The occult coven refers to a group of individuals who practice occultism and engage in rituals, spells, and other magical practices. This term is often associated with witchcraft and satanism, although not all occult covens necessarily practice these beliefs. Covens are typically small, close-knit communities that come together to study, explore, and channel supernatural energies to achieve various goals. The membership of an occult coven can vary in size, with some consisting of just a handful of individuals, while others may have a larger number of members. The structure and hierarchy within a coven also differ from group to group, with some covens having a designated leader or High Priestess/Priest, while others prefer a more egalitarian approach. The main activities of an occult coven revolve around rituals and ceremonies.
Many albums are released before their time, but Witchcraft also had the misfortune of being released during a period of heightened public anxiety toward anything related to the occult or Satan, due in large part to the shocking Manson Family murders. After a photograph surfaced of Charles Manson holding a copy of Witchcraft outside of a Los Angeles record store, Coven became falsely connected with the cult leader, even though the band had never met Manson in person. Shows were cancelled, albums were returned and the label withdrew support. Following a 1971 one-off single "One Tin Soldier" (recorded by Dawson for the movie Billy Jack), and two less overtly-occult albums, Coven went on hiatus in 1976. But while the band may have drifted into obscurity by mainstream standards, it left an enormous hellfire in its wake.
Since the early 2000s, a new wave of occult rock and metal bands has emerged perhaps most famously, Ghost, who took home a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2016 and many are forthright in citing Coven as an influence, even paying homage in their sounds, wardrobes and lyrical themes. So the man who would be remembered as The Father of Witchcraft and his followers were going to do their part to defend the island, casting a spell that would target Adolf Hitler personally and end the threat of a Nazi invasion.
The main activities of an occult coven revolve around rituals and ceremonies. These rituals often involve the use of various tools and materials such as candles, altars, herbs, crystals, and sigils. The purpose of these rituals can range from healing, divination, protection, and connecting with spiritual entities or deities.
The Coven of Witches That Fought the Nazis During World War II
Gerald Gardner, known as "The Father of Witchcraft," led his coven in a spell that targeted Adolf Hitler in 1940.
Military.com | By Blake StilwellThese weren't the "double, double toil and trouble" kind of witches Shakespeare wrote about in "Macbeth." They were Wiccans, led by Gerald Gardner, the man whose writings would revive the pagan belief system to the modern era. In 1940s Britain, his beliefs were far from the mainstream, but like the rest of the country, he knew he might soon find himself under Nazi domination.
Gardner may have been 55 years old and leading a coven of witches, but he was still a patriotic Briton with a stiff upper lip. So the man who would be remembered as "The Father of Witchcraft" and his followers were going to do their part to defend the island, casting a spell that would target Adolf Hitler personally and end the threat of a Nazi invasion.
Gardner grew up in a wealthy English family that ran a timber company for the British Empire. He was a sickly boy who spent more time with his nursemaid than his parents. He spent much of his young life traveling and educating himself, eventually gaining a keen interest in spirituality, religious rituals and the occult. He would return to Britain as an older man, still sickly, but took up a career as a civil servant and amateur archeologist. Meanwhile, his interest in the occult only grew.
After Britain declared war on Germany in 1939, Garder settled in Highcliffe-on-Sea and joined the New Forest Coven, a group of pagan witches in southern England that he believed were continuing a pre-Christian religious order that had been kept secret for centuries. As 1939 turned to 1940, Gardner's affection for his coven grew, as did the coven itself. They practiced folk magic in tune with their beliefs and he began writing books that would later form the foundation for the brand of Wicca that still bears Gardner's name.
A Book of Shadows, a Wiccan religious text and instructions for magical rituals, owned by Gerald Gardner.
Meanwhile, in Europe, things weren't going quite as well for the British Expeditionary Force. Nazi Germany had captured its objectives in Poland, and had already conquered Denmark, Norway, Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg. As the German Army pushed farther into France in May 1940, hundreds of thousands of Allied soldiers had to be evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk. Paris was captured in June 1940, and France was forced to capitulate.
The Battle of Britain was about to begin. And when Prime Minister Winston Churchill ordered Britons to "therefore brace ourselves to our duties," the aged Gardner and his band of witches dutifully complied. Gardner himself became an air raid warden and his home a headquarters for Air Raid Precautions, a civil defense organization. He also joined the local Home Guard as an armorer, providing locals with weapons from his own collection of firearms and preparing molotov cocktails for use in combat.
But Gardner wanted to do more, and believed he had the magical ability to take the fight to the Nazis. The lore of the New Forest Coven included a ritual that had been used twice to defend the British Isles from the threat of an invasion. By creating a "Cone of Power," he and his coven could affect real-world events from the security of the New Forest. British witches had purportedly used the Cone of Power in 1588 to help fight off the Spanish Armada and in 1805 to end Napoleon's threat to England. They were going to use it once more in 1940.
Gardner in the Ritual Room of his Highcliffe home. (via GeraldGardner.com)The Cone of Power would be directed toward Hitler's brain to cloud his judgment, weaken his resolve and hasten his downfall. It was Aug. 1, 1940, and Lammas Eve, an important harvest festival in the Wicca religion, when Gardner and his coven met in New Forest. Just north of Highcliffe, they met around an ancient hangman's tree called The Naked Man. From there, the coven walked to Ferny Knapp Inclosure, a wooded area where the ritual would take place.
Instead of the traditional bonfire, the witches used a shuttered lantern (Gardner was still an air raid warden, after all) and danced in a spiral around it while naked (or "skyclad," in the Wiccan vernacular) to generate the magical energy needed to form the cone. As the coven chanted and danced, Gardner invoked the words of the spell and the assault on Hitler's brain began.
We only know the Cone of Power ritual actually happened because Gardner would write about it himself in one of the three books he wrote on witchcraft in the 1950s. J.L. Bracelin, a high priest of Gardnerian Wicca and a contemporary of Gardner's, also wrote about it in his book, "Gerald Gardner, Witch." But did the Cone of Power affect Hitler's brain?
Before August 1940, the Nazi war machine was virtually unstoppable, making few mistakes along the way. Hitler controlled or otherwise dominated most of Western Europe, and those not under Berlin's direct control (aside from Britain) were either too weak or too fearful to make any meaningful resistance. Roughly six weeks after the Cone of Power, Hitler abruptly canceled Operation Sea Lion, the proposed invasion of Britain, in favor of Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union.
Less than a year later, Hitler would invade the USSR and declare war on the United States, neither of which he was bound to do. These were two critical miscalculations on the German leader's part that would have disastrous consequences for his regime. To Gerald Gardner and the New Forest Coven, it was proof positive that the Cone of Power had once again saved Britain.
-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at [email protected]. He can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, or on LinkedIn.
Covens may also regularly celebrate specific holidays or sabbats that are significant within their particular belief system. In addition to rituals, occult covens engage in other practices such as spellcasting, meditation, and the study of occult texts and teachings. Through these activities, members aim to explore and harness the power of the unseen world, often with the intent of personal growth, self-discovery, and achieving desired outcomes. There is often a strong sense of community, trust, and secrecy within occult covens. Members typically form deep, meaningful bonds with one another, fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for their esoteric pursuits. Oaths of secrecy may be taken to protect the privacy and safety of coven members, as well as to preserve the sacredness of the practices and beliefs shared within the group. While the occult coven may hold mystique and intrigue for many, it is important to remember that it is a diverse and multifaceted community. Not all covens are involved in dark or nefarious activities, and not all practitioners of occultism engage in harmful practices. The occult coven provides a platform for individuals with a shared interest in the supernatural and unknown to come together, learn, and explore their spiritual paths..
Reviews for "The Mysterious Deaths Linked to The Occult Coven"
1. Emma - 2 stars - I was quite disappointed with "The occult coven". The characters felt flat and the storyline lacked depth. It seemed like the author was relying too much on shock value and gore rather than building a compelling narrative. The pacing was also inconsistent, leaving me feeling unengaged and disconnected from the story. Overall, I didn't find this book to be an enjoyable reading experience.
2. Michael - 1 star - "The occult coven" was a complete letdown for me. The writing style felt amateurish and the dialogue was cringe-worthy. The plot was predictable and filled with clichés, making it difficult for me to become invested in the story. Additionally, the characters were unlikable and there was no character development throughout the book. I had high hopes for this novel but unfortunately, it fell flat in every aspect.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I found "The occult coven" to be highly disappointing. The concept had so much potential, but the execution was lacking. The pacing was slow and dragged on unnecessarily, making it a chore to finish the book. The occult elements felt forced and the twists were predictable. Overall, the book failed to deliver on its promises, leaving me unsatisfied as a reader.
4. James - 1 star - "The occult coven" was a complete waste of time. The writing was poor, with grammar and spelling errors throughout. The characters were one-dimensional, with no depth or relatability. The plot was confusing and poorly developed, leaving me constantly questioning what was happening. I would strongly recommend avoiding this book if you are looking for a well-written and engaging occult-themed story.
5. Megan - 2 stars - I was not impressed with "The occult coven". The narrative lacked coherence and the world-building was inconsistent. The author seemed to rely on shock value and graphic descriptions rather than building an immersive and believable universe. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed action scenes. Overall, the book failed to deliver on its promises and left me feeling unsatisfied as a reader.