Coven Craft: Witchcraft for Three or More

by Amber K.

The ultimate coven handbook, Coven Craft was written by a well-known and respected Wiccan High Priestess, who guides you through the workings of covens from Altars to Zoning. Over the course of twenty-seven chapters and forty-two appendices, Amber K shares with you her vast coven know-how, with plenty of veteran insights and straight-up advice ―Finding or organizing a coven
―Tools and supplies
―Finances and incorporation
―Coven offices
―New members
―The coven calendar
―Pagan ritual
―The sabbats and esbats
―Training and intiation
―Group dynamics
―Counseling
―Elders
―Traditions
―Networking and affiliation
―Covens in the community It has been said that leading a coven is like herding cats. Whether you’re searching for fresh ways to meet those challenges or you’re thinking about joining your first magical group, consult this friendly, knowledgeable companion for guidance.    

Genres: Wicca, Paganism, Witchcraft, Nonfiction, Reference, Religion, Spirituality

528 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Amber K is an author of books about magick, Wicca and Neopaganism, and a third degree priestess of the Wiccan faith. She was initiated at the Temple of the Pagan Way in Chicago, Illinois and served on the Council of Elders there, and has taught the Craft throughout the United States and Europe for over 24 years. She has served as National First Officer of the Covenant of the Goddess for three terms, and is a founder of Our Lady of the Woods and the Ladywood Tradition of Wicca. She has worked with various Neopagan organizations such as Circle Sanctuary and the Re-Formed Congregation of the Goddess. She is currently is the Executive Director of Ardantane, a Wiccan/Pagan seminary is northern New Mexico.

She is handfasted to Azrael Arynn K, and has a son, Starfire, who is a Wiccan security officer. Amber’s interests include mountains and forests, dolphins, travel, science fiction, collecting large antique keys, art, reading, and all things magickal. Her role models include Doreen Valiente, Lao Tse, Xena the Warrior Princess, and Snoopy.

Reviews

[Erica Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful, very thorough book on starting and running a coven. If that's something that interests you, absolutely buy this book. Don't just borrow it from the library, there's too much you'll want to reference later if you do decide to start or take leadership in a coven. About a third to half of this book will probably either get typed up with revisions or photocopied by me. It's THAT GOOD. Plus, Amber K's humor is witty, spot-on, and wonderfully self-aware.

However, the book was written in 1998, and it's now 2014. Everything about covencraft itself is absolutely still relevant, and most of it could have been written yesterday, but I wish they'd come out with a new edition--the section about the Internet is extremely out of date, as are the listings of websites, newsletters and editorials, events, and resources.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not Wiccan and I knew this book would be Wiccan-oriented/assuming, so I’m not faulting it for that. I did, however, expect there to be more content about running a healthy group, rather than almost completely focused on the start-up elements only as well as Wicca 101 info. Also, I find that the majority of Llewelyn-published books have a homogenous character or tone in which they all sounds like they’re written by the same person. That’s how this one is too.

[Sable · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have ever considered forming a coven and you don't come from a tradition that guides you through the process, this is an excellent book. I would caution, however, that she suggests a lot of bureaucracy that may not be necessary. She suggests a variety of approaches for different focus groups. If you're going to practice in a group, it won't hurt to read it.

[Sadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a resource for a presentation I gave to my coven, along with some other books on covens. The author is Wiccan which I am not, nor is my coven, but it was still a good source for what I needed either way. I just disregarded the specifically Wiccan aspects. It is also outdated so many of the sources are not available anymore and things have changed with the social media age. If you are starting a coven or want information about them if you’re thinking of joining one then this is a good source.

[Readgoat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

[Jaina Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

[excerpted from my blog review] It's too bad that in many ways this book is outdated because of the way the interwebs have transformed not only the way groups can organize and communicate, but also because of the way the interwebs have transformed the worldwide presence of so many fringe and minority cultures (at least those with easy access to computers).

One of my favorite parts of books is the back end, with all the appendices and indeces. Sometimes it's the only part of the book I actually pay attention too, similar to the websites I've gone to for the sole purpose of finding their page of recommended links. I enjoy reading lists, sample letters, blank forms and checklists. Amber K does, too, I can tell, because this is one zaftig backside, I tell ya.

[Kohner · Rating 3 out of 5]

While incredibly informative and is a good basis for starting a coven, this is incredibly Wicca-centric. I have started noticing that most witchcraft and pagan books have obvious Wiccan influences or are blatantly Wicca. For those who are under the Pagan umbrella but are not Wiccan, this is still a good book!

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it is an excellent book on starting a Coven, there is little material on continuing to run a Coven. The bits about running a Coven are few and far between, and it speaks more about starting a Coven when there is none around. All in all, though, it is an excellent primer on Coven work.

[Ranae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book! Every thing possible she has in it, and if not just check in the back and you'll find out how to attain the information.

[Star Shadowdrake · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an excellent book to read. I don't use it much.

[Kelli · Rating 1 out of 5]

A bit too much.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book,love the in depth advice.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book worth using if you are in a coven - rituals, spells, motivation, poetry, music, and more.

[Jade Cropley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good starter book for Wiccan seekers