Philip and I would like to formally introduce ourselves to members and students of Coven of the Scales, although many of you will recognise us as the authors of Coven Working and Death & the Pagan. We were early members of CoS when it was formed by Bob and Meriem Clay-Egerton following their move to Newcastle and ran our own teaching coven in St Albans for well over twenty years until its recent amicable disbanding. All things are subject to change and it was with great delight that we were invited to re-join our old Coven at a time when the future was looking very bleak. We had kept in touch with Suzanne Ruthven who first published our books back in 2003 via ignotus press and she thought it a good time for us to meet up with Julie and James who were now Dame and Magister of the Coven with a view to helping out with the tutoring of new students.
Ironically, the week after agreeing to come back to the Coven, an application was received from a former student of an old enemy who was instrumental in the break-up of the group in the early 1990s! We took this as a sign from the gods that the intimate knowledge we have of Craft history was not to be wasted, because if we had not picked up the details on the registration form, this ‘plant’ could have easily slipped through the net – and it apparently isn’t the first time this has been attempted in order to expropriate CoS teaching methods by this particular source. Our decision to return had been vindicated!
The long history of the Moonraker-CoS Covens has always been close knit and often beset with troubles resulting from both internal and external causes but unlike many of those that were around back in the day, we are gratified to see that CoS goes from strength to strength. Firstly, with our old chum Melusine Draco holding the reins, and now under the expertise guidance of Julie and James – who are good old-fashioned witches in the Old Craft mould. Traditional British Old Craft is often frowned upon by millennial-witches for its elitist, hierarchical and god-based structure but it has been provably in existence since the mid 1880s and it has managed to survive to keep the spirit of ‘true’ Craft alive despite the often overwhelming odds. We as old-timers are proud to have this as our heritage …
For the time being we will be keeping in the background until we get a feel for the way the Coven is run today but will be there for anyone needing magical advice – and for the occasional visit to the Café. See you there.
Carrie West and Philip Wright
Ironically, the week after agreeing to come back to the Coven, an application was received from a former student of an old enemy who was instrumental in the break-up of the group in the early 1990s! We took this as a sign from the gods that the intimate knowledge we have of Craft history was not to be wasted, because if we had not picked up the details on the registration form, this ‘plant’ could have easily slipped through the net – and it apparently isn’t the first time this has been attempted in order to expropriate CoS teaching methods by this particular source. Our decision to return had been vindicated!
The long history of the Moonraker-CoS Covens has always been close knit and often beset with troubles resulting from both internal and external causes but unlike many of those that were around back in the day, we are gratified to see that CoS goes from strength to strength. Firstly, with our old chum Melusine Draco holding the reins, and now under the expertise guidance of Julie and James – who are good old-fashioned witches in the Old Craft mould. Traditional British Old Craft is often frowned upon by millennial-witches for its elitist, hierarchical and god-based structure but it has been provably in existence since the mid 1880s and it has managed to survive to keep the spirit of ‘true’ Craft alive despite the often overwhelming odds. We as old-timers are proud to have this as our heritage …
For the time being we will be keeping in the background until we get a feel for the way the Coven is run today but will be there for anyone needing magical advice – and for the occasional visit to the Café. See you there.
Carrie West and Philip Wright
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