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Coven Based Witches

Veronica » Groups » Paranormal Stories & Stuff FOR FUN » Discussions » Coven Based Witches

By: Veronica • last year • 37 comments

There are many reasons to join or create a coven. Not only is it fun to practice your craft with others, but you can also learn so much from other witches. It’s fun to teach others about witchcraft as well as forge friendships with other witches. https://medium.com/human-witch/covens-witchcraft-in-groups-6b7ef5ea9fca

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This the first installment of "get to know the witches" series.

There are many types of witches ( I am using the word witch(es) to describe those practicing Wicca). I am a solitary and will be discussing that next week. This article is about coven based witches.

Covens are a group of people that practice the belief system of Wicca, who combine their magical powers and skills to create stronger, bigger spells and manifest outcomes for the group and beyond. Covens focus more on ceremonial and ritualistic magic. I am not going to discuss groups of people that call themselves a coven that worship evil. Covens strive to gain 13 members, but can have as few as 2. These members gather together to celebrate Sabbats and work magick together. They can include male and female members. They teach each other and learn from each other. Many covens hold classes which can include non-members. The main goal is to celebrate and practice the faith.

The leader of the coven is either a High Priestess or a High Priest. If there are two leaders of the coven it is called a "working couple".

( https://medium.com/human-witch/covens-witchcraft-in-groups-6b7ef5ea9fca )

Rituals are also a part of coming together as a coven. Usually the members appear in their ritual garb, bring their ceremonial tools (athame, wand or scepter for example). It is important to know that if a coven is going to perform a ritual, all members must be present. However, it is possible to work rituals and spell work on your own.

When a coven forms it needs to come to a consensus on what is important to the group. Some offer classes, some just gather for Sabbats, some get together for the phases of the moon rituals. There is no hard set rule on what your coven has to do.

Be forewarned that legitimate covens do not ask for fees to join.

A coven is there for you to learn from others and get to know them, not to pay for your education and potential friends.
https://medium.com/human-witch/covens-witchcraft-in-groups-6b7ef5ea9fca

The article below was written by a witch that belongs to a coven. A very good and informative read.

https://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/3074

The Modern Witch's Coven

JANUARY 09, 2023 BY DEBORAH BLAKE READ TIME: 5 MINS

When someone mentions the word " coven ," you might envision thirteen black-clad, pointy hat-wearing witches dancing around a fire or cackling around a cauldron . I'm not sure that was ever the norm, but even if it was, times have changed. And covens have changed with them.
During the years when Wicca was the most common form of group Witchcraft practice (or at least the one you were the most likely to find if you went looking), covens usually followed specific outlines. They were led by a high priest and a high priestess , members progressed through levels like first degree and second degree, and there were formal initiations . Rituals were complicated affairs full of ceremony, and everyone wore robes or some other form of garb.

None of this was a bad thing. I've been to a number of wonderful Wiccan rituals, and my first teacher/high priestess had come from a Wiccan coven and that's how she taught those of us who were in her own group (with some variations). We didn't do degrees or initiations, and when I got to the point where I was ready for my own training as a high priestess, she merely set me a number of tasks to perform in my " year and a day " of preparation, but there is no doubt that my witchy origins were firmly rooted in the Wiccan world.

On the other hand, over the last couple of decades, modern Witchcraft practices have changed and shifted. It is, after all, a vibrant and blossoming spiritual practice—the fastest growing religion in North America. As more and more people find their way to a Witchcraft path, the variety of approaches to working within a group structure has changed and shifted, too.

While there are still many traditional Wiccan covens, the desire for diverse forms of group work, along with the need for more flexible alternatives and the changes in Witchcraft itself, have led to a shift in what constitutes a coven, and a group of witches may look very different today than it did twenty or thirty years ago. Certainly my own practice, and my group's practice, have undergone a number of changes from where we started out in 2004. Here are some ways in which covens may vary.

The Modern Witch's Coven—Variations on a Theme

Size: While covens didn't have to number thirteen, they were often more likely to be larger groups. These days, a coven can literally be as small as two people, if they practice together on a regular basis. My own group started with three, and has been as large as twelve. These days it is usually five with the occasional guest, but not all of the members can attend every single ritual due to distance and scheduling, so it's not unusual for there to be three or four of us at any given ritual.

How Often They Meet: The first coven I belonged to was a little unusual in that it started out as a study group, so it met every Thursday night, and we simply celebrated whatever occasion was closest to that night, if there was one. Otherwise our high priestess just taught us some aspect of Witchcraft. My own group, Blue Moon Circle, started out by meeting twice a month. We met for every full moon , and for the eight sabbats , and did new moons in the four months without a sabbat in them. But as our lives got busier and more complicated, we ended up just meeting on the sabbats, and observing the full moons on our own. I know covens that only meet on full moons, and others that gather on any and every lunar and seasonal occasion. This can vary from group to group, and will probably be based on what people want and can manage.

Who Is In Charge: Some covens still have the traditional high priest and high priestess, but it is just as likely to only have one, or to have the person or people who lead the group use no titles at all. (I no longer do, for the most part. I might lead the rituals, but we're all equal.) Some covens don't even have a leader, and people take turns being in charge of ritual.

How People Dress: Some covens still wear witchy garb (robes or some other clothing specifically reserved for ritual use), while others don't. Blue Moon Circle used to dress up for full moons and sabbats, but we've gotten more relaxed over the years (or lazier, depending on how you look at it) and mostly just show up in our everyday clothes. The only exception is our yearly Yule dinner party, where we get kind of fancy, but nothing particularly witchy. Again, this is something that the people within a coven can discuss and agree on.

The Rituals: The formality of the rituals themselves will vary a great deal, too. Some covens still do a long, ornate ritual, including walking in a procession into the circle, casting a formal circle , lighting candles and calling quarters , invoking the gods, and so on. Others, especially groups that meet on a more sporadic basis and have a more casual approach, may just skip that part and just do whatever ritual they have planned. My group used to be more formal before Covid hit, but we were all so tired and frazzled, we shifted to a more laid-back way of doing things and most of the time that's what we've stuck with. It really depends on what mood we're in and what we're doing.

No Wrong Way The most important thing to realize is that there is no one right way to practice with other witches. Whether you call yourselves a coven or not, whether you meet up regularly or just when people have time, whether you are formal or casual, what really matters in that you treat each other with respect, enter into a ritual circle prepared to do serious magical work, and follow whatever your path is with reverence and mirth.
Witchcraft is, at its best, an accepting and welcoming religion, with something to offer to all those who come to it with an open mind and a willing spirit. If you can find people to share it with, that's just a bonus.

256

I truly love the last paragraph of the above article. It speaks to the heart of what I believe Wicca to be. I was invited once to join a coven and declined because the High Priestess made the rule that no men could join. That was not for me - besides I prefer to do my magick alone, at my pace.

If you have questions, go ahead and ask. I will strive to do my best to answer them, it may take a bit of research since I am not coven-based.

Thank you for reading.

Article is LOCKED by author/seeder

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Professor Guide

1 author Veronica last year

Please abide by the Group Rules...

Professor Principal

1.1 devangelical replied to Veronica @1 last year

interesting and enlightening article.

Professor Guide

1.1.1 author Veronica replied to devangelical @1.1 last year

Thank you.

Professor Principal

2 CB last year

If you have questions, go ahead and ask. I will strive to do my best to answer them, it may take a bit of research since I am not coven-based.

These questions I have will be coming from a place of NO-JUDGEMENT, and they will be direct (no beating around the bush):

1. Wicca is a religion? . . . Were we told some time back in a discussion that Wicca was just 'mere' fun?

2. What is "magick" exactly? (Just an overview will do - or more.)

3. Is "magick" real?

4. Why does "sabbat" sound like (Jewish) sabbath?

Again, this questioning is non-judgemental, but I would like to "get" understanding of what this religion is from a witch's point of view.

Professor Guide

2.1 author Veronica replied to CB @2 last year

I appreciate the interest.

Yes, Wicca is a religion to those of us that re serious in our belief. After all religion is defined as:

the belief in and worship of a superhuman power or powers, especially a God or gods.

I will admit there are some out there that play at it for fun, but it like that in all religions.

Magick is a practice that goes back centuries. It uses rituals and divination to call forth different types of entities, emotions, material items.

I believe it is as real as prayer is to a Christian.

Sabbat is much the same as Sabbath. It is just the word that is used by my religion to describe our 8 Feast Days.

Professor Principal

2.1.1 CB replied to Veronica @2.1 last year

I appreciate a direct response. Entities? Are their manifestations of entities in Wicca? Be patient with me as I come from the school of there being no such thing as a stupid question (mostly)!

Professor Guide

2.1.2 author Veronica replied to CB @2.1.1 last year

I really do not mind questions as long as they are honest questions like yours, and not just made to be nasty.

I believe there are entities everywhere, not just in Wicca. Some of those practicing Wicca can bring about manifestations.

Professor Principal

2.1.3 CB replied to Veronica @2.1.2 last year

Some of those practicing Wicca can bring about manifestations.

Remember you're being patient with me, as I promise to try not to become a 'bore.' Can I, we, get an example (understanding) of a what manifestation is brought?

I have no clue how to understand this.

To be clear, in the Bible, witches as a whole are given negative connotation: the wording is: "Sorcery." Moreover, Christian homes avoid movies about the occult and Muslims consider it "haram" (forbidden to speak of).

This is the background that I draw from when I read what WICCA celebrates.

IMPORTANT: That said, I consider myself a MATURE CHRISTIAN and in that sense, I am not against people doing whatever they wish as long as it causes little to no practical harm.

I don't often get the chance to ask these/such questions of certain groups and thus, this is a 'golden' opportunity. If any of my questions are statements cross the line or raise 'warnings flags' for you, do let me know by any means available and I will rephrase or discontinue that line of discussion.

Finally, right now, I am at-odds with many Christians who are "demanding" but not "listening" to their own teaching as relating to others they 'mix' with imperfectly. That is, I am not pleased with my own religion and ask God to forgive some of them for their deliberate shortcomings.

One last thing. Think of this sharing as providing answers to me and others secreted here who wish to know, but need a 'spokesman' or 'questioner' of some sort to help with their understanding of WICCA.

Professor Guide

2.1.4 author Veronica replied to CB @2.1.3 last year

Manifestations are simply what the practitioner is casting the spell for, It could be love, money, health or even the spirit of a loved one.

I know all about the Bible's take on those that follow Wicca. I myself was very judgmental when I was a Catholic. It is beat into many from a young age that their religion is the ONLY true religion and all others are doomed to hell. I could never reconcile that with myself so I left and since I always had certain "gifts" I followed the path of Nature, Mother Earth and found my true belief system in Wicca. I believe in the Power of Three (whatever I do - good or bad - comes back to me 3fold). I truly follow the Wiccan Rede:

Bide the Wiccan Laws we must In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.
Live and let live. Fairly take and fairly give.
Cast the Circle thrice about to keep the evil spirits out.
To bind the spell every time let the spell be spake in rhyme.
Soft of eye and light of touch, Speak little, listen much.
Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the Witches' Rune.
Widdershins go by the waning moon, chanting out the baneful rune.
When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to her, times two.
When the moon rides at her peak, then your hearts desire seek.
Heed the North wind's mighty gale, lock the door and drop the sail.
When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss thee on the mouth.
When the wind blows from the West, departed souls will have no rest.
When the wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
Nine woods in the cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Elder be the Lady's tree, burn it not or cursed you'll be.
When the Wheel begins to turn, let the Beltane fires burn.
When the Wheel has turned to Yule, light the log and the Horned One rules.
Heed ye flower, Bush and Tree, by the Lady, blessed be.
Where the rippling waters go, cast a stone and truth you'll know.
When ye have a true need, hearken not to others' greed.
With a fool no season spend, lest ye be counted as his friend.
Merry meet and merry part, bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Threefold Law you should, three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow, wear the blue star on thy brow.
True in love ever be, lest thy lover's false to thee.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: An ye harm none, do what ye will.

I put in BOLD the most important thing to remember.

Professor Principal

2.1.5 Trout Giggles replied to Veronica @2.1.4 last year

I love my mother in law but she can be very judgemental. She's Catholic but not a very devout one but she once made a disparaging remark about witches one day and I told her there are no such thing as witches (what she perceived, anyway).

Professor Guide

2.1.6 author Veronica replied to Trout Giggles @2.1.5 last year

Yep.... it amazes me how some still call witches Satan worshipers when we all know that the true Satanists are Christians since he is their anti-god.

Professor Principal

2.1.7 CB replied to Veronica @2.1.4 last year

An ye harm none, do what ye will.

Thank you for sharing with me.

Professor Principal

3 Trout Giggles last year

Thanks for this article, Veronica. I think it would be interesting to join a study group

Professor Guide

3.1 author Veronica replied to Trout Giggles @3 last year

The one I joined (called the Pagan Meetup) started out great. We spoke about our rituals, spells, and enjoyed talking openly about them. The problems with the group began when the person that first set up the study group moved out of state. The group then became a gossip group with some Christian bashing thrown in. I withdrew my membership after my complaints about what the group had become were ignored.

Professor Principal

3.1.1 CB replied to Veronica @3.1 last year

Okay, what is a "spell" in Wicca exactly?

Professor Guide

3.1.2 author Veronica replied to CB @3.1.1 last year

Spells are words spoken or chanted with intent to bring about what is desired (love, health, wealth etc.)

Professor Principal

3.1.3 CB replied to Veronica @3.1.2 last year

Interesting, indeed!

Professor Principal

3.2 devangelical replied to Trout Giggles @3 last year

I don't think you would have to study that hard...

Professor Principal

3.2.1 Trout Giggles replied to devangelical @3.2 last year

At least they would guide me to the right books to read

Professor Principal

3.2.2 devangelical replied to Trout Giggles @3.2.1 last year

I think you missed my joke...

I tried to find the appropriate wizard of oz video, but gave up.

let's try a stereotypical comment version instead.

it wouldn't be much of a stretch for you...

Professor Principal

3.2.3 Trout Giggles replied to devangelical @3.2.2 last year

oh oh oh...my mistake

Mr G had a sign made for me for the driveway...Wicked Witch parking only. I will drop a house on you if park here

Professor Principal

3.2.4 devangelical replied to Trout Giggles @3.2.3 last year

that's the comedy direction I was headed, in your specific case...

Professor Principal

4 Kavika last year

Interesting article, Veronica. Looking forward to the next installment.

What distinguishes the High Priest and Priestess from the others in the coven?

I thought that this was a telling comment.

Be forewarned that legitimate covens do not ask for fees to join.

Much like native ceremonies. A mide would never ask for money in any form. What we have seen is the new age Indian wannabe's conducting our ceremonies and charging for them. Phony as the day is long.

Professor Guide

4.1 author Veronica replied to Kavika @4 last year

What distinguishes the High Priest and Priestess from the others in the coven?

High Priests & Priestesses are titles that are given to a person by the coven to the person that serves as clergy, supporter, and teacher.

There are three degrees in a coven.

First degree are regular members.

Second degree are the teachers.

Third degree are teachers and the leaders of the coven.

That is the basic hierarchy. There is a lot more detail that goes into it, but am not sure of all that goes into it because I do not belong to a coven.

What we have seen is the new age Indian wannabe's conducting our ceremonies and charging for them. Phony as the day is long.

It is sad when people do that. Brings a bad name to all the true practitioners.

Professor Principal

4.1.1 Kavika replied to Veronica @4.1 last year

Thanks for the information on that.

Professor Silent

5 charger 383 last year

enjoy your posts

Professor Guide

5.1 author Veronica replied to charger 383 @5 last year

Thank you.

Professor Expert

6 Buzz of the Orient last year

Thanks for opening a door to the esoteric. Somehow, I doubt that there are covens where I am, and if that is so it may well be that it is not something approved by the government.

Professor Principal

6.1 Trout Giggles replied to Buzz of the Orient @6 last year

Does the Chinese gov't allow any worship at all?

Professor Expert

6.1.1 Buzz of the Orient replied to Trout Giggles @6.1 last year

Religious Demographics Of China

Rank	Belief System	% Of Population of Self-Identifying Adherents
1	Strict Atheism	61%
2	Taoist or Confucian Philosophies	26%
3	Buddhist	6%
4	Christianity	2%
5	Folk Salvationist	2%
6	Islam	2%

2% may seem like very little, but when the total population is 1.4 billion, 2% is 28,000,000. My wife's family are Buddhists. We have a shrine to GuanYin (Goddess of Mercy) in our home.

Professor Principal

6.1.2 Trout Giggles replied to Buzz of the Orient @6.1.1 last year

thanks for that info

Professor Expert

6.1.3 Buzz of the Orient replied to Trout Giggles @6.1.2 last year

Pas de quoi.

Professor Guide

6.2 author Veronica replied to Buzz of the Orient @6 last year

That is too sad. A gathering of people to worship the earth and all its inhabitants is not a bad thing.

Professor Expert

6.2.1 Buzz of the Orient replied to Veronica @6.2 last year

The Chinese people are not Anglo-Saxon and with at least 5000 years of civilization they have different ancestral histories, traditions and customs than we do I doubt that they practise witchcraft or meet as covens, but, if anyone here does I'm sure they keep it very secret so I can't be definite about it. Maybe some people here do it for all anyone knows. And they have festivals some of which do what you think they are missing in entirely different and very public ways. I have been posting articles about the Festivals in China - don't know if you've ever seen them.

Professor Guide

6.2.2 author Veronica replied to Buzz of the Orient @6.2.1 last year

I have been posting articles about the Festivals in China - don't know if you've ever seen them.

I have not. I will have to check them out. I love to learn about other cultures & religions.

Professor Expert

6.2.3 Buzz of the Orient replied to Veronica @6.2.2 last year

Check out the articles on the Discovery Group - that's where I usually post them.

Professor Expert

7 Nerm_L last year

I'd like to hear more about reasons to form a coven. The social aspects seem to be important and there's nothing wrong with that. But the description gives the impression that there are other reasons to form a coven.

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