Priestesses wear white, black, or red, depending on rank. They may also spend time acting as guardians of ancient sites such as stone circles. The rights and duties of the priestesses are described in great detail in the Oera Linda Book. Whilst some of these have had to be adapted slightly for the modern age, the essence remains unaltered. Basically, the function of the priestess is to serve - firstly the World Serpent, then the other deities and ancestors, and finally her fellow Initiates.
Men can, however, act as teachers or organisers.
Not all members of an Order will be Initiates, however - some will be Neophytes awaiting initiation, and others, for example, will be family members who have no particular desire to undergo the training. Until the 1940s the Ophidian Craft was very much family based. To be a Traditional Witch, one has to be initiated by another Traditional Witch. Although Covens exist, they tend to play a subsidiary role to the Orders, which may have a membership of a few hundred or so. Most of the Orders still in existence were founded during the twentieth century.