Covens (in general)

 

Before committing yourself, it's always best to do your research to be sure that any group is right for you.  ~ Always Safety First!

 

In case unaware: a coven is a gathering or community of witches. It is composed of a group of practitioners who gather together for rituals and ceremony or celebrating the Sabbatts.  The place at which they generally meet is called a covenstead. The number of people involved may vary. Although some consider thirteen to be ideal, any group of at least three can be a coven.  A group of two is usually just referred to as a "working couple" of witches. 

 

Many believe that a coven larger than thirteen is unwieldy, creating challenging group dynamics and an unfair burden on the leadership.  When a coven has grown too large to be manageable, it may split, or "hive". In Wicca, this may also occur when a newly made High Priest or High Priestess leaves to start their own coven.

Wiccan covens are usually jointly led by a High Priest or High Priestess.  

 

Many covens follow a Wiccan structure, many involve prerequisites, many involve an initiation process, many no not involve skyclad meetings, many do not do any of the mentioned above... Each group can be different.  It is very important to learn about the coven first to be sure it sounds good for you (or safe) to join.  FYI: Not all witches are Wiccan. However, most Wiccans are witches.

 

Although some covens are led by only one or the other, and some by two of the same. In some forms of neopagan witchcraft, covens are sometimes managed with a rotating leadership.

 

Personally, amongst my coven members, each and every member is considered equal (including the High Priestess or High Priest and within my covenstead anyone is able to teach and help the rest of the group from their own individual perspectives, strengths and seperate areas of knowledge and workings in the craft.  

 

Most covens operate in secret, or within some form of discretion which can make them harder to find.  Some metaphysical stores may advertise coven groups looking for members.  In more recent years it has become very popular for some witches to create "online covens" which remotely teach tradition-specific crafts to it's members.  

 

No matter what you are considering, please be sure that any group's intentions align with your own before beginning any kind of commitment or membership.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking questions, or getting information ahead of joining.  If a group is not being uofront or forthcoming with its practices and traditions DO NOT JOIN! 

 

Only consider doing what you are comfortable doing. Be sure that any group you consider participating in compliments your interests. 

 

Be safe, and blessed be!
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More about the Sacred Meadow Circle coven

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