The circle (called a "tribe" in the old Woodcraft movement) is the basic unit of organization in Earthcraft. A circle consists of five or more people interested in Earthcraft. Each circle is made up of one or more lodges divided by age: Little Lodge for those under the age of 12, Middle Lodge for those from 12 to 18, and Big Lodge for adults 18 and over. Currently most Earthcraft groups are relatively small, and it may not always make sense to divide things up this way, but since people of different ages tend to enjoy different activities, some degree of division will usually be necessary. An adult leader, or Guide, should always supervise Little Lodge and Middle Lodge activities, but the lodge members should be allowed to govern themselves as much as possible.

Each circle should choose a name at its first meeting; it is traditional to choose a totem, which may be an animal, plant, tree, or natural phenomenon. The circle should create a simple image composed of basic colors that represents its totem. A Totem Board, which includes the circle's image as well as the Earthcraft symbol, may be made and placed behind the Council Rock for meetings.

Officers for the circle will need to be elected, although it often works to do this informally by consensus at first. Later, as the circle members become more familiar with each other and the duties of the offices, terms of six months or one year can be phased in. The titles and duties of the officers are given below.

The circle will need to find a convenient place to meet, and should make any necessary arrangements to pay its expenses. The basic rule should be that everyone who takes part contributes equally; whether this requires a system of dues or some less formal approach is up to the individual circle. All circle offices are volunteer positions; while being involved in Earthcraft has many rewards, to make a financial profit from one's membership is contrary to the Earthcraft Way

The Officers

The officers of a circle are as follows:

Chief - a member elected by the circle. He or she acts as representative of the circle, presides over the circle's Council meetings, and (in the case of Little and Middle Lodge circles) cooperates with the Guide in conducting the work of the circle. This officer must be strong and acceptable to the members for the Chief is the leader and must enforce the circle's laws and decisions.

Tanist - takes the Chief's place in the event of his or her absence. He or she is elected by the circle. It is customary for the Tanist to act as the Chief of the Honor Committee, which assesses claims by members to have achieved the various Honors, Titles and Degrees of the full Earthcraft system.

Almoner - A member elected by the circle to serve as treasurer. He or she has charge of collecting dues and contributions, and should have a box to keep supplies and other valuables.

Scribe - a member elected by the circle to keep records of the tribe's meetings and activities.

Firekeeper - A member appointed by the Chief to tend the Council Fire. This is considered a position of great honor and responsibility in Earthcraft.

Herald - A member appointed by the Chief to make announcements, take care of publicity for Council meetings, and do any work necessary at Council times.

Guide - An adult who acts as advisor to a Little Lodge or Middle Lodge. He or she should be at least twenty-one years of age and of good character, should be involved in Earthcraft himself or herself, and should have some experience working with young people. The Guide should either know or be willing to learn enough about Earthcraft games, craft projects and other activities to keep the circle members happily occupied at meetings and on outings.

Lodge Elders - a committee of three or more adults who work with the Guide of a Little Lodge or Middle Lodge to provide continuity and help with the work of running a circle. All members should be active in an Earthcraft Big Lodge.

Initiation

Traditionally, applicants for membership to a Woodcraft tribe were required to pass through some form of simple initiation test. The impulse to initiate and be initiated is deep-seated in human nature, and when handled carefully by the Guide and the Chief, it can be used as a potent factor in character building. Earthcraft Circles are encouraged to make use of this tradition.

The initiation should be something bearing on the candidate's "besetting sin" - that is, the part of their character over which they have the least control. It should be incapable of causing injury and should be approved by the Council. The applicant must pass the test within a month after the test is set.

The following are a few suggestions:

SILENCE: Keep absolutely silent for a fixed period of time.

GOOD NATURE: For some set period of time, respond promptly, cheerfully, and without complaining to any reasonable request.

ESSAY: Write an acceptable essay on "What the twelve laws of Earthcraft mean to me.''

OVERNIGHT HIKE: Accompany an overnight camp of a Earthcraft tribe.

SLEEPING OUTSIDE: Sleep outside in a tent, or under the open sky, for three nights in a row.

NATURE STUDY: Carry out some specific nature study task, such as identifying ten local wild plants at sight.

CRAFT WORK: Make some useful Earthcraft item - basket, bow, fire sticks, totem board, etc. - using only hand tools.

Any trial of self-control or attainment approved by the Council (and, in Little and Middle Lodges, by the Guide) may be used, if sufficient to equal the above, but not likely to be dangerous under any circumstances. Once a prospective member has passed his or her initiation test, the circle must vote unanimously to accept him or her as a new member. The applicant must also learn, by memory, the twelve Earthcraft laws, and promise to accept and abide by the laws and decisions of the circle. Once these are done, the applicant is a full member with the same rights as any other member.

Council Meetings

The circle should meet at least once each month. Traditionally, these meetings were held nearest the full moon, though any convenient date can be selected. Circle meetings are known as Councils, and are held in a Council Ring with a fire (real if at all possible) in the center and a circle of chairs around the outside. This latter point is important for several reasons. A circle is the best way to seat a group, for each has his or her place and is so seated as to see everything and be seen by everybody. As a result each feels a very real part in the proceedings that they could not feel if there were corners in which one could hide. Meeting in a circle is dignified and it is democratic.

In the original Woodcraft movement, members made brown robes of Native American style and wore them to Council meetings. Some Woodcraft groups overseas had costumes of their own - for example, the Kindred of the Kibbo Kift, the most colorful of the British Woodcraft groups, wore green tunics of Robin Hood cut. Earthcraft circles are encouraged to choose a costume for council meetings and have each member make his or her own. The honor band, a sash of orange cloth used for degree and honor badges, may be worn over the Council robe, or members may decorate their costume with the emblems of their honors, rank and degrees. Generally, anything that will add to the atmosphere of Council is worth considering.

When Council meets indoors and a real fire cannot be used, it is often useful to have an artificial fire, made with an electric bulb and fireproof orange and red paper in the middle of a "log cabin fire" of real firewood. If the lights in the room are kept low, the effect can be striking.

In Council no one may stand except on legitimate business. No one may cross or remain in the open space except the Chief presiding, the members when speaking or performing, and the Firekeeper when attending to his or her duties. Even so, the Firekeeper must not tend the fire at any moment when it will interfere with a performance or distract attention at an important moment.

The seat of the Chief is called the Council Rock, and is addressed "O Chief!" Anyone wishing to speak arises and gives the Earthcraft Sign, which is made by closing all the fingers of the right hand into the palm except the little finger and the thumb. This represents the shield and horns of the old Woodcraft symbol. This sign is raised to the level of the head; the person wishing to speak then says, "O Chief!" and waits until the Chief by word or gesture gives him or her the right to speak. Only those so recognized may speak in Council, and no one may interrupt. Formal courtesy is important in Council, as it is in any ceremony

When a member arrives after the beginning of Council, he or she stands outside the Council Ring until the Headwoman/man looks that way. The person wishing to enter then makes the Earthcraft Sign and says, "O Chief may I enter?'' The reply is, "Enter.'' The member then takes a seat without crossing the center of the Council Ring.

Council Opening

To open Council, the Chief stands. Quiet should come instantly at this signal, and everyone else who is standing should sit down at once.

Chief: "GREETINGS ALL.'' (Gives the Earthcraft Sign.) "MY FRIENDS, GIVE EAR. WE ARE ABOUT TO HOLD COUNCIL. WILL THE FIRE KEEPER PLEASE LIGHT THE COUNCIL FIRE." (This is done.)

Chief: "I CALL UPON (chooses four members, by name) TO REPEAT OUR LAWS." (The four chosen members go to the fire, where there are four torches - real, if the fire is real, and imitation if an indoor fire is being used. The chosen members take the torches of Beauty, Truth, Wisdom, and Love in that order, and face the fire, forming a circle around it.

Tanist: "EARTHCRAFTERS! FOUR TORCHES ARE IN OUR GREAT CENTRAL FIRE. FROM THEM REACH TWELVE RAYS. TWELVE GOLDEN STRANDS ARE THESE, THE LAWS WE HOLD."

First Chosen Member: (Lights or pretends to light torch, saying:) ``BE CLEAN; BE STRONG; BE OBSERVANT.''

Second Chosen Member: (Does same, saying:) "BE HONEST; BE FAIR; BE BRAVE."

Third Chosen Member: (Does same, saying:) "BE RESPONSIBLE; BE RESPECTFUL; BE REVERENT."

Fourth Chosen Member: (Does same, saying:) "BE JOYFUL; BE HELPFUL; BE KIND."

(If the fire and torches are real, the torches are held up and then returned to the fire to burn. If not, the torches are set down around the fire. The chosen members return to their seats.)

Council Business

Once the Opening is finished, the following order of business is used:

Roll Call - The Almoner reads the membership roll of the circle, and each member present responds as his or her name is called by standing and giving the Earthcraft Sign. Attendance at Council is important; in the old Woodcraft circles, a member who misses three Councils in a row for no good reason is dropped from membership in the circle.

New Members - Applicants for membership are brought forward to the Headwoman/man. It's a good idea to have application forms, and require a signed permission slip or letter from a parent or guardian for Little or Middle Lodge members. Applicants are introduced to the circle and then asked to leave the room while the tribe discusses initiation tests.

Once an applicant has passed his or her initiation test, can repeat the twelve laws from memory, and promises to abide by the rules of the circle, he or she has qualified for membership and is presented to the Council as follows:

Chief:: "HERE (name of applicant) HAS PASSED HIS/ HER INITIATION TESTS; HE/SHE KNOWS THE LAWS AND HAS GIVEN US HIS/HER WORD THAT HE/SHE WILL OBSERVE THE LAWS AND WILL ABIDE BY ALL THE DECISIONS OF THE COUNCIL. I ACKNOWLEDGE HIM/HER AS A MEMBER OF THIS CIRCLE."

Reading of the Council Records - The Chief then calls on the Scribe to read the record of the last Council. If the tribe has been on a hike or excursion since the last Council, the Scribe reports on that also. When the record has been read, the Chief asks if there are any corrections. After all corrections have been made, the Chief says: ``IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER CORRECTIONS (pauses) I DECLARE THE RECORD ACCEPTED.''

Report of the Almoner - This officer gives a report on the money and supplies in the treasury, and reminds members of unpaid dues if the circle has dues.

Ranger Reports - Any observation of interest to the circle may be presented by members under this heading. Ranger reports are usually no more than five minutes long, and are divided into three classes:

1. Service reports - accounts of community service projects or tribal projects that have been accomplished.

2. Nature study reports - accounts of nature study and observation carried out by members.

3. Information reports - environmental news, announcements of upcoming events, and other information of interest to members.

The Guide and Chief should do everything possible to encourage good ranger reports. Accounts of nature study are to be especially encouraged. Ranger reports are sometimes set for members by the Council to be given at the next meeting. A member may be called upon to give a ranger report about a certain, bird, animal or plant, or may be asked to give a report on a certain craft. It is splendid training in observation and cultivates poise and self-reliance to a remarkable degree.

Leftover Business - This is self-explanatory.

New Business - Any announcements or discussions of the activities of the circle, which have not been brought up in Council, fall under this head.

Good of the Circle - Any matter pertaining to the welfare of the circle may be presented. Constructive criticism and suggestions are always in order.

Claiming of Honors - All claims for honors must be given to the Chief of the Honor Committee (usually the Tanist, assisted by the Guide in Little or Middle Lodge circles) who with at least two other members will carefully check out the claim and assure themselves that it is as represented. They then give it back to the claimant, who gives it to a friend to claim it for him in Council. (In Earthcraft tradition, members do not claim honors for themselves.) All honor claims must be carefully recorded and preserved so that the higher ranks may be claimed in due course.

Council Closing

Chief: "MY FRIENDS, WE ARE ABOUT TO CLOSE COUNCIL. WILL THE FIRE KEEPER PLEASE PUT OUT THE FIRE." (This is done. All members stand with arms folded.)

Chief: ``MY FRIENDS, AGAINS WE HAVE MET IN COUNCIL, A MEETING OF SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS. MAY ALL OUR FUTURE COUNCILS BE THE SAME. MAY THE LIVING EARTH GUIDE OUR FOOTSTEPS HERE AGAIN."

Activity Program

After the closing, the Chief then says: "I NOW TURN THE MEETING OVER TO THE EVENING'S ACTIVITIES." The Guide, in a Little or Middle Lodge circle, and the members, in every level of Earthcraft, are responsible for making sure that there is a full slate of activities for every meeting, suitable to the season, the location and the resources of the tribe. See Earthcraft Activities for suggestions, and the books in the Reading List for more.