There are two ways to practice the Craft: with others or alone. Both are old, both are respected, and many people do each at different times in their lives. This guide explains how covens work, what solitary practice involves, and how to look for a group without putting yourself at risk.
What a coven is
A coven is a small, committed group of witches who meet regularly to worship and work magick together. The traditional maximum is thirteen, and most covens are smaller. A coven is closer to a family than to a congregation. Members know each other well, and trust is the whole foundation.
In traditional Wicca a coven is led by a High Priestess, a High Priest, or both. It meets at the eight sabbats and at the full moons, and often more frequently for teaching. Newcomers usually study for at least a year and a day before initiation. Many traditions have three degrees, each marking a deeper level of training and responsibility, and members promise to keep certain rituals private.
Initiation into a coven is asked for and never offered. A good coven does not recruit.
Other kinds of group
- Circles. Open, informal groups that meet to celebrate the sabbats or the full moons, with no initiation and no fixed membership.
- Study groups. People who read and practice together for a set period.
- Moots and social meetups. Casual gatherings in public places where local Pagans can meet. These are the safest first step for most seekers.
- Open rituals and festivals. Public celebrations where anyone may attend respectfully.
Solitary practice
Most witches today are solitaries. Some live far from any group, some prefer privacy, and many simply like to set their own pace. A solitary plans their own rituals, keeps their own Book of Shadows, and answers to nobody.
Instead of initiation, many solitaries perform a self-dedication: a private ritual, usually after a period of study, in which they commit themselves to their path. The dedication to learning in week four of our first steps guide is a gentle first step in this direction.
How the two compare
| Coven | Solitary | |
|---|---|---|
| Learning | Structured teaching from experienced members | Self-directed study from books and experience |
| Ritual | Shared, often powerful, with fixed forms | Flexible, personal, and easy to fit around life |
| Support | Close community and feedback | Independence, with support found elsewhere if wanted |
| Commitment | Regular attendance and group obligations | Entirely your own |
| Main difficulty | Group dynamics and finding the right fit | Isolation and staying motivated |
Looking for a group safely
Most Pagan groups are run by decent, generous people. A few are not, and spiritual seekers are easy targets for the wrong kind of leader. Go slowly.
- Start with public events, such as a moot or an open ritual, and meet people in public places.
- Tell a friend where you are going.
- Ask how the group is run, what it teaches, what it expects of members, and what it costs.
- Talk to current and former members if you can.
- Take months, not days. A group worth joining will be glad that you are careful.
Warning signs
Walk away from any group or teacher that does any of the following.
- Asks for large fees, loans, or gifts. Modest contributions toward candles and food are normal. Paying for initiation is not.
- Requires or pressures sexual contact, or nudity that you have not freely chosen.
- Tells you to cut off family or friends, or to keep the group secret from the people close to you.
- Claims to be the only true tradition, or forbids questions.
- Initiates anyone under 18, or offers to teach a minor privately. Reputable covens do neither.
- Makes you feel afraid to leave.
You may leave any group at any time, for any reason. No oath obliges you to accept mistreatment.
Signs of a healthy group
- Leaders answer questions openly and admit what they do not know.
- Expectations and costs are explained before you commit.
- Members have ordinary lives, outside friendships, and a sense of humor.
- People have left on good terms.
- You feel more yourself after a meeting, not less.
Which is right for you?
If you are just beginning, practice alone for a while first. A year of solitary work will teach you what you want from a group, and you will join as someone who already has a practice of their own.
After that, follow your temperament. Some people come alive in a circle of others, and some do their best work alone under the moon. Neither is any less a witch.