Creating Your Own Clan, Coven or Alike

Gathering Together Before you begin to think about establishing your own gathering, you should understand what a craft group is. For that, please refer to Covens, Groves, Clans and Alike     Do You Have What It Takes How can you begin your own coven? First off you need to ask yourself if you're ready, have the knowledge and wisdom to be a spiritual leader of a group of people who are coming to you to learn. Having the title Priest, Priestess or Shaman isn't enough. Especially if that title is from a self dedication.   That's not a put down, it's practical experience. Someone who has not worked within a gathering doesn't necessarily know what it takes to run a gathering. That experience of working with others is part of the process to learning the wisdom of a pagan practioner and especially as a High Priest or Priestess or whatever the title.   Taking on the role of a coven leader is a huge responsibility and requires more than just knowing a few basic concepts of pagan beliefs. And on top of the knowledge is the wisdom to know when and how to share it. How to help those who come to you without interference in their path of learning. You can't learn for others. A teacher doesn't teach until a student is ready to ask a question, because until then, the student may not be ready to learn. Forcing them down a path they are not ready for is a kin to interference, not the wisdom of leadership. Everyone is in the right place, for their current progression to enlightenment. Don't push people who are not ready to be guided.   As a teacher, do you now how to plan for a class? Do you have the understanding and wisdom to teach the topic you are offering? Have you been a tarot reader for a year and now think you are ready to teach? Each person is different, but a year of study and practice, may not be enough. You will need to know how to create training material, and class schedules. How to develop a lesson plan or a curriculum for advancement within your gathering.   In addition to the teaching, you will be taking on the role of spiritual advisor. Do you have the knowledge and more importantly the wisdom to take on this awesome responsibility? You will be looked upon as a spiritual counselor, do you have the understanding of psychology to take on this role? There are organizations around the country who offer counseling training for ministers. I highly recommend them.      Setting The Foundation You will also have to face all the management issues of running an organization. To a coven leader a gathering is also a business, with business issues and demands. The biggest thing that destroys new organizations isn't lack of membership, but rather lack of leadership and planning. Being able to handle the leadership role, conflicts, dramas and responsibilities of a group are all key talents that will be utilized and needed.   Here are a few things you will need to think about. You must set the foundation of your coven. That starts with the basics. A business plan. A business license or other legal licenses for your county or state. A checking account separate from your personal account. You will have to prepare accounting documents for all donations and or money you take in. You will also have to prepare federal and state tax returns.   Even if you don't bring financial services into your group, you will need to define a Charter for your organization. This will include (and it's not limited to these): Principles Of The Coven Principles Of Belief Clan Troth Dedication and Initiations Code Of Ethics Press Releases   As the leader of a group such as this, you will still face other management issues. Do you have the skills to handle conflict? Do you have the knowledge to execute conflict resolutions between members? Do you have the wisdom to handle conflict when it arises against you as the leader of the group? Do you have the strength to put down discord and help balance or resolve issues or mini-dramas? Do you have the strength to ask someone to leave your group if necessary? Do you have the strength and wisdom to squash petty fights that unjustly become directed at one member of your group? Can you remain above the personal relationships or friendships that can create favoritism from you and create unfairness within your group?      Community Building Do you have the knowledge of community building. Regardless of the effort you put into the foundation work, your gathering will not be successful unless you can advertise it's offerings, and be part of your community. Attract members and provide valuable services to those who join you. Not to mention include a bit of fun.   Do you have the knowledge to plan rituals, and direct them with other members. One of the biggest problems with a gathering leader is they often forget that not everyone is on the same level. Even those who have attained the wisdom to run a gathering sometimes forget they need to 'hand hold' new members. This isn't ego or arrogance, it's just part of their nature. They do things by osmosis, because it comes natural to them, and they forget that others may not be aware of those things. One big example, is that few new practioners know that they not only need to empower their workings, but they don't even know how.   You WILL have to deal with the misconceptions of other groups who may not approve of your ways and create outside conflicts. Are you prepared to handle the insults, and the bigotry that may come your way? Can you accept constructive criticism and new ideas from members? Let's face it, you can't do it all and other people do have some very good ideas and suggestions that can enhance and evolve your gathering. If you're open to listening to them. And how will your group work within your own community? Here is a good example of how pagans can learn from some of the organized religions. Sponsor community events to raise money for children, local organizations, volunteer organizations such as your local fire house and so on. Giving back is just as important as receiving. And creating good will between your group and other spiritual groups in your area can go a long way to helping you be successful.     It Takes Work! Starting your own coven is not like starting a local Bridge Club. It takes a lot of work and effort. It takes time and dedication. This isn't something you can do by calling up 3 friends, practicing together and proclaiming yourselves as a coven. That's great for hollywood movies, but it's not practical or successful for planning an organized coven or clan. If you're prepared for the dedication and planning it will take, and ready to put forth the effort, you can make your dream of coven leadership a reality.   If you would like an example of a gathering Clan, visit The Forest Moon section of PagansPath.

Sources: 1, 2, m23, m25, o2, o17, o22, c12, c13, c12, c19, n2, n5, n6 Created: 05/08/2004         Updated: 03/10/2008