coven

The Coven is a support group for Witches, psychic study center, clergy trainging program, college of mysteries & religious congregation all in one.
In a strong coven, the bond is by tradition "stronger than family", a sharing of spritis, emotions, & imaginations. "Perfect Love and Perfect Trust" are the goal.
The coven structure makes the organization of Witchcraft very different from that of most religions. The craft is not based on large amorphous masses who are only superficially acquainted, nor is it based on individual gurus with thierdevotees & disciples. There are no Higherarchical authority.
The structure of Witchcraft is cellular, based on small circles whos members share a deep commitment to eachother & the craft.
Witchcraft tends to attract poeple who, by nature, do not like to join groups, the coven structure makes it possible for individuals to experience a deep sense of community without losing thier independence of spirit. The secret is its small size. A coven, by tradition, never contains more than 13 members, the group is colored by every individuals likes, dislikes, beliefs & tastes.
At the same time a coven becomes an entity in itself, with a personality of its own. It generatesan energyswirl that exists over and beyond its membership.
There is a quality od synergy about a strong coven.
To become a member, a witch must be initiated, must undergo a ritual of commitment, in which the inner teachings and secrets of the group are revealed.
Initiation follows a long training period, during which trust & group security are slowly built.
When properly tunes the ritual also becomes a rite of passage that makes a new stage in personal growth.
Originally coveners were the teachers & preistesses / priests of a large Pagan population of non- initiates. They were the councils of elders within each clan, the wise woman & men who delved beneaththe surface of their rites & sought the deeper meanings.
At the large solar festivals , the Sabbats, they led the gatherings and expounded the meanings of the ceremonies. Each coven had its own territory, which by tradition, extended for a league. Neighboring covens may join for the great Sabbats in order to share knowledge, herbs, spells and of course gossip.
On full Moons, Esbats, when they studied the inner teachings & practiced magic.

During the "Burning times" the great festivals were stamped out. Persecution was most strongly directed against coven members , because they were seen as the true perpetuators of the religion.
The strictest secrecy became necessary. Covens were isolated from one an other & traditions became fragmented, teachings forgotten.
Today there is a growing effort throughout the craft to reestablish communication between covens & share knowledge. But many individual witches still cannot afford to "come out of the broom closet", public recognition may mean loss of their jobs, & livelihoods. Known witches can become easy targets for crackpots.
In Witchcraft, power is another word for energy, the subtle current of forces that shape reality.
A powerful person is one who draws energy into the group, the ability to channel power depends on personal integrity, courage & wholeness.
Power from within developes from the ability to control ourselves, to face our own fears and limitations, the sources of inner power are unlimited.

As many know the Witch hunts or "The Burning Times" mostly took place in England, over 120,000 persons were arrested, convicted & hanged for practicing witchcraft, here in Massachusetts we had our own trials in 1692. The town of Davers MA, which was back then a part of Salem MA was the center of the Witchcraft delusions, 24 persons were accused of witchcraft and put to death during these trials. That part of Salem became Davers MA in 1756.