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Coven vrs Congregation Membership
A Coven may be defined as ~ a small group of intimate friends, family or people joined by an agreed upon belief system and is usually closed to outsiders. Covens are usually led by a High Priest and/or Priestess; who direct the energy of the group. There will be levels of initiations for members, usually called degrees (as in first, second and third degree). The first degree is the initiation into the group and is characterized by learning from a teacher or mentor the rules and beliefs of the coven. The second degree is a concentrated learning of religious and magical training within the tradition from a Master. The third degree is the ultimate level of achievement and takes place only after a long and difficult learning period, which encompasses magick, ritual practices and structure, Wiccan mythology and any specific knowledge of the individual, coven and/or group.Clergy, ordained by the coven, perform the ceremonial rituals of handfasting, naming, final passage, and all rites of passage that ritualize life's transitions and serve the congregation as spiritual counselors. If you are interested in clergy training and or forming a coven of your own, Coven membership is the way to proceed
Congregation can be defined as "A group of people gathered for religious worship." This definition is very limited compared with what a congregation can be. A congregation can be a village, the extended family many of us lack in our insular lives. A strong congregation can allow the public access to the religion and philosophy of Witchcraft, and values inherent to rational living and thinking. Drum frenzies and open full moon celebrations are very popular and common forms of congregationalism, pagan festivals are perhaps the best example. Pagan festivals make available teaching, personal interaction, spiritual counseling and ritual, to old timer or neophyte. Individuals are free to attend rituals and classes, or to skip them all. This choice is the essence of congregationalism. If you are interested in occasional observances, fellowship,and very basic introductory classes and exercises, but not interested in initiation, not interested in the time and emotional commitments of being priest and priestesses. A congregational membership would suit you well.
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