How to Start Your Own Coven

A coven is basically a group of Wiccan practitioners who have decided to be together and to follow a set of rules and codes when it comes to practicing their craft. Since there are so many different aspects of Wiccanism, you need to decide the focus of the coven before you can move on to other steps of the planning.

Instructions

Meet

1. Find a place to meet. A dedicated space is better so you can build an altar or decorate the area permanently. If that's not possible, you may want to consider rotating meetings among the members or even meeting in a public place such as a park but only as long as your meetings are not disruptive.

2. Decide what the focus of the group will be. Some covens meet mainly to study while others spend their time in ceremonies and practicing their craft. The focus you choose is not as important as it is that all members agree on it so there are no different levels within the group.

3. Read books that cover the inner workings of a coven. Classics such as The Circle Within: Creating a Wiccan Spiritual Tradition and Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft have long been considered pillars of the religion, but you can also search others that fit your Wiccan angle more specifically.

4. Decide on the specifics of the coven, especially how many members will be allowed (two to five works best), what the criteria for choosing new members will be and whether or not there is some initiation ceremony that members should undergo in order to be initiated into the coven. This is important in case there are more applicants than the number of people you want to actually consider. This process will help you discard candidates that don’t qualify.

5. Choose a High Priestess. Even if you plan on having a rather democratic group, you still need a leader to open ceremonies, consecrate spaces and make final decisions in matters that cannot be resolved by vote. The Priestess is also in charge of providing spiritual guidance and is usually somebody with more experience than the other members of the group.

Tips & Warnings

• Put in writing, clearly, what you expect each member of the coven to do: Their rights, their obligations and whether or not these things are shared or whether each member is in charge of a specific angle or subject.