Witchvox Article

Author: Lady Abigail [a WitchVox Sponsor]
Posted: November 6th. 2004
Times Viewed: 4,962

Ravensgrove Coven has received many questions requesting information and advice on how someone could get a Coven started. We hope that this might be of some help to you and that you are blessed in your endeavors. Whenever there is a hope and desire for starting a Coven there must also be an understanding of and commitment to the difficult work ahead.

A Coven must be a place where members can stand as a cohesive group brought together by their shared belief that within understanding all things are possible, as they learn and expand themselves within the universe, beliefs, life and magick.

"Ravensgrove Coven" is a Coven made up of solitary Witches. Each member bringing their own unique skills and understanding to a new and eclectic gathering of Witches, allowing all of us our own personal freedoms within the Craft and yet to be a part of a working, learning and growing Coven.

IF there is a desire for a strong, true and lasting Coven, there must be a commitment made by all its members. A commitment to work and put forth the responsibility in that work for the Coven and its members. This should be foremost within the desires of its members.

When Ravensgrove Coven was formed none of us had never met each other before. From the oldest to the newest members alike, we all had the same ideals for a Coven. We wanted to be a part of a group of Witches who were serious about the Craft and serious about the spiritual path involved. A group that would equally share in the work within magick, Ritual and celebration. That deep desire gave birth to a promising Coven that has grown and become an encompassing energy, a Coven I am proud to be the High Priestess of.

All members of any Coven must be fully committed unto the collative of that energy which makes up a Coven. Never becoming complacent and even lazy within any and all Coven duties. You must stand as one, above all things a working spirit and power. Never taking lightly the commitment and pledge made one unto the other for the shared purpose within your beliefs, actions and lives.

A Coven should come together with five core beliefs and principles. (A Pentangle of Power.) These five core beliefs are: purpose, balance, responsibility, unity and growth. Together, they are encircled by the understanding and desire to join as one all encompassing influence.

Within a Coven there must be balance. As within the four seasons of a year you see the natural turning of the wheel. You watch for the birth of spring, long life of summer, fragile moments of autumn and the death that comes from winters cold. With each breath we take in life and with each breath we release it again into the universe.

You understand the respect necessary for the Earth and embrace the light and dark in all things. You have learned to stand together, protected and encouraged by our brothers and sisters. The storms and icy winds from within will at times cut you with its devastating blast, yet you learn and grown stronger by means of the experience.

Negative situations can be learned from, and can be an opportunity to gain strength and insight. You work hard to bring the positive back into your borders. Positive situations give you the freedom and lift to be able to apply your discipline, progress in your growth, and to help others around you as to not forget the balance and become negligent in duties and life.

The shadows and light grow and wane within any Coven. When you accept this, you need not be defeated by every curve that life throws us. If you learn what the shadows are, you need never fear them, and freedom from that fear allows us to take control.

There will be times when each member must put forth with serious endeavor, through classes, work, meditation, ritual, study, and intellect; to become one with your Coven.

Each member must be committed above all things to the Coven and unto themselves as a spiritual collective, and unto this purpose hold steadfast unto your own beliefs through the actions of your life.

You must stand ready with all understanding, to pledge even our very spirit to our brothers and sisters of your Coven. Putting first and foremost in all things this joining of hearts for Ritual, Sabbaths, Esbats, Magick and Gatherings. As well as that time to become scholars in the ways of being a Witch, both physically and emotionally.

You must be responsible one to the other; in this to the Coven as a whole. You do not join into a Coven for something to do when we have nothing better to do. Your celebrations and Rituals should not only be planed months in advance for convenience in your personal scheduling, they were set within the Great Wheel and are known through all time without end.

There are times when being a Witch requires great desire and determination. A Witch must sometimes walk through a fire, willing to sacrifice any amount of comfort to come home to the beliefs that are held passionately true in their very soul. In this understanding, we would hope for no less conviction among any other member. This is not a request for blind loyalties to the Coven, but a burning passion for one's own beliefs and desire to learn within fellowship. With the Craft becoming a gentle blending for all that stand within the enter circle. With complete love and trust.

Your Coven shall share conviction in everyone's commitment to responsibility. There should never be complaining or lack of desire within the working members. Problems in life are often approached with the advice that a person needs to see how they got themselves in their own predicaments. What part in this problem did I personally play? The Coven is a helpful, sympathetic body that will encourage and aid one another as much as possible, but only if someone is willing to help him or herself, first. Sometimes, things do happen that are beyond our control. In those situations, we try to move on to the resolution stage, the fixing of the problem.

Blind followers should not exist in any Coven. There are no free rides on the hopes and desires of others. Your Coven is comprised of people willing to be assertive enough to express their wants and needs, followed by getting out there and working for them. Being able to share the failures and successes alike is a sign of self-understanding, and a willingness to grow.

A Coven is a Family and you become excited by one another's progress, and will mark some of these occasions with major celebration. In your long-term goals for the Coven, the fact is that your members should be looking far ahead with excitement and wonder. This excitement shows very clearly that growth is an essential part of your Coven's philosophy. There's nothing better than growing together.

Developing into all that is possible as a Coven you must see the results within your own heart first. You merged into one group, a Coven, where you can express and live within like-minded beliefs. You must stand together as a small but determined spiritual force, knowing that with each new experience, the energy takes on a new form, and becomes a growing entity all its own.

In all circumstances, times of difficulty and times of great joy, you are all bound by equality, in your desire to see the Coven, and its members succeed. This must be your trust, as you work together for a Coven that shall grow and endure forever.

In perfect Love and perfect Trust,

Lady Abigail
High Priestess of Ravensgrove Coven

ABOUT...

Lady Abigail

Location: Greenfield, Indiana

Author's Profile: To learn more about Lady Abigail - Click HERE

Bio: Lady Abigail is High Priestess of Ravensgrove Coven, an eclectic coven of solitary witches in the Orlando, Florida area. Her Great Grandmother, a Cajun Witch, who taught her the powers of Earth, Nature and Magick, raised her in the Craft.

Lady Abigail has studied and taught in herbs, metaphysics and Magick for over 35 years. Her articles and poetry have been featured in various Pagan publications.

Other Articles: Lady Abigail has posted 69 additional articles- View them?

Other Listings: To view ALL of my listings: Click HERE

Email Lady Abigail... (Yes! I have opted to receive invites to Pagan events, groups, and commercial sales)

Home - TWV Logos - Email US - Privacy

News and Information

Chapters: Pagan/Heathen Basics - Pagan BOOKS - Traditions, Paths & Religions - Popular Pagan Holidays - TV & Movies - Cats of the Craft - Festival Reviews - Festival Tips - White Pages (Resources) - Issues/Concerns - West Memphis 3 - Witch Hunts - Pagan Protection Tips - Healing Planet Earth

Your Voices: Adult Essays - Young Pagan Essays - Pagan Perspectives (On Hold) - WitchWars: Fire in the Craft - Gay Pagan - Pagan Parenting - Military - Pagan Passages

Pagan Music: Pagan Musicians - Bardic Circle at WitchVox - Free Music from TWV

Vox Central: About TWV - Wren: Words, Wrants and Wramblings - Guest Rants - Past Surveys - A Quest for Unity

Weekly Updates: Click HERE for an index of our weekly updates for the past 6 years

W.O.T.W. - World-Wide Networking

Your Town: A Link to YOUR Area Page (The largest listing of Witches, Pagans, Heathens and Wiccans on the Planet)

VoxLinks: The Pagan Web: 8,000 Listings

Your Witchvox Account: Log in Now - Create New Account - Request New Password - Log in Problems

Personal Listings: Pagan Clergy in Your Town - Adult Pagans - Young Pagans - Military Pagans

Events: Circles, Gatherings, Workshops & Festivals

Covens/Groups/Orgs: Local Groups Main Page

Other LOCAL Resources: Local Shops - Regional Sites - Local Notices - Global/National Notices - Local Skills & Services - Local Egroups - Political Freedom Fighters

Pagan Shopping: Online Shops Index - Original Crafters Sites - Auction Sites - Pagan Wholesalers - Pagan Local Shops

Web Site Content (including: text - graphics - html - look & feel)
Copyright 1997-2013 The Witches' Voice Inc. All rights reserved
Note: Authors & Artists retain the copyright for their work(s) on this website.
Unauthorized reproduction without prior permission is a violation of copyright laws.

Website structure, evolution and php coding by Fritz Jung on a Macintosh G5.

Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren’s Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches’ Voice, Inc. TWV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.

Sponsorship: Visit the Witches' Voice Sponsor Page for info on how you
can help support this Community Resource. Donations ARE Tax Deductible.
The Witches' Voice carries a 501(c)(3) certificate and a Federal Tax ID.

Mail Us: The Witches' Voice Inc., P.O. Box 341018, Tampa, Florida 33694-1018 U.S.A.

Witches, Pagans
of The World

Current Topic
Editorial Guide

NOTE: The essay on this page contains the writings and opinions of the listed author(s) and is not necessarily shared or endorsed by the Witches' Voice inc.

The Witches' Voice does not verify or attest to the historical accuracy contained in the content of this essay.

All WitchVox essays contain a valid email address, feel free to send your comments, thoughts or concerns directly to the listed author(s).