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Part I. My Take on Forming a Coven:Forming a Coven that works.
 by Ravynwolfe MoondancerI've learnt a few things in all these years and one is how to form a coven that works.One of the mistakes that some people make in forming covens is just to allow anyone inthat is of the same faith and wants in. I have seen this cause breakdown in many covens.First thing is to ask yourself what do you want to do in this coven? What do you need? Isthere a united group feeling? Is the group more important than individual needs and wants? Are people allowed to communicate freely?, are respect and self knowledgestrongly upheld? Do you realize that in any "family" you can argue and get angry but stillmake the commitment to work out problems, allow for differences and carry on? Do yougive up easily with resentment burning in your soul? Can you forgive?One important thing is if you have a graduated system of people not as learned andmake allowances for that or do you wish to have all of your coveners at the same level of learnedness? If you have a H.P. ...is that HP not immersed in his/her ego? Is your HPfair, humble, wise enough to know when to let someone walk on their own and when tocarry? Is your HP knowing that she/he does not know it all and can she/he be humbleenough to know that those in the coven can teach her too? Do all folks in the coven know themselves to a degree that helps to foster a Unified experience? Can everyone in yourcoven admit to not knowing something? Can your HP be challenged by questions? Arequestions welcomed? These are all good things to learn and ask of oneself before venturing into coven territory.One thing I am firm about when I decide to form a coven is that all prospective membersget at least a bit of sunshine everyday, don't give in to addictions, and take care of themselves. Addictions such as smoking everyday without being able to stop for awhile,having to do something daily and not doing that causing them to have intense withdrawal...is something to watch out for. There is using tobacco for sacred rituals where there is respect for the plant (please try for as organic as you can) ...the rare one just because you enjoy it and then there is the intense dependency on it. Anything thatdistracts you and makes you weaker is not good in magick..it allows energy to besiphoned off of you and keeps you unbalanced.Ego can be a bit of a problem in Covens as well, the need to seem like the grand highpoobah is not a good thing..it too is like an addiction that drives you towards stupidity. Always be honest with yourself and let that egoic need for control over others rest inassurance that what will be..will be.I hope this helps some of you out there that are considering forming a coven. This is my  way and it's not for all but I find it is a good way ..a way of balance and beauty.Blessed Be!May we all continue to learn and grow!
 
 Part II. How to Start Your Own CovenForming a Study Group for Wicca and Witchcraft by Amber S.
 If you decide that you wish to join or begin a group of practicing witches, there are a few things you should k now about different kinds of groups before you enter into somethingpermanent.To begin with, you should understand the meaning of the terms:Coven - covens are generally groups of practicing witches or Wiccans. They usually havenames that signify the beliefs, members, or surroundings such as "Coven of theGoddess" or "Coven of the Triple Moon."Grove- Groves are generally understood to be groups of Druids. Groves are usually named after sacred places and objects such as "Grove of the Ancient Forest" or "Grove of the Old Oak." You will find that many grove names take after things that are sacred toDruids, namely trees and rocks.Circle - The term "circle" is a fairly generic term that can be applied to any type of Pagangroup. Examples of circle names are "Circle of the Willow Moon" or "Circle of the GreatGoddess."Temple - This term is used to describe pagan "churches": "The Temple of Light," "TheTemple of the Sacred Oak," etc. This term is also very generic and can be used for any religion.
BEGINNING A GROUP
 Most do not begin their groups by creating a coven right away. The best course of actionis to begin by joining an existing group. The only good way to learn how to run a group(or learn much at all for that matter) is to join a group that is already well-established. After you have been with the group a while, you can decide whether you should go yourown way or remain a family member within your group.Unfortunately, it is not always possible for everyone to find a group in their area. Insome cases it is essential to begin with a study group. If your group decides later that you wish to expand, add new members or go your separate ways, there are no tiesholding you back.Groups should stay small. Two to five people is a good size for a beginning group. Youcan always add more members if anyone wants to join. For starters, everyone should beon the same level, meaning that you should be reading the same books. Choose a book  based on the level at which you are all learning. You may decide that you wish to readone book each month or so. Choose a good beginner book such as
To Ride a Silver  Broomstick
 by Silver RavenWolf or another popular beginner's book.If you are beginning a group, you will also need a place to meet. Some groups meet
 
indoors at the home of a member, but most choose to meet outdoors in a place wherethey feel comfortable and can commute with nature. Public parks are a perfect place.Everyone can lie in the grass or on blankets and get comfortable. If it rains, most parkshave a covered picnic area where you can sit and continue your meeting. Areas with water and/or trees are particularly nice.Next, you will have to decide when you will meet. Most groups meet once a month onthe Esbats. Esbats are dates that fall on the full or new moon. This may not be easy foreveryone's schedule, however, so you might choose to meet, say, the first Saturday of every month. Try to keep the meeting time the same every time so that no one getsconfused or forgets. Also, be sure that everyone copies down everyone else's phonenumber and e-mail address so that you can get in contact with each other if there is achange or cancellation in plans or if someone cannot make it.Most importantly, you will need to decide what will happen at each meeting. No one will want to come if everyone just sits around no knowing what to do. Here is a list of somethings you might want to do to get started: A good practice when gathering is to have everyone bring something to eat. Each personshould bring something different. For example, one person should bring drinks, oneperson should bring a bag of chips, one person should bring a dessert, and anotherperson can be in charge of sandwiches. I like making turkey sandwiches with lettuce andranch dressing, cut into quarter triangles with the crust cut off. Everyone loves theselittle club sandwiches.Decide what everyone should read before the meeting. At the next meeting, you can alldiscuss what you read. If you like, you can have each person find an article in a book oron the internet and bring in copies for everyone. You can even punch holes in the sidesso that everyone can keep them in their own group book of shadows.For each meeting, have each person find and bring an article or poem about witchcraft.The person should read the article aloud to the group and the others can take notes if they wish. Pass out a copy to each person so that everyone will have a copy to keep intheir book of shadows.If you like, you can begin and/or end each session with a group prayer or a spell. Ritualsand practicing rituals are important parts of coven meetings, so you may wish topractice them in regular group meetings. You may wish to incorporate crafts or games in your meetings, especially if it is aholiday. Some activities are perfect for group meetings such as pumpkin carving atSamhain or gift exchanging at Yule. Appropriate different tasks and hand them out randomly. For one month, one person will have a certain job and for another month, someone else will have it. Rotate jobs sothat everyone will have a chance at each. Some example jobs would be: the leader(decides what will happen and when), secretary (writes down all activities done at the
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