How to Join a Coven

[icymist]

I sometimes get emails from people who are looking for a coven or study group in their area. There is indeed a prevalent theory that "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear", but often, that's just not realistic. Many people simply don't know any other Pagans in their area -- after all, we don't have a Yellow Pages listing for Wiccans -- or they don't know HOW to network socially and make the contacts needed to join an established group.

One thing you really need to decide, before you even start looking for a group, is how much you're willing to put into it. If you're in a rural area, and the nearest big city is an hour away, there's a possibility you might end up spending a couple of hours in the car once a month, or more. Is it worth the effort and time? Remember that sometimes, the things worth having aren't easy to obtain. Once you've decided you really want to be part of a coven, there are a few things you can do.

First, start networking. Go to places where other Pagans and Wiccans hang out. We tend to haunt bookstores, metaphysical shops, that sort of thing. For more information on how to establish social connections and meet up with potential covens, read How to Find a Coven. After you've found a prospective group, it's time to start asking questions. Talk to the group's leaders as well as other members. See if you can attend open meetings or social events before making a commitment. Watch out for red flags, and other Warning Signs.
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