Hollywood has only abetted in this misinformation through the various depiction’s of Witches in movies such as The Wizard Of Oz, The Craft and Practical Magic. Sadly, young people see films such as these and assume that to be a Witch, on has to be able to fly through the air, shoot sparks from their fingers and be totally absorbed in their own ego and power trip. Witchcraft is a derivation of the Anglo-Saxon word witta or wicca which meant wise or to bend and shape. Prior to our industrial revolution, people had learned to revere the life of man, animal and plant. It is the mother who underwent the pain of childbirth. She ensured the feeding and nurturing of her hearth and home. Out of this grew a respect for the Earth Mother who constantly nurtures and sustains our lives. The Moon is her symbol as she watches down upon us from the heavens. People had to live off the land and had to discover remedies for the many ailments that plagued life during a time when hospitals were not so readily available. The wise woman of the day knew which herbs to use to heal certain conditions and went about her task of aiding the sick and comforting the dying. Even today, many herbs have been examined and reformulated structurally in sterile labs to provide us with the many medicines that line the shelves in a pharmacy.

After six thousand years of peaceful, matrifocal reign, a new breed of conqueror encroached the many shores of the lands they vanquished. In the wake of their pillage, many wiped out any references to the culture they had usurped. This grew to epic proportions during the Renaissance where the Church of Rome was pushing for power. The Church was losing a foot hold on the psyche of the people by the free thinkers of their era. A campaign was established to create and fund universities which would attract the rich and the elite. Slowly, a three hundred year holocaust against women ensued that cost an estimated nine million lives who died by torture. Women were not allowed to go to these universities and were relegated to the status of “property” for the husband, much like cattle and other possessions. Where women were once revered, they now were the objects of misogyny and contempt. In order to properly fund these universities and the many churches that were slated for building, the Witch trials ensued which became a big business. Everyone received a fee, from the arresting personnel to the executioner. Property and possessions were seized and used to pay for this carnage. Anyone was suspect and many utilized this hysteria to further their own agenda’s through vindictiveness and contempt.

Out of self preservation, these wise ones hid under the cloak of night to give praise to the Mother. Dark clothing was adopted in order to “disappear” into the night should a witch hunter intrude upon the proceedings. They resisted control of their mind and spirit and continued to provide assistance for the infirm, despite the great risk. Hospitals were not affordable for the average peasant, hence the trusted wise woman still held a position of trust and reverence among many of the townspeople.

Any of the warped ideas of what Witches do and the language inherent in the craft became skewed during these times. Herbal preparations that were created for medicine had to “set a spell” which meant sit for a period of time. Today, many people equate “spells” with some secret hocus pocus that will puff out of a cauldron. The cauldron, by the way, was nothing more than a large iron cooking pot that many people hung over their fireplaces in order to prepare meals. Many recipes would have a poetic ring in order to better commit to memory. Something that would dictate to boil and turn the leave of thee, three times three, only meant stir for nine times and remove from the flame. This was how they timed their preparations since clocks were not so readily available as they are today.

Witches have a Goddess and a God. She is depicted in images of the moon, shells, caves, and many other various round and/or vulva shaped objects. The God, being her consort, was often depicted as pine cones, goat antlers, and other hard penile reflecting items. Sexuality is as inherent to life as breathing. There weren’t the physical and mental hang ups with the body as what has come after. It is the union of these two that brought forth life, hence it was only natural that the Lord and Lady also were deified as our first parents in spirit. Since anything feminine was becoming an anathema to the people of these times, the goat antlers were adopted to create the idea of the devil. Ironically, Witches have been accused of consorting with the devil, however, this image is a totally Christian creation and concept. Witches do not have a devil and do not believe in Hell. However, the sexually repressed times caused the Inquisitioners to fabricate wild stories of naked women flying on brooms and having sexual unions with a devil. In order to survive these insane times, it became essential for the practitioners of the old ways to go underground.

Three hundred years later, during the 1950’s, a man named Gerald Gardener researched and brought to light the various groups who were still practicing in secret. Each thought they were the last remnants of the old ways. As word spread, more covens spoke out about their existence until we have what we see as a Pagan revival. Over the last forty years, writers such as Gardener, Sybil Leek, Starhawk, Margot Adler, Dionne Fortune, Doreen Valiente, Scott Cunningham, Silver RavenWolf, and Charlene Spretnack, to name a few, brought to light the workings of the Craft to aid with the closure of misconception about Witchcraft to once again worship Her name without the fear of reprisal and torment. These writers have greatly assisted with bringing about the female to her Goddess birthright and to educate a non Wiccan populace. However, there still remains an element of danger with the crazed fundamentalists who will stop at nothing to deter you from your beliefs. Some will burn your house, throw rocks at you, send you hate mail, and many other unpleasant forms of harassment in the name of their “all loving” God.

Just as there are those on the outside who can do you ill will, so too must one guard from within. Many people have read the information of the above mentioned author’s and feel the need to work in a group. This group is commonly referred to as a coven. Before one embarks upon locating a coven, it is important to identify which tradition seems to be the one that fits you. Since Witchcraft has no permanent edifice, and no set "leader," many traditions are passed on from one generation to the next. Traditions range from Celtic, Minoan, Saxon, to eclectic. It is essential to read all you can about a particular tradition before embarking on the quest for becoming a coven member. This way, you have a basic ground work for adding to your learning rather than walking in as a blank slate. One who undertakes the task to do the reading and the research is more likely to be a positive candidate for the group than one who has no concept to what the tradition is all about. This added knowledge will also aid with uncovering the few unscrupulous individuals who claim to be practicing Witches who are no more enlightened than our fundamentalists, and will often attempt to group people together for whatever agenda they may have.

Linda Maglionico had this to say about the topic:

“Regarding ‘choosing’ a coven, I think that my coven chose me, really. I work with Phyllis Curott and have been doing so for at least three to four years already. It's been an interesting road to say the least because of Phyllis’ aspirations in raising America’s consciousness about Wicca. She has written a book and has been lecturing across the U.S. for the past year, as you might know. In fact, that is how I met Phyllis – at a Learning Center workshop about Wicca. Which was filmed (... I should have picked up on that omen right then and there).

So I signed up for a six-week workshop she was giving, then signed up for a weekend ‘intensive’ she held. And then volunteered to help out with a huge, public winter solstice ritual she was organizing. Weeks after that, Phyllis read my cards, during which the High Priestess showed up in my subconscious position ...and which she took as a sign that I was destined to become a high priestess.

I am lucky to be learning from such an astute and loving person as Phyllis and am equally grateful that my group has Mikaela as its maiden. Mikaela is a fountain of knowledge and I love every ounce of her. Between the two of them, my education is unparalleled.”

Membership to covens also covers additional ground that is further segmented by gender and/or sexual orientation. Some covens are a mixture of straight and gay members, others can be all male or all female. Some of the single gender covens are gay oriented but that is not a hard and fast rule. Some genders bond better and are more comfortable with their own gender and it is the comfort level that is of tantamount importance for the grouping to work properly. Some have argued that a single gender coven cannot raise the essential energy necessary for the ritual workings, to which I reply, hogwash. We are all composed of X and Y chromosomes and it is the intent, not the gender that supplies the energy. Covens usually do not have a hang up about sexual orientation. If you find one that does and this makes you uncomfortable, then keep searching. If you have a grievance with the sexual orientation of others, you may need to examine that fear as well. Wicca is an unfolding process of self discovery in addition to reverence.

Another issue to contend with is skyclad versus robes. Some traditions, like the Gardenarian, usually dispense with clothing and do circle work in the buff. This is not for titillation but rather to strip away the trappings of the outer world to make everyone equal in the eyes of the Lord and the Lady. We are asked to enter into their presence in the manner in which we entered into the world. Again, if this is something that does not feel right for you, don’t join. Your comfort level should always be the key to follow when seeking out anything, not just finding a coven.

I have been an invited guest to various circles over the years which included all of the above. I have taken part in robed and skyclad ceremonies and have witnessed the various traditions at work and marveled at the splendor and devotion that is carried out. I was once invited to a Dianic group, which was extremely out of line with their tenet since it is a female only based group. The fact that my personality is nurturing and loving in a non threatening way allowed the members of this Bronx based group to open their circle to me and allow me into their world for a moment, for which I am eternally grateful.

Some groups go by the term eclectic. This basically indicates that no specific tradition is followed, but rather an amalgamation of traditions that are blended in a modern hybrid fashion. In some cases this does in fact work out beautifully and in others, it demonstrated the lack of knowledge the High Priest and High Priestess had for the craft tradition. One can be eclectic but certain parameters are followed such at calling on the proper deities of the same tradition you are working with. One circle utilized a Greek based Goddess and a Norse based God and the whole ceremony was a shambles. In an eclectic group, a certain tradition may be adhered to for that particular sabbat, but crossing the traditions is not a wise move and this too should be a warning bell for you.

There are a number of Wiccan sites online. Some are legitimate while others continue with the Hollywood version of the “evil” witch corrupt with power. The rule to remember when viewing these sites is the one rule Witches everywhere must adhere to: And it harm none, do what thou will. If anything appears to harm anything, including the self, then it goes against the grain of the Craft. There is no manipulation or control over another within the craft. Anyone telling you that they have love spells should make you run! Love spells, like many of the other commonly requested spells, are designed to control and manipulate one against their will and it is not recommended or practiced. If you find a coven that seems to utilize this form of control, it is recommended that you find another before incurring a lot of unnecessary karmic debt.

You may probably find that there are a number of covens in your area just from searching the web. Covens don’t advertise and proselytizing is not the means in which to “convert” people. Wicca is a calling that you feel internally so there isn’t the need to make converts. Any group that seems to be focusing on luring you in with promises that their tradition is the best and oldest, or most knowledgeable, is another warning to steer clear from. There is no one best way in the craft. It is a multifaceted flower with many petals that lead to the same place ultimately.

Lastly, if you are stuck in the middle of nowhere and haven’t an occult book shop for miles, you may want to write to one of the author’s of the various books to ask if they can offer guidance with a link. Most author’s will gladly supply this information if one seems sincere in their search. No matter which way you choose to seek out a coven, the most important thing, which bears repeating, is to do what feels comfortable for you. If you have properly done the reading and are sincere, you will eventually find that coven when it is meant to be.