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Post by Brysing on Apr 5, 2011 2:31:29 GMT -5
Oh,dear! I wasn't equating Crowley with Hitler. I was merely remarking that I didn't think anybody was entirely evil; neither Crowley or Hitler, or many other humans.
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Post by sullengirl on Jul 8, 2011 19:37:50 GMT -5
Brysing, your message is extraordinary. Thank you so much for sharing. I feel absolute awe.
While I sincerely enjoy the coursework, I would like to locate a physical coven here in the Southern United States. I would like to undergo a physical initiation as well as celebrate Sabbats with a group of people with whom one might come to know as family.
I agree with Marcassa, if I quote her correctly, that there may be divisions or altercations within a coven. However, I do believe that change such as this is an antithesis to the status quo.
What small work I do, I perform it as a solitary because I do not have much choice. That said, I do not understand what it is to be part of a coven aside from our long distance coven. I am thankful to be under the guidance of Divine Spirits and to exchange ideas with the people who are a part of it.
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Post by Brysing on Jul 10, 2011 1:36:54 GMT -5
Because the description of my initiation has been posted (in full!) on Spells of Magic, and severely ridiculed, I feel I must add something of the present day. That description was of something that happened over fifty years ago! At the time it was very "real" and "mystical" to me. With the passage of years I look upon it with some degree of levity. Although, even when she was very old, I never revealed to Mrs Marshall that I thought the ceremony was a bit "over the top". I would not go through such a ceremony now! Nor would I advise it for anybody else.. It belongs with the Catholic "Latin Mass". It is in the past, and not really relevant to modern ideas and thinking.
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Post by whiteraven on Aug 19, 2011 0:04:21 GMT -5
I am solitary. I've spoken to many witches who were in covens, and they never spoke of good experiences. They became solitary later on and planned to remain that way. Perhaps in small towns and european cities, it is different, but in a large American city, most covens are garbage.
I self initiated myself. It was very simple. I eventually want to go through the "death" and "rebirth" of shamanism, but I feel it will come when I am ready, so I don't seek it out or force it. That is when I will truly be able to say I walk between the worlds and I'll be confidant that I have the spirits' blessings. Nature, the spirits and ancestors are my teachers. When I was young I was taught the simple things from my mother and grandmother. But I actually had to seek out the rest on my own.
I personally guided and helped to initiate my husband. I feel that one on one teaching is the best. He has a different path than I do, but I taught in a way that allowed him to find his path, not force my own. Covens on the other hand, at least traditional ones, have set rules and beliefs, which make it impossible to have freedom with one's path. I feel it is for those who wish to be lead and guided, for those who need that. But I'm a leader personality, and always have been. I don't like for others to follow me though, I lead myself. I've always been the black sheep anywhere I go for as long as I can remember. =)
Most modern covens have lost the awe and sacredness that covens of "olde" once had. As society changes, so do people and their interactions with one another. Back then when someone had authority, it was respected and never questioned, just as social classes were merely accepted. But people now have the ability and aspirations to reach the top, and become the new Oprah or Bill Gates of the world. There is nothing wrong with that, but it causes an increase in competition and selfishness. Now, all people, despite social class, education or position, fight each other to be the best and fight those with authority. Ego wars break out and groups crumble. With governments and people's search for freedom and rights, people have lost their ability to work as a close community or group. They are focused on themselves above all else. It isn't impossible, but improbable for a coven to last very long under such conditions.
I feel that the best covens are true friends and family, because they hold emotional and mental ties to one another that are not easily broken. They are also more accepting and forgiving of one another. I have on occasion gathered with friends and family to practise.
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Post by Lady Silver Vixen on Aug 21, 2011 1:28:45 GMT -5
I like that whiteraven, I help my husband as well, and his path is different than mine too
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Post by daphnis on Oct 15, 2011 16:58:40 GMT -5
I think the coven is great for adding power to a spell because it can generate more energy, a Coven puts you directly in contact with others of a like mind and you can learn from one another, and a coven makes things fun if it is a good coven.
On the down side, a coven can get tied up in hierarchy and might be governed by someone who is not fit to lead a coven, and cliques and petty arguments can break out, and of course, some members may not be of their right mind. Wicca does attract those who wish to turn their enemies to Toads.
I like a circle of solitaries. Solitaries can get together for Sabbats, maybe esbats and just have fun and then leave and not get all tied up in Coven politics and drama.
The solitary is a rather lonely bit of witchery if you have no one to share it with, it is sometimes lonely. Then again, as a solitary one doesn't have to put up with coven hierachy and drama.
I doubt if there is any such thing as the "Perfect Coven". Or at least perfect for everyone.
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Post by sullengirl on Nov 3, 2011 12:53:39 GMT -5
As we are still discussing solitary or covens, I recently cast my first circle for Samhain. I know I made mistakes and it would have been more powerful had I either been more informed or if I worked with someone else. Regardless, I finished the work and rang in the new year with my first circle. Hence, I am here to finish my work to gain at least one degree.
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