Magickal Group Ethics and Protocols  The following issues are intended to be used in a “round-table” learning circle, discussion forum.  The leader(s) of the group present the situations to the group and various problem-solving scenarios are discussed.  This is not intended to be a “test” to determine correct action, but an exercise to provide mental stimulation for learning.  Input is evaluated based on known and established tradition, existing protocol for individual groups and new ideas that present during the conversation.  This is a wonderful way for people within the group to get to know one another better, evaluate their own ideas and standards and be presented with potentially difficult situations that all Pagan leaders may face at one time or another in their tenure.  depending upon the time allowed for the exercise, these situations may be presented a few at a time or all at once for an all night marathon.
  1.  Challenge at the Gate  The guardian at the gate of the ritual area is issuing the “challenge” at the gate prior to ritual beginning.  This means that as each participant enters, the guardian lowers the ceremonial sword to their heart and asks who they are and how they enter the circle.  The password, of course, is “perfect love and perfect trust” or “perfect love and perfect peace”.  In our scenario, as the petitioner answers, “Perfect love and perfect trust”, the sword flies from the guardian’s hands and runs the petitioner through.  By Wiccan theory, the petitioner was NOT entering in perfect love and perfect trust.  Were they entering with malice in their heart or impure intentions toward the group?  Is this murder?  What do you do with the body?  Do you call the police?  What if you knew the guardian and petitioner had recently had ill feelings toward one another? 2.  Define “Perfect Love and Perfect Trust/Peace”  Must you perfectly love and trust and feel perfect peace with everyone in the circle?  What if you are visiting a circle and do not know everyone there?  Does this imply perfect love/trust/peace in regard to the group members?  The Lord & Lady?  Yourself?  What does this phrase, so often spoken but little understood mean to you? 3.  Uncomfortable in Circle, With Energies or Activities  If you are in a circle and something feels “wrong”, what do you do?  For instance, a box of live chickens (with menacing undertones) is brought in or people throw back their cloaks are found to be sky clad underneath or suddenly the Great Rite is being enacted in actuality rather than symbolically or you are suddenly hit with a big bolt of negativity.  What would you do? 4.  Legal Interruption to Ritual  If the police or other non participants such as nosy neighbors interrupt a ritual, what would be the best course of action?  Does this mean there was a faulty circle casting?  Is this a message from Deity not to proceed? 5.  Someone Bringing Harm to Another  What would you do if you knew or strongly suspected that a magickal person is harming or controlling someone through magickal or mundane means?  What if you knew/felt someone was harming or attempting to harm you?  What is considered reasonable retribution or is there such a thing?  What if you have been wronged mundanely?  Does 3-fold law need to be “enacted” or is it a given through Karma?  Is a “reflect and return” or a binding spell ethical?  What about direct magickal retribution?  When, if ever, are you as a Wiccan at liberty to make these determinations?  What is “Warlocking” and when, if ever, is it done? 6.  Unexpected Results From a Spell or Will (Petition)  If you performed ritual for a specific act and it brings undesired and possibly dangerous results because of poor planning or wording, what do you do?  Can you “fix” this?  What karmic repercussions would you or your teacher expect? 7.  Charging a Fee For Magick, Teaching or Divination  Is it ethical to charge a fee for what, in theory, is available to everyone?  What about karmic involvement in working magick for another person by their request.  Does charging a fee erase the karmic indebtedness of teacher for student? 8.  Working Magickally For Someone Without Their Permission  Do you need a person’s permission to mention their name in a magickal act?  What are the ethical boundaries if the person does not believe in magick?  What if that person needs the magick but would laugh, scorn or become angry if permission were asked?  Is it necessary to ask permission before working healing magick on someone?  What if they are not physically capable of giving permission for magickal work because was they are unconscious? 9.  Conflict Among Group Members  What is the protocol for handling conflicts among members within your group?  If there is discord among members at the time of a planned ritual, should any of the parties be allowed to enter the circle before the conflict is resolved to everyone's satisfaction?  What role should the group leaders take in resolving conflicts among members and at what point should this occur?  If the conflict is not able to be resolved, when should a more definitive intervention take place?