Big problems in my coven!

[dynamic_solstice]

We are having huge problems in my coven at the moment and it is causing many of us to feel rather downhearted!
At the beginning of the year, two of my best friends left the coven after an argument with the founder. I was spilt between the two sides and for 3 months was unbiased.
However, events in recent months have changed my mind. The person who
caused my two friends to leave has been lying about many things (that he was in a rock group and in the SAS) and has also lied about the reason why the church was set up!
Apparently (this known by all members of the Coven), the church was only set up so he may be able to avoid paying council tax. He only chose to become Pagan because ordaination is so easy.
I have decided therefore to become a solitary hedgewitch and walk my own path!

Any feelings/comments greatly appreciated!:toofless:

[Xander67]

I think you made the right decision. Finding a good coven is not easy sometimes. You will no doubt meet many people while on your path who have fancy titles and boast of abilities and knowledge that they most likely do not have lol.

What I have experienced is that usually the ones that do the most talking are out to impress people, or scam them.

Use your own judgement and trust your intution when meeting new people..
the quiet ones usually know more then they let on.. and rightly so. There is a lot to be learned through experience.

You may find a coven one day that you are comfortable with, but hey, untill then, you can think of us as your coven :) There are many wonderful and knowledgeable people who are always willing to share what they have learned with others.

Take a peek in Circle of teaching, there are many classes you can take that are taught by members here.

I am glad you decided to leave that group. The negativity would have only held you back from learning and growing.

May the Gods bless you richly and always light your ways.
Xander.

[dynamic_solstice]

Thanks Xander, what you said was true and very thoughful!

May we all walk the path of light...:-)

[LostSheep]

That kind of thing does tend to go on rather a lot, it seems. There was a story in our paper not so long ago, in fact more than once, about how a new group/coven/grove (I think they referred to themselves as Druids) had spun off from an established one, and then after some more differences of opinion yet another new one had sprung up.... and so on. It's the usual thing, i think, of as soon as there's any kind of a group, someone just itches to take control of it, and if necessary start a new one of their own just so they have something to be in charge of.

[Xander67]

Aye! Indeed,

The path of light is the only one I walk, how else am I to see where im going lol..

Feel free to stop by Lego Mansion anytime. We are all madd there lol :hahugh:

[Nitefalle]

I had checked out your personal website before, DS, and I had to say that I had serious misgivings about your group right away when I saw that they were ordaining priestesses after only six months. That is not to say anything about your personal abilities at all, but any group that is waving a wand and manufacturing High Priestesses after only six months of study is automatically a farce, in my book. It's a good thing that this happened because that man would only have led you and everyone else in your group astray, filling your head with nonsense. Get back with your two best friends and start your own study group.

[Astara Seague]

its sad that so many have to go on some power trip...that isnt what the path is about ...not really

sometimes its best to go off alone for awhile or for forever..
and you will always meet others some good and others bad..thats what balance is all about..

just be extra careful if you decide to join another and check them out better
ask the hard questions..and see with a strangers eyes

[Amilee]

As my Aikido Sensei used to always say, "sometimes it`s good to learn what NOT to do so you can learn to do better in the future."

I`m glad you got out of there my love. You did a good thing. I hope your path is full with all the things you seek.

I hope we can be your coven for now. :hugz:

[Cloaked Raven]

Xander, Lost Sheep, Nitefalle, Astara and Aimlee are very wise and correct. Sometimes it is best to follow one's path alone, due to disagreements and other things between members. There is nothing wrong with practicing on a solitary basis...in fact, I know of several people in my area who do so, only coming to celebrate Sabbats and other special occasions.

I wish you the best of luck, dynamic. Keep us updated on your progress, please.

Love light and peace to you. :)

[FaeriPryncess]

First, you should know that it is not always easy to belong to a group, even when people are dedicated and goals are realistic for members. If any Coven leader's motives are less than perfect, it makes it all the harder. Because this is an age of reclaiming, covening is not always so ideal, perhaps due in part to the fact that we lack enough centrality of belief, and have not yet re-perfected the Art of Covening. The sorts of groups that seem to do best either have a very notable leader, or else are large in number, very open, and have a core of people with the resources and experience. These groups can easily allow people to come and go without needing to demand very much of individuals.
As to people making claims to things, or running Priestess mills, it is very common, actually. Beware of people who make unrealistic promises or seem to just be telling everyone exactly the sorts of things they want to hear. Something worth achieving is neither easy nor does it come without hard work. Check out the people who make claims to you and determine if their Circle is something you wish to do after all before becoming involved. And *B*B*.

[dynamic_solstice]

:)Thank you for your kind comments friends!:)

I joined the coven when my friend did. She is an experienced witch who practises divination, scrying and studies nature. Although she still belongs to the coven, she is focused on 'keeping the peace' and like myself is wary of the covens intent!

I have two great friends who are sincere Wiccans and I will ensure that we do not stray from our paths. I hope to be able to celebrate Sabbats and Esbats with them and learn from our greatest teacher- Mother Earth!

Brightest Blessings:smile:

Dyna )0(

[David19]

I had checked out your personal website before, DS, and I had to say that I had serious misgivings about your group right away when I saw that they were ordaining priestesses after only six months. That is not to say anything about your personal abilities at all, but any group that is waving a wand and manufacturing High Priestesses after only six months of study is automatically a farce, in my book. It's a good thing that this happened because that man would only have led you and everyone else in your group astray, filling your head with nonsense. Get back with your two best friends and start your own study group.

QFT, I agree with Nitefalle, I'm not Wiccan, so I don't know much about Coven dynamics, or whatever, etc, but, I think, training to be a Priest or Priestess should take longer than 6 months, I mean, in most covens, just to become a member, you have to wait a year and a day, don't you?, there's more to being a Priest and Priestess than just having a wand, saying some words, etc, it's something you are called too, and you have to work hard at, IMO, anyway.

I'd say, like Nitefalle said, get back with your 2 best friends, and either start your own Coven, or a study group, and maybe invite people, you know and trust, like other friends, etc to join, but don't let this experience put you off, everyone has to go through bad experiences, and, at least now, you know, what not to look for, how not to run a Coven, etc.

[twinkletwinkle]

Sorry to hear about all that. It's too bad, but I think things like that happen all the time, all over the place in all kinds of groups.
In my personal opinion, it's people like the person who started your Coven who had given folks who are not straight Protestant a bad name in the U.S. If I'm not mistaken, I think even Catholocism has been called a cult...(:hehehehe:opinions on the validity of that may vary).

It's good things have changed somewhat, but there was a time when 2 of the oldest religons in the world, Buddhism and Hinduism, were considered cults--largely due to some "personalities." The result of those "personalities" is that people who are genuinely sure of their paths are lumped in with the Drama Kings/Queens. The need to really evaluate people in any spiritual teacher type of role was an eye-opening and difficult lesson I also learned The Hard Way. :stomp:

Years of study devoted to a singular path is one of the hallmarks of someone serious. And sometimes even then--as in my case--it doesn't necessarily mean anything...

I wish a more peaceful and fulfilling journey to you as you move upward.

[coyoger]

Group work can be great for some things. But I have found as well, you really are better off alone. Or with one trusted person. Best of luck!

[Lunacie]

Group work can be great for some things. But I have found as well, you really are better off alone. Or with one trusted person. Best of luck!

Some people may be better off going solitary, but it's not fair to make a blanket statement that it is best for everyone. When I was solitary I did very little on my own, but working with a group keeps me involved and interested and challenges me to write new rituals and help plan classes. I do much better working with a small, dedicated group.