Inside a Witches' Coven

Personally, I feel that this book doesn't have nearly enough comprehensive information about starting and running a coven. But it does a great job in helping someone decide whether or not to JOIN a coven and what kind of coven to join.I have two other books on Wiccan covens, Covencraft and Wicca Covens. Each one offers something unique.Covencraft is about the nitty-gritty, day-to-day, business of running a coven. Wiccan Covens is about the psyhco/social aspects of coven life.But if you're not sure if you want to join a coven or not, you should read this book. It's a great place to start exploring covens.

Not only does she give a good outline of the pros and cons of joining (and running) a coven, McCoy also illustrates the text with vignettes from her own experiences as both student and priestess.Some of the most valuable items in the book are the handy "checklists" that deal with everything from screening prospective covens (and students) to determining what warrants a formal Banishing of a destructive coven member.Definitely one of the best in the current crop of Wiccan literature.

Just the sections on the warning signs of people or groups who might not have your best interests at heart are worth the price of this book! The rest of the book is just as well-written and informative, and should prove an invaluable resource for not only any solitary looking to join (or start) a coven, but also for covens to focus and improve their own practices. The author has a great way of informing, advising, and encouraging in her writing without any condescension or intolerance. Whether or not you ever plan to work with a group magickally, this book is worth having!

I recommend "Inside A Witches Coven" by Ms. Edain McCoy. This book is a very common sense discussion of how to find and/or form a meeting group and/or coven. (Ms. McCoy defines a meeting group as a group of Witches/Pagans that meet to exchange ideas and socialize without the vows and commitments that a coven requires.) Ms. McCoy does not go deeply into Craftlore, but does tell one what s/he can expect from initiations and healing spells.A caveat: one must know the jargon. Several items (delay until 1995 [one know no delete -- i.e., forever], nine (nein) years -> (i.e., forever), a year and a day (366 -> open hex sex -> sexual abstinence for the duration) handfasting period, casting the circle counterclockwise (reverse the clock -> undo a spell or vow).<p>Ms. McCoy is to be commended because she *does* recount people problems that she has had during her career, and cautions the importance of finding a coven compatible with one's philosophy. Too many dictatorial leaders spoil what should be a happy and rewarding Craft experience.<p>Despite the problems decoding the jargon, I like this book.

If you are a solitary witch wondering about joining a coven, or just wondered what exactly a coven was, this is an excellent to read. Edain McCoy discusses her experiences, and what to look for in a coven. A must-read for beginners.