You can't just say good coven and bad coven...what' good and what's bad after all?those therms have different meaning for each of us so that coven is simply not suitable,you can't say it's bad because it may be the best for someone else.
As Hexen said, activity plays a large role in the making of a decent coven. Activity within the chatter, posts and information within the forums, and so on.
I also think diversity is an excellent feature to have, which I am fortunate to have within my current coven. Diversity calls for interesting discussions, which of course should remain civil no matter what the contrast in beliefs are. Individuals should be respectful and open minded to other's beliefs.
Chemistry is another one: getting on together! Ties in with mutual respect I suppose.
Warm hearts, a closely-knit family-like spirit, members teach and learn from each other, and activity...that's what makes a coven for me. Blessed Be )O(
I have been thinking about that for i while now,Eventually i left my previous coven eventhough i was in a high possition.I had a surrealistic feeling of emptyness and distance from the coven.I would sum it up as the issues that provoked me enough to finally leave were:
1.Activity
No matter what we as the council tried,we just couldn't ge the people to actually be active.They would log in once a week sometimes even less.
2.Credibility
Eventually when we did get some activity it was the worst fluff possible,to an extend that it makes you choke through a computer screen.And this happened daily.Many of the members fell for forums like that time after time.
3.Size
The coven started carring only about the size,accepting members no matter their intentions.It was all about being one of the top 5 covens on the site.Bigger wasnt better,it eventually lead to chaos.
4.Council
Eventhough i been with the coven since they were a small size i was happy that we in the council were only 3 members,We could easily communicate and administrating the other members was easy,since we all worked together.But as the coven grew so did the council,unfortunately with members that didnt have a clue and they tainted the group,the original three,including me left because the new council didnt communicate and didnt participate at all.
5.Our priests fell for society
I cannot help but feel that majority of the problems started because of decissions they made.And if calculated otherwise things might have been different.
I cared alot for my coven,i admit that i felt loyal towards it,and i loved the priest and priestest.Thats why i stayed time after time,but eventually i couldn't endure it anymore.I wont mention the coven's name since i have some loyalty left but my admiration towards it has been killed.
There are some other smaller issues but i believe the reasons i left are mostly the 5 reasons i stated.Somehow i am alittle happier now having parted from them.
From my own perspective the qualities and things I look for in a coven are simple. I desire a coven that values open mindedness and diversity but also acts and behaves like a family. I want to feel like I am at home where I can be myself and where others can be themselves. I want to get to know my other coven members in a way where it feels like the barrier of the internet and the long distance between us doesn't matter. I want us to be able to share our experiences whether they are bright as sunshine or cloudy and wet as the falling rain. If I am having a bad day I want to be able to come to my coven and tell my coven mates about it and likewise I want others to tell me about their bad days so I can listen and help them through their rough times and troubles. If something exciting happens in my life I also want to be able to come to my coven and share with my mates the wonderful news and what has made my day and I want to hear the happy or exciting news of my brothers and sisters as well. I also want to be able to be open and honest with my coven mates and share my thoughts, feelings, and opinions and be able to be brutally honest and sincere about it and again I want them to be able to do the same.
Spiritually speaking it doesn't matter what path anyone walks although similarity is convenient but not necessary. For me I like diversity in both people in general but also religiously and spiritually speaking because I like to learn new things and hear or read about others paths from their own perspective and experiences. I prefer as a coven that we all engage in discussion that challenges our minds, our hearts, and our spirits and allows us to be creative and inspired. I want us to be able to ebb and flow as we walk our paths together; to watch and experience our spiritual and mundane development as time goes on. Happiness and laughter are paramount in my life and practice and I think it should be for everyone so thus just being who you are and being able to relax, let go, be yourself, and laugh at anything and everything would be not only a requirement but at the top of my list when looking for or being in a coven. Activity is important too, as their wouldn't be much point in having a coven if members weren't loyal and decent enough to be present and participate, but at the same time I respect that people have lives outside of coven life and matters outside of the coven often take precedent especially the need to take care of ones self.
Anyway, more so than anything a good or decent coven for me is a place that I can come to where I can just have a good time, talk with my brothers and sisters about life, magic, and spirituality; and to be able to learn and grow as we traverse the sands of time. You can't be afraid to just get out there, talk with people, read and research, and let yourself be taken in by the wondrous mysteries and treasures that magic and it's brethren have to offer.
