How to find a Coven or Magickal Study Group

Finding Witches:

I'll admit that I'm spoiled. I presently live in an area where we have a strong pagan community, and an abundance of other Witches. I'm told that here in Orlando, pagans actually outnumber the Catholics. But it's not the same everywhere.

So where do you even meet others, first off?

• Let your fingers do the walking through your local yellow pages. Check under "gifts" and "books" first, keeping your eye out for pagan-sounding names. A hint: "Asgaard Books" would be a likely, "A Family Giftstore" would not. In more enlightened areas you might even find them listed under "crystals", "new age" or "occult".
  
  

• Look on the Web. If you're reading this, then you have one of the finest resources in the world available to you. Utilize it! Go to Avatar Search or Arachne's Web and find websites with addresses near yours. Then email and politely ask them if they can recommend some local shops - they might even have one. Or go into a chatroom and ask people if they can recommend places for you to visit.
  
  

• Attend local events that interest you - such as SCA events and Renaissance Fairs.
  
  

• Get involved! Many pagans are active environmentalists or support other causes. Volunteering is a great way to "walk your talk" as well as to network with other people. And you'll do good for the Earth (and earn Karmic Brownie points) at the same time.
  
  

• Always be on the lookout for people wearing crystals and cool jewelry. Many of us are easy to spot if you know what you're looking for. If you don't have employment or personal reasons not to wear your pentacle publicly, then wearing it will also make you easier to spot by other Pagans.
  
  

• Yes, it's true that in some places we need to be more cautious about showing ourselves. But we are out there!
  
  

• If you're lucky enough to be in an area where new-agers, witches and pagans gather freely, then take advantage of that. Take some classes on metaphysical subjects. Where better to meet people and learn, too?
  
  

• Some areas may even have local newsletters where groups who are taking on members can post notices. Or your local metaphysical shop may have a billboard. But be aware that many groups don't advertise, however. Being psychically talented enough or dedicated enough to find them, may be part of their admissions test.
  
  

• Ask if there are public sabbats or other gatherings. The local Wiccan church in my area holds 8 yearly sabbats, as well as sponsoring Moon Circles, Bardic Circles and other webweaving activities.
  
  

• Build a psychic beacon. You can make up a spell for this. (What kind of spell? Anything that helps you visualize it -- spells are highly individualized. More about that in another article.) Visualize a beacon of light above you, which calls other witches to you. Picture an astral neon sign, "Witches seeking students? Apply here!"
  
  

• Get out there! You're not going to meet people if you sit at home and bemoan your fate. And once you're at any of those functions, don't stay in your shell. Talk to people. Smile. Get to know them.
  
  

• If you're still having trouble, look to your own blockages. Maybe you're not ready to find a teacher. You might have work that you need to do on your own. It is said that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear, and I have found this to be true. Work on yourself. Study. Continue to network. Trust that the Gods will provide in the right time.

If you are under 18:

Being under the age of majority can put a huge crimp in your webweaving. In many areas, minors are not allowed to shop in pagan stores. No, it doesn't seem fair. If you walked into a synagogue or a Christian bookstore, no one would complain. But because our religion is still misunderstood, shop owners need to be cautious. If they ask you to leave the store, please respect them. Many of them would love to have you for a customer, but they just can't risk it. By selling to a minor, they may be putting their entire livelihood on line.

If your parents are supportive, ask them to go to stores with you. Perhaps they could even give the shop owner a notarized letter of permission allowing you to shop there.

If your parents aren't supportive, I'm sorry, I know it's harder. You'll have to network more carefully and be willing to wait. For now, the local chain bookstores and the library may have to suffice. Spend the time honing your powers, learning meditation and visualization. (Which you don't even need tools to practice.) Being polite and willing to honor the needs of pagan shop owners will aid you in a few years. They'll be a lot more willing to help you when you do turn 18.

Webweaving on the WWW:

Mostly, the WWW is a fantastic place to find and get to know other pagans, but there are a few concerns.

The web is a place of mask and illusion. On the web, people can be whoever they wish to appear. Sometimes they're not always honest. Learn to read between the lines. Are they full of self-aggrandizing talk? (In chatrooms) how do they react to others? Are they helpful to "newbies" or full of snide, snippy remarks? (Granted, I too get tired when the 4th youngster of the eve asks for a love spell.) Learn to trust your intuition and observations about people.

Many of us begin by learning from books. But in honesty, books, correspondence courses and the web are a poor substitute for in-person learning. I studied in solitary for my first 15 years in the Craft (without computer access). And in my past 5 years working with other pagans, I have grown at 10 times the rate of speed. A good teacher will design tests and lessons for you that push you to your limits, that force you to open your mind and your spirit and grow. Over the web (or via correspondence) a teacher cannot get to know you nearly well enough to spark your growth.

I've Located a Group, Now What?

Ok, so finding a Coven is only half the problem. How do you get in?

If you're dealing with a few friends that you're hitting it off with, and just want to start meeting together, then it's easiest. Invite them to a party or a meditation. Go out with them to the movies. Get to know each other and see if things gel.

If you've found a Magickal Study Group (MSG), approach the teacher or leader and ask if they're accepting new students. What's the worst they can say - "No"?

If you've found an established Coven, things may be a little more problematic.

• Some Covens expect the petitioner to ask if they want to join. Other Covens prefer that they do the asking. How do you find out? Ask them. Express an interest, and ask specifically what their rules are. Should you be persistent? Or ask once & not again. Some Covens may even require you to ask a specific person in the group.
  
  

• Many Covens are secretive about their membership. They often will not discuss names and numbers. Be aware of this and respect it. It is a hold -over from the persecutions of the Burning Times, but still has many reasons today. Generally a witch can say that they are or are not a member of a specific Coven, but they will not tell you who the other members are. This can make getting to know the others harder, but if the Coven is interested in you, the rest will generally try to get to know you.
  
  

• Some Covens also have an "Outer Court" of students who are not part of the actual Coven, but are part of a greater collective. If this is the case, you may have to join the Outer Court before you are (possibly) admitted to the inner circle.
  
  

• Know that when you join a Coven you are taking important oaths and the members are also oathing to you. A coven is much like a group marriage (usually without sex). Are these folks who you'd feel comfortable marrying?
  
  

• Covenship is a matter of delicate alchemy. One incompatible covener can mean the unraveling of the entire group. Expect them to be cautious about adding new members, and be willing to take time if they're really important to you.
  
  

• Understand that most Covens are run on a basis of unanimity. You need to get a "yes" vote from every single person in the coven to get in. Take time to get to know all the folk.

Cautions and Concerns:

Despite the fact that most people are generally nice folk, there are those in the World with bad intent. When first getting to know people, use caution. It's best that you first meet with folks in public or semi-public places. Don't go to someone's private ceremony, if you've just met them. (Most often, folks will want to get to know you before they invite you to rituals anyway.) If you are going to a ritual, and you are relatively new to these folks, ask if you can bring a friend. Also, be sure to let someone know where you are. If you feel edgy about them, go with your instinct

NEVER allow someone to pressure you into something you do not want to do. If you don't feel comfortable going skyclad, don't. If anyone is pressuring you, feel free to get out of there. No self-respecting Witch will ask you to do something you are uncomfortable with.

~ Lionrhod July, 98

Want to learn how not to turn other Witches off? Read A Witch's Rules of "Common" Courtesy.

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