A witches group, also known as a coven, is a gathering of individuals who practice witchcraft or Wicca together. These groups may follow a specific tradition or may be eclectic, meaning they draw from various magical traditions and practices. The members of a witches group come together to explore and deepen their understanding and practice of witchcraft, to support and learn from one another, and to create a community of like-minded individuals. Witches groups often meet regularly, typically for rituals and ceremonies that mark the cycles of the moon, the changing seasons, and other significant occasions in the magical calendar. These gatherings may involve spellcasting, divination, meditation, chanting, and other forms of ritual and magical work. The ceremonies are usually led by one or more experienced practitioners, often called high priestesses or high priests, who guide the group in their magical work.
The number of witches in a coven may vary, and any meeting of three or more can be considered a coven. Twenty is often considered a rule-of-thumb maximum, although covens of up to sixty are not unheard of. Some covens limit membership to thirteen, possibly in deference to Murray‘s theories, and possibly on the grounds that this is the maximum number which can be comfortably accommodated in the traditional 9-foot circle. However, some groups consider that a coven of as many as thirteen can lead to unwieldy group dynamics and an unfair burden on the leadership.
The first recorded use of it being applied to witches, however, came much later, in the 1662 trial of Isobel Gowdie , which described a coven of thirteen members. According to Britannica, a coven is a basic group in which witches are said to gather and that each member of a coven is said to specialize in a particular branch of magic, such as bewitching agricultural produce, producing sickness or death in humans, storm raising, or seduction.
The ceremonies are usually led by one or more experienced practitioners, often called high priestesses or high priests, who guide the group in their magical work. In addition to their ritual practices, witches groups also engage in study and learning. They may come together to discuss magical theory, explore different magical traditions and practices, and share their experiences and knowledge.
Witchcraft Terms and Tools – Coven
In Wicca and other similar forms of modern Neopagan witchcraft, a coven is a gathering or community of witches, a group of believers who gather together for ceremonies of worship, such as Drawing Down the Moon or celebrating the Sabbats. Other words may also be used, such as clan, grove, sept, touta, cove.
The word “coven” (or “covan”) was originally a late medieval (c.1500) Scots word meaning a gathering of any kind, deriving from the Latin root word “convenire” (meaning to come together or to gather). The first recorded use of it being applied to witches, however, came much later, in the 1662 trial of Isobel Gowdie, which described a coven of thirteen members. Even then, the word remained largely unused in English until 1921, when Margaret Murray promoted the idea, now much disputed, that historically all witches across Europe met in groups of thirteen which they called “covens”.
The number of witches in a coven may vary, and any meeting of three or more can be considered a coven. Twenty is often considered a rule-of-thumb maximum, although covens of up to sixty are not unheard of. Some covens limit membership to thirteen, possibly in deference to Murray‘s theories, and possibly on the grounds that this is the maximum number which can be comfortably accommodated in the traditional 9-foot circle. However, some groups consider that a coven of as many as thirteen can lead to unwieldy group dynamics and an unfair burden on the leadership.
A coven usually has one or two leaders, known as the High Priestess and/or High Priest, and each coven is usually autonomous and makes its own decisions (depending on the particular Wicca, a newly made High Priest or High Priestess (with 3rd Degree ordination) may also leave to start their own coven, and strike off in new directions.
Many covens (called initiatory covens) require that the leaders initiate new members before they can be considered part of the group or tradition, which usually involves some kind of formal induction ceremony and oath of loyalty after the prospective member has carried out the required level of study (often for the traditional year-and-a-day). Other covens operate on a self-initiation basis, or accept initiates from other groups or traditions.
Some covens work in robes, some in modified street clothing, and a few go “skyclad” or naked. Some are “teaching covens” and are happy to take on newcomers; others prefer to keep to the current membership and aim to develop a closer family-type relationship. Some “open covens”, or those with an “inner circle” and “outer circle”, allow interested outsiders to get a taste of coven practice without committing themselves. Some covens are gender-segregated, although most are open to both sexes and often try to maintain a more or less even balance of male and female members.
Many covens also have some system of degrees or ranks based on the level of expertise or experience of the members (although these vary significantly between traditions). Typical degree divisions might be: Neophyte (a student preparing for basic initiation as a witch); First Degree (a witch who has been initiated, but has not yet undertaken any advanced study); Second Degree (a witch who has an intermediate knowledge of the craft, which in some traditions may also confer priesthood); Third Degree (a witch who has studied the craft in depth, and is capable of teaching others and/or serving as High Priest/High Priestess); Elder (in some traditions, a witch of advanced knowledge and who has been active for a number of years).
This educational component is vital for the growth and development of individual practitioners and the group as a whole. Furthermore, witches groups provide a sense of community and support for their members. In a society where witchcraft and magic are often misunderstood or stigmatized, being part of a group of like-minded individuals can be empowering and validating. Witches groups offer a safe space for individuals to express their spirituality and explore their magical abilities without judgment or persecution. The members of a witches group often form strong bonds of friendship and camaraderie, supporting each other through their spiritual journeys. In conclusion, a witches group is a gathering of individuals who come together to practice witchcraft, learn, and support one another. These groups provide a space for individuals to deepen their magical practice, participate in rituals and ceremonies, and gain knowledge and understanding of witchcraft. They also offer a sense of community and support for individuals navigating their spiritual path..
Reviews for "The Definition of Kitchen Witchcraft in Witches Groups: Blending Magic and Cooking"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I found the definition of witches group in this book to be lacking in depth and clarity. It provided only a surface-level understanding of what a witches group is and did not explore the diverse practices and beliefs within the witchcraft community. I was hoping for a more nuanced and informative definition, but unfortunately, this book fell short. It seems to only scratch the surface of what could be a fascinating subject.
2. Jason - 1 star - This book's definition of witches group was incredibly vague and generic. It offered no real insight into the history, traditions, or practices of witches groups and left me feeling unsatisfied and disinterested. If you're looking for a comprehensive understanding of witches groups, I would recommend looking elsewhere. This book does not provide the depth of information required to truly understand the complexities of the topic.
3. Emily - 2 stars - As someone who is genuinely interested in learning about witches groups, I was disappointed by the lack of substance in this book. The definition provided was shallow and failed to capture the rich history and diversity within the witchcraft community. There was a missed opportunity to explore the various types of witches groups and provide a more comprehensive understanding of their practices and beliefs. Overall, this book felt surface-level and did not satisfy my curiosity on the subject.
4. Michael - 1 star - The definition of witches group in this book was incredibly oversimplified and failed to provide any meaningful insights. It did not delve into the different types, traditions, or beliefs within the witchcraft community, leaving me with more questions than answers. I was hoping for a more informative and detailed exploration of witches groups, but this book fell short of my expectations. I would not recommend it to anyone seeking a thorough understanding of the topic.