How to Join

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Why become a Member or Friend of CoG?

The Covenant of the Goddess, founded in 1975, is an advocacy organization that seeks to foster cooperation amongst Wiccans and Witches; to secure legal protection; to provide education through outreach, and to nurture its members through dialog and community.  We accomplish this by:

  • Publishing a newsletter on each Sabbat
  • Offering members legal recognition, through ministerial credentials
  • Sponsoring a national festival, MerryMeet, to bring members together physically and virtually
  • Providing resources for information on Witchcraft and Wicca, through supporting Pagan educational organizations such as Ardantane, Cherry Hill Seminary, and Adocentyn Research Library
  • Engaging in interfaith work at both the national and local level through our local councils

Being a Member or Friend of CoG allows you to:

  • Connect with like-minded Witches, Wiccans, and Pagans from around the country
  • Have access to our online newsletter, email lists, and forums for announcements, information, and resources related to CoG’s work and events
  • Have a voice in working to help guide and improve CoG’s programs, information, and resources, to serve our community

Please feel free to read our brochure What CoG Already Does for You to learn more about our services and benefits to the community.

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Who Can Apply for Membership?

All established Goddess-worshiping Witchcraft or Wiccan Covens and Solitaries of all traditions of our religion whose ethics are compatible with the Wiccan Rede is eligible for membership in the Covenant of the Goddess.  All inquiries into membership should be sent to the National Membership Officer.  If the coven or individual is in an area near a Local Council, the National Officer will forward the inquiry to the local Membership Officer, who will respond.

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General Criteria for Coven Membership

  • Have been meeting at least once a month for the purpose of worship for six months or longer.
  • Generally focus theology, liturgy, ritual, etc., around the worship of the Goddess & the Old Gods, or the Goddess alone.
  • Believe in and follow a code of ethics compatible with that of the Covenant.
  • Have three or more members who have commitment to each other and have been formally accepted into training for the Clergy.
  • Have at least one member who has been actively involved in our religion for at least three years, and functions as a High Priestess or High Priest (Elder) of the Coven.

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General Criteria for Individual Membership

  • Generally focus your theology, liturgy, ritual, etc., around the worship of the Goddess & the Old Gods, or the Goddess alone.
  • Believe in and follow a code of ethics compatible with that of the Covenant.
  • An Individual Member is an individual who either works without a coven, or chooses to apply as an Individual Member despite regular coven membership.


Should you decide to become a member of CoG, you must submit the following:

  • A completed Membership Application Form.
  • A Statement of Practice: this should describe in general terms Who you worship, how you celebrate, how often you meet, what Sabbats you celebrate, how long you have been active in the Craft, how or from whom you received your training, what tradition (if any) you follow, your relationship to the Wiccan Rede, and other information that lets other members of the Covenant understand your practice of our religion.  You must pledge to abide by COG‘s Ethics, Charter, Bylaws and policies, and you must state that you are Wiccan or a Witch.
  • Two Letters of Recommendation: written by members of two different Covens or Individual Members that are either members of the Covenant or someone known to the Covenant (such as a former member) recommending that you be accepted as a member.

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What if you don’t yet meet the requirements for full membership?

You may be interested in our Friends of CoG Program. Friends of CoG is a program for people interested in an entry-level affiliation in Covenant of the Goddess.  As a friend, you can take some time to get to know CoG members in your region, and participate in local events.  It’s an easy way for folks who don’t want the commitment of CoG Membership to support a nationwide, public non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Benefits include meeting members, the CoG newsletter, support local councils, educational benefits, great swag, and mentorship.  Friends of CoG have no voting rights and are not eligible for Clergy credentials,


Should you decide to become a Friend of CoG, you must submit the following:

  • A completed Friends of CoG Application Form.
  • A Letter of Introduction: which should be written by you.  It must state that you are a Witch or Wiccan, that the Goddess (or the Goddess & Old Gods) is the primary focus of your Worship, that you agree to subscribe to the Code of Ethics, and that you wish to become a CoG Affiliate.  It should also include some details about you (or your Coven) such as length of time in the Craft, level of training (if any) and any Tradition or Culture you practice within or feel drawn to.
  • A Letter of Recommendation (optional): written by a member of the Covenant or someone known to the Covenant (such as a former member) recommending that you be accepted as an Affiliate.

The appropriate Membership Officer (National or Local) shall verify all information regarding the criteria and requirements.  Please see the CoG Bylaws for further information on membership requirements and our MAP for more information about Local Councils in your area.

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