So, I've been revisiting some of my past experiences with my old coven. I reunited with several coven-mates last year, and discovered that my old tradition -- #Alexandrian -- had split into two factions -- one that accepted transwomen, and one that didn't. If I ever decide to get back into it again, guess which faction I'd choose. And yeah -- unfortunately power dynamics, hierarchy and potential emotional and psychological abuse happens a lot in "religious" groups -- even #Pagan ones.
I've managed to summarize the "Pros" and "Cons" of my joining a coven all those years ago...
Reasons I joined the coven:
1. Earth-centered religion with a political focus (Thomas Morton Alliance)
2. I learned Welsh from my high priestess.
3. My high priestess was a very intelligent, feminist, who espoused matriarchy, egalitarianism, and who was a Marxist anti-capitalist and a role model for me.
4. One of my coven-mates became my gay best friend (we're still BFFs).
5. Another coven-mate taught me traditional plant medicine and herbalism.
Reasons I left the coven:
1. I was pigeon-holed into "feminine" roles in rituals (even though I identified as NB and more masculine than feminine).
2. Over-bearing "acting" high priest (AIM member who was a bit of a bully).
3. Over-bearing coven-mate (AIM member) was distrustful of gay best friend (and was homophobic).
4. "Feminist" high priestess allowed herself to become emotionally and financially dependent on over-bearing coven-mate, refused to accept help from coven-mates (like having a room-mate, or other mutual aid), and when over-bearing coven-mate ran off with a younger, female coven-mate, high priestess fell apart -- eventually taking her own life (despite the support of the coven -- which soon fell apart as well).
And some folks wonder why I'm a solitary (though most of my witchy / Pagan friends understand why).
#PaganPolitics #GroupDynamics #Hierarchy #WhatSomeWitchesDid
