elcome
to the "Coven of the Illuminated Shadow" website. We are an eclectic
coven based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded on August 15th, 200o with the
full moon in Aquarius. We are not accepting new members at this time.
This website was created to educate those within and without our community
about our coven. Our Name: Coven of the Illuminated Shadow is meant to invoke thoughts or feelings of journeying through the darkness (unknown) to reach the light (knowledge). Through hard work, self-discipline and connection with deity we strive to enlighten ourselves by understanding and if necessary dispelling darkness. This is not to say that darkness as it is represented in the sigil is bad (see sigil description). We acknowledge that our shadow self is a powerful teacher, and we strive to make a connection with it. We believe that humans are both dark and light, neither outweighing the other. The Sigil: The idea for the sigil was one of contrast and growth, as the name suggests. The Tao (yin and yang) is superimposed on the Pentacle. The Tao represents positive and negative, male and female, night and day, known and mysterious, etc. Without male there is no female, without day no night etc. We do not believe the dark to be evil. It is our philosophy that each human and deity contain both positive and negative, thus we are do not believe in ultimate "good" and "bad". One can have a bad day, but was it all bad? This is also represented by the white and black dots in the middle of the yin and yang symbols. Therefore the darkness does contain light, and the light does contain darkness. All of it contains lessons for growth. The Pentacle represents the 5 elements of human kind, earth, air, fire, water, and akasha (spirit). The pentacle is a large part of our workings in this coven as a protection symbol, energy conductor, and tool. By marring these two symbols we have created what to us perfectly represents our teachings and aspirations. Our Degree System Degrees: involve dedicant initiation and three degrees each of which can last up to a year and a day. Dedicant (the first initiation received): dedication
is given within the first six months of joining the coven. This initiation
is to show that you wish to learn more about spirituality, and are dedicated
to the path you choose. At this stage you will become familiar with many
religions, and spiritual practices. We touch on divination, healing, herbalism,
crafts, spell work, energy, and much more. The book that we work through
is "The Complete Book of Witchcraft" by Raymond Buckland. After
the book is completed with satisfaction the Coven will then begin practical
application of that which you have learned. At the end of this process,
you will receive the Traditional First Degree Initiation. |
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