When researching Wicca, you will likely see a lot of references to Witches being "first degree", "second degree", and "third degree" Priests or Priestesses. Generally, all Wiccans are considered to be either a Priest or Priestess depending on gender identification and collectively or individually referred to as Witches. (Hopefully that isn't too confusing.)
Degrees are used in Covens to measure the training and experience of its Priests and Priestesses. Upon leaving the Coven, degreed status is lost. Furthermore, when a Witch enters a new Coven, they are very likely faced with a mandate to begin with First Degree training regardless of perhaps having been as high as Third Degree in a prior Coven.
The training and time required to accelerate from First to Third Degree is completely dependent on the Coven in question. In Covens that I have been associated with, a Witch was first an Initiate that trained for a year and a day before even qualifying to become a First Degree Priest or Priestess. This lengthy interaction assured both the Initiate and the existing Coven members that the new addition would be a good fit. The criteria for accelerating to Second Degree sometimes requires at least another year and a day of service as a First Degree Priest or Priestess as well as achieving certain bench marks in training and demonstration of required skill sets. And of course, Third Degree would require service as a Second Degree for a set period of time as well as reaching additional goals and skill sets. To keep the Coven from becoming top heavy with two many high ranking Priests and Priestesses, the acceleration from Second to Third Degree may be lengthy and require many benchmarks.
In many Covens, First Degree Witches are worker bees of sorts handling a variety of the more menial tasks required to run the Coven. This may include assisting with set up for Ritual and clean up afterwards and any other tasks a Coven may require of First Degree. In many Covens, it is at Second Degree when Witches begin teaching classes and training new Witches as well as doing public outreach in the community. Sometimes First Degree Witches are allowed to teach as well. However, no Witch ever teaches classes that are above his/her training. For instance, Firsts can only teach First Degree classes, Seconds can teach Second and First Degree classes, and of course, Thirds can teach First, Second and Third Degree classes. By the time a Witch becomes Third Degree, they will have invested a lot of time, training and effort in their path with the Coven and should be well rounded in their skillsets and people skills. And under circumstances approved by the Coven, Third Degrees are able to hive off and start their own Coven.
High Priest and High Priestess titles are also very appealing and romantic sounding titles. These titles are held by those who arbitrate issues within the Coven and are ultimately responsible for running the Coven. Each Coven handles these appointments differently. Sometimes these positions are held by the individuals that started the Coven and remain held by the founders throughout the life of the Coven. In some Covens, these titles are appointed by vote and held for a set period of time or until someone steps down or retires. These are things to clarify when looking at getting involved with a Coven.
When working as a Solitary, however, none of this is relevant because there is only you. And quite frankly, if you are a practicing Solitary and hold yourself out to be a First, Second or Third Degree, you will likely not be taken seriously.
What if there are no Covens around? Can you start your own? Yes, in the absence of having gone through a Coven system and attaining Third Degree, a Witch can start their own Coven, but it is a very serious undertaking. It requires people skills, leadership, hard work, and patience. And being prepared to come up with answers for every issue. Also, it means setting up the coven structure. How do people join? How are High Priests and Priestesses determined? What happens if someone doesn't fit after joining? How are disputes resolved? Are decisions final, who makes them and is there an appeal process? What are rules for ritual? What are the responsibilities of each degree? What training is required to go from one degree to another?
Being responsible for the training of others is not something to be taken lightly. By setting yourself out as a teacher, you are putting yourself under scrutiny and people will expect you to be well versed in the subject matter. Can you readily answer questions tendered by your students? Or will you be having to look up everything as you go? Do you actually know enough to be a teacher? How will you vette your student intake so that you know you and they are a match? If will be extremely awkward if you take on students that know more than you do and you get tangled up in showing ignorance.
If taking on running a Coven is too much for the time being or you are learning as you go but want to share with others, start a study group. This is a lovely way to go because there is no ranks within the group, it can be as big or small as desired, it can be very formal or informal depending on the needs and desires of the group. Choosing books to study together can be a good way to run a study group. If the group is able to have live gatherings, crafts can be done together as well as ritual and drum circles.
As with all my posts, I have to clarify that this article is generalities with regards to Wicca and can not speak for every individual Wiccan.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Bright Blessings and Blessed Be,
Rayven Michaels
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