By: Aisling Bronach of House Shadow Drake

Within Neo-Paganism, a cowan is a term for someone who is an outsider or someone who has not been initiated. However, the term cowan was originally an old Scottish word for a mason who learned their trade without undergoing a formalized apprenticeship. Interestingly, in Irish the word cowan refers to a hillside hollow.

To bring this into a clearer light... Those Neo-Pagans who have not undergone formalized training and initiation would by this definition be considered cowans. The term cowan would also include all self-initiated people as well.

Resource

Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft. (NY: Facts on File, 1989).