Covens      "The Coven" is the term given to a "family group" of Witches. There is a High Priestess and/or Priest who decide the number of male and female Witches that the group will be made up of. If there is is Priest the High Priestess has precedence over him and they are both seen as the "parents" of the family group as they provide training, assistance, care and control and make sure that everyone is ok with each other and the group runs smoothly. The running of a Coven takes alot of hard work and dedication and members must be self disciplined and committed for it to operate. Most Covens will only take in members who are age 18 and above this is for safety reasons as there are some unpleasant people about who will try to lure younger members into the Craft for their own needs. If when you approach a Coven and they do not want to answer your questions or want to discuss things with your family, then you should not get involved with these people. There are also people about who will use the Coven as a way of making money from its members, again do not get involved with these people. A reputable Coven will only expect you to contribute to the expenses of what is used within the group say-wine, candles, incense and tea and coffee for after the meetings. Most new members will be required to take a period of pre-entry training. This is to make sure that they understand what is needed of them and that they will fit into the group.      The Coven will have 33 meetings a year, this being made up of the 8 Sabbats and the 12 or 13 moons and at New Moon. The members are expected to attend every meeting, be on time, prepared and have a very good reason if they can't attend !The meetings are mostly held in the evening and on the day of the actual event. In addition to going to the meetings members are expected to study the Craft and can also be assigned work by their High Priestess. The High Priestess is also informed about any magick that they might want to carry out and a record of results, this is usually written down in the members Book Of Shadows.      Covens have a Degree System of Initiation and this can vary as most have Three Degrees while others may have fewer or more. Initiation into a Coven is always passed Female to Male and Male to Female, this is so that there is an equal balance. Once a member has gone through the pre-entry training and is found to be suitable for the Coven they will be allowed to join in with the other members but only for a limited number of rites and rituals. After a year and a day of working with the Coven they will then take their 1st Degree.      The 1st Degree is a statement of beginning and of promises and honour to the Coven and an Oath is read stating these facts. The 1st Degree Witch will then study again for another year and a day and will then take their 2nd Degree.      The 2nd Degree shows that they have studied and have learnt enough to be able to pass on the knowledge. Also with the High Priestess's consent they can initiate others into the 1st degree and run a Coven under supervision. They can also choose a "Witch Name" if they wish to, this is not a nickname like what you might use in an internet chat room but a name with a special meaning as to their new learnt skills. Sometimes in a Coven the High Priestess will give a fitting name to the member.      The 3rd Degree means that the Witch can now work without supervision and if they wish, can run their own coven. But learning and studying will continue and they can always ask for help and assistance from the High Priestess who taught them.      Even though written here the Degree's may sound simple there is a lot of hard work and studying to be taken and the rites of Initiation will be much more in depth than what is written in any books. Covens are also hard to find in local areas and may require you travelling long distance and then having to find somewhere to stay, as the High Priestess is not expected to put you up, although some might agree to. Covens also require al ot of hard work and commitment and can take up a lot of extra time and may clash with your own family commitments.

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