With Paganism as the second fastest growing religious group in the world, it’s no wonder that there are so many enquiries from Seekers. But as a person new to the Wiccan and Craft community, how do you determine what coven or group is right for you? 

Making a commitment to learning about Wicca can be a life changing decision and so you want to make sure the group you choose to work with meets your needs and that you meet theirs. Working with a group is a two way street and you get out as much as you give. Anyone who’s worked with a Wiccan, Witchcraft or magickal group will tell you that when done properly, the relationships you develop are deep seated, powerful, emotional, psychic and lifelong. You all become spiritual partners and it’s a very special, caring and supportive relationship. So your choices up front in connecting with a group of people that ‘gel’ with you cement that relationship even further so what can you look for to determine which group is right for you? 

First things first. You.

1. What are your needs and expectations?

Exactly what interests you? Is it Wicca or Craft? Is it ceremonial magick, spell-work, divination or something else from the myriad of esoteric practices? To be even more precise does it feel right to you to be absorbed in an eclectic form of the Wiccan religion or a very precise and designated tradition such as Gardnerian? Instead would you prefer to work toward a more shamanic practice, perhaps one that focuses on the Kabala or Eastern spirituality? Take some time to describe, in wiring, exactly what you feel comfortable learning about because this will be invaluable as a measure of ‘fit’ with prospective groups. 

2. What are your values?

What are three life values you hold dear and live your life by? In other words, what are the three main principles, or laws, or value sets that you want to live your life to? 

3. What is the most important thing you want to gain from joining a group or coven?

This might sound like a daft question because you might think the answer’s obvious but is it? Think about what you want from a group. Is it companionship, teaching, guidance, answers to questions, to teach, social support, psychic support? In other words what is the single most important reason why you want to join a group? 

4. How much are you prepared to commit to the group in terms of time, effort, loyalty?

It’s all too easy to jump into a new venture without thinking through what the commitment involves. Review seriously and realistically your availability in terms of times. What nights/days do you have available that you can devote to the group and its activities? What’s your track record with joining new ventures? Do you get all enthusiastic and then slowly get bored and neglect it? Do you commit to a group and then stick with it no matter what? Think through exactly what your long term commitment to a group can be. 

Now the group

5. What do they describe themselves as?

Does the group call themselves Wiccan? Eclectic? Shamanic? Alexandrian? Egyptian focused? Indigenous etc? The way a group labels itself should give you a clearer view of how they practice and what style of function they have. You can now test this against your answers to question 1. 

6. What are the underpinning values and ethos that framework how they operate?

This is really important because if the group can’t articulate what their underpinning ethos or value set is then how can you decide if they what they stand for, their behaviours and their approach to life, fits with yours? Ask them to explain what they see as being important behaviour. How do they deal with conflict within the group? How do the value each other and then test this against your personal value set from question 2. 

7. How does the coven or group teach?

Do they teach students through the very valuable face to face method or do they deliver teaching online or via  correspondence? Do they have a one to one mentoring provision or do they follow the apprenticeship model? Each of these ways of teaching has its strengths and weaknesses and the key is to choose a group which teaches the way that meets your needs. Do you need the personal and social support that comes with face to face teaching? Do you need the freedom to study that an online or correspondence program offers? Would you feel more comfortable with an apprenticeship style of learning? 

8. How do they practice?

Simple but valuable question this one. One of the most important questions many people have but are afraid to ask is if the group practices skyclad (nude). Working nude for many people is very confronting and you need to get these issues out in the open before you commit. What other forms of practice do they have that either fit or clash with your values? Do they conduct the Great Rite actually or symbolically? Do they do all their rituals in a remote location and you have no transport? Do they expect payment for lessons and if so how much and why? 

9. Do they have a hierarchy of authority related to degree structure or are they more democratically structured?

Some groups use traditional three degree structures and this has an impact on your ability to be initiated through different levels. Others have a more open and democratic system where leadership is shared. This may have an impact and a requirement on you to write and lead rituals at some point and if so, can you do this? For those groups with a degree structure (some of which may have several degree levels like Golden Dawn for example), what are policies and protocols around achieving those levels and what are the expectations about how you behave toward members of different levels?  

10. Do the people and the group ‘feel’ right?

This is the most important question of all and one that requires you to use your gut instinct over your rational thought processes. Even if the group sounds perfect, their procedures and practices appear above board and sound and their reputation is outstanding, if your gut instinct tells you something’s not right, then something’s not right. It may be that this ‘something’ is not necessarily bad but just may be that the group is not the one for you. It may be that you’ve picked up on some underlying vibrations and energy that resists your own. Whatever the reason, if your instinct tells you to walk away, then walk away. There will be another group somewhere that’s your home, just waiting for you to arrive.

Smiles and blessings, Amethyst