Spira has a defined hierarchy with different levels of initiation.  At each level members have different responsibilities, can participate in different groups and activities and have access to different knowledge within the grove.  These levels allows us to get to know all potential members before accepting them into the inner grove, because we have a strong belief that ritual done with people that do not respect or like each other, produces very negative results.  SEEDLING The Symbol of the Seedling is a spiraling seed with one shoot emerging from the top, symbolizing potential and growth. The Seedling is the first step to becoming a member of a Grove within the Spiral Root Tradition. It is a stage of growth and learning and a stage to get to know potential initiates to see whether or not they are a good match for Spira. It is an exploratory stage, when the elders of the grove observe and interact with the seedling, learning about them. It is also a time when the seedling gets to know the members of the grove. Seedlings are expected to have a general knowledge of paganism and have some understanding of their own beliefs. The seedling stage is in lieu of the first degree as the seedlings are expected to do their own research into basic concepts in paganism and to formulate their own set of beliefs. Detached seedlings are potential initiates that cannot be observed in person because they live in other cities. Detached seedlings are required to spend a year completing assignments that are designed to let the elders get to know the seedling and to let the elders assess what level of understanding of pagan concepts the potential initiate has. LIANA The Symbol of the Liana is a tree with leaves showing the roots spiraling within the Earth. This symbol was chosen to represent the Lianas because within this phase of membership their purpose is to climb to greater spiritual heights with the aid of the Roots and other members. The spiral root represents the tree rooting itself much like the Liana will root his/herself within the Grove and also represents our belief in the Spiral, a symbol of continual growth and enlightenment. The Liana is the second step to becoming a member of a Grove within the Spiral Root tradition. The Seedling becomes a Liana after being initiated. During the members time of being a Liana they are given more in-depth assignments designed to help the liana discover more about themselves and their spiritual path as well as assignments focused on more advanced concepts such as meditation, deities, drawing down and ritual. Lianas are expected to read the required books/articles plus engage in a variety of other activities. Detached lianas are initiates that cannot be observed in person because they live in other cities. Detached lianas are required to spend a year completing assignments that are designed to further the liana's spiritual growth and knowledge. Detached lianas are expected to complete all assignments as well as develop a close relationship with their sponsor so that the learning year can be completed as fully and as easily as possible. During the member's time of being a Liana, the elders will once again observe and interact with the Liana so that at the end of the Liana year, a determination can be made if the initiate is to move onto the Emergent stage. EMERGENT The symbol of the emergent represents the duality of the Divine and the inferred tree form represents the Groves within the Spiral Root Tradition, you can see the upper limbs of the tree which represent the Sky and the lower Roots which represent the Earth. The limbs and roots also represent our belief in the spiral and imply a circle, which represents the eternal bond of the members within the Spiral Root Tradition. The Emergent is the third and final step of membership. The Emergent had access to all of the information within the Grove including the Mysteries. Roots of the grove are the Emergents who lead within any given grove.  Roots of the Spiral Root Tradition are represented by the same symbol with Root specific tree leaf or chosen stone in the center. An Emergent who is training to be a Root is called a Root Anticipant.
All information � Alberta Community Church of Spira Some pictures � arttoday.com Used with Permission Website design by Corvid Development Inc www.corviddevelopment.com