Coven or Circle

[Laiste]

What are the differences between a Coven and a Circle. Is a circle more of a study group? Do they study a specific tradition? After being a solitary for almost three years I am seriously thinking about joining a group. Before I start my research I would like some opinions. Also, are they any former solitaries out there who have gone on to a coven? Or others who have left a coven to become solitary. I feel so stagnant at this point and know that necessary change is at hand. I would like to be somewhat informed before I make any attempts at this.

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Originally posted by Laiste
What are the differences between a Coven and a Circle. Is a circle more of a study group? Do they study a specific tradition? After being a solitary for almost three years I am seriously thinking about joining a group. Before I start my research I would like some opinions. Also, are they any former solitaries out there who have gone on to a coven? Or others who have left a coven to become solitary. I feel so stagnant at this point and know that necessary change is at hand. I would like to be somewhat informed before I make any attempts at this.

Circle, Grove, Coven....<shrugs shoulders> ....a rose by any other name.... I'm sure tradition dictates name.

I'm a solitary wiccan. I do have some friends that are interested in learning and growing on the wiccan path, so I guess you'd call us a coven....though it's more like a study group for the time being. I guess we'll just have to wait and see if we form into a formal coven or stick to solitary practices.

[Danustouch]

As with most things in Wicca..i suppose it depends on who you ask. To me...coven implies more of a "closed" "private" type thing. Very involved, and personal. The coveners, imo, would function much more intimately...(by intimate, i mean closely), and the coven would have degrees, that sort of thing.

Circle, to me, implies a more open, relaxed nature, somewhat without the ranks, degrees, hierarchy. They don't have the type of vows, that a coven would, in my experience. Though of course, they do have rules. Basically, I think that covens require much more dedication, in many ways. In my experience with circles...the commitment level is differen't. You meet, primarily to worship. There might be study groups on the side, etc..but it's not BUILT around that, as much as it is built around just..coming together to celebrate. As I said..my own experience.

I was part of an open circle for several years. It had its ups and downs..but I love those people DEARLY. Part of the reason I think I loved them so much, was because they were very down to earth...unassuming, and didn't place demands on membership. The rules were common sense rules, not demanding ones, specific to THAT circle..just..common sense etiquette. There weren't a whole bunch of qualifications..just that you respected other members. Etc. You didn't need to do a year and a day, you didn't need to take tests to pass to differen't degrees, as there were none. The only things that were ever asked of us, is that we contribute, we respect the others, and that we help out when possible. It was great.

So in my mind, that's the separation. i'm not saying everyones' experiences were like mine..just that this is the separation in my mind :)

I prefer the more free movement of a circle..maybe I have an authority problem...lol..or maybe I just don't want any serious commitments...So..I prefer the kind of circle that I was in in the past :)

[Laiste]

So circles or groves are kind of like informal covens? I feel the need for structure...but also need to learn a lot more. I have no friends to practice with at the moment so maybe I'll try a circle or grove first.

[Danustouch]

that might be a good idea. If you can find an open, more unstructured circle. Because you wouldn't have to commit to that..take a vow, or anything. You could always move on to a coven, if you felt a need. I never did though. I was happy just to have people to celebrate with. It never mattered to me, to acheive a new degree, or to be "taught" by anyone officially. I'm just an independent person in that way:)

[Myst]

Everything Danus said has been my experiences too.

I'm part of a circle that meets for most Sabbats. No priest/ess, no hierarchy, no rules, just people getting together to celebrate or do magickal work :)

[Emy]

I have the same definition as Danustouch and Willow Raven. :)

Perhaps you should try to join a studygroup first though? and then you could form a coven if you like? However finding an "open circle" would be great too for you, I guess :D

Blessings

[kittiepoetrygod]

I always that a circle was an open study group, mostly to train dedicants for the coven, which is the inner circle of priests and priestesses. So one that was in the Circle might not be in training or part of the Coven, but one that was in the Coven was in training/teaching and part of the Circle. In my expierences, anyway.