The words we choose have power, especially in witchcraft.
In the Alexandrian tradition, the terms we use to define our sacred spaces and our groups carry centuries of history and deep spiritual meaning.
If you’ve ever wondered why some groups call themselves a “Coven” while others insist on other terms, you’re about to gain insight into the significance of these names and why they matter.
In Alexandrian Witchcraft—and many other Wiccan traditions—our language isn’t just practical; it’s symbolic. When we refer to a group of witches or a ritual space, we invoke layers of meaning that link us to the past, honour our present practices, and guide us into the future.
In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between a “Coven” and a “Temple,” why some groups use one term over the other, and how the choice of a name reflects the deeper purpose and energy of the space itself.
Let’s dive in.
Understanding the Power Behind “Coven”
The word “Coven” is one of the most well-known terms within the pagan and witchcraft community. It immediately evokes images of a small, tight-knit group of witches working together on the sabbats and esbats to celebrate the cycles of nature. But the term “Coven” carries more than just the idea of community—it symbolizes unity in purpose and practice.
A Coven is a group of witches who follow a shared liturgy, working together within a tradition or sometimes in an eclectic fashion. This word has evolved over time to represent a magical bond that binds individuals through ritual and shared experience.
In a Coven, the focus is often on the collective. Every witch brings their unique energy and skills to the circle. The rituals performed within a Coven help to align the group’s energies and intentions, making them a unit in magical realms.
Yet, for Alexandrians, the word “Coven” is sometimes seen as lacking the weight and depth that reflects the priesthood inherent in the tradition. That’s where the term “Temple” comes in.
Why Some Alexandrians Prefer “Temple”
While “Coven” may be more familiar to the broader pagan community, many Alexandrian Wiccans prefer the term “Temple” for their group and sacred space. This preference is rooted in several important ideas.
Historically, a Temple wasn’t just a building—it was a consecrated space, where the divine and the sacred were intentionally invoked and honoured. Temples were spaces of study, reflection, and powerful spiritual transformation.
The word “Temple” has strong ties to Hermeticism, a spiritual tradition that greatly influenced Alexandrian Wicca. In hermetic orders, the Temple is a consecrated space for magickal work, often reserved for those who had been initiated into its mysteries.
For many Alexandrians, calling their group a “Temple” rather than a “Coven” reflects a deeper connection to this idea of sacred space, priesthood, and hermetic tradition. It acknowledges that every initiated witch is not just a group member but also an Initiate, a Witch and a Priest or Priestess, with the responsibility and honour of maintaining that sacred connection to the divine.
When you step into a Temple, you are stepping into a consecrated space set apart for spiritual work. It’s a place of both power and responsibility, a reflection of the weight carried by those who walk the priestly path.
This term also links our line to the Temple of The Mother, founded by Maxine Sanders herself, grounding current practices in the lineage of the tradition’s founders.
Although we call ourselves “North Coven,” we have an official name shared only between our initiates. Our choice to use the term "coven" is simply due to its broader recognition when it comes to witchcraft and Wicca.
The Role of Priesthood and Sacred Space in a “Temple”
In the Alexandrian tradition, initiation transforms a person into a Witch and a Priest or Priestess. This distinction is crucial because it shifts the individual’s role within the group and our magickal work.
A Priest or Priestess in Traditional Wicca is someone who is responsible for more than just their personal practice—they are also responsible for guiding others, holding space for the divine, and performing rituals that carry great spiritual significance.
This is why the word “Temple” feels more aligned with the Alexandrian understanding of sacred work. It goes beyond the idea of a group gathering for magical practice and moves into religious responsibility.
Some Alexandrian lines even have a specific rite to "Open of the Temple," a ritual that precedes the casting of the circle, marking the moment when the space becomes a Temple—a place set apart for divine connection and magickal work.
Names Matter: Coven, Temple, and other terms in Witchcraft
Whether a group chooses to call itself a Coven, Temple, or perhaps something else entirely, such as a Grove, Caer, Circle, or Cohort, the choice of name should not be random. In witchcraft, every word we use carries power, meaning, and intent.
The name of a group reflects not only its structure but also its spiritual focus, its lineage, and its relationship to the divine. Calling a group a Coven may emphasize their practice's community and collective nature. Calling it a Temple may place more focus on the sacred, priestly role of its members and the consecrated space in which they gather.
Different groups and magical paths will resonate with different terms—whether Grove, Circle, Chlan, Cohort or something else—reflecting their magical practice's unique focus and energy. But regardless of the name, what matters most is understanding the history, lineage, and purpose behind the words.
The names we choose reflect our roles, responsibilities, and connection to the divine. In witchcraft, nothing is arbitrary. Everything carries intention.
Further Reading:
Alexandrian Tradition: its origins, evolution and our unique approach to witchcraft - A brief view of the Alexandrian Tradition, an influential branch of modern witchcraft.
The Joys of an Alexandrian Witch - Maxine Sanders delves into the Alexandrian Tradition of Witchcraft's history, defying mockery and embracing freedom.
Embracing Tradition and Evolution in Witchcraft - British Traditional Witchcraft explores traditional teachings with today's perspectives that deepen our connection to the divine.