A covenstead is a meeting place of a coven (a group of witches). The term relates specifically to the meeting place of witches within certain modern religious movements such as Wicca that fall under the collective term Modern Paganism, also referred to as Contemporary Paganism or Neopaganism. It functions to provide a place for the group to conduct rituals, undertake lessons and recognise festivals. It can also be referred to as the home of the coven. A group's covenstead is often a physical geographical location, however it can also be a concept such as an astral temple. A covenstead is commonly located in the house of the priest or priestess or a member of the coven, but it can also be a public area such as a park or a room in a community building. An appropriate location is selected depending on a number of factors including the size of the coven. The types of covensteads recognised by practitioners have developed over time as technology and the various denominations of Neopaganism have evolved. Etymology The word ‘coven’ is derived from Old French and in the 1500s meant a “meeting, gathering, assembly”. Around 1660 it also came to mean “a gathering of witches”. The word ‘stead’ comes from the Old English term stede, meaning “place, position”. Origin and history Modern pagan witchcraft practices and rituals are largely associated with Gerald Brosseau Gardner (1884–1964) who is attributed with reviving the ancient pagan religion Wicca in the 1950s. Wicca and other religions considered to be derived from pre-Christian traditions are closely associated with nature, spirituality and witchcraft. Various denominations of the Modern Pagan religion also celebrate a number holidays and festivals throughout the year. Gardner founded his own coven in the 1940s and established their covenstead on his land at Brickett Wood in Hertfordshire, north of London. He was responsible for re-writing certain rituals that were practiced by his previous coven using borrowed concepts from magician Aleister Crowley, Charles Godfrey Leland's Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches and the medieval spell book Key of Solomon. Gardner's Brickett Wood covenstead acted as a place in which his coven could carry out these rituals, celebrate the various festivals and hold general meetings. Functions There are multiple functions of a covenstead. It is recognised by the group as an established and familiar location and allows members to focus on the proceedings of their meetings. A