the Third Circle via four tasks:
#1. The student completes a one-year project which provides something new in the Wiccan community. The project must be approved by a mentor.
#2. The student completes at least one journal-quality article.
#3. The student completes a required number of manditory and elective lesson sets.
#4. The student writes a lesson set for IMP or Vircle.
The length of time a student takes to complete Vircle is half the amount of time said student is supposed to work as a mentor/assistant on Vircle.

How do I Join Vircle?
Basic Requirements:
Vircle is ONLY open to advanced students. Most students who've graduated CFFN will qualify, although your work will be reviewed prior to your acceptance and additional work may be required.

Students may also complete the IMP course, which is a way of demonstrating what you know and "proving" you are an advanced student. References will be required.

If you find the idea of references or the requirements of giving them problematic-Vircle is not for you.

Please be aware that more that 90% of the students that want to come into Vircle from well-known "pay to play" schools of Witchcraft are going to NOT PASS the Entrance exam, and should try Coven of the Far Flung Net or IMP.

Technical Requirements:
Access to the internet and willingness to make and keep deadlines.

Ability to do independent research.
Ability to acquire book resources (this means that if you can't get textbooks through ILL, you're going to have to buy or borrow them.)

Ability to be self-directed.

Coherance, clarity and intent.

English as a primary language or understood at that level.

If you live in a country that has problems respecting copyright-or if you do-Vircle is not for you.

The Joining Process:

Joining Vircle is a slow process because it is handled by real human beings who have other jobs. It's possible to make it a fast process. We could make it a fast process by charging a $5000 entrance fee or just accepting everyone without caring who they were, or how we could serve them. There are even benefits to accepting everyone-we could, quite quickly, become the "biggest tradition in the world."

We'd rather have quality, over quantity, and that means no entrance fee, and humans relying on things other than YOU to put rooves over their heads. That means you don't get instant results, and it's good for you. Patience is something all advanced students should have.

To begin the application process, you must send a complete personal statement to Kat@vircle.org. Your personal statement MUST INCLUDE the following things:
Your real legal name, and the name you prefer to go by and why.
Why and how you consider yourself an advanced student.
A brief autobiography including how you became Wiccan, including dates (roughly.)
Authors and other people who've had profound effects upon you.
The name and working email address of AT LEAST one Wiccan with a paper trail who is willing to vouch for the fact that you're not a stalker, creep or danger to yourself and others. [Someone we can prove is not you. (You can always ask current Vircle or CUEW members you know....)]
In addition, your statement should answer the following questions:
What makes a good Wiccan? How, if at all, is that different from a good person?
What do you think is the most important thing for Wiccans to know?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What are you interested?
Why do you want to join the Third Circle?
What does CUEW mean to you?
Please triple check grammar and spelling!