Joining a Coven

[MrIncognito]

I am considering joining an ecclectic coven.  The idea of group ceremony, and a celebration of nature and beauty have real appeal to me.    They throw a "Pagan Meet-up" which I attended, for the pagans in the local area.  I got to talking with some of the leaders of the coven, and the members, for the most part, seem intelligent and balanced emotionally.  One of the rituals described to me however was one in which you pass energy through a circle, to feel it surge through you as it is passed along.  Now I am not certain, but this seems a bit dangerous.  I kind of wonder what the reprocussions could be if I were to share energy in this way if one or more of the participating members are severely, or even moderately, unbalanced.  What of neg attachment?  Robert, if you read this...I read PPSD, and I know you have needed to help people that have joined occult/New Age groups...what do you think of this scenario?  Any advice/insight from anyone with experience in these types of matters would be greatly appreciated.

[daem0n]

well, i would compare it to group sex
you can catch literally anything, negs can move freely, along with energy drain, negative/emotional energy etc etc
seeming is very vague term, never judge the book by it's cover
also what effects you wish to manifest through joining such coven ?
do you need feel of belonging ?

nature is contemplated alone, IMHO
celebration of it ? is it a figure of speech ? obviously nature doesn't need humans to celebrate, i would even dare to say that they usually disturb it

[Rastus]

I'm not a Witch.  I do Circle work all the time.  Did you mean around the circle as opposed to through the circle?  Or did you mean in a cast circle (which keeps things IN and OUT).

Anything the group celebrates together you can celebrate individually.  You don't need a group to validate yourself.

I would suggest taking a deep look inside yourself and ask your higher-self/guides if this is the right path for you (at this time, nothing is permanent).

-Namaste

[Nita]

Hello Mr Incognito
  I would suggest just observing a ceremony and seeing how they work. It is classic energy work to pass energy in a circle of people holding hands. You build it up to a point where the energy can be held no longer and send it towards a group project.
  The main problems with a group is once you join then you also receive group karma for your actions involving them. I would be sure to check out and have ethical people as teachers. If you do not want to do something then do not join in until you feel good about doing so.
  Groups can be a great experience or not. You have to pick one that is suited to you and what you want to do and accomplish.
   Nita

[MrIncognito]

"well, i would compare it to group sex
you can catch literally anything, negs can move freely, along with energy drain, negative/emotional energy etc etc "  

 This is what I am afraid of.

"also what effects you wish to manifest through joining such coven ?
do you need feel of belonging ? "

  Yeah, that certainly has its appeal...but before someone suggests I forget the coven, stay solitary, and join a book club or something, let me just say that it is just a small part of the picture, not the great underlying factor in my desire to explore this particualr avenue of ritual.

"I'm not a Witch. I do Circle work all the time. Did you mean around the circle as opposed to through the circle? Or did you mean in a cast circle (which keeps things IN and OUT)."  

 Goin over this, I can see I was a bit vague...I believe I mean(not entirely positive as I have yet to participate) like a game of hot potato, where instead of tossing the potato to the person on your left or right, You join hands and pass energy.(Yeah I realize this is a silly analogy, but I suspect anyone that was confused by my earlier post, now gets my meaning.)

 I have never participated in group ritual, so to tell anyone exactly what I expect to get out of it would be speculative at best.  Let me just say I am not looking for a group to complete some hole in myself, or looking for some guru/group to make me complete/validated, as it would seem has been implied.(I can see the dangers in this.)  I am simply, or not so simply I suppose, looking to explore an alternate means of ritual, of attaining an altered state in a group setting through the exaltation of the senses.  

Again, any advice/insight is appreciated...

[MrIncognito]

Oh, and let me also thank you all for those quick replies.  Was nice to see them waiting for me after only a short time of browsing the forums.

[boydster]

We all need social interaction--for sure. And I'm sure there are a lot of nice people at these gatherings you describe.

My master specifically told me not to exchange energy in ways such as you describe. It may be a bonding experience, with some upside. But the downside is the sharing of astral entities and other burdens which you don't need.

Try doing an exercise of exchanging energy with your own higher self. There is only upside to this. You get practice visualizing and moving energy, but the return currents from the higher self are always a tremendous blessing.

[Nita]

Hello Mr Incognito
  I have been in two groups. The upside was having the social interactions and meeting people. The downside was the fact that most people have to really watch themselves and their actions. You have to chose what is right for you.
  I have met a lot of nice people over the years. I have also met some full of ego and out to prove themselves like they were gunslingers in the old west. Beware people with big egos as leaders is a lesson I have learned. Also look at the way the members react to the leader. You can tell more by peoples actions than by anything they say to you. If they look afraid or intimidated think twice about joining that group. People who interact well and obviously care for each other will be a good group to be in and join.
  You can accelerate your learning by being in a group and practicing the rituals with others. It teaches you to manage massive amount of energies and other techniques. You just have to watch out for hidden agendas and make sure that everyone involved is informed and organized.
  A good group leader sets up a circle where nothing can enter into anyone in the group. Crossing the circle should banish anything from members of the group.
  The group will not last forever but some of the people you meet may stay friends with you for your lifetime. I have had friends for 23 years that I met in magical groups. You also can grow apart from the group as your interests become more defined and you feel different methods are correct for you. Remember that you are the one who chooses your Path.
     Nita