The Dangers of a Group

Identifying Safe and Ethical Covens: A Guide to Evaluating Spiritual Groups and Initiators

Pythia Dracomarço 9, 20250 Comentários2374

Commentary by Naelyan Wyvern, translated by Pythia Draco.

Choosing the right coven or initiatory group is essential for personal and spiritual growth. Unfortunately, not all groups operate with integrity—some manipulate members emotionally, financially, or even spiritually. This guide is a crucial resource for evaluating the ethics and safety of any coven, tradition, or initiator. It is based on the Cult Danger Evaluation Table by Isaac Bonewits (1979), a tool long used by the Pathways of Shadows Tradition to help seekers make informed decisions.

The Cult Danger Evaluation Table (Version 2.6)

This table evaluates a group’s risk level based on 18 key factors. Each is rated from 1 (low risk) to 10 (high risk), providing insight into the group’s ethical standing.

Key Evaluation Factors

Internal Control – Degree of authority leaders hold over members.
External Control – Efforts to gain political or social influence.
Leaders’ Wisdom – Claims of infallibility or unverifiable credentials.
Followers’ Trust – Expectation of blind obedience.
Dogma – Rigid beliefs; hostility toward differing viewpoints.
Recruitment Pressure – Coercion to recruit new members.
Front Groups – Hidden subsidiaries used for influence.
Wealth – Financial expectations and leaders’ lifestyle.
Sexual Manipulation – Control over members’ intimate relationships.
Sexual Favoritism – Preferential treatment for those involved with leaders.
Censorship – Restriction of access to outside opinions.
Isolation – Limiting contact with non-members.
Control Over Exiting Members – Pressure or coercion to remain.
Violence – Justification of aggression or harm.
Paranoia – Promotion of fear toward perceived enemies.
Hierarchical Obsession – Intolerance for questioning or humor.
Loss of Free Will – Suppression of personal autonomy.
Hypocrisy – Double standards between teachings and actions.

How to Use the Table

Assign each factor a score from 1 to 10. A higher total indicates a greater potential for danger.

Recognizing Signs of Spiritual Abuse

Many seekers struggle to recognize when a leader crosses ethical boundaries. A real-life case involved initiates who reached out for guidance after growing uneasy about their high priestess’s demands. They were:

Required to donate a portion of their income to her, though she refused to work.
Obligated to buy her groceries and clean her home on a rotating schedule.
Controlled in their friendships, reading materials, and personal choices—including intimate relationships.

Unfamiliar with how a coven should operate, they initially assumed these demands were normal. However, when they sought clarification, they realized they were being exploited. Upon attempting to leave, they faced emotional manipulation, threats, and even magical attacks. With legal and spiritual support, they ultimately freed themselves—but the experience left them hesitant to trust another group.

These situations emphasize why discernment is crucial when joining any tradition.

The Hidden Dangers of Initiatory Relationships

Beyond financial and emotional exploitation, some initiatory relationships carry subtle but serious risks. One of the most dangerous is transference—where students become deeply attached to their initiators, sometimes idealizing them or believing they are the only ones who truly understand them. This can escalate into dependency, blurring personal and spiritual boundaries.

Conversely, some initiators become dependent on their students’ admiration, seeking to control them under the guise of mentorship. Warning signs include:

Excessive control over personal decisions.
Discouraging contact with other initiators or traditions.
Restricting access to external knowledge.
Using loyalty as a tool for manipulation.

The Pathways of Shadows Tradition has been approached by seekers from various regions, sharing troubling experiences from other covens. Time and again, we have seen individuals fall into the traps of unscrupulous or unprepared leaders who misuse their influence. This is why we emphasize the importance of ethical leadership and why we continue to share this guide.

Knowledge Should Be Shared, Not Used for Control

Spiritual and magickal knowledge is sacred. It should empower, not enslave. If you or someone you know is experiencing these warning signs, seek guidance—whether from trusted friends, legal authorities, or spiritual advisors. No one should be subjected to spiritual coercion.

Source: www.neopagan.net/ABCDEF.html