What is a coven?
The coven is the basic, cellular congregation for some Wiccans, but is often very formal, selective and closed, aiming for an ideal of “perfect love and perfect trust” among members. Most Wiccans begin in less formal ways such as attending festivals, public rituals, classes or more open groups (often called “circles”). Many Wiccans begin and continue practice as solitary practitioners.
Over the past decade more and more people have become interested in Wicca leading to a shortage of teachers of traditional Wicca. Many people are forced to, or are choosing to form their own working groups with friends without having had any formal training in Wicca. Many people call their groups covens believing that any group of people working together for the purpose of practicing witchcraft may claim this title. We do not want to argue this point, but we do want it known that since the beginning of Wicca in 1949 covens have had structure, training programs and trained priests and priestesses. Traditionally new covens are formed by hiving from a mother coven. In other words when a priest and/or priestess have attained the level of competency and wisdom deemed adequate to run a coven they are officially given permission from their teachers to break away and form a new coven.
A. The coven is the “congregation” of our religion. Some traditional covens are often very formal, selective and closed. Most Witches begin in less formal ways such as attending festivals, public rituals, classes or more open groups (often called “circles”). Many Witches probably begin and continue practice as “solitaires,” whether before, after or while a member of a coven.
