How a Coven works. Membership is most if not all “responsible” Covens is open to all regardless of age, race, sex or sexual orientation. Some groups call themselves Covens and they are sexual exclusive, traditionally, Covens are non-gender biased. Usually there are no membership fees or initiation costs. Most but not all are family oriented; however some do restrict the participation of children in ritual. Covens are almost exclusively drug free, and a fair number are alcohol free. As a (re)-emerging religion drug use is totally banned, most Coven have a zero tolerance policy that any member found using elicit drugs during a coven activity will be asked to leave immediately, and many will ban members. The last thing any Coven needs is “bad press” in the local media. This makes it a wise and responsible practice that Covens require that parents of any perspective member that is under the age of 18 be contacted and sign a release form. Often a member of two of that Coven will go and discuss what is exactly the child is “getting involved” with. (A lot of Covens ban those under the age of 16). Traditionally many Covens or groups use a pattern similar to the following in structure. DEDICANT: (Neophyte) New members will participate in a Dedication Ritual. They will also be assigned to a coven mentor to act as a point of contact during the dedicant period (Typically lasting a year and one day.) Dedicants are members of the coven and are as such are invited to participate in any coven activities. Dedicants do not have a vote with-in the Coven. First Degree: After one year and one day of study, the dedicant can choose to seek initiation into the coven. Some of the requirements for this are: Learning use of ritual tools, perform cleansing and blessing ceremony in your home, learn and follow the Wiccan Rede, start a BOS, serve as mentor for dedicants, and Lead at least one esbat for the coven. Upon full initiation into a Coven, the first-degree initiate will become a full voting member of the coven. Second Degree: Following another Year and one day, the first-degree student may seek initiation to Second Degree. Some requirements are: Continue to lead esbat and sabbat rituals as assigned my the HP or HPS, learn magical uses of additional tools, learn divination (tarot, runes etc.), learn basic counselling skills, serve as a mentor for first degree coveners, and assist in at least three rites of passage. Third Degree: After another year and a day, the Second Degree covener may seek initiation into the Third Degree. Some requirements are: Design and lead at least one large community esbat ritual or festival, help organize and teach part of something like a “Wicca 101” introductory classes, serving on the Coven Council, and mentoring at least one second degree covener. This is a fairly typical progression of the standards and practices within Covens. The year and daytime period is not craved in stone, as neither are any other of the above requirements or dictates. |