The Order of Paladins is a Wiccan order of Knighthood founded by Wiccan author Kerr Cuhulain in 2007 and revised in November 2013. The Order of Paladins embraces the Warrior philosophies as outlined in Kerr’s books Wiccan Warrior, Full Contact Magick, Magickal Self Defense, and Modern Knighthood. The Order of Paladins embraces the concept of chivalry and focuses on empowerment, creative expression and effective magick. We are constantly developing new rituals, and magick and studying our philosophy. All members are expected to participate and contribute.

Kerr retired from law enforcement in 2013 and moved to Sechelt, BC, where he set up a Motherhouse and Preceptory where members can visit and train. In December 2014 Kerr was accepted as a faculty member at Ardantane, and in April 2018 a Preceptory was set up at Ardantane so that students in the US would have a place to train (www.ardantane.org).

The Order’s mandate is to provide equality and fairness to all and not provide less favourable facilities or treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, national origin, religion or belief, or sex and sexual orientation. We are opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.

Notes About Training

In the first phase of Order of Paladins training the Novice is welcomed into the Order with an Acceptance ritual. The Novice is encouraged to take a fearless inventory of their characteristics, to learn about themselves and their energetic and psychic abilities. Novices study energy through both mental and psychical exercises, learn and practice psychic skills and develop their magickal skills. They also are introduced to duties which develop self discipline and industriousness. At the end of this first phase the Novice becomes a Squire at an Armoring ceremony.

In the second level of training the Squire learns how to use what he has learned of himself in the Novice phase. The Squire studies ritual and magickal weapons: We take our Magickal Weapons seriously and train with them. At the end of this second phase the Squire becomes a Knight at an Arming ceremony.

The third phase of training is about teaching and leadership. The knight finds ways to use his skills to help others. At the end of the third phase the Knight becomes a Master at a Mastering ceremony.

Finally, the Master commits himself to a quest which will allow him to fully live the precepts and code of chivalry and do something to help others. At the end of this phase the master becomes a Paladin at a Dedication ceremony.

While our Sabbat rituals are constantly changing to reflect the creativity of our members, the aforementioned initiations are fixed, tying us together with tradition.

The Rule

Members of the Order of Paladins must honor and uphold the Wiccan Rede in all its aspects.

Members of the Order of Paladins must follow our 13 Warrior precepts:

  1. Know thyself.
  2. Nurture the ability to perceive the truth in all matters.
  3. You create your own reality.
  4. Develop a sense of Right Action.
  5. Do not be negligent, even in trifling matters.
  6. Your body is your temple: Care for it!
  7. Minimal appearance, maximum content.
  8. Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye.
  9. Power with.
  10. Who dares wins.
  11. The Gods cannot help those who will not help themselves.
  12. Be creative!
  13. Do not engage in useless activity.

Members of the Order of Paladins must also follow our Code of Chivalry as outlined in our Oath of Knighthood, which includes the following principles: Sincerity, Courtesy, Compassion, Perseverance, Industriousness, Justice, Loyalty, Courage, Self-Discipline, Humility, Largesse, Truth, and Honor.

No liquor is permitted in Order of Paladins Circles or rituals.

We respect Pagan traditions that use wine, mead, or whiskey in Circle or ritual as the “water of life.” This “prohibition” isn’t intended as a criticism of their practices. Some of us were formerly involved in relationships with alcoholic partners and their families. Liquor is too easily abused. We’ve been to too many Circles or gatherings where people came drunk or got drunk and were a disruptive influence and/or a drain on the magickal energy of the group. This will not happen here. The Order of Paladins may have social events outside of Circle where such beverages are available, but they will not be used in ritual.

The Order of Paladins is a drug free tradition.

No drugs will be tolerated, period. Members of the Order of Paladins will obey the laws and uphold them. We do not waste our time in altered states of consciousness, whether drug induced or not. Being Warriors, we teach ourselves to use flow states, enhancing our awareness. Our position on this subject is well documented in Wiccan Warrior, Full Contact Magick, and Magickal Self Defense. We will support anyone committed to recovery efforts.

The Order of Paladins is a family tradition and children are entirely welcome in Circle and out.

The rules are the same for kids as for adults: People in Circle are expected to behave with courtesy towards others.

The Order of Paladins does not do skyclad rituals.

We respect Wiccan traditions that practice skyclad rituals. The Order of Paladins conducts most rituals at the Motherhouse or member’s homes in casual wear. The Order of Paladins does have ritual wear for Sabbats and Esbats, but if a coven member shows up in street clothes due to limited funds or a tight work schedule that’s perfectly alright. You don’t need ritual and robes to do magick and you don’t need robes to do ritual: We don’t want our members to get too hung up on ritual paraphernalia. For public events our uniform is a black Gi (karate jacket) with the Order of Paladins logo on the back in white.