Joining a coven, which is a group or gathering of witches, can be a significant and personal decision.
Your goal may be to improve your connection to spirituality, but you may find yourself farther from the truth and closer to isolation, loneliness, bankruptcy, or worse.
It’s important to be aware of potential red flags that might indicate the coven is not a healthy or safe environment.
Inspired by the experiences of our friends, plus accounts from Heaven’s Gate, NXIVM, Twin Flames Universe, and more here are 10 red flags to watch out for:
- Lack of Transparency: If the coven is not open about its beliefs, practices, or membership requirements, this could be a warning sign. Transparency is key in any group setting.
- High-Pressure Tactics: Be wary if you feel pressured to join or participate in activities that you are not comfortable with. A legitimate coven will respect your boundaries and decision-making process.
- Demands for Personal Information: If the coven asks for unnecessary personal information or money upfront, this could be a sign of ulterior motives such as blackmail.
- Isolation from Friends and Family: A coven that encourages you to cut ties with your friends, family, or other support systems should be avoided.
- Absolute Authority: Beware of covens where one person or a small group has unchecked power, and questioning or dissent is discouraged.
- Promise of Power or Secret Knowledge: Be cautious of groups that claim to offer exclusive power or secret knowledge in exchange for your commitment or other sacrifices.
- Unethical Practices: Any practices that feel unethical or make you uncomfortable, such as harming others (physically, emotionally, or spiritually), should be a major red flag.
- Ignoring Consent: Your personal consent should always be respected in any rituals or practices. If it’s not, this is a serious concern.
- Too Good to Be True: If the coven seems too perfect or promises more than seems realistic, it’s worth taking a step back to reassess.
- Negative Reputation: Do some research about the coven’s history and reputation in the broader community. A history of negative reports or experiences from former members can be a warning sign.
- Requesting Exorborant Amounts Of Money: If a coven requires thousands of dollars in payment, the purchase of high-priced books that are written by the spiritual group, or if you are required to pay in order to improve your rank, this is typically a sign of greed instead of spiritual advancement.
Remember, joining a coven should be a positive and empowering experience. Trust your instincts, and don’t hesitate to step back if something feels off.
Refer to this list before you have to ask yourself, “Am I in a cult?”
Been trapped by a dangerous group or cult? Share your story.
