WORKING MAGICKALLY WITH OTHERS

Coven is the name given to a regular gathering of Wiccan practitioners, formally organized under the direction of a High Priestess, who may have been trained in a particular Wiccan tradition.

Within a formal coven, initiation after a year and a day or a similar recognized magickal period will confer formal entry into the coven. After another one to two years, they can elevate to a second or third degree of Wicca, so that eventually initiates can begin their own covens if they wish.

There will usually be an initiated High Priestess, sometimes a maiden who assists the High Priestess, and a crone, who is a wise woman experienced in witchcraft. The traditional thirteen members are linked to the thirteen moons during the years, and thirteen is also the number of the Goddess.

However, many people organize a magickal group that follows Wiccan principles but is much less formal, where members will adopt different roles according to their own talents and interests. Online covens are also springing up, and they are an excellent way for solitary practitioners to gain support and information.

SOLITARY WITCHCRAFT

Many witches such as myself choose to practice alone, drawing in family and close friends on seasonal festivals. Most initiate themselves. Though solitary Wiccans use ceremonial magick, many follow less formal folk magick. For this reason, some are styled hedge-witches, which refers to the times when a hedge, especially a hawthorn, was bound to the witch’s home to repel curious people. This title also refers to the ability of the witch to walk through astral projection on the hedge between the worlds.

HOW TO FIND A COVEN

Formal covens are in short supply, but with persistence, you will find the right one. Many modern covens do not practice sky-clad or naked, as this can make some people feel very self-conscious. This would also entail the need for very strong parameters to avoid the ceremony spilling into everyday relationships. Like ritual sex between God and Goddess, modern covens follow a symbolic chalice/blade rite with sacred sex, if at all, carried out in private by an established couple who leave the circle once uncast to avoid any complications.

Of course, you have to be careful, because the hidden nature of witchcraft means it is harder to weed out the charlatans and weirdos. To find the right coven, try entry through pagan organizations and established reputable New Age stores. You can attend properly arranged workshops and celebrations organized by recognized Wiccan organizations. Also, you can talk to people at events, visit healing festivals, buy established and reputable pagan magazines, and take it slow until everything feels right. No reputable coven will advertise for members, ask to meet you in places you consider unsafe, or ask you to do anything that feels uncomfortable.

Nor will a reputable coven be in a hurry to sign you up. In fact, the opposite is true. Avoid offers of signing in blood, being initiated by having sex with the High Priest or High Priestess, or promising to fall on a sword should you leave the coven or betray secrets.

Nor should you pay huge sums of money upfront for training. You’ll pay for expenses and for membership of an established pagan/goddess organization, but these organizations tend to ask for remarkably little.

True Wiccans would never seek to impose their beliefs on others and are usually incredibly reticent with people they do not know.

STARTING YOUR OWN INFORMAL COVEN

You can, however, start a less formal coven with friends without subscribing to any particular form of Wicca. Some of the most spiritual Wiccan covens are those that do not have a High Priestess or High Priest role but instead take turns organizing the meetings and rituals.

A wise member may look after newcomers, explain basic rituals, suggest reading material, and guide them through at-home work with meditation and visualization. Certain members may undertake researching aspects of the Craft that interest them or collect information about deities, which can help them run informal sessions.

In establishing your group, have a preliminary meeting to plan ahead, deciding on the topics, venue, and equipment you will need.

Use a good almanac and moon diary relevant to your region. You can arrange to meet on the crescent moon as well as the full moon for a candle-lighting ceremony, where you can make wishes and blessings burned in your own zodiac candle color (described in Chapter 10, page 97), as well as on major seasonal festivals or for special healing work.

Have a joint fund for candles, crystals, incense, and anything else you need. Make sure to appoint one person to check supplies.

Appoint one or two people to organize specific festivals and to act as High Priest/Priestess for that occasion. The most reticent member may prove the most dynamic at singing chants and raising energies.

COVEN TREASURES

Have a box or chest of basic coven tools, such as a central chalice and athame to put on the altar where you hold your meetings (each person will want their own athame and wand as well).

Items such as a silver bell, crystal chalice, or large goblet can be gathered from members’ homes. Scarves or throws make for excellent altar cloths. You can make pentacles from clay or beeswax in a group craft session as well as wands from a trip to the forest.

Have two Books of Shadows, one as a permanent record, traditionally copied out by hand by the group scribe, and another ongoing working almanac to which everyone contributes. Also note in the almanac current moon phases for the month and calculate the times of day when particular planets and angels hold sway. If you keep this information ongoing on a computer in a jointly accessible account, you can print out copies for other members.

In the final chapter I will suggest magickal colors, herbs, crystal meanings, and the magickal timings you can use to weave your own rituals and spells.