The Council of Guardians is the local governing body for each individual Temple of the Brotherhood. Members of the Brotherhood are elected to serve as administrators in seven positions where they serve and guide the membership for the term of one year from Ostara (Spring equinox) to the following Ostara.
The roles of the Council are practical, symbolic and magically potent. The Brotherhood’s system of symbols was created to unfold at different levels of membership. Members will have a different understanding of the symbols and concepts of the Order than the Seekers due to the Rite of Passage into full membership. That being said, the following descriptions are offered to give the basic principles, and responsibilities of each officer.
Sentinel
The Sentinel is the first officer you will meet at our rituals as he guards the Gateway to the Temple. The Sentinel is the protector of the entire Order and stands by the door to guard against disruptions during the Brotherhood’s rituals, classes or other workings. If you need to leave a ritual, meeting or other working of our Order you must allow him to usher you through the Gateway. The Sentinel handles matters related to the safety of the participants. He is responsible for any interaction of law enforcement or other emergency staff with the Order and will handle safety issues calmly and with grace. He is assures that any necessary permits, legal waivers and releases that the Order might need have been obtained.
Scribe
The Scribe and the Bursar are the next two officers you will meet at our rituals as you pass through the first Portal to the Temple. The Scribe’s duty is to record the proceedings of the Order, to prepare all official documents and to have custody of our sacred seal. He records the minutes at the Business Meetings and places them in the Archives for members to read if they chose. He is responsible for maintaining the current information of the Membership and will announce visitors from other Temples of the Order when they attend meetings. He possesses the Order’s business and sacred documents as well as printed resources for members and seekers.
Bursar
The Bursar works “hand in hand” with the Scribe to maintain the business matters of the Order. His duty is to have custody of all funds and resources of the Order and manage them as directed by the Constitution and Bylaws and the Will of the Order. He is responsible for reminding members of their pledge obligations and maintains excellent records of all financial matter of the Order. He creates the Budget of the Order and lists our funds and assets so that we have a constant reminder of the Order’s Finances. He helps create fundraising opportunities and facilitates fundraising events for the Order.
Herald
The Herald and the Warder are the next two officers you will meet as you pass through the Second Portal to the Temple. The Herald is the officer who introduces the seeker to the balance of business matters and magical work, both practical and spiritual energies. His duty is to guide the candidates for membership through the Rite of Passage. As such, he guides the members through their spiritual development within the Outer Order. He is responsible for maintaining the educational curriculum and its development. Anyone who would like to teach a workshop to either the membership of our Order, or to the general public in affiliation with the Brotherhood, should send a proposal to him.
Warder
The Warder protects the symbols and mysteries of the Brotherhood, and is responsible for the Membership of the Order. His duty is to have charge of the Inner door, to take charge of those who seek Candidacy into the Outer Order, to receive the signs from the members when they enter and leave the Temple. He protects the Order on a Spiritual level by acting as a Sentinel to the Otherworld admitting only those energies that are allied to the Will of the Order. This includes people as well. Both he and the Sentinel will remove disruptive influences from all meetings or rituals of the Brotherhood.
Magister
Once you have crossed through the two Portals of the Gateway to the Temple you will meet the last two officers, the Guardian and the Magister. The Magister is the presiding officer of the Order. His duty is to preside fairly and impartially over the Temple, to keep order during its meetings, and to carry out all other work as detailed in the Constitution and Bylaws and Will of the Order. He has a thorough knowledge of the business and spiritual matters of the entire Brotherhood and is the main resource for resolving questions and disputes. He maintains balance within all parts of the Order through his practical and spiritual work. Along with the Guardian, he will look for those who would excel at and enjoy leadership positions and help train them for leadership positions within the Order.
Guardian
The Guardian is the second in line. His duty is to proclaim the Temple open and closed, and to make certain that the Brotherhood functions as a whole. He assists the Magister in his work and takes his place upon his absence from the Temple. He works with the Warder and the Sentinel to provide for the safety and security of the Order. Along with the Magister, he will look for those who would excel at and enjoy leadership positions and help train them for leadership positions within the Order.
