The Witches Coven
cov·en/ˈkəvən/Noun
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A Coven is a group of witches together. Traditionally in Wicca , as well as some others it exists of a High Priestess a High Priest, female and male witches priest-esses. Thirteen in total, nowadays this can be less or even more, if two or three Covens come together to celebrate one of the festivals. It is still hard to find a training coven who is excepting people to join them. If you are a genuine person, there are books and magazines to read who sometimes refer to groups, surf at the net, or go to a meeting, talk. Today there are the “pub-moots”, a gathering of people who can meet and greet witches talk to them and ask questions. You can find your local ones sometimes at the web.
Most covens guide and help you with your training, normally a year and a day, even longer and initiate you in that tradition
"First of all, you need to understand that there are many different types of groups. You’re not going to fit in with every one of them, and you’re not going to feel comfortable in every one of them. They’re not all going to feel comfortable with you. That’s part of life, and it’s part of the seeking process. Some groups may have a dynamic that just doesn’t work for you
Some covens are limited to males or females only, others are specifically for gay Pagans, and some are for families and married couples and exclude single members. A coven you’re interested may already have what they consider their ideal number – sometimes thirteen but frequently less – and they may tell you to wait until someone leaves before you can join. Accept this, and move on. Don’t take it personally. Ideally, you’ll be able to find a coven in which you can get along with all the existing members, and you won’t have a clash of personalities or philosophies.
Also, realize that a coven is like a small family. Many Wiccans are closer to their coven-mates than they are to their own siblings. Just because you’ve found a coven doesn’t necessarily mean you are guaranteed acceptance. Coven membership is a two-way street. Wiccan covens do NOT Go Out RECRUITING new members, and no matter how -witchy you think you may be, if one member of the coven has a problem with you – justified or not – it could keep you from becoming a member. Take the time to ask questions when appropriate, and you can make an informed decision in the event that membership is offered to you. "Patti Wigington
Paganism / Wicca Guide
A coven is a unique entity.
It is not a club.
A club may include members who drop in whenever they don't have
something better to do, joined merely to find friends without
having a sincere interest in the club's focus, or because it
is “in” to belong to that particular club. As long
as you pay your dues, you remain a member of the club. That
will not work in a coven.
It is not a church.
Churches have large congregations in order to support large
buildings. Churches may contain within their structure many
“ministries”, whose purpose may be teaching children,
visiting the sick, fund raising, and community outreach. Most
covens have no paid clergy, nor fund-raising sub-groups, nor
are they practical within any group with a limited membership
consisting mainly of people who work full-time jobs.
Wicca is said to be a “religion” because it involves
worship of gods, has priests (and priestesses), and provides
a platform for spiritual growth. However, Wicca differs from
“conventional” religions in many ways. Everyone
in Wicca is considered to be a priest or priestess, or in training
to become a priest or priestess. We do not believe we need someone
to intervene between us and the gods. High Priests and Priestesses
of Wicca serve as guides to point the way to enlightenment but
should never be viewed as an indispensable part of one's spirituality.
Wicca teaches that each individual has the capability to draw
energy from the gods and universe into themselves for the purpose
of healing and other magic. We do not ask (pray to) the gods
to do things for us. We ask them to guide us, instruct us and
give us strength.
What a coven is
While a coven may seem to have some elements of the above mentioned
groups, it is a mistake to expect a coven to duplicate or be
a substitute for any or all of them.
Ideally, a coven is a group of like-minded people who come together
with the understanding that there is strength in numbers and
any organization is only as strong as its weakest link. What
a coven is, most of all, is a “group mind”. A coven
is a group of people who have worked hard to achieve rapport
so that the focus and flow of every ritual comes naturally to
the entire group.
With that in mind it is necessary for each member of a coven
to understand that self-confidence, sincerity, ambition, and
absolute honesty are critical characteristics of a dedicated
witch. While even the most traditional coven allows for some
differences in belief, there is absolutely no room for personal
agendas which do not serve the interests of the entire coven.
A coven provides a platform for sharing craft-related experiences,
working together to raise energy for magic, group meditations,
spiritual growth, and enlightenment.
Coven membership
(Dedication or Initiation
depending on the tradition) is not something to be entered into
lightly. One must understand completely, the rights and obligations
of members of the coven at all the various levels. If there
is ever any question as to what those rights and obligations
are, the priest or priestess should be consulted personally
as soon as the question arises.
AN interesting article I found Is a coven right for you
This of course relates to real life off line covens
But some same principles apply for online ones as well
Is A Coven Right For You?
Perhaps you have just learned about Wicca and want the experience found in a group, or perhaps you have been practicing as a solitary and feel the need for some company. Belonging to a coven can be a wonderful experience, or it can be a terrible mistake. Before you go looking for a group to join, you should do some careful thinking about just what kind of group you would feel comfortable with. Here are some things you might want to consider:
What kind of tradition or flavour of Wicca appeals to you? This may involve some careful reading and research on your part to find out how the traditions differ. Are you into a more set ritual structure with a hierarchical flavour, if so, one of the Gardnerian or Alexandrian groups might fit your needs. If you are more laid back and don’t want a group with a rigid degree system, then some of the more eclectic groups might appeal to you. Would you prefer to be in women-only group, then perhaps a Dianic tradition would be better.
What is your feeling about being naked in front of others, even others of the opposite sex? Many, if not most, Gardnerian groups and some others practice “skyclad”. If this makes you uncomfortable, this might not be a good choice.
There are some groups which practice a symbolic Great Rite (representative of the sexual union of the God and Goddess which brings fertility to the Earth), while others practice an actual great rite with sexual relations between the Priest and Priestess. The actual rite may be done apart from the circle or in the circle itself. Some traditions require the Great Rite between student and initiator as part of the initiation process. How do you feel about this?
Do you prefer a small group of like-minded people in someone’s living room, or are your happy to be part of a larger group that is more open and may even hold public rituals?
So now you have found a group that you think might be the ticket for you. Here are some more questions to ask before you decide to join.
When does the group hold rituals? Some covens gather on the specific night of the full moon or holiday, while others acknowledge the concerns of the mundane world by holding celebrations on the weekend closest to the event. How does your work or school schedule match up? If work keeps you from going to ritual, or ritual makes you too sleepy to go to work the next day, you may as well look for another group.
What is the group’s feeling on the use of mind-altering substances, be it alcohol or other, perhaps illegal, drugs? Are they used in circle? Do you have the right to refuse to use them without pressure from the rest of the group? If they are used in circle, could being present when they are used jeopardize your job?
How do the members of the group treat each other outside of circle? Is the group simply a Go-To-Sabbat bunch of folks who go their own way during the rest of the week? Or are they friends outside of circle who are always available to each other in times of need? Ideally, a coven should function as a clan or extended family.
What is the position of the High Priest/ess in relationship to the rest of the circle? Are they the kind of leader who dictates to everyone what they will do and how they will act? Do they play favourites? Or do they listen to the concerns of others in the group and treat all fairly? Are they someone who is respected for their knowledge and spirituality, but equal with the others in the sight of the Gods? Remember that one of the signs of a cult is the all-powerful, all-knowing leader.
Does the High Priest/High Priestess have enough knowledge of what it is that they are doing to facilitate the functions of the group and to safely lead a magical working? If the rest of the group is just learning, it is very helpful to have at least one fully trained individual to show the way.
Do you feel welcome and safe in the group? When you stand in circle you bear with you the passwords, Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. If you cannot feel that way about those around you, especially in circle, you will eventually be unhappy if you stay with this group.
Being part of a close-knit coven can be a marvellous experience, but it can also be a disaster.
Remember, there is nothing wrong with solitary practice! It is far better to continue as a solitary than to join a group which does not help you advance along your spiritual path.
