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Covens,
Circles, and Solitaries: The Pros and Cons of Each |
COVENS: These are tight-knit groups that often have set ways and "elected" leaders. They are the most elite, hard to find, and still harder to join.
Pro's: You will have a form of teaching within a coven towards a certain tradition, the group will become like a family, rituals are fairly regulated (depending on the coven's leaders), there will be others who have practiced for long periods of time to look up to and ask questions.
Con's: Some people don't get along well with a strict rigidity with the rules of covens. For college students, transportation might be difficult, and if the High Priest/ess calls for a ritual for the night before or during a big exam, then chances are you'll have to be the one to bend and miss the ritual. Covens can be hard to find because they do try to remain on the secret side and stay out of the public eye. They are also difficult to join because those who already belong want only the most sincere to join, not just those who want the thrill of beng in the group.
To Find a Coven: My suggestion is to not look for a coven. Let them look for you. We're not on a mission to proselytize, though, so chances are they won't come actively seeking you out. Talk to people, and if they happen to be in a coven, they'll tell you after they trust you. I don't think coven study is necessary, even though it's nice to have. And above all, TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS if you do find a coven! Always wait for them to ask you in...being pushy and asking for their meeting times, dates, and places will often put you on their list to avoid. Let them offer that information.
CIRCLES: When people ask on message boards that they're looking for a coven to join, usually what they will really find (Even when it's called a coven) is a Circle. Circles are more flexible than covens and do not always adhere to one particular tradition. They often are larger and more public and do not always have the strict heirarchy of a coven.
Pro's: With a circle, you still get a group to work with and people to help teach you. Members of a circle often have an extensive number of sources for different traditions and schools of thought. Sometimes circles turn into covens when some of the members make a pledge to stick together. Most campus pagan groups are circles because that way former members who have moved can still be a part of the group. A lot of teens start their own circles and find people of like mind to join.
Con's: These aren't as highly organized as covens, so they can also disband as easily as they start. If you are looking for a particular tradition, there may be people who know a little about that tradition, but not always. There may be "power plays" for the stronger members of the group, all wanting to be a "High Priest/ess." Information you can find is not as thorough on a topic you may be interested in.
To Find a Circle: This should probably be re-named to "How to FOUND a circle." Circles can be anything, and easiest if they remain loose and open to variation. However, look for any announcements for meetings with others to discuss alternative religions. Chances are there will be a few Pagans in the group who have an informal circle and they may ask you to join them when they get to know you. Like with covens, let them offer you the information on their own meetings because they may not want you there until they get to know you.
As another word of caution: If you choose to found your own circle, make sure you have an idea of what kinds of goals you have. Do you want to follow a particular tradition? Are you making your own? What are your goals based on? Did anyone within your circle have any training by someone else? These are important for your circle to gain acknowledgement by others...throwing together your own circle and tradition doesn't mean that others will hold you in higher esteem than those who are solitary.
SOLITARY: People who don't belong to a coven or circle usually practice solitary, or alone. They may talk to others and get ritual ideas from others (even occasionally practice with others) but most of their work and rituals are done by themselves.
Pro's: Solitaries can use whatever they want and no one can tell them that something or another is wrong. They can fit a ritual to themselves and their own schedule instead of having to wait for someone else who wants to join them in a ritual. All of the research and rituals are the property of the person who wrote them and don't have to be changed because someone disagrees with a part or doesn't have time to finish it. Solitary practice is best fitted to college life, however, due to the flexibility.
Con's: The solitary usually has to teach him/herself. It can get lonely at times, especially when there's no one else to talk to about how a ritual went. Solitaries are usually looking for others to talk with and don't often have the support they desire.
To be a Solitary: You can use whatever you want, practice whenever you want, and not have to worry about others. You don't have to be part of any particular tradition and can find what you wish to study in your own mind. There's not much more to say about being solitary except that make sure you're reading more than just spell books...get some good history books with valid information in them. It'll really help your knowledge expand.
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LIFE
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Being a Solitary can be just as difficult and as rewarding as working with a coven. Here are a few books to read, and see how each method strikes you:
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