A collection of witches is often referred to as a coven. A coven typically consists of a group of individuals who practice witchcraft together. The size of a coven can vary, ranging from just a few members to a larger group. In some traditions, a coven is led by a High Priestess or High Priest, who provides guidance and leads rituals. Coven members often gather together to celebrate religious and seasonal festivals, perform rituals, and engage in spellcasting. The word "coven" has its origins in Old English and has been used to describe groups of witches for centuries.
Traditionally, the number of witches in a coven is supposed to be 13: 12 followers plus a leader.
As of the 1980s, most witches had abandoned the unbroken tradition the- ory in favour of the view that modern Witchcraft reflects a reconstruction of old beliefs and practices. In most traditions, only high priests and high priestesses may initiate others into the craft; men initiate women and women initiate men see initiation.
The word "coven" has its origins in Old English and has been used to describe groups of witches for centuries. Each coven may have its own unique rituals, practices, and beliefs, depending on the specific tradition or path that its members follow. Some covens are more secretive and exclusive, while others are more open and welcoming to newcomers.
Ivy the Witch!
You are walking along at your local Pagan Pride day, and you come across a few covens advertising their existence and telling you all about who they are, and what they believe. You see one that catches your eye and you walk up and read one of the pamphlets. A tall woman with flame red hair steps up to you and stretches out her hand and says “My name is Lady Coral, I can answer any questions you may have”
You speak for a moment, hear their spiel about their coven life, rituals, volunteer work and such. Thank them for the information and move on to the next one.
You are now greeted by a man who calls himself “Thane Anton of the Inner Court” You’re a bit confused as this guy is no older than 30, why does he have such a fancy name? You speak a bit, and head on over to the main ritual for the festival.
All the while, you were asking yourself one big question. “What the heck kinda names are those?”
Within a traditional Wiccan Coven, Titles are given to practitioners as a mark of their rank and role within the coven structure. It sort of describes their job and responsibilities within the circle. Not all covens participate in this tradition, but I will give a rundown of some of the titles I have heard in my journey, and give a brief description of what they entail.
Before I get to that however, I want to remind everyone that just because you are initiated and ranked within your coven, that does not give you power or rank over the members of another coven. (Unless that coven is a direct branch of your specific tradition, then other rules apply)
Most covens operate on a Hierarchy. This means that certain people will have more power, say or responsibility within the coven, while others just have to move with the group.
This is something I see in a lot of Covens. If everyone is in charge, often times the coven falls apart, too many cooks in the kitchen as it were. The most successful covens I have seen and been a part of have been Democratic Hierarchies. Everyone gets a vote, but the people at the top get final say.
So, on to the titles I will start at the top of the ladder and work my way down to the brand new, just joined the group people.
Regardless of the size or structure, being part of a coven can provide a sense of community, support, and shared spiritual experiences..
Reviews for "Coven Cultures: Comparing the Practices and Beliefs of Different Groups of Witches"
- Karen - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "What is a collection of witches called". The book promised to delve into the fascinating world of witches, but it fell short on multiple levels. The writing lacked depth and kept jumping from one topic to another without providing any meaningful insights. The author seemed more interested in name-dropping witches from pop culture than actually exploring their history and significance. Overall, I found this book to be a shallow and superficial take on an otherwise intriguing subject.
- David - 2 stars - While "What is a collection of witches called" had its moments, I found it quite lacking in substance. The author seemed to rely heavily on anecdotal evidence and personal opinions rather than factual information. The book failed to provide a comprehensive overview of the topic and often felt disjointed. Additionally, some of the claims made by the author were questionable and lacked reliable sources. Overall, I was hoping for a more informative and well-researched read.
- Emma - 2.5 stars - I picked up "What is a collection of witches called" with high hopes, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The writing style was dry and lacked any sort of engaging narrative. The book felt more like a compilation of random facts rather than a cohesive exploration of the topic. I also found some of the author's interpretations of historical events and symbols to be far-fetched and unsupported. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied by the book.