❔ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR COVEN❔

Understanding Our Path: A Spiral, Not a Staircase
Fólkvangr Coven is a living mystery tradition centered on the practice of Witchcraft. While our Fellowship holds structure and form, the path itself is not rigid. It flows inward, like a spiral ever circling, deepening, and transforming with each turn of growth.

For those who are new, curious, or questioning, this page offers insight into the deeper symbolism, structure, and guiding principles of our tradition by answering many of the most frequently asked questions below:

🪶 What does Fólkvangr mean?

Fólkvangr is the field of the fallen, ruled by Freyja in Norse mythology. Translated as the “peoples meadow”. It is one of the places where slain warriors go, not for conquest, but for love, merry making, peace, and kinship.

We chose this name because the founder’s eldest child is named Freyja, and also to honour the wild, sovereign spirit of those who choose love and beauty as a form of resistance to modernity. In our Grove, Fólkvangr symbolizes a return to the earth, and to magic. A sacred homecoming, and a celebration of all that cannot be tamed.

🌀 Is this a hierarchy in disguise?

No. While we recognize stages of growth and hold sacred roles, our path is not a hierarchy, it is a spiral of becoming. Each stage is an inward movement toward the heart of the whole. Crossing a threshold is never a rise in rank, but a shift in focus: a deepening of relationship with the Craft, the Coven, and the self. It is always a personal choice, and always an act of responsibility.

Our titles, such as Adeptus or Plenogogue, are symbolic tools, mnemonic archetypes that reflect where a member stands in their embodiment. They do not confer authority or status. No one is above or below anyone else; we walk side by side, each carrying a facet of the living whole. Our structure is rooted in mutual respect, not in control.

🔐 Is this a cult?

No. There is no coercion, isolation, or authoritarianism here. Participation is always consensual, and every member is encouraged to question, reflect, and remain sovereign in their choices, including exploring other traditions, teachers, and practices to discern what path is truly right for them.

We are not a business, not a dogmatic religion, and not a power structure. We are a spiritual fellowship, bound by shared values, personal integrity, and chosen devotion. If something feels misaligned, it should be named. That, too, is part of the practice.

🩸 What is the Blood Oath, and why is it required?

We are a Coven in the truest sense, bound by a sacred Covenant. The Blood Oath is our solemn rite, a conscious, willing pledge. Not an act of submission, but sovereignty and sacred alignment.

In ancestral ways, blood is the most personal offering one can give. For us, it marks the moment a seeker freely binds their spirit to the Craft and to our fellowship. It is never rushed, never forced, only embraced in readiness. This vow is not rooted in dogma, but in sovereign consent, not a chain, but an offering. It marks the beginning of deep kinship with the Grove, not the end of personal freedom.

🌿 Do I have to believe in anything specific?

No. We are not a dogmatic tradition. Our collective worldview is animist-leaning, non-Abrahamist, and rooted in reverence for nature, death, transformation, and the unseen. Beyond that, your beliefs are your own.

We welcome spiritual agnostics, skeptics, mystics, and those still finding language for what they feel. All that we ask is sincerity in practice, and openness to the mysteries of the Craft.

🤝 Is everyone truly welcome?

Yes. Fólkvangr is an inclusive Coven and Grove. We welcome all gender identities, sexual orientations, ancestries, and neurotypes. You don’t need to fit a mold to walk this path; in fact, we honour those who never have.

Witchcraft has always been a refuge for the wild, the wounded, the misfit, and the unnameable. If you feel the call, then you belong.

🌕 Is this a Wiccan coven?

No. While we honour the roots of modern Witchcraft, Fólkvangr is not Wiccan. We are a non-denominational, animist-leaning fellowship with our own symbols, rites, and lore. Our practices draw from ancestral traditions, folk magic, personal gnosis, and the living land itself. We do not follow the Wiccan Rede, the Threefold Law, or any codified dogma.

Instead, we emphasize sovereignty, reciprocity, and responsibility. Our ethics arise from the lived relationship with nature, spirit, and consequence, not from moral absolutes or abstract rules.

📜 Do I have to be of Norse ancestry or follow Norse mythology?

No. While we are inspired by Norse language and lore, our path is not limited to any one culture or lineage. Fólkvangr is a modern, living mystery tradition, with a focus on living Witchcraft. It is shaped by many roots, ancestral, intuitive, and ecological.

What matters most is your sincerity, your resonance with the path, and your willingness to walk it with respect. We honour all ancestral threads and believe that myth speaks in many tongues.

🧭 How do I know if this path is right for me?

You feel it. Not in certainty, but in the subtle gravity that draws you nearer. Maybe it stirs as a quiet ache, a sense of recognition, a breath that feels like coming home.

This path is not for everyone, but if something in you sparks when you read these words, it might be for you. Take your time. Listen deeply. Ask questions. The path will answer.

🌱 Can I practice other traditions alongside this one?

Absolutely. Many of our members blend traditions. We honour syncretism, ancestry, and personal gnosis. The only requirement is respect! For yourself, for the Grove, for the spirits we work with, and for your fellow practitioners.

🔥 Do I need any experience to join?

No. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner of Witchcraft or just hearing the word “Witch” or “Pagan” resonate for the first time, you are welcome. All we ask is sincerity, curiosity, and respect for the work we do.

🕯️ Is this a closed tradition?

Our Inner Grove is initiatory and bound by oaths and a sacred Covenant. However, the path we walk is not culturally closed. We draw from Native American, Ancestral European, Mediterranean, and Eastern lineages, and we are careful not to appropriate from living traditions that are not ours to claim.

Our work is rooted in our lived connection to land and spirit, not in aesthetic mimicry.

🪞 What if I’ve been hurt by other groups?

Many in the Craft have. You are not alone. We move slowly, with care, and do not expect trust without time. You are free to observe before you commit, and questions are always welcome.

Fólkvangr is meant to be a refuge for those who walk with both wounds and wisdom.

🌾 What happens at a typical gathering or ritual?

Our gatherings follow a natural rhythm aligned with lunar cycles and seasonal shifts. Wheel of the year gatherings (Sabbats), celebrate the turning wheel of the year with communal games/challenges, pot luck feasts, and celebrations honouring the land’s gifts. Esbats occur twice monthly, At each Full and New Moons, focusing on outward and inward work, magic, and shared gnosis. Esbats begin with a lesson, and description of the theme, followed by a procession to the ceremony site. Rituals begin with clearing and cleansing, casting the sacred circle, doing the Coven’s intended work, and close with reflection and communal support. Participation is always invited, never forced. Each gathering is shaped by the energy present and the needs of the Grove.

🛤️ How does progression or initiation work?

Progression is a journey of relationship development, resonance, and responsibility. All members begin as Dedicants, learning and integrating the path’s ethos and praxis into their own. Crossing the thresholds of Prefect, Adept, and ultimately Plenogogue occurs through demonstrated commitment, evolution, consent, and deepening embodiment of the Craft and community. Each step is an inward rite of passage, never a rank gained. Initiations are sacred ceremonies marking these shifts, always entered freely and with readiness.

🕊️ Can I leave the Coven? What if I change my mind?

Yes. Leaving is always your sovereign choice. If you have taken the Blood Oath, we ask for a closing conversation and a formal unbinding ritual to honor the spiritual bonds formed. There is no shame, no penalty, only respect for your journey. You may return if called, or walk new paths as you see fit. Your freedom and dignity are paramount.

💰 Is there a cost or fee to participate?

We do not charge for spiritual teachings or membership. Participation is based on reciprocity, not payment. Members are encouraged to contribute voluntarily to shared resources such as ritual supplies, feast preparations, or tool upkeep when able. Our fellowship is sustained by generosity, not paywalls.

⚖️ How are decisions made? What happens if conflicts arise?

Decisions in the Inner Grove are made by consensus, with Plenogogues acting as stewards, not rulers. Open dialogue and active listening guide us. If conflict arises, we employ restorative practices rooted in truth-telling, respect, and reconciliation. Feedback is embraced as a vital part of growth, and our structure remains fluid and responsive to the needs of all.

🏕️ Where do gatherings happen?

Our formal gatherings are currently held on the Fólkvangr property, 69 Atkins Lake Road, Jasper, ON. We meet outdoors in nature, regardless of weather. Fólkvangr Grove has a number of sacred spaces, each is carefully chosen for their spiritual resonance, privacy, and safety. We honour the land as sacred space and encourage connection with the living world in all of our work.

🌈 Is this a safe space for queer, neurodivergent, or marginalized people?

Absolutely. We actively cultivate an environment of safety, support, and respect for all members, regardless of circumstance. Some of our members share these identities, and inclusivity is a core value of our Grove. We hold space for diverse experiences and respect each person’s sovereignty.

🔮 What if I don’t believe in spirits, gods, or magic?

You are welcome. Our path honours mystery and personal experience over dogma. Spiritual agnostics, skeptics, and those curious about symbolic or experiential dimensions of the Craft can find a place here. In our teachings magic is understood as conscious alignment across scale with natural law and inner will, not as supernatural control. Engagement is always personal and voluntary.

🧙 What does “Adeptus” and “Plenogogue” mean?

“Adeptus” denotes one who has crossed a threshold into the deeper embodiment of the Craft, Adeptus Minor begins this stage, Adeptus Major deepens it. “Plenogogue” is a term unique to our tradition, meaning “one who tends the fullness”, the entire ecology of the Grove, including spiritual, social, and environmental aspects. These titles are symbolic markers of the relationship role and responsibility, not ranks or authority.

📚 Do you provide teaching or mentoring?

Yes. Knowledge and practice are shared through mentorship, study circles, workshops, and personal guidance. We value experiential learning and encourage questions, reflection, and self-directed exploration. Resources include oral teachings, written materials, and communal ritual practice. The path is supported but never dictated.

🕰️ How often do you meet?

We typically gather for Esbats twice monthly (Full and New Moons) and celebrate eight Sabbats throughout the year aligned with the cycle of the Sun. Additional workshops, study groups, or spontaneous gatherings occur as needed. Regular attendance fosters connection and growth, but life’s demands are acknowledged with flexibility and understanding.

🛡️ What ethical standards and boundaries exist?

Our core tenet is respect, which means consent, confidentiality, and mutual responsibility are treated as sacred. All members commit to embodying personal sovereignty, land stewardship, and the wellbeing of the community. Boundaries are communicated clearly and upheld compassionately. Harmful behavior, coercion, or disrespect have no place here.

👶 Are children allowed?

Yes, and no. Our public seasonal Sabbats are family-friendly and open to all. But most Esbats, initiatory rites, and deeper workings are adult-only, due to their intensity, focus, and safety needs.

Occasionally, child-friendly Esbats are held, and the Coven’s families are warmly invited. These are always communicated in advance. Many of us are parents, and are happy to include our children in a family tradition, and so we honour family life, even as we protect the depth and sanctity of our sacred work.

🧥 Is there a dress code? Do you practice skyclad?

There’s no formal dress code, but we do strongly recommend long robes and large cloaks for warmth, insect protection, and to embody the deep sense of ritual we cultivate. Wear what helps you feel rooted and present: all-black robes are common, as are earth tones, ceremonial garb, or simply what feels right to you.

White robes and light colours are encouraged for light work, Full Moons, and for Plenogogues during public gatherings. Darker tones are better suited for shadow work and New Moons.

Skyclad (ritual nudity) is rare but not forbidden. If it ever occurs, it is private, consensual, optional, and always clearly communicated in advance. Your body, your choice. Always. No exceptions.

🌟 How do I start? What is the first step to joining?

We invite you to reach out below by requesting an invitation. We are happy to answer any questions, share information, and discern mutual resonance. The first formal step is simply showing up. Come out to our Grove and attend your first Sabbat gathering or Esbat with us, and begin your journey as a Fólkvangr Dedicant. Joining is a personal, paced process, nurtured in sincerity and readiness. If you feel ready? Then you are.