You're staring at the grid. The black and white squares are mocking you. It is a five-letter word, or maybe four, and you’re certain it’s about magic. You’ve probably already tried "sect" or "cult." Neither fits. If you are working on the New York Times, LA Times, or USA Today crossword, the answer to the group of witches crossword clue is almost certainly COVEN.
It's a classic. Puzzle constructors love it because of that "V." It’s a "scrabbly" letter that helps them bridge difficult sections of a grid. But beyond the game, there is a whole world of history behind why we use this specific word and how it actually functions in real-world occult practices.
Crosswords aren't just about trivia; they’re about vocabulary patterns. You'll see "coven" show up at least once a month in major publications. Honestly, if you’re a regular solver, this one should be in your permanent mental bank. It’s right up there with "area," "aloe," and "erne."
Why the Word Coven Dominates the Grid
The word itself has roots that might surprise you. It’s a variant of "convent." Back in the 17th century, particularly during the Scottish witch trials, the term started being used to describe a meeting of people—usually thirteen. Isobel Gowdie, a woman tried for witchcraft in 1662, is often credited with popularized the "thirteen members" rule. She claimed that "in ilk coven there are thirteen persons."
Is that factually true for everyone? Not really. Modern Wiccans and Pagans often have groups of three, five, or twenty. But for a crossword constructor, they stick to the traditional definition.
Sometimes the clue might be a bit more cryptic. You might see "Wizards' gathering" or "Hag group." Occasionally, the answer isn't COVEN at all. If the clue asks for a three-letter word, you might be looking for HAG. If it’s six letters, look for SABBAT, though that usually refers to the meeting itself rather than the people.
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Variations you might encounter:
If "coven" doesn't fit the squares, check the length again. A three-letter answer is almost always HAG or maybe HEX (though that's a spell, sometimes clues get messy). A four-letter answer could be SECT. If the puzzle is particularly British or older, you might even see BELTANE as a related thematic answer, though that's a stretch for a group noun.
Crossword creators like Will Shortz or Stanley Newman look for words that provide vowel-heavy anchors. COVEN is perfect because it starts with a consonant, has a rare middle consonant, and ends in a very common "N." It’s the "V" that usually gives it away. If you have a "V" in a five-letter word related to magic, just pen it in.
The Folklore and Reality of the Thirteen
We have to talk about the number thirteen. Why thirteen? In Christian traditions, it was often associated with the Last Supper—twelve apostles and one leader. Inquisitors and witch-hunters used this to frame witchcraft as a "mockery" of the church. They argued that witches organized themselves in groups of thirteen to parody the structure of Jesus and his disciples.
Modern practitioners often laugh at this. Most groups are just a few friends meeting in a living room. There is no magical law saying you need a baker's dozen to cast a spell. However, in the world of the New York Times crossword, the "thirteen" trivia is a common "aha!" moment for solvers.
Sometimes a clue will read: "Number in a coven?" The answer there is THIRTEEN.
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How to spot the clue early
- Look for the word "gathering."
- Look for "brood" or "sisterhood."
- If the clue mentions "Macbeth," the answer is likely THREEE or TRIO, referring to the Three Weird Sisters.
The "Macbeth" angle is a frequent trap. People see "witches" and immediately think "coven." But Shakespeare never actually used the word coven. He called them the "weird sisters" (from the Old English wyrd, meaning fate). If the clue mentions the Scottish Play, count your boxes. It’s almost certainly three.
The Evolution of Magic in Pop Culture Puzzles
Crosswords reflect the era they are written in. In the 1950s, a "group of witches" clue would almost always be "coven" with a very sinister connotation. Today, clues are a bit more playful. You might see "Gathering for Sabrina" or "Charmed group."
This shift matters because it changes the "cross-references." If you see a clue about American Horror Story, and the answer is five letters, it’s COVEN. If the clue is about The Craft, it’s COVEN. The word has become a brand.
It’s interesting how "coven" has stayed so dominant while other terms have faded. You rarely see "circle" used as the answer for a group of witches, even though that is what many modern practitioners call themselves. "Circle" is too common a word; it doesn't have that specific "crunch" that "coven" has.
Strategy for Solving Magic-Themed Clues
When you hit a wall, look at the surrounding words. If you have the "V," you are golden. If you have the "O," be careful—it could be "brood" if the constructor is being particularly poetic (though usually that's for hens or vampires).
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- Check the tense. If the clue is "Grouped like witches," the answer might be COVENED.
- Look for pluralization. "Groups of witches" would be COVENS.
- Watch for "Circle" if the word is six letters long.
I’ve seen people get stuck because they want the answer to be "wizards." Remember, in the specific language of crosswords, gender often matters. Witches go in covens. Wizards go in COUNCILS or GUILDS.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Puzzle
To stop getting tripped up by these recurring clues, start a "cheat sheet" in the back of your mind for common crossword "filler." These are words that appear because their letter combinations are useful for the person building the grid.
- Three letters: HAG, HEX, FEZ (often clued via magic/shriner context).
- Four letters: MAGE, ABRA (as in cadabra), ELSA (she’s a witch/queen in puzzles often).
- Five letters: COVEN, SPELL, PAGAN.
- Six letters: SABBAT, ORACLE.
If you are stuck on a Friday or Saturday puzzle—the hardest days for many outlets—the clue will be much more "outside the box." It might be "Meeting in the woods?" or "Thirteen, maybe." In those cases, don't look for a synonym; look for the category.
The next time you see group of witches crossword clue, don't overthink it. Scan for that "V." If the "V" works with your down-clues, you've found your answer. Move on to the next section of the grid and keep your momentum. Crosswords are about rhythm, and "coven" is a beat that the editors play over and over again.
Go back to your puzzle and look at the intersecting words. If you have "COVEN" at 14-Across, check 15-Down. If 15-Down starts with an "N," you're likely on the right track. If it starts with a "Q," you might want to rethink your life choices—or at least your spelling.
Keep a mental list of these "glue words." They are the secret to finishing a Saturday puzzle in under twenty minutes. Understanding the "constructor's mind" is half the battle. They aren't trying to trick you with obscure occult lore; they are just trying to fit a "V" into a tight corner.