4.01 What Work Do Covens Do?

We got together to talk about pagan events - why we attend them, our first experiences in community, as well as some tips for those venturing out into the big, wide world of public pagan and witch events for the first time.   

After five years, four seasons, endless different opinions and a LOT of experience, we (now professional podcasters, obviously) decided to revisit our definitions and introductions episode. Enjoy!

In this episode, we discuss Gods and Deities (in broad strokes, and not necessarily specific to Alexandrian Craft) by answering questions from a listener.  References: Lon Milo DuQuette. Low Magick. Llewellyn Worldwide, 8 Sept. 2011. Farrar, Janet, and Gavin Bone. Lifting the Veil. The Crowood Press, 22 Apr. 2024. Foundation, P. (2023, March 4). Hymn to Proserpine (After the Proclamation in Rome of the Christian Faith) by Algernon Charles Swinburne. Poetry Foundation. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45292/hymn-to-proserpine-after-the-proclamation-in-rome-of-the-christian-faith Plutarch. Plutarch's Morals. Translated from the Greek by several hands. Corrected and revised by. William W. Goodwin, PH. D. Boston. Little, Brown, and Company. Cambridge. Press Of John Wilson and son. 1874. 4. (https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0252%3Asection%3D17) Pound, Ezra. “Pan Is Dead.” Poetryverse.com, 2025, poetryverse.com/ezra-pound-poems/pan-is-dead. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025. Pratchett, Terry. Hogfather. Bk. 20. New York, Harperprism, 1998. Pratchett, Terry. Small Gods. Orion, 1992.

So, you've found a coven and had a successful first meeting... Now what? In this bumper, 2 part episode, we've made an effort to shift our advice to go beyond the initial "Seeking 101" stage, discussing the serious practicalities and personal work that lead from being an interested seeker to becoming an initiate: the realities and practicalities of commitment; self-reflection and handling rejection; outer court life; and what red and green flags covens look for in seekers (and vice versa). References: Crowley, V (2014). “Wicca and the Spiritual Quest.” Patheos. Available at: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/viviannecrowley/2014/04/wicca-and-the-spiritual-quest/ [Last accessed: 18 May 2025] Sanders, A. “A very brief exposition on the Craft.” Incomplete typescript. Date Unknown. Alexandrian Witchcraft Timeline & Archive. Available at: www.alexandrianwitchcraft.org/a-very-breif-exposition-on-the-craft/ [Last accessed 18 May 2025]

So, you've found a coven and had a successful first meeting... Now what? In this bumper, 2 part episode, we've made an effort to shift our advice to go beyond the initial "Seeking 101" stage, discussing the serious practicalities and personal work that lead from being an interested seeker to becoming an initiate: the realities and practicalities of commitment; self-reflection and handling rejection; outer court life; and what red and green flags covens look for in seekers (and vice versa). References: Crowley, V (2014). “Wicca and the Spiritual Quest.” Patheos. Available at: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/viviannecrowley/2014/04/wicca-and-the-spiritual-quest/ [Last accessed: 18 May 2025] Sanders, A. “A very brief exposition on the Craft.” Incomplete typescript. Date Unknown. Alexandrian Witchcraft Timeline & Archive. Available at: www.alexandrianwitchcraft.org/a-very-breif-exposition-on-the-craft/ [Last accessed 18 May 2025]

What exactly is a decentralised collective, and how does this relate to Wicca? How are things decided if there is no central authority: no kings, queens, witch popes, or even witch CEOs? How is decentralisation maintained? Today’s podcast has come to you thanks to James’ big, delicious brain being left unattended during a long drive.

What work do BTW covens actually do? What types of coven are there within traditional Wicca, and what's the difference between how members are treated and what is expected? And if coven autonomy is a thing, does that mean there is no crossover between groups and the work they do? We tackle all these questions and more in the first episode of season 4, and - more importantly - we all took part in some uncomfortable role play situations from a coven leadership book from 1998.

In our long-awaited 7th episode of season 3 we address the topic of magical names and personas. Magical names are pervasive in witchcraft communities, and the tradition of taking a new name when embarking on a new practice or new time of life is well known. We discuss why witches sometimes choose new names and how that choice can have an impact on one's craft. 

Episode 6 of season 3 discusses self-actualization in witchcraft. We explore the importance of self-actualization in religious movements and how the “Work” of the craft can be related to this idea. The episode ends with some practices listeners can consider in their own paths to self-actualization.   Mentioned: Her Hidden Children: The Rise of Wicca and Paganism in America (Pagan Studies Series) by Chas S. Clifton Your Dark Side: How to turn your inner negativity into positive energy: Transform Your Inner Negativity into Positive Energy by Vivianne Crowley and Christopher Crowley

Welcome to episode 5 of season 3! In this episode, we talk about getting back to basics and how to build a personal practice. Is a personal practice necessary if we’re a member of a coven? What if we’re not in a coven - how important is it then? What do we do when we hit a slump, and how can we mitigate getting to that point in the first place?  In this episode, we give advice on what kind of practices a personal practice could include, explore the idea of stagnation within a coven, and mention the word “practice” so many times, that we lost count in the end 😛 So, grab a cuppa, glass, or pitcher, sit back and relax, and enjoy!