Our community is built on these foundational principles:

Respect for All Beings - We honor the inherent worth and dignity of every person, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, age, ability, body size, spiritual path, or background. The divine feminine exists in everyone.

Shadow-Positive Growth - We embrace the full spectrum of human experience, including our shadows, wounds, and edges. We hold space for difficult emotions and transformations while maintaining safety and boundaries.

Earth-Centered Practice - We recognize our interconnection with the natural world and commit to practices that honor and heal Mother Earth.

Consent & Boundaries - We respect each other's autonomy, boundaries, and right to say "no" without explanation or apology.

Integrity & Authenticity - We show up honestly, acknowledge when we're wrong, and take responsibility for our impact on others.

Confidentiality - What is shared in our community spaces stays in our community spaces, unless given explicit permission to share.

We Encourage:

✨ Curiosity and Questions - There are no "stupid" questions. We're all learning together.

✨ Diverse Perspectives - Different spiritual paths, practices, and interpretations enrich our community.

✨ Vulnerability and Authenticity - Sharing your struggles, doubts, and growth edges helps us all feel less alone.

✨ Mutual Support - Offering encouragement, resources, and witnessing for each other's journeys.

✨ Constructive Feedback - Sharing thoughtful reflections when something doesn't resonate, offered with care and respect.

✨ Creative Expression - Sharing your art, writing, rituals, and unique gifts with the community.

✨ Holding Complexity - Embracing nuance, "both/and" thinking, and the reality that transformation is rarely linear.

We Do Not Allow:

❌ Harm or Harassment - Any form of bullying, threatening, stalking, doxxing, or targeted harassment of community members.

❌ Discrimination - Racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, fatphobia, or any other form of oppression or bigotry.

❌ Spiritual Bypassing - Using spiritual concepts to dismiss, invalidate, or avoid addressing harm, inequality, or legitimate concerns.

❌ Unsolicited Advice or Healing - Offering medical, mental health, or spiritual advice unless explicitly requested. Saying "have you tried..." when someone is simply sharing can be dismissive.

❌ Proselytizing - Insisting your spiritual path is the only correct one or pressuring others to adopt your beliefs.

❌ Cultural Appropriation - Taking sacred practices from closed cultures without proper initiation, permission, or understanding. We practice respectful engagement with spiritual traditions.

❌ Spam or Self-Promotion Outside Designated Spaces - The Coven Shop is for member businesses. General community spaces are not for unsolicited promotion.

❌ Sharing Others' Personal Information - Including photos, stories, or details about other members without their explicit consent.

❌ Sexual Advances - This is a spiritual community, not a dating space. Keep interactions respectful.

On Spiritual Practices

Respect Closed Practices - Some spiritual traditions are closed and require initiation, lineage, or cultural belonging. Examples include: smudging with white sage (Indigenous), voodoo/hoodoo (African diaspora), and many others. If you're uncertain whether a practice is open to you, ask for permission from the lineage and community. If that is not possible ask for permission from the land, your guides, and your ancestors. They will guide you toward what is yours to practice.

Honor Your Own Limits - Not every practice will be right for you. It's okay to skip rituals, modify practices, or say "this isn't for me right now."

Disclaimer Understanding - Casey offers spiritual education and priestess training through The Goddess Coven LLC, not therapy or medical treatment. If you're experiencing mental health crisis, please seek support from licensed professionals outside this community.

On Difficult Conversations

Assume Good Intent, Name Impact - Most harm is unintentional. We can address impact while assuming people mean well.

Use "I" Statements - "I felt hurt when..." rather than "You always..." helps keep conversations productive.

Take Space When Needed - If you're activated or overwhelmed, it's okay to step back, breathe, and return to the conversation when you're grounded.

Apologize and Repair - When you've caused harm (even unintentionally), acknowledge it, apologize sincerely, and commit to doing better.

On The Coven Shop

Accurate Representation - List your business honestly. Don't make false claims about products or services.

Honor Commitments - If you offer a service or product, follow through professionally. Your reputation affects the whole community.

Handle Disputes Privately - If you have an issue with another member's business, address it directly with them. Don't air disputes publicly.

Reporting Concerns

If you experience or witness behavior that violates these guidelines:

1. Direct Communication (if safe and comfortable) - Sometimes people don't realize their impact. A private conversation can resolve many issues.

2. Contact Casey - Visit www.the-goddess-coven.com/contact and fill out the contact form with specific details about the incident, including dates, screenshots if applicable, and how it affected you.

3. Trust Your Gut - If something feels off or unsafe, report it. We take all concerns seriously.

Our Response Process

When guidelines are violated, we may:

• Issue a private warning and request for behavioral change

• Require a public apology and commitment to repair

• Temporarily restrict access to community spaces

• Remove the person from the community permanently if they are continuously unresponsive to restorative justice models

• Remove business listings from The Coven Shop

• Report illegal activity to appropriate authorities

Our response depends on:

• Severity of the violation

• Pattern of behavior vs. one-time mistake

• Willingness to take accountability and change

• Impact on community safety and trust

Appeals

If you believe you've been treated unfairly, you may visit www.the-goddess-coven.com/contact to request reconsideration. Include your perspective on what happened and any relevant context.

You have the right to:

✓ Be treated with respect and dignity
✓ Set and maintain your own boundaries
✓ Disagree or question without fear of retaliation
✓ Leave the community at any time
✓ Request that your content or information be removed
✓ Privacy regarding your personal information
✓ Change your mind about sharing or participating

These guidelines may evolve as our community grows. We'll notify members of significant changes and welcome feedback on how we can create the most supportive container possible.

Last Updated: December 2024