Points for Covens

New members must be chosen carefully, as it is not easy to establish the trust and unity required for a coven. Remember, allowing a person into your coven is much easier than getting them to leave if serious problems develop that cannot be reconciled. Be selective, and above all, listen to the advice of the Demons. Everyone in the coven should be getting the same message. Covens cannot replace members easily like churches can.

Psychic vampires should be avoided at all costs. These people will not contribute; instead, they will drain energy from the coven, weakening the entire group. Be especially aware of people known for their incessant problems—problems they make little or no effort to correct. The issues never go away, the individual constantly whines, and tries to influence others into "helping." This is different from someone experiencing a spell of bad luck, which can often occur under difficult planetary progressions or transits. Psychic vampires are attracted to strong sources of energy just as Dracula is drawn to a blood bank. They are found everywhere, in all walks of life, and should be avoided. These are the professional victims and whiners. They drain the energy of others like a black hole. If you notice anyone already in your coven with these traits, you must stop offering magickal help immediately, or he/she will drain you and your coven dry, weakening all of your powers and efforts. Stay clear of weak people. Zevism is for the strong!

Strong points in having a coven include filling in the gaps. Each member has strengths, and most have areas of expertise that can help the group as a whole. For example, one member may have a strong background in astrology, another may be a skilled Tarot reader, and another may have a more developed ability to visualize, and so on. All of these blend to strengthen the coven as a whole. Not everyone will be at the same level of ability. Those skilled in one area can work with and help teach the others—and vice versa.

When working in a group, energy takes on a different sensation and form compared to working alone. It is very important for the High Priest/ess to be able to handle the energies, infuse them with his/her will, and direct them toward the chosen goal. Every other coven member should be skilled in this as well. These abilities come with persistent and consistent devotion to a power meditation program.

Spells fail because of the following reasons:

• Not enough energy and/or effort was put into the goal (including not making the goal clearly understood by all).
• There was a stronger opposing force to the goal. This could be another group or person, the will of the Gods, or the timing of the stars.
• Members were not working together in unison, and/or the group as a whole is inexperienced. Each member should be serious about working a consistent power meditation program to raise his/her energies. If there is not enough spiritual energy, the entire group will be weak and ineffective.

There will be times when compromises must be made concerning individual goals. Remember, everyone should have his or her own turn when personal help is seriously needed.

The coven is a place for sharing talents and combining abilities as a whole: one alone, together strong. There should always be a strong emphasis on cooperation and harmony. A coven is only as powerful as its weakest link. An inexperienced newbie to magick can unintentionally siphon off the power the group is trying to build, simply because he/she has not yet developed the skill to sense and direct the energy raised by the group.

New recruits should at least have the following knowledge and understanding of magickal practice:

• Knowing how to direct and channel desire
• Knowing how to direct and channel emotions
• Having the necessary strength of will and self-confidence in workings
• Having experience and competence in power meditation
• And most important... a powerful soul.

All members should take the personal and individual goal of godhead seriously, never becoming complacent in their abilities, but always striving for greater personal power and spiritual advancement.

Dancing can take the form of a spiral, as this symbolizes the Serpent/DNA and the pattern of life. When enough energy is raised, the dancing should then form a circle to begin the working.

The High Priest/ess should be skilled in knowing when the group’s energy has reached its peak, and in giving the signal for everyone in the coven to release it at the same time. Everyone should release the energy using their own personal method of visualization or physical gesture. The release should be performed with clear visualization and a focused will.

Individuals who are more psychically open will often see energy projecting from their arms or chakras, or rising above the group and taking off like an inverted vortex. As long as it is directed properly, each individual has their own means of letting go of the energy. Some might fall to the floor or ground, others may extend their arms upward, and some may shout. There is no right or wrong way.

Afterward, people should feel energized and in tune. If someone feels depleted, it means they have been using too much of their own personal energy rather than drawing enough in from other sources. Energy can be drawn from the Earth or from trees.

Everyone in the coven should show concern and care for other members. All must be in agreement and harmony. Disharmony will negatively affect magickal workings, draining energy from the desired goals. Everyone should be able to speak openly about anything concerning the group. Things kept silent for the sake of keeping the peace or placating others often manifest in negative ways over time, destroying both the unity of the coven and the effectiveness of the workings.

Every member of the coven should always be present during any working. Remember, the coven operates as a unit—no one should be left out for any reason. All or nothing applies here.

More experienced members should be competent in sensing energy, especially the energy of the group. A High Priest/ess should be able to sense beforehand whether a working will be successful before it is even performed.

Remember, for magickal workings, the entire group should visualize the end result as if it is already a fact. Never say “will be” or “shall be.” It already IS.

It is important to fully know the words of power and how they are to be vibrated and pronounced for the working. These should be memorized and known to everyone in the coven. Mistakes can be costly. Proper vibration and pronunciation are very important in any serious working. The entire coven should vibrate the words together, in unison. (These can be phrases or mantras, but should be only a few words.) Alternatively, the High Priest/ess can vibrate the words of power, and the members repeat the exact vibrations after him/her.

Storms provide a boost to any spell, as the electricity in the air gives the working added energy. Working outdoors has the same benefit, as it provides direct contact with the Earth. Wooded areas are best, but it is extremely important that the coven not be intruded upon or disturbed in any way.

At the end of the working, if anyone is still holding onto unwanted excess energy, it should be offered to the Gods. Call upon the Patron Demon of your coven to take the energy.

The entire group can perform a special bonding ritual in the name of Zeus to help with unity and the merging of energies. With this, the coven should be dedicated to Zeus as a unit. Never forget: working for Zeus is your primary focus.