Finding a Coven???

[Shrelana]

Hello,
I'm beginning to research Paganism...Wicca in particular, and I am wondering if there is any way other than knowing someone in an established Coven that I can get a hold of a Coven in my area? I know a priestess in one in my area (Eclectic Wicca I think they practice) and really want to be involved in group worship over solitary, but the thing is, if I find that I don't really fit with Eclectic, how do I contact a different group? Would this group possibly have connections with other groups? Or is it pretty much luck of the draw on meeting people?

Thanks everyone :)

[Khatt]

I would suggest that you get out and about to moots, pagan events and meet people. Some people are open about being members of a Coven others aren't. Covens won't generally give up information about themselves or their practices if they don't know you. Being in a Coven is like a family and is based on trust and trust needs to be built up and gained, which you can do by meeting people and not asking questions which they my feel awkward answering.

Not every Coven is the same and they don't all follow the same tradition or practices. You will need to know you beliefs and what you want to gain from being in a Coven before asking to join.

Most Covens, not all, work on a year and a day basis where you can go in and learn how they work, see if you fit in with them and they fit with you. After the 'trial period' then there are options to go on wth the Coven.

Some Covens will invite people to join. Most of the Covens I know don't invite but wait for the 'seeker' to ask to join. If the HP and HPS and the rest of the Coven really like a person and want a person to join then sometimes hints will be made about asking.

You may ask 'how do you know these things'...,.I was a member of quite a high profile Coven for a good few years adn can only give advice on my experience. But the best advice I can give is for you to attend moots and events and get to know people on the Pagan scene. Don't rush into joining a group, you need to find the group that is right for you and you're right for the group.....all energies are different.

Where about's in the world are you??

Best of luck with starting out on your path and your spiritual growth

BB

Khatt

[MariThorn]

You may also check Witchvox for covens in your area that are open to new members. They will typically have a site on the net giving a general background for you to read.

Good Luck.

[Ivy Artemisia]

Don't rush into joining a group, you need to find the group that is right for you and you're right for the group.....all energies are different.

I second this. Make sure that the group you are joining is a good group for YOU. Make sure the expectations are clear on both sides- what you expect to get from the group (training, fellowship?) and what they expect from you (time commitment, classes, work). In my experience, the lack of clear communicated expectations can really be an obstacle when trying to find a group. Ask if the group has a set of bylaws or a coven compact they could share with you. We have bylaws, and they are basically the rules of the coven- its all outlined so everyone knows what is expected and where lines are drawn.

I somewhat disagree with the need to go to Pagan moots. I don't really go to a lot of moots- I have social anxiety. But I'm having a great experience in my coven.


Being in a Coven is like a family and is based on trust and trust needs to be built up and gained, which you can do by meeting people and not asking questions which they my feel awkward answering.

This is also true. Also, be respectful and understand that if you make it known that you want to join a group and then meet/circle with a coven or its leaders, understand that they are paying attention to you. Kind of like a double interview- just as you are learning about their group, coven members are interested in seeing if you'd make a good family member. So, it might be a good idea to offer to help, instead of talking on a cell phone while people are cleaning up. If you don't know what to do, ask someone how you can help.

Also, be considerate- if there is food, don't eat WAY more than your share. If asked to do something, don't half-ass it. If you are going to be later than 10 minutes- call. Don't ask questions - or make comments- that make people uncomfortable. To most people, this would be second nature (I hope)- but I know from experience that it isn't. Just as you would be investing time into a coven, the coven would be investing time (and training) into you.

[Shrelana]

I'm from a town called Grand Forks in North Dakota....we're relativly large, but I have several problems with just going and meeting people...I generally have to almost bump into people... The only reason I knew there was a coven in my area was because one of my co-workers was wearing a pentagram to work, and I asked her about it. She proceded to invite me to her coven's Sawain ritual (thanks to pneumonia, I couldn't go), but ended up going to the Imbolc ritual instead, and so I know I can certainly ask to join them again, they specifically asked me to come again if I wished. I have been doing a lot of reading - Scott Cunningham's Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner, and Edain McCoy's If You Want to be a Witch (which mentioned the year and a day trial time of research). I have also read around 2000 pages worth from other books and articles - I was going to write an anthropological thesis on Wicca about 2 years ago, but circumstances arose that I was never able to write the thesis, but the reading and research still got done. That is how I knew about the Wiccan Rede and the Law of Three, and that is how I was drawn so strongly to Wicca (even as I tried to fight that since I wanted to be Christian for my then-fiance)....Not going to be in a religion for anyone else ever again...especially one that doesn't feel right. That's why I will probably take more than a year and a day to be sure that Wicca is right for me....
I did know about respecting time commitments and food offered, I think I'm pretty safe there :) I'm usually half an hour early for most things so I can help out if it's needed and usually afraid to take food until others have, and I generally take less than others so I don't overstay my welcome.

[Ben Gruagach]

I always recommend that people use things like Isaac Bonewits' excellent Cult Danger checklist (http://www.neopagan.net/ABCDEF.html) when looking at groups -- knowing what to look for and what to avoid can guide you to the right group.

And as MariThorn suggested, WitchVox.com (http://www.witchvox.com/xvn.html) is the absolute best place to find out about groups and individuals in your part of the world, no matter where in the world you are. Not all groups and individuals have listings at WitchVox, but those who do can usually help you find those local connections. If your actual area is not well represented then contact groups and individuals who are near your area and ask them for recommendations.

[~Audra~]

Hello,
I'm beginning to research Peopleism...Wicca in particular, and I am wondering if there is any way other than knowing someone in an established Coven that I can get a hold of a Coven in my area? I know a priestess in one in my area (Eclectic Wicca I think they practice) and really want to be involved in group worship over solitary, but the thing is, if I find that I don't really fit with Eclectic, how do I contact a different group? Would this group possibly have connections with other groups? Or is it pretty much luck of the draw on meeting people?

Thanks everyone :)


well, with internet access, you'd have some luck finding people...some covens have thier own page...

[wolf]

Hello,
I'm beginning to research Paganism...Wicca in particular, and I am wondering if there is any way other than knowing someone in an established Coven that I can get a hold of a Coven in my area? I know a priestess in one in my area (Eclectic Wicca I think they practice) and really want to be involved in group worship over solitary, but the thing is, if I find that I don't really fit with Eclectic, how do I contact a different group? Would this group possibly have connections with other groups? Or is it pretty much luck of the draw on meeting people?



Establishing where your area is might be a good first step. There might be someone else from mysticwicks near you. You can check locally to see if there is a pagan networking group (for example, in Philadelphia, we have the DVPN (http://www.dvpn.org)). You can also check in at any new age/pagan shops in your area. They often have information about open circles posted on their bulletin boards. Witchvox (http://www.witchvox.com) has lists of pagan organizations and notices about gatherings as well.