FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I join the Abbey?

• There is no membership associated with the Abbey.  Three Stones Abbey is an online Abbey that is a meeting place for several related or similar organizations to discuss and share ideas.  There are several organizations listed in our “links” section, some of which we have traded links with.
  

How can I put a link on the Abbey’s website?

• Write to us via the guestbook to let us know you’re interested.  We’ll peruse your site for content to see if our goals are consistent with yours, ask questions and open a discussion with you.  Then we can decide whether we would all benefit from trading links to each other’s websites.
  

Why was the Abbey established, and who runs it?

• The Order of the Hearth supplies the personnel to manage the functions of the Abbey such as: Webmistress, Corresponding Secretary, and Editor.  The Abbess oversees certain other functions that relate to prayer vigils and special prayers, often calling upon the Sisters of the Order and some of the Friends of the Abbey to participate.  The Abbey was created by the Sisters of the Order of the Hearth to provide certain types of information and links, as well as to offer an opportunity for discussion, to the general public.
  

So then the Sisters are part of an Order?  What is that like, and are they nuns?

• At the moment, only one of the Sisters is a nun.  No one is required to take the vows of chastity.  However, the Sisters are Ladys who have taken the vow of the Order and abide by the Rule.  The functions and practices of the Order are private, meaning that we do not recruit for the Order.  Our main goal in creating the Abbey has always been to provide the educational materials for persons who are interested in various female-oriented pagan practices.
  

But I saw a “For Men” page on the website.  How can that be “female-oriented”?

• None of the Brothers’ organizations are part of the Order of the Hearth.  They are organizations listed on the Abbey’s site because we have had men interested in our system of education.  We do not provide education for men, but the “Men’s Page” does offer links to men’s organizations of merit.
  

What system of education do you use?

• The Sisters of the Order of the Hearth have all been widely educated, but no matter how extensive their separate educations have been, they have agreed upon some very basic principles and practices, and use those as the common starting point for the spiritual quest.
  

Is your system of education something that I can read about?

•   Yes. It has been compiled into a two-part book that has recently been published.
  

Do you mean that there is a book like a “school book” that I could buy?

 Yes.  It offers a very “hands-on” approach to pursuing the spiritual quest through the natural world.  In fact, the Sisters of the Order welcome discussion and questions from persons who are reading the publication.  It’s called The Book of Common Craft. (see our “Studies” page on the website.)

What happens if a man buys the book?

• The general public has access to The Book of Common Craft, and we are able to discuss it with anyone who Emails us about it.  The contents of the book are very general in many ways, covering processes useable by either gender.  However, the female-oriented rituals probably would not be of particular interest to men.
  

So if I did the exercises and suggested activities in the Book of Common Craft, would I then have the same general education that the Sisters of the Order of the Hearth have?

• Yes.
  

If I had the same general education that the Sisters have, then could I join the Order?

• The Order is not an open Order.  From time to time, however, women do join the Order under very special circumstances.
  

Under what special circumstances do women join The Order of the Hearth?

• Usually, one of the Sisters recommends someone they personally know, who has shown a clear understanding of the studies of the Order and who, by their joining, would have something of value to offer the Order such as: a particular skill or spiritual insight or talent.  The Sisters of the Order must vote unanimously in favor of accepting a new Sister.  Any new Sister is bound by One Vow and One Rule, to the Order of the Hearth.
  

How does someone ever get to “personally know” one of the Sisters, and how would that Sister decide if I had a “clear understanding” of the basic studies of the Order?

• Usually, we do get to know someone through conversation and interaction.  However, we recognize that this can be difficult for someone who cannot meet us personally, but is still interested in a relationship with us at least online. We encourage online conversations. If you have used the Book of Common Craft and want to present your “proof of understanding,” we can provide a questionnaire for you along with instructions on how to provide your work to us.
  

If I can provide the “proof” that I understand your studies and if I give you samples of my work, and if I have something to offer the Order, and I’ve established a personal correspondence with one of the Sisters, then do I get to join the Order?

• Your chances of being recommended would be very good.  However, remember that all of the Sisters must be of one accord.  And remember that all Sisters are female.  Also remember that all the Sisters who are voting, must be of one accord.  It’s not like a club with a general membership.  The Order is committed to certain goals, and those goals would be discussed.  Also, Sisters who enter a “nay” vote to accept are not required to give a reason for their decision.
  

What if I decided to just start my own organization and use The Book of Common Craft as the basis of my own group?

• That’s great.  It’s a public information book, just like The Bible is.  Lots of groups use the Bible, for example, and they’re different from each other.  You would not be able to claim that you were part of the Order of the Hearth, however.  You would have to create your own identity.  (The Sisters of our Order are identified).
  

Is there any advantage to joining the Order of the Hearth?

• We believe our advantages are spiritual in nature, with secular considerations being secondary.
  

Do you live in a convent?

• No. We are “Dispersed Sisters,” which is an accepted term that designates Sisters who do not reside together.
  

Do you have rituals or liturgy that I can read?

• Yes.  Click on our button for rituals on our Index (first) page of the website.
  

I’d like to use the same ritual clothing that you show on your website. Is that okay?

• Of course.
  

You said that your Sisters have been widely educated.  Besides the “basic common starting point” of belief systems, what other kinds of education do the Sisters have?

• Systems of study and belief held by the various Sisters include but are not limited to: Asatru, Avalonian, Ceremonialist, Brighitine, Celtic Christian, Druidism, Faery, Arthurian and Thelemic.
  

With such a variety of education and personal practices, does the Order of the Hearth pick a goddess to worship?

• We are a pantheistic order, meaning that we revere whom we personally feel called by, and we also revere all other Goddesses and Gods.