The Carlford Coven

          This Coven was formed at Yule 2002 by a group of like-minded Pagan friends. We decided to form our own Coven as it was very difficult to find other practising groups that were open to new members. It was our intention to begin holding rituals in Circle straightaway because we wanted to learn through experience.

          We had recently moved house to an area amongst the ancient Tumuli of Martlesham. The new garden already had a potential circle ‘in situ’ in a secluded situation, so a suitable venue was available. Learning as we progressed we started with seven coven members, celebrating the eight Sabbats of the year: Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Oestre, Beltaine, Litha, Lughnasadh and Mabon. A more experienced ‘Wiccan’ who wanted to write rituals for a group of her own was our Celebrant; she was already a member of an established Ritual Group and so brought to us their style of working. The success continued; thirteen attended at Lughnasadh 2003.

          We progressed in this manner becoming more knowledgeable and gaining more experience; the present High Priestess & Host Priest started contributing to the writing and adding ideas to the proceedings and we collected, made and purchased our own robes and tools etc. Our Crone joined at Mabon 2003, bringing her life’s experience to the group. Various members have come and gone bringing with them the many ideas that have helped to shape the Coven and its workings into its present successful state.

          At Beltaine 2004 we decided to put a permanent Circle in place in the garden and this was laid in paving stones by a pagan friend who occasionally attends Rituals; (See photo) the outer ring with coloured Quarter marking stones was especially made for us.

          Samhain 2004 saw our Celebrant wanting to form her own group too and some members left to join her. However, our Coven continued to grow to the present day number of around seventeen regular members and approximately another dozen ‘friends of the Coven’ attending the Open Rituals. After this ‘hive off’ we rearranged our roles within the group with High Priestess & Host Priest, Maid and Crone roles all falling into place. We have continued in the same format to the present day and this has proved highly successful, with most Rituals written by the High Priestess and occasionally by others in the group.

          We have been called upon to perform Open Rituals as part of our local pagan moot group and are occasionally requested to perform Tarot readings, banishings and other works for individuals. We are now a very stable group of experienced witches and can occasionally invite guests from other faiths to be part of our Circle.

          In 2007 we established another Ritual site in a private wooded setting on the banks of the River Deben. This site is so perfect for Summer Sabbats that we now hold four of our Celebrations there plus occasional Esbats. Also in 2007 one of our coven members started publishing our free news letter call ‘An Gaoth’ (Celtic for; The Wind) which goes out four times a year.

          The group has successfully started two Moots, one at Trimley St Mary and one at Kirton and we continue to support our Chant Group at the Brewery Tap in Ipswich. In 2008 we launched this new web site. So as you can see we are an ever growing, ever evolving and vibrant group.

J&J