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So you want to be in a Coven? .......​

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To enter into such, is to enter into a religion of experience. The culture of  the Wica, the Goddess, the Horned God, the Gods we honour and work with colour and elevate our rites, as does the magick we bring into being and channel.

To enter into a Coven, to receive initiations, to work the round of the Wheel of the year, and cycles of the moon is exhilarating and hard work too.

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Covens are often small groups, seekers of the Craft may therefore find it difficult to gain admittance into a Coven, particularly  if it has just taken on new members. Often this is prosaically because the Coven may not have the space for another member, or they feel the seeker would fit and thrive in a different Coven. Initiatory Witches generally know and have an extended network of others in the Alexandrian and Gardnerian community, therefore the seeker, if initially turned away should feel free to ask of other Covens in the area.

Each group, even within the same lineage can have its own flavour, be that devotional, ceremonial or a folksy feel to it, of which all Covens tend to have in varying degrees. For those willing to endeavour to find a group that fits, it is our belief and experience that the Craft offers a way of working, that gives infinite scope to apprehend the divine, honour the Gods and engage in magickal workings in a manner that enthuses mind, body and soul. The Wica utilises varying techniques to engage with its Gods and Magick, whether through movement, voice, dance, poetry, chanting and more, all through which we engage in Ritual within the Circle.

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So, when there are a myriad of groups out there, why chose an initiatory Alexandrian or Gardnerian Coven?

To be in such, you enter the gateway of a well trodden path. When you join and partake in a Coven, you too are connecting to its Mother Coven, its lineage and its tradition, (ie Alexandrian) and the craft of Wica as a whole. By being an Initiate you plug into that community, with its people and knowledge. As experience is gained you find the well trodden path has many sacred ways from which you can draw from the wellspring of this rich tradition.

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So what should a seeker do before plunging into the deep end and opting for initiation? This of course is up to each individual, there are no hard and fast rules. A good method of initial study are books on the Craft and related topics. Another avenue are podcasts and videos online.

One should aways remember though, lists of books whilst being a helpful and enjoyable resource, are not necessarily for all. It is hoped the seeker has engaged with some study prior to contacting a Coven, and it not being a whim of circumstance. That said, each of us are drawn to the Craft in varying and different ways. Each bringing our own skillset and experience, which hopefully adds to a group as a whole. 

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Below are a few book titles (we believe) worth initially reading. Some seemingly obvious books are left out of the list, sometimes they are of more benefit with  hindsight of having worked in Circle. It is no way an exhaustive list either, nowadays so many books are out there and it pays to be discerning. Seekers are always advised to see where their journey takes them. 

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​Aradia Gospel of the Witches: Charles Godfrey Leland.

The Meaning of Witchcraft:  Gerald Gardner.

The Charge of the Goddess, the Poetry of Doreen Valiente:  Doreen Valiente.

The Rebirth of Witchcraft: Doreen Valiente.

Traditional Wicca, a Seekers Guide: Thorn Mooney.

A Coin for the Ferryman:  Jimahl Di Fiosa.

The Inner Circle:  Karagan Griffith.

The Triumph of the Moon:  Ronald Hutton.

Witchfather, a life of Gerald Gardner, parts I and II:  Philip Heselton.

Pan, The Great Gods modern return: Paul Robichaud.

Queen of all Witcheries:  Jack Chanek.

The Treadwells book of Plant Magic: Christina Oakley Harrington.

The Last Witches of England: John Callow.

The Last Witch Craze: Tony Mcalevey.

The Golden Ass:  Apuleius.

The Orphic Hymns: Thomas Taylor (translation).

Sallustius:  On the Gods and the World.

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The majority of the books above are histories of the craft, how to approach Covens, books on the Goddess and the Gods, Witch trials.  It is a list that gives a flavour of Witchcraft and its inheritance, rather than any 'How To' guides. We hope they may prove useful.

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​​​​Myth, we feel is important, it engages the mind on an unconscious level, where life's themes are played out in extreme circumstances. In which often Gods aid mortals when petitioned, helping humans to understand the vagaries of life. Their apparent foibles reflecting in us as mortals upon earth. Later Philosophers denied these actions were really those of the Gods, which be as it will, the former does allow us to connect with them with an immediacy.

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Works on the  Witchcraft trials show us how often governmental systems and societies have sought scapegoats.  Individuals have been made targets by communities whether for another individuals gain, or through fear and hatred of those, often on the margins of society. These societies in the west were patriarchal in nature, therefore those most often bearing the brunt of persecution were Women, this being so it has imprinted on the mind the word Witch now conjures the classic image of a withered crone practising her dark arts. More recently though, since the feminist movements of last century to the present, the word Witch (In a large part of the Western World), is now seen in a more palatable light, often as a counter cultural young Woman engaging in a life affirming spell practice, or an older knowledgeable Woman.

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Another avenue of interest is the natural world. Pagans of the past had Temples, sacred groves and shrines often within the natural environment.

To know and name nature helps you to understand it, to value it and engage with it. The folklore of animals, birds and plants is fascinating and worthy of study. Within the world and myth of witchcraft, we have evidence of witches brewing potions as salves for healing and other operations through the use of herbs. Also as well as herbal remedies and teas, they can be used for incense, adding connected correspondene to our Rituals, each being like an echo from the the Gods to  the earth. Our Wiccan wheel of the year is a seasonal cycle of nature aided by the Gods and Magick. Our understanding of the environment aids us. The use of herbs, stones and such has a pedigree from the ancient world, through the renaissance, up to our own times.  Animals in their natural environment too, are sometimes seen as windows into the divine otherworld. Showing portents of things to come, or what may play out in the near future. Nothing is quite so eerie as Ravens kronking to each other in a winter wood, or the satisfied crooning of Doves on a summer evening, or the pitched alarm of a Blackbird in a hedge as a Sparrowhawk darts overhead. Each of these happenings when viewed in a magickal way can make us reflect on our own lives. Through looking and relating to specific animals, plants and nature as a whole, relating them to the  world of Gods and folkore and myth, enriches our engagement with the world around us, making us recognise it as divine. This being so it makes us want to care for it all the more. 

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As seekers and Initiates it is ever upon ourselves to open up to the Goddess and Horned God within and without, inspiring us through nature,  learning,  community and Ritual.

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 For more information contact Amanda and Trevor ​​​​​

​ via our email address or our contact page.

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