Finding Community in a Coven

A coven is a gathering of witches who practice their craft together, typically to celebrate the Wheel of the Year, Full Moons, and other group rituals or magical workings. As I have mentioned before in my post about creating sacred space, a coven can come together to build a sacred space for their meeting. Often there is a designated leader of the group.

            There are many who seek out covens to train and work with and others who create covens of their own. I wasn’t initially seeking a coven. I was just interested in developing some of my magical skills. The group I trained with would eventually become the start of a coven. I just had the urge to keep being with these people and discover what was down the path of working with them.

I have a history of closing myself off in groups and not feeling like I belong. I put up huge walls while battling thoughts that others don’t really care about me. (I have been in and out of therapy myself to work on this). So, as I developed the relationships in my coven, I told myself to remain open.

There were times I felt myself to begin to self-isolate, thinking I would be better off as a solitary witch. But I now understand that I need the support and love of a group to share my gifts, receive what they have to share, and keep each other accountable. We have each other’s backs when we are in need of spiritual support. Together we create more energy to put into the work we do.

It is amazing when we all feel the same energy, we all get the same intuitive insights. But it is also great to hear everyone else’s experiences, even if they are different than my own. I am an introvert, but I missed the community and the energy of the church I grew up in. In this coven, I have come to find the feeling again. I feel like I have known these people forever. I trust them and love that we have a common desire to celebrate and grow with the changing tides of the seasons.

            It isn’t always easy, because like any group there is tension at times. However, like therapy can be, the coven experience can become like a microcosm where new thoughts and behaviors can be developed and enacted. We continue to learn better communication skills as we delineate responsibilities and express expectations.

            Coven life isn’t for everyone. Some people don’t need the structure of a Coven to develop their practice. I needed that structure and guidance. Seeking to join a coven is like seeking a therapist or new friend, you have to build rapport and feel connected. Coven leaders have to consider how new members will flow into the energy of the existing members. Seekers need to consider if the coven leader's teaching/mentorship style will be beneficial to their learning style. There is a chance that it simply might not be good fit.

Seekers need to consider the specific tradition the coven follows. Some covens follow British Traditional Wicca, some are eclectic, some covens are formed by business, some are groups of friends that come together and forge their own path

            Several intro to Wicca and witchcraft books will review “red flags” when seeking out a coven. Just as in life, if you do not feel welcomed or safe in a group- LEAVE! A coven is a place for learning and sharing, not for the leader or others in the group to control you.

I still have my own personal practice outside of my coven work. Sometimes that can be brought into the coven space, while other practices are just for me. I continue to learn what I can offer the group through my support as a friend and the magical experiences I have out in the world beyond.

What are your thoughts on working in a coven? Have you tried group ritual? What are the differences you notice between working by yourself versus when you are in a group?