Spirited (26 page)

Service to the divine is very important to me, considering I devote all that I am to my gods. As a polytheist, I see my gods as individuals, each with their own personal forms, symbols, myths, etc. They come to me with hints and whispers, provoking me to look more deeply.

Half of the fun of being Pagan is the seeking that comes hand in hand with restoring the ancient wisdom. I sincerely believe that, as a movement, we are resurrecting a new and vibrant feeling of the cosmos, one in which every single thing is an expression of the numinous that has wisdom to impart. We are re-enchanting the world and invoking the Greening, and the Great Mystery is shaking in its boots, for we are connecting and thriving on that connection.

As a spiritual being, I acknowledge the importance of all levels of awareness, and I strive toward a wholeness that will enhance my own will and the truth that is at the heart of the “I” in me. I know that my destiny is unravelling with each step I take and that my gods watch me as I wander, weaving together the sacred threads of the weaver's loom. I reveal and relate to the sacred in everything I encounter.

We are each born into a world of great uncertainty. Nothing is set in stone; everything is in motion and unsettled. All that we have are the stars above us and the beautiful earth that holds our feet, and now even she is in peril. Destiny is simply a word used to help guide the lost soul—to provide meaning to an unfounded circumstance. We each have our own reasons for being, and we each walk paths of our own making, though it can be seen in a shining star's course that much comes to pass by the hands of the gods.

I have my heartland and the warmth that floods through my spirit; this is the power that is both ancient and new, continuing always. I do not need science to prove what I already know to be true, nor do I fear those whose understanding is limited by ignorance. I dance with the gods, and I serve them in all that I do. This book is a testimony to my love for them. May it make them smile, and may they toast to us all, as we do to them.

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Covens are a topic of heated discussion in our community. It seems that everywhere you go, someone is delving into the social and esoteric differences between solitaries and coven initiates. Is being initiated into a coven the ultimate goal for all Witches? I would suggest that it is different for everyone.

Covencraft is a serious venture. It is not to be taken lightly and must be approached with a balanced perspective. You are solely responsible for what you get yourself into and what oaths you make or break. It can pay to be wary when seeking out covens to join; however, the great percentage of working covens today are groups rich in spirit, Magick, and kinship.

For a greater insight into the ornaments and intricacies of covencraft, refer to Amber K's classic
Covencraft: Witchcraft for Three or More
. Also, I find any of the older texts dealing with British Traditional Wicca both helpful and insightful, as they form clear examples of groups founded on initiatory-mystery principles. This is not to say that
deviation
from the traditional three degrees or coven hierarchy negates the Witch's spiritual experience; an intuitively crafted system can be just as enriching.

Before you dive in, I will add that I am a co-founding member and initiated priest of the Coven of the WildWood, a dynamic and spirited group of Witches that works with the primal forces of this world to inspire change, beauty, wisdom, and peace. We are allied with the WildWood itself, and it is our place of passion—our heartland as Witches.

You and a Coven

Being part of a coven is a serious undertaking. A coven is a working group of people who, in harmony with their own intuitions, seek to uphold the familial values of honour, trust, and loyalty so as to intensify the Magick. Working with Magick in a group is an ultimate exercise in determination, courage, and character development. It opens us up to both the dark and the light, and purposely introduces us to a sequence of challenges that test the depth and sincerity of our own spirituality. There's no use in sitting back and idly accepting the tyranny and injustice that can sometimes occur in a group. A healthy coven requires individuals who can rely on a reservoir of personal strength.

Degrees and hierarchy may be irrelevant to many young Witches. While the attainment of a formal degree may provide nominal status, there is nothing more frustrating than someone who has the audacity and ignorance to loudly proclaim their rank. Of course, the degree system can be successfully integrated into a democratic or collaborative coven. However, there needs to be an understanding of why in place before a group adopts a particular system.

In my coven, we have an aspirant, dedicant, and initiate structure, and each merely marks the stages of deepening that the Witch must pass through until they become consecrated as priest/ess before the gods of our coven. The Coven of the WildWood is also organised in an inner and outer court fashion. The inner court symbolises the greater mysteries and is comprised of both dedicants and initiates. The outer court represents the lesser mysteries and is comprised of informal participants and those who are aspirants to our coven. My coven also has guidelines that stipulate when an aspirant can be dedicated. Generally, there is a period of several months that ensues after aspiration, in which the inner court carefully studies the extent of participation and depth of sincerity of the aspirant (absences must have reasonable and valid explanations). After this time, the inner court convenes and discusses their opinion on the aspirant. Divination takes place, and the gods and guardians of our sacred realm are invoked for counsel. Only after all of this can an aspirant become a dedicant. After six months of dedication, the dedicant is then offered priest/ess training (if it is felt that the dedicant is ready); if they accept, the training begins and possible initiation occurs six months later.

Developing the foundations of a coven lies upon those who are natural leaders. I have never once considered myself a leader; however, at many Pagan gatherings, that label has been used to define me. One flashback into my childhood and you would find me alone, sitting in the shade of a tree, pondering the mysteries of Life. I do acknowledge the fact that being involved in Paganism has thrust me into situations in which it was impossible to deny the role of leader, and thus I have often retained that role in the community while steering clear of the associated arrogance. It is essential for anyone considering forming a coven to assess whether they feel prepared to take on the extra workload.

Below, I have answered the most frequently asked questions concerning forming covens, and I have provided a list of things to do if the opportunity to join a coven comes your way.

Forming a Coven

If you are thinking about forming a coven and believe that you are capable of initiating a group while remaining true to your Craft, then this section should help you. The following questions are the ones most likely to be nagging at your mind.

1. Why do I feel the need to work in a group?

As Pagans, we belong to a decentralised community. However, because of this, many Pagans often feel alienated and vulnerable as a minority group within a predominantly monotheistic society.

Pagan youth who desire to form a coven usually do so because they yearn for the support of other Pagans. This yearning derives from one of the most common human impulses: the need to be around others of like mind in order to develop close-knit communities.

Primarily, a coven is an expression of this spiritual state of being. Being part of a working group allows the individual to commit to something worthwhile while simultaneously lending their energies to a unity (family) that offers a sense of familiarity, security, and support.

2. How would a coven benefit the Pagan youth around me?

Pagan youth are a definitive subculture within an already established spiritual minority; therefore, the need to belong and to relate to others of similar experience is heightened. Belonging to a coven can help the individual develop problem-solving skills while building character and potential in a positive environment.

Belonging to a coven also gives young people a chance to sort through their problems and ask for advice without fearing retribution or critical dismemberment. A coven is more than a group of Pagans working together in their love for the gods; it is also an autonomous and constructive counselling unit, which allows us to dispense of our issues and to work towards healing them. This is the Magick of support and connection.

3. How will my parents react to the idea of a coven?

Sadly, this has to be taken into account. The law allows parents to intervene on behalf of their children concerning our involvement in extra-curricular groups and activities. While it seems trivial and restrictive, we as mature individuals need to acknowledge their right to actively claim their legal position on what we do with our lives. Simultaneously, however, we should be allowed to make our own choices based on well-informed attitudes and decide for ourselves what we believe to be ultimately beneficial for us. A lot of the time, parents are wary of strangers mixing with their children. When you present your idea to your parents, make sure you are specific with the details and outline that you will most likely be working exclusively with other young people, and that if there is any possibility of “older” involvement, it will come from respected members of the Pagan community only. If your parents are still reluctant, arrange a meeting between your parents and the adults involved with your coven so that a level of trust can be reached.

If you are still in the broom closet and know that your parents will react negatively to any instance of “abnormal behaviour,” then you will either need to dispense of your plans or carry on discreetly. If this interferes with your ethics, then you will need to either come clean or maintain the coven's secrecy.

The fear of covens comes from the popular misconceptions that hold Witchcraft to be a cultlike activity that inducts members through brainwashing and other methods of ill repute. This is a chance to correct their misconceptions.

4. How will I deal with coven hierarchies, and what position could/should I fulfil in the case of a traditionally structured group?

First of all, if you are the brains of the operation for the forming of a potential group, then you should have some say on how it is run and who the leading facilitators will be. The role of high priest/ess is one of guidance and support and passing on information and wisdom. A high priest/ess is generally a well-accomplished individual. You might also wish to run your group democratically and rotate the leadership in both the practical and spiritual arenas.

Within a teen coven, it needs to be reinforced that titles are often conveniences that allow for structure when needed. There are groups who are purely collaborative in that their rituals involve everybody and not just those of sufficient rank. Participation is equal, and all commit themselves to the purpose collectively.

Generally, young Pagans should steer well away from hierarchies in groups, as it heightens the chance of dispute over roles. There should be a sense of organisation, but it does not necessarily have to be institutionalised. In saying this, my own coven does not even have a high priest/ess; we have a priesthood, which anyone can aspire towards as long as they are dedicated Witches, competent within the Craft, and have a genuine desire to serve the Old Ones and the community at large.

5. Should I be wary of Pagans who like to stir trouble and who I do not like personally?

Yes! Anyone who intends to slander someone, compromise others, or who simply thrives off heated conflict is a candidate for exclusion. Deception, arrogance, and egotism are not beneficial to a coven that is founded on perfect love and perfect trust.

Generally, anyone who denies the rights of another is someone who is most probably suffering from a power trip. You need to be straightforward and firm with anyone who matches the description above. It's as simple as telling them to stop what they're doing or refusing to tolerate their self-righteous nonsense and dismissing them from the group. If they continue to cause trouble externally, then you may need to contact established covens, either in your area or online, and ask for their advice. Most covens are aware of the “lunatic fringe,” so they will most likely have a few words of wisdom to pass on to you.

As for people you don't like on a personal level, you will need to learn to justify these instinctual reactions so as not to destroy the morale of the individual. Perhaps you got off on the wrong foot or you misinterpreted something they did. Give yourself some time to understand where the person is coming from and discern whether they are going through problems of their own. Never judge a book by its cover. If the feelings of dislike still remain, then perhaps you need to discuss this privately with the other members. Perhaps others feel similarly. If so, then maybe your intuition was right in the first place, in which case let the person down softly.

6. What if the coven members turn on me?

This fear is a carry-on from our days of creating exclusive clubs in order to discriminate against someone in particular. There is that childish notion that filters through that convinces us that we will somehow end up the club scapegoat and be eternally ridiculed by the club members. A coven is much more serious than an informal coming-together of a few kids.

Do not give in to irrational fears, as this only conveys to others that you are uncertain of yourself and therefore unfit for a leading role. The only way the entirety of the coven will want to collectively gang up on you is if you are obnoxious, self-righteous, and arrogant. You need to make sure that you keep a balanced perspective at all times. You must also understand that a coven is not a one-person show. It represents the feelings, opinions, and attitudes of everyone involved. If there are any feelings of tension within your group, you need to approach the issue maturely and discuss things openly.

Generally, when an uprising occurs, it is because the people involved have become restless and desire quick change. To avoid attracting mistrust or dislike, you need to be flexible and adaptable.

Introduce new methods and techniques of ritual and raising energy. Go on coven outings or participate in community events that support the environment or are against social injustice, and just have fun! Cultivate the opportunities presented to you, and know that it is something you have all chosen independently to be a part of.

7. What if the coven members turn out to be superficial or are involved for reasons that are not aligned with the coven's purpose and that I do not personally feel comfortable with?