Excuse me all for this but as a re-"new" learner I thought it would be good to touch on this subject as I think many new learners may want a solid answer to this question.
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I hope I don't offend anyone with my beliefs and if I am out of order moderators just chat with me and ask me to edit this post and I would be happy to do so.
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I believe we're all spirits that live through more than one body and I believe magic is within everyone and everything and it is just a matter of first becomming aware of its existance, believing in its existance, learning to blend with it, then encouraging it to bend to your will.
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All of these steps however, require only 1 ONE, person. They do not require a coven or a mentor or any outside party. I see other users as people to discuss and learn with however I don't from this site see them in their truest form I don't believe. For me to trust someone intimately to "teach" or "lead" me or to "learn" deeply from others I have always felt I need to "meet" or "see" them or be 100% guided to them. I have read many of the "newbie" posts and suggestions, some have said they went to a coven right away to learn as much as possible. My question how ever is, "who are you learning from?". Do you have the same energy, the same senses, the same goals or desires? Is the internet face they show really their face? or is it something completely different? I want to learn intensly!!!! really really really I do... but... I want to learn from one who is in tune with my spirit. Has the same goals, beliefs or magic background.
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Therefore the question, "To Coven or Not To Coven" quickly comes to the forefront. I believe there are many many people here that are true sponges for the information that many experienced users have here, but how to appropriately attain that information for Each Individual User is a question I don't see answered. The common answer I see is go study... yes... I know this. How to choose who to study and who to accept for most new people is a truly important question that should be answered.
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I don't feel any coven for anyone who is just starting out is right. Just a personal belief. I think one should "know thyself" first, "know thy energy", and "know the energy of magic first and the energy of the magic that best suits themselves first... Far far far before joining a coven to "teach" them.
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I put this post here because I want the question answered, and I think many new people would also benifit greatly from the answers provided, by those more knowledgeble than I at this present point in this present body.
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Sincerely
Shadow