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So, I'm working on creating a "coven" for witches in my area. I use the term coven lightly because it's going to largely be an experimental eclectic group. What I mean by this is the group is going to be meant for experimenting with different gods, practices, paths, etc etc. I'm not talking about mixing paths or practices. I'm talking about trying different things, learning about different paths from each other. We're going to have a big focus on green and kitchen witchcraft, because the skills and whatnot learned from those two paths can be useful to anyone of any path. We're going to have a big focus on the four seasons, maybe the sabbats as a whole. (that will be decided when we have our first few meetings) During meetings that aren't for the sabbats, what we learn/practice will vary. One meeting we might do divination work, another we might pay homage to Athena, another month we might do a group-strengthening ritual. It's going to be a closed-circle group, meaning we will not be open to non-members (and only adults will be allowed). This is mainly because we are wanting a tight-knit group of people who "fit" together or their energies and personalities work well with one another. It can be very difficult working with people with extremely opposing personalities, and we don't want that kind of headache. We'll always be open to new members, though we're going to have a "screening" process. We have a questionnaire and once a person fills that out, that will give us something to begin talking to them with, it will give us topics to discuss basically. I, and a few others, will begin talking to them online until we feel comfortable enough to meet them in person. A couple coven members will meet with them in person, at least once or twice, and then "report back" to the rest of the group and give us their impression. The group will need to be unanimous on their decision, because we don't want anyone to feel uncomfortable. Obviously, if the same person continually says "no" to people joining, we'll re-evaluate that person. These precautions are going to be put into place for the safety of the current members, especially myself as it is my home we will be practicing at. We will not be discriminating against anyone for anything, including lack of knowledge in witchcraft. We simply wish to create a group that will work well together and to create an environment where we can all feel safe and comfortable.

I've already got 2-5 people interested. (2 that are extremely interested and being very helpful and the other 3 have expressed interest, but I am still waiting to hear back from them, one of them being someone I already know) The two people that I'm seriously talking with have offered up a few ideas, but I am looking for more! We expect our monthly get together to last 3-4 hours. We will be doing a potluck, as that is always fun! So, the first hour will be to eat and discuss various topics. After that, we will do whatever we have planned for the day. That might be a craft project, cooking, or whatever it might be. The final hour would be when we perform ritual, if we choose to do one.

Basically, is there any advice that anyone can give me in creating an eclectic, experimental coven? (rules, guidelines, bylaws and whatnot will be created together once the coven begins to actually meet, so that's not something I need advice on at this time)

I have known of a few such groups in my area and my number one suggestion is, like you already said, to make sure everyone "fits" together when it comes to both energies. Also, to screen well, I have seen a couple groups fall apart because of drama issues.
I also suggest keeping the group small so starting with the five interested people that you have should be enough. Maybe make a list of the various activities that the people in the group would be interested in doing.
Oh, and pick a neutral location or rotate from house to house.

So far we've got the list of questions, and like I said, we've got a pretty decent "screening" process in place. Basically, get to know the people before we let them join in on our practices.

Yeah, we're only going to be starting out with a few and we'v already agreed that we won't be looking for members until the group of us are comfortable with one another.

Yep, we're all working on a list of different practices, paths and pantheons we'd like to learn more about as well as activities.

My place is about as neutral as it's gonna get. There's nothing in this area where we could meet and this is ideal because it has the kitchen available and we plan on doing a lot in there. My location is also at the "center" of the group. It's the easiest place for everyone to get to. Some peoples home, so far, are not an option and the two that are either had kids that would be around or they're too far for the others to get to. My place is at a nice middle ground and we won't have to deal with other people.

When you go on about how you'd move away if you heard about this in your area for fear of things exploding and you say thing like you did, it sounds like an outright attack. confused Yes, I want advice, but you just came off as rude.

This is -exactly- what I have listed on witchvox. Let me know if you think it gets the idea across well enough.

lol, I actually own that book, but it's...pretty big and there's some basic things, like what Sanguina pointed out, that I'm not going to be able to get from a book. I've started re-reading it though, of course. I've found a few good websites as well.

Well, we have an online group, so a lot of stuff can be discussed there between meet-ups. The first hour or so of each meeting though will be dedicated to that as well though. It's going to be a more laid back environment though, like...a discussion group, rather than a class. I'm talking to two people right now that are very interested and helping me with ideas and whatnot. The woman has been formally practicing witchcraft for 15 years now, so she's got quite a bit of experience. She's gone through the whole bit of raising children (they're all grown) and has had a lot of experience working with covens. She recently moved to this area and has had the same problems as me with the covens in this area. So, she's going to be bring that background and experience, which me extremely helpful. The guy I'm talking to is in his 40's, though has no children. He practiced witchcraft for a few years, though stopped for a few years to do some "soul-searching." By that I mean, he set aside all practices and religious beliefs and focused on simply understanding himself and who he was as a person. Now that he understands himself better, he is wanting to get back into practicing and I think his advice about learning to understand ones self is great. I mean, seriously, this guy could write a best seller if he wanted to! I've found a couple great people who are excited to do this, and have the experience and knowledge that we'll need to help others who don't know as much and want to learn. Like I said, this is going to be a learning experience for everyone involved. I don't want to say we'll be teaching people, but rather than we'll all be learning together.

As for celebrations, we're wanting to focus on the four seasons the most. Four major celebrations a year, in addition to monthly meetings. Those meetings will consist of a potluck, where we'll eat and discuss the various topics that we decide on. (most likely pertaining to the ritual/spell/circle/whatever you wanna call it that we'll be doing that night) Again, that will be followed by whatever "project" we decide on. That "project" time is when we'll have what most would call workshops, I guess. We'll have a big focus on "kitchen witchcraft" as I call it. We'll cook ritual food, make libation drinks, salves, work with herbs, crystals, anything of that sort. (this would be the big how and why part) Then, to end the night we'll close with some sort of circle/ritual and meditation.

How long would you expect the average meet-up to last? I was thinking somewhere between 3-4 hours. The coven that I celebrated with once or twice had everything last FAR too long and I was ready to go home before the ritual ever began and I don't want that to happen, but I don't want it to be too short either, since it's going to be a once a month (on average) gathering. I don't want people to be driving for longer than they'll be visiting!

EDIT: Also, I think I should add that we will be shopping around for altar items and tools and whatnot as a group. We've agreed it would be a fun thing to do as well as a great way to bond and we all (the three of us) believe that we should have a set specifically to be used by the group. (though I have offered to use my own basic items until we get those for the group) I also had the idea that every person should add an item that means something to them. I don't mean an item of importance to them personally, just something that would symbolize them as a person. One person might carve their initials into a bit of wood, another might add a colored bead. Just simple things that represent us as individuals, coming together on the alter.

I must say that I love the idea of what you are trying to do. I think it is great and very useful.

I just wanted to say that things are going extremely well. I met up with those two women yesterday and things went GREAT. The guy didn't show up and didn't call or email, so I'm just assuming he flaked out and we're not going to bother with him anymore. So, it's just us three women. We went out for dinner and drinks and had an all around good time. We've already set the date for our next get together and we hope to actually do some energy work with each other. I've got a nice, private, website set up and we're working on hashing out some basic rules and guidelines. (of course subject to change as we begin actually working together)

Right now we're working on a mission statement, membership (how to join and leave the group as well as who does what within the group in regards to non-ritual activities), meeting schedules and rules, and the more specific rules. I would like some ideas/advice on rules. So far, for general ideas on rules we have...



Does anyone have any ideas to add? Remember, this is just a rough draft.

Also, this is the basic mission statement that we have so far.

Cell phone one is great, as is the perfume bit. I'll make a note of general attitude, but since that's such a big part of the kind of group we're creating, it will go mostly unsaid that if attitude problems arise, the person will not be invited back. (but I'll add it in there anyway just to be safe) I'll make a note about letting someone know about not being able to attend. (though we're still working on what we expect from people attendance wise) However, the personal life thing isn't necessarily something we want people to completely leave behind. We want this group to be close and for people to be be able to express themselves and their lives within the group. But, we're thinking that "talk time" will be done after ritual, when we're eating so I think ti would be a good idea to make a note about leaving that energy at the door and saving it for an appropriate time.