This document is under construction currently - the magi have accepted the basic principles suggested by Titus as sufficiently just and flexible.
The covenant exists, as a sacred trust, above and beyond the simple grouping of of its members as a roof shelters that which lies beneath it; nonetheless, like a roof bereft of the pillars that support it, the covenant loses its meaning and that which upholds it should it lack for members.
The purpose of this covenant is to provide shelter for the members, to support the advance of the Arts and of the Order, to obey the Oath and the Code as set forth by the Tribunas to which it is subject, and to perpetuate itself against peril into the future.
The purpose of the members of this covenant is to advance the purposes of the covenant, as interpreted by the collective decisions of the members.
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This covenant recognises the principles that status incurs a debt of responsibility, and conversely, that the acceptance of responsibilities should beget status for those that take such duties upon themselves.
With this principle considered, the senior members of this covenant shall be those that accept upon themselves responsibilities. These members, who shall pledge, each year, one season of their time over to the needs of the covenant above their personal needs. If the members of this covenant accept the pledge then the maker of the pledge is accorded the status of Senior Member, or Pillar, and is privileged with being able to stand taller than his socii, but is burdened with the duty of supporting the covenant - even as the pillars support the dome of a lofty structure and protecting all those who in some way contribute to the Covenant. The pillars, by virtue of their pledge, shall form the deliberative body of this covenant and are to attend quarterly meetings with their peers in order to discuss and decide the concerns of the covenant. Only when there are no Pillars shall the members of the covenant discuss and decide upon such matters.
At the option of them who make the pledge, and with the acceptance of the covenant, the pledge can be made enduring - with both the duties and the privileges being conferred in perpetuity upon them that make the pledge, until such time as the covenant deems the duty unworthy of the privileges or them that make the pledge deem the privileges unworthy of the duty. Them that make the pledge and the covenant may agree to any modification to the nature of the duty, so long as the principle stated at the beginning of this section is observed scrupulously.
The charter provides for quarterly meetings, on the first days of the Hermetic seasons. The Council for the year is to occur in winter of each year, immediately after the performance of the Aegis of the Hearth ritual. Only those who have performed a duty for the common benefit (i.e. 'Pillars') are given voting rights at the Council. All members are allowed to request to speak so that they might propose useful services but, so long as they are heard, they must await the convenience of the current Pillars.
The magi begin in the Hall of the House and each present three plain sticks to the conductor who binds the sticks into fasces symbolising the contributions of all the members of the covenant and how they are more united than they would be if divided. The magi, lead by the conductor bearing the fasces, march out of the House, through the gate, around the walls, and then back into the Hall of the House where they all swear to uphold the tenets of the charter. The ritual is then completed by the conductor and the fasces is kept in the Hall - sticks from it are given to visitors to use as casting tokens when neccessary.
At the First Council (Summer 1220):
At the Council of 1220: