How to Find a Coven

Witches can’t proselytize. We know that the path of witchcraft is not for everyone, and we like it that way. We are much more selective than most religions. Many coven leaders hold all coven events in their own homes, so they are understandably picky about whom to accept for training.

Each witch in my tradition has had to seek out a coven to train with. During this phase of a witch’s life, he or she is called a seeker. I was a seeker for over three years before I found a coven to train with, and I’m in Seattle! You can’t throw a dead cat here without hitting a pagan. I applied to several covens. Some rejected me. I rejected some. Sometimes the logistics of classes and circles just didn’t work out. Other witches I know found a coven they clicked with right away.

Where do you start?

Start at http://www.patheos.com/Find/Worship-Communities, enter your location, and select pagan from the drop down menu. Also try witchvox.com. There are drop down menus on the left to find your state or country. Then, from the links on the left, select what kind of group you are looking for. A vast majority of covens are adult only, so that’s usually your best bet. From there, you can browse the covens in your area and send them a message if you are interested in training with them.

If there are no covens listed in your area

That doesn’t necessarily mean that there aren’t any covens practicing in your area. Join the yahoo group Amber and Jet and post a short polite message. State your name, your location, how far you are willing to travel, and what traditions you are interested in.

If no one has leads on any covens in your area

I’ve heard of more than one witch who has found a coven through spellwork or divination, so that’s one option. Moving to a large urban center is another option. If you are in the United States, the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans has chapters all over the country. A fourth option would be to found your own coven in your area. Be warned before you begin that founding your own coven does not make you a member any tradition with initiatory lineage. Some (misguided) people might not even consider you Wiccan. I’ve read many books on how to found a coven. The two that I consider to be both worthwhile and safe to do without guidance are Spiral Dance by Starhawk and Witchcraft for Tomorrow by Doreen Valiente.

Good luck!