Covens

[Redshire]

Senebty!

I was curious if anyone would reccomend any books about covens and their workings/structure/whatever. I've been working with a small group (leading it, actually), for nearly a year now, and am seeking to broaden my understanding of this aspect of Wicca.

Personal advice/suggestions are also appreciated.


em hotep

[Greyharp]

Hello Redshire

I think the book "Covencraft, Witchcraft for Three or More" by Amber K and published by Llewellyn, sounds like it is exactly what you want. I have had it sitting on my bookshelf for a few years now, but I haven't read it from cover to cover (I'm a solitary with little future coven prospects - live too rurally). Glancing through it though, it has chapters such as:

5. Organizing a Coven
7. Ritual Tools and Coven Supplies
8. Coven Business and Finances
16. Education and Training
19. Communications, Cooperation, Conflict
24. Serving a Congregation

It is quite a thick book, just over 500 pages, and full of practical information.

[Ben Gruagach]

The book Greyharp suggested, Amber K's "Covencraft," is probably the best book on the topic. There are a few others though that could also be helpful.

Edain McCoy's "Inside A Witches' Coven." Similiar to "Covencraft" but a much shorter book.

Judy Harrow's "Spiritual Mentoring: A Pagan Guide" is an excellent manual to assist people who would fill the role of leader of a Pagan group such as a coven.

Starhawk's "Truth or Dare" has some excellent creative ideas for alternative ways to run covens apart from the standard hierarchical method with a High Priest and High Priestess.

[Elderbush]

I'm about 2/3s through Spiritual Mentoring and I like it alot. Has some good ideas about how to choose people to mentor and how to aid their growth.

[LisaT4P]

Deepening Witchcraft is a good one too by Grey Cat. More of an advanced book but does have some info. on covens and how to run them.

[taijiya]

Judy Harrow's "Wicca Covens" is also an excellent book on the subject.

[David19]

Mastering Witchcraft by Paul Huson has a good section on getting a coven started, although he doesn't really deal with wiccan covens, more general witchcraft covens, but you could adapt the information to suit your needs.

Hope this helps :).

[Silverfire Darkmoon]

'Covencraft' is pretty good, but you'll need a wheelbarrow and pitchfork to shovel through all the persecution paranoia the book contains. The introduction is to be avoided.
Come to think it if, I'm also leery of any book that has those damn Thirteen Principles of Wiccan Belief.

[Ben Gruagach]

I'm also leery of any book that has those damn Thirteen Principles of Wiccan Belief.

Why? Does a book have to contain only things you agree 100% with in order to be useful?

Those "damn Thirteen Principles of Wiccan Belief" are part of Wiccan history and are considered foundational by many practitioners. Not everyone agrees with them of course -- but they are still part of Wicca.

[Redshire]

thanks for the suggestions, I'll look those books over.