A: The word "Sangha" comes from ancient Sanskrit and is used in Yoga studies amongst Tibetan Monks. One of its definitions is:
"A community of people dedicated to nurturing and encouraging Spirit."
The second word, "Sho", is actually the name of the circular Chinese symbol which corresponds to the Five Chinese Blessings:
"Health, Happiness, Long Life, Virtue, and Peace."
By putting the two together, you get:
"A group of people dedicated to living, encouraging, and nurturing
the Sho Blessings within themselves and in others."
A: The Coven of Sangha-Sho promotes a strong sense of individuality amongst its members and supports them in their own personal walk on their own spiritual path. For this reason, the group has a very diverse background; current members practice such Wiccan traditions as:
Celtic, Norse, Quabalist, Greek, Faerie, Strega, Roman, Shamanism and Green.
What binds us together is at the root of the name of our Coven - Dedication to living the Sho Blessings.
A: There are two avenues a new petitioner can choose from with regards to affiliation with The Coven of Sangha-Sho.
First Avenue
An active and safe learning environment for practitioners of Wicca who wish to learn and share practices, beliefs, and spend time with other Wiccans in a group but do not necessarily anticipate or desire to become part of the Coven proper.
This type of affiliation is left fairly open; participants may leave at any time and have no obligation to the Coven.
Normally, this type of affilitation will last for 4-5 Sabbats (1/2 turn of the Wheel of the Year) at which time the practitioner may choose:
A - Choose to leave the "Affiliate Learning Circle"
B - Extend their affiliation for another 4-5 Sabbats
C - Contemplate a more serious relationship with the Coven
Second Avenue
Similar to the First Avenue, with the exception that the practitioner's goal is to obtain membership in the Coven proper at the end of the 1/2 turn of the Wheel of the Year.
The content of what is studied during this time may differ from a practitioner who is not seeking formal membership. However, the same ruling applies to this affiliation; in that the participant may leave at any time without obligation to the Coven.
A unanimous vote must be cast by the Coven at the end of the 1/2 turn of the Wheel of the Year; at which point the affiliate becomes a full member of the Coven proper.
If a unanimous vote is not cast by the Coven, then the affiliate must choose whether to extend the learning affiliation with the Coven for one more 1/2 turn of the Wheel of the Year, or to pursue a solitary path or affiliation with another group.
In both cases of affiliation presented above, the practitioners work and learn in the same group, grow together, and are invited to all Coven Open Circles and Social Events. Also, it is worth nothing that the "Petition for Affiliation" is the same in both circumstances, and one of the two objectives should be circled at the top of the petition to indicate the practitioner's intent.
A: If you would like a complete INFORMATION PACKET, please email us by clicking the "Contact Us" button at the upper left side of this page. Tell us how you found our group and a little bit about yourself. We will then either mail or email our information to you. The packet contains more information and a "Petition for Affiliation" form. Your completed petition will be presented to the Coven and the decision to grant the title of "Coven Affiliate" will be decided upon only after you have attended 3 (three) Coven activites (either Open Circles or Social Events).
- The Coven of Sangha-Sho