Original Magic: The Rituals and Initiations of the Persian Magi - Michael M. Hughes 2018
Finding the Others
Finding the Others: Coven and Community Building
Many people prefer to do resistance (and all other) magic solo, while others work alone because they don’t know anyone else who shares their interests. There is nothing wrong with being a solo magician. I spent most of my life as a solo practitioner, only occasionally doing rituals with others, but the Trump binding spell required me to work with a large number of diverse groups. I led the ritual with groups of as few as three members to upward of fifty. And I loved it.
But how do you “find the others” (a phrase used by Timothy Leary to describe finding others of similar mind and passions)?
Social Media
A number of resistance magic groups have formed on social media, particularly Facebook. The Bind Trump (Official) group is the largest, with members from all over the world. It is exceptionally well moderated and welcoming to people of all levels. Although it arose from the massive popular interest in the Trump binding spell, it has expanded to include a wide variety of resistance magic, with members contributing their own spells and rituals, organizing local meet ups, and sharing photos of their altars.
Many towns and cities have witch- and Pagan-related groups on social media as well. Join and lurk to make sure the group’s political sensibilities match yours. Although rare, right-wing witches and Pagans exist, and they are pretty easy to spot. The same goes for ceremonial magic, Druid, and chaos magic groups.
Instagram has become a popular platform for witches, too, though it functions less as a community-building platform and more as a way to develop a following, share photos of altars and ritual tools, and sell products.
IRL
Serendipitous encounters provide some of the most magical meetings with like-minded others, and the more magic you do, the more magical people you will encounter. Many people get a tattoo or wear a piece of witchy or Pagan-themed jewelry or a t-shirt to signal their interests. Metaphysical and occult bookstores are great places to find friends and allies, as are holistic health and natural food stores and co-ops. Look for meet-up groups conducive to the overlap of activism and spirituality, Pagan Pride Day events, workshops, lectures at libraries, concerts, and anywhere open-minded progressives gather.
If you’re already part of an online group, consider having what my friends used to call a “fleshmeet” get-together in real life.
Forming a Circle or Coven
If you do meet people interested in resistance magic you may want to start a study circle, magical working circle, or coven. The practicalities of doing so are beyond the scope of this book, but I will offer a few tips.
First, decide on the scope of your magical goals. Will you do only resistance magic, or will you do practical workings as well? Consider drawing up a live online document or charter describing your group. If it’s more ad hoc, and you’d prefer to remain flexible, that’s fine, too.
What are your skill levels? Do you come from similar or differing traditions? Have a discussion about your preferences, skills, and what you can bring to the group. This can help you decide on your group’s structure, the individual roles, selection of reading materials, and focus of your magic.
What issues do you want to address? It is important to share your political and social beliefs to see where they overlap and where they differ. Do you want to work within the political system, or outside of it? Locally, nationally, internationally, or all the above? Are there any issues you do not want to address? Strive to find your commonalities and focus your energies on local issues whenever possible. It’s much easier to effect change on a local level, working with spirits of your region, than to target enormous global issues (not that you shouldn’t try).
Do you want to be public or secret? There are advantages to both. If you’re public, you can actively seek new members (and make it easy for them to find you). It also makes it easier to connect with other groups doing similar work. But being public also opens you to attacks. If you live in a very conservative town or region, being activists and open about practicing magic can bring on harassment and even violence from reactionary or alt-right individuals and groups.
You should also keep a record of your workings. A shared online document makes it easy for everyone to add notes. Be sure to note the results, if any, so you can tweak your future rituals for optimal effectiveness.
Joining an Existing Circle or Coven
You may find an already established group of activist Pagans, witches, or magicians (such as one of the many Reclaiming groups around the world). Most activist Pagan groups are well-run, welcoming, and inclusive. Always trust your instincts, however. Pagan organizations and covens can have the same unpleasant and dysfunctional dynamics as any other group. Be wary of groups with an excessive focus on one charismatic leader, that are excessively authoritarian, that seek to oppose limits on your behaviors outside of group activities, and anything else that seems remotely cultish.