Wicca covens are groups of witches who follow a specific Wicca tradition. Covens may belong to any of the Wicca traditions such as Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Dianic and even eclectic Wicca. If you’re new to Wicca or have been practicing as a solitary for a while you might wonder if joining a coven is the right thing for you.
“Traditional” Wiccans believe that in order to call yourself a Wiccan you first need to be initiated into a coven. However all Wiccans do not believe this to be the case. Whether you join a coven or not should be your choice. You need to feel comfortable with the way you practice and should never be pressured to join Wicca covens against your will.
There are of course some very good reasons to join Wicca covens. If you want to become part of a Gardnerian or Alexandrian tradition then joining a coven is the only way to learn the beliefs and rituals of these traditions. They are passed from coven to coven and kept secret from others. You will not be allowed to learn from these Wiccans unless you are initiated into the coven.
Another good reason to join Wicca covens is to explore and advance your spiritual, magical and ritual practices. As part of a coven you will learn more than you could alone and have the chance to expand your Wiccan “wings”.
If you feel that you are the type of person that needs structure in their worship and practice then joining Wicca covens might be a good idea. Not everybody has the mental and spiritual discipline to further their practices on their own. A coven may provide you with the platform you need to grow in your Wicca disciplines.
If you feel like you want to be part of a group because this will be more enjoyable to you then Wicca covens are ideal for you. Practicing Wicca alone can get lonely.
Are there negative reasons to join? Yes! Poor reasons to join Wicca covens include:
- Feeling like you HAVE to.
- You think it will be “fun”. While Wicca covens do have fun and many are quite informal it is still a commitment to join and you will need to take it seriously. Do not join a coven for social reasons alone.
- You want to study Wicca without practicing it per se. While study and learning are part of coven life, covens are also very emotionally involved in the work they do together.
The choice of Wicca covens available to you are many and varied. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable in the coven. Be wary of covens which may be practicing Satanism or other dark magic and make sure that you are never forced into joining one against your will. The aim of joining a coven is to commune with others who believe as you do. Ask as many questions as you need to before making the move to coven life.