"Clergé" païen
No single hierarchy exists for all Pagan practitioners. The relations between members of different traditions depends upon mutual recognition and respect of each other's ability and power. The Druidic organization is standardized, and so the others are compared to it.
Druidic ranks
Archdruid
The highest and most powerful magician in the land is the Archdruid. Unlike other druidic ranks, the chief druid is not examined by a superior and then appointed to his post. Instead, he must have proved himself through knowledge and experience to greater, invisible powers. He must understand the deepest powers of the world and its magic. Druidic training prepares a person for this experience. Merlin the magician is Archdruid before Arthur and early in his reign Later, Taliessin the Poet is Archdruid.
Druid
Not all magicians are druids. To become a druid, a man undergoes a time of training as a bard, then an oblate, in preparation for tests whose aim is to prove him to be an accomplished practitioner of magic and be capable of performing the rituals, spells, and other religious activities of a community.
Only men may be druids. Women do not need to because they, as Bearers of Life, are already initiated into the greatest secrets. Women usually become a priestess or a witch. They may still receive druidic instruction.
Oblate
A oblate is a druid in training who has already proved himself to be a master of bardic song and oral tradition, and is now studying the esoteric arts such as astronomy, astrology, divination, philosophy, and ritual. They outrank bards.
Bard
Bards used to be only the lowest rank of druid, but many bards exist who have no ambition to progress further. To be a bard one must have mastered the oral traditions of storytelling, poetry, genealogies, and law speaking.
True bards can perform the magical poem called a lampoon, which can disfigure a king's appearance, reputation, and health if he violates his social duties.
Other religious functionaries
Priest, Priestess
Anyone who has magical ability may become a priest or priestess with the proper training, usually administered by an existing hierarchy which has an established traditional relationship with a deity, often linked to a specific holy place. They are priests or priestesses of a specific deity. Functions are largely ceremonial, especially concerning the seasonal festivities which are always overseen by the priests and priestesses. Healing and providing magical protection are common activities. These people can often work magic, but lack the depth of understanding to qualify as druids and the breadth of experience to do anything outside of their deity's scope. Some, however, are more powerful than Oblates.
The best known priestesshood is that of the Ladies of the Lake.
Witch
The native, earth oriented magical lore of Britain is widely practiced, and organized locally by men and women called witches ("Wise ones"). They specialize in forms of folk magic, especially healing wounds and curing illness. Many other spells may be known or simply claimed by a witch They also lead communities in seasonal rituals. Witches recognize no authority outside their covens, but respect anyone accomplished in magical crafts.