Coven Head

[Brijrian]

My local coven is going to be losing our founding Coven Head in the next 7 months (dang med school!!), and we are debating what the coven should look like afterward.

We have had one High Priestess and leader since 2006, and we are contemplating whether to continue with one, or to have two leaders when we transition.

I am curious to get imput from those of you who have experience in this: How does having 2 leaders work? It seems to me that if you have 2 leaders there is always one person that becomes dominant. Is it possible to actually have a completely 50-50 working relationship? Also, if the co-leaders do not live in the same town (our coven draws people in a 2 hour drive radius) how does that affect things?

[Lark]

Personally I think that the idea of having two people in charge of a group is a recipe for disaster.  That's not to say that it might not work out for your group, but my experience has been otherwise.  In order for it to work both people need to work very closely together, otherwise it is possible for someone in the group to manipulate the situation by playing one leader against the other.  Sort of like a child playing Mom against Dad to get what they want.  Given that your two leaders don't live in the same town and probably don't see each other regularly this is a situation that is ripe for manipulation.

And as you pointed out, unless both leaders are committed to maintaining a 50-50 balance and able to fully keep their egos out of the situation you are apt to find one or the other trying to be the one on top.  It's simply human nature and hard to avoid.

Doesn't the HPS who is leaving have any preference for who they think would be most effective in keeping her group running after her departure?  I think in the long run you'd be a lot happier with having one person who is the one to turn to than you will be trying to maintain a healthy group with the leadership fractured.

-Lark-

[Brijrian]

Personally I think that the idea of having two people in charge of a group is a recipe for disaster. 

This is my fear, and why I posted.

Doesn't the HPS who is leaving have any preference for who they think would be most effective in keeping her group running after her departure? 

My gut tells me the same thing--that we'd be happier with one leader. And my HPS does have someone in mind. Me, actually (and I have been studying and reading to try to "make snuff"--keeping a spiritual circle going is a daunting responsibility, and definitely gives me butterflies.).

We are a group of 8 and, I do not want others to feel like I'm her "favorite" and that they have no choice. So although my HPS does feel I'm the best candidate, I have not been in the group the longest--so I feel that they need to choose me as well.

In the online disucssion we have had, someone recently posted that she thought we should have 2 leaders, so we will discuss that at our Coven Council. I am trying to collect data about it at the moment to present, so I thank you very much for your insight. You've been a leader a lot longer than me!