Some things about Convens?

[RedFaye]

I never quite understood how a coven is started. Do you know? Perhaps I should ask my best friends mom? She's a High Priestess.

[Darkmatters]

I would imagine the same way as any cult - a charismatic person who likes to be in control gathers together a group of impressionable followers and uses various mind control tricks to make them feel inferior as individuals but like they can be strong if they follow the leader.

[RedFaye]

Are you being rude or naww?

[Darkmatters]

Not just trying to be rude, but it is a rather cynical viewpoint. Personally I think it's true at least to a large extent - not just about covens, but about people who want to be leaders in general. Though of course there are groups and leaders where that isn't the case - people who want to lead out of a sense of duty to others. In small groups or where there's no gain to be made in terms of money or power these more selfless servant-to-the-group type people can do well, but as soon as a group hits critical mass in terms of power or money that can be had from it someone more vicious will take power (they can always take it from a naive helpful type person) - so in general even those groups that started with the best of intentions can become something much darker. Hopefully your friend's mom is the helpful leader type.

[RedFaye]

She is. Just making sure we weren't going to get into it.

[Original Poster]

The way non-narcissists start a coven is by meeting with like minded individuals to form a circle. The members of the circle are kept secret from the coven but one figurehead is chosen to lead ritual, ceremony and etc and then the circle acts as protection for the figurehead because he/she can consult with them regarding decisions, taking the blame off her own shoulder for more important decisions. This usually curbs ego and conflict to some extent because you don't have to be a bitch to pushy members of the coven, you say you have to consult the circle.