Bootstrapping a Coven

[@AerikArkadian]

As someone who was trained in a coven without a dedicated HP, I think it's really hard on an individual teacher to present the roles of both the HP and HPS in an emulatable way. I'm always grateful that I have my wife to share the workload and give different perspectives. I don't envy the task you have in front of you, Jack, but I truly wish you the best of luck!

[@citrinedragonfly]

Hearing you speak, I think whoever joins your coven and trains with you, you are the type of person to be able to step back and allow a High Priestess to lead, and to work well with her. You know who you are as a Wiccan, and as a Gardenarian, and you've thought through the ethical concerns critically and carefully, based on this video. I wish you and your initiates success as your bootstrapping continues.

[@friendz777]

My heart goes out to you. I’m an Alexandrian HP who has moved to Denmark. I’m trying to bootstrap a coven too! It was very interesting listening to your comments. It certainly is not an easy task. 😢

[@ElhoimLeafar]

All witches packing their daggers and crystals to join Jack's Coven in Utah 🧳🏃🏼‍♂️

[@GeezerGabby]

Hello Jack, got a question for you that I hope you will be willing (or permitted) to answer. In the Gardnarian tradition Ihave always understood it to be based on working pairs of male and female, yet the coven size is limited to 13 members. The 13th member would be unpaired, why 13 members and what is the role, or what does that person represent. I am not a newbie to the Craft having taught for close to 35 years.. but I have never found a good answer to that question, at least one coming from a Gardnarian. You can find lots of answers on the internet, but they are really scattered, running from "it represents the man in black (with various explanations of just what that is)" to it's a specialized position of leadership and counsel, some cite it as being an "elder" position, some a "maiden" position. I had hoped to find someone to give a good sensible explanation, and after watching many of your videos I know you are the person who could do that.

[@thomasvanhoey]

15:38 Luckily for you it's a rainbow flag! But in all seriousness, good luck! I'm wondering if being thrust in a particular role speeds up your training ('learning on the job') or if it delays it ('didn't lay the foundations').

[@Russell642]

So this is all coming from a non-initiate here so take with a grain of salt / *utterly* dismiss as appropriate :) 1. Really and truthfully - Of those bootstrapping HPs where things have gone really wrong - How many do you honestly think put in this much thought, angst and planning to it? I feel like that simple fact of you having these concerns eliminates at least 90% of the potential issues. 2. No idea how this gels with coven autonomy, separation periods etc. but once you have someone at the point where these are imminent concerns, would it be worth (at least digitally) introducing them to female initiate(s) / HPS(s) that you trust to almost act as a safety mechanism - People they can bounce ideas off and ask if Jack is being careful and mentoring vs controlling and a dick :P