Desert Henge 
PO Box 40451
Tucson, AZ 85717
RikJohnson@juno.com
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Basics of Gardnerian Witchcraft
Ever since we were mentioned in Gerina Dunwich's Wicca Sourcebook and
more so since we started this website, we have been getting letters from people asking us to place them in contact with a Gardnerian Coven in their area. We do the best we can.
This page is to aid in contacts between the Seeker and the Coven, however there are a few rules:
1. We will NEVER identify a Witch without their express permission. If you see a name and address listed here, it is because the person is so public that everyone knows who they are (like Raymond Buckland) or because they have given permission (like Rick Johnson) to be listed, or because we know them or of them but will not identify them without their permission.
2. If you want to be put in contact with a Gardnerian Coven, send to us a Letter of Introduction telling who you are, your interests, where you are and why you are interested in Gardnerianism. We will forward this letter by snail-mail or e-mail to whomever we think can help you.
3. Be patient. Anything worth having is worth waiting to get. It may be some weeks before we can locate someone and then weeks more before they contact you. Then months of social meetings before you are allowed to meet the coven and more months before you attend a Ritual and then another year before you are Initiated, if ever.
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We currently have contacts in or know of people in the following places:
This doesn't mean that these are the only Gardnerian Covens, far from it! It simply means that these are the only ones for whom I have an address.
Incidently, I can only help you with Gardnerians. If you want any other Tradition, I recommend the Circle Guide to Pagan Groups at PO Box 219, Mt Horeb, WI 53572. It wass $18.00 and well worth the money.
Incidently, just because I list a group here does not mean that I endorse it. As with everything Craft, Gardnerianism attracts the best and worst we have. Within the Tradition you will find people who are personable, approachable, intelligent and more than willing to assist their students and coveners. But you will also find those with an ego exceeded only by thier own lust of power. So be careful
GARDNERIAN COVENS -- If you are interested in helping, PLEASE let us know. If
they don't know we are out there, then we, as a Trad, won't grow.
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PEOPLE SEEKING GARDNERIAN CONTACTS
I’ve been getting a lot of requests from people seeking a Gardnerian coven. And as I try to pass these on to the nearest possible group; I have been, unfortunately, running up against a major and common problem. People change their e-mail addresses often. Thus the letters I forward sometimes are returned as ‘mailbox closed’.
As in all things, both sides of this exchange should go very slow in their contacts.
So everyone involved should go slow, trust your instincts and feelings and NEVER jump into anything.
HERE ARE THE PEOPLE SEEKING CONTACTS
To solve this problem, I am going to start posting here the people who are searching for a group.
If you are a Gardnerian in that area or if you know a Gardnerian in that area, please contact me and I will forward to you the contact letter from the seeker.
Not everyone who seeks a coven is suitable for either Gardnerianism or that particular coven. If so, then I would hope that the coven contacted will have the wisdom to forward the seeker to a group where they will both be happy.
And not every coven that contacts the seeker is right for that person.
Remember that sometimes passion and a thirst for something (person, place or thing) can easily make us overlook the warning signs and get into trouble.
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People Seeking help with their Lineage
These people are having trouble tracing their Gardnerian Lineage and have asked me for help. Sometimes I can but withthe Tradition so large, this is often difficult so I must please ask you out there to help these people out. After all, if we are a "family" then we should assist our brothers and sisters.
So if you can help, please let me know and I'll put you in contact with these people.
ADVICE TO THE NOVICE
Here is some Advice to a Novice. Keep this in mind when you seek contact with any
group, pagan or other.
by Rick Johnson
The Coven, being a family, there are many things to consider before joining or being
allowed to join. Those in the Coven will make their decision but the Novice must first
make his. Therefore a good High Priest or High Priestess will advise the Novice in all
these things before he is allowed to join the Coven or the Craft. For the most important
thing is that the Novice and Coven be happy with each other.
FIRST -- Know the Craft. Read books written by Witches as well as those
written by non-witches. Read also about Traditions different from that you wish to join.
Perhaps you will find another Tradition better suited to you.
SECOND -- Meet other Witches. Meet with the entire Coven all together
and each one separately. Do this in a place where all can be comfortable and relaxed
such as during lunch. On another day meet another Witch from the Coven. Ask
questions such as: What Gods do you worship? How do you worship? What do you
teach? What do I give? What do you give? and many others.
THIRD -- If possible, attend a rite. In this way you can better see how the
Coven works. The reality is oft different from that told in a book or by mouth. Then ask
questions of the rite. Only in this way can you know what is being done.
FOURTH -- Be a sceptic but not a cynic. There are many faiths that ask
people to "trust me with your lives and possessions, for I am the fountain of all
knowledge". A person who claims all power oft has none.
FIFTH -- Love and Trust yourself as the Coven would have you Love and
Trust them. They were as you once and will understand your questions. In the Craft of
the Gods, you are taught Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. This means trust yourself
enough to find a Coven with which you will be happy. If you join just for the name
"Witch" then naught will come from it save ill. The Coven is a family and all must be as
one. They are asking these same questions among themselves of you so be good enough
to ask them of the Coven.
CULT DANGER EVALUATION FRAME
Many a time someone attracted to the glamor of the Wicca will say, "I want to be a
Witch, also." Yet they know nothing of the Goddess or of rebirth or of any other teaching
of the Craft. So most importantly, learn what you are joining.
Sometimes will a person obsessed with power call for followers that are taught
nothing and do nothing save give monies to the religion. Avoid these. Again a Coven
may worship in a manner that is not to your liking. Learn how a Coven works and decide
for yourself if you want to work this way. If not, seek another Coven. A good High
Priestess or High Priest will aid you in this search.
Many people have placed their lives in the hands of a faith in full trust and regretted
it later. If this happens, leave and seek another. If a person claims great power, ask for a
demonstration and search for trickery. If the person says, "You must have faith in me."
then run away for he has no power.
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Isaac Bonewitz
Isaac Bonewitz has written an extremely useful guide that helps the individual
determine how dangerous your intended group is. The answers are purely subjective and
individual so as I don't have permission to place it here, yet, I will refer you to his site
where you can take the test and see if your really should be where you are.
http://www.neopagan.net/ABCDEFG.HTML
Eventually, I hope to actually include this frame as an actual test with scores and
everything.
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To contact me or to request topics to be covered, send to RikJohnson@juno.com
by: Rick Johnson
PO Box 40451
Tucson, Az.
85717
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