If you are interested with learming and not wanting to be confused by the fluff, I suggest not going into Spell Casters. Other covens could be more of a challenge to get into especially people just starting out, but, it isn't impossible. Just be honest and precise when applying to be in a coven. Always follow their sets of rules as well as the rules set by the site's admin.
Yes guys, spell casters is mostly fluffy. However, it has alot of member activity.
Moving on, as above posts, the covens that are extremely a foundational structure can in reality be hard, to get into. If your really basic, look at different covens, see if they teach things like, grounding, centuring, visualization, energy raising, ect. Also i suggest you learn some history of magic, and witchcraft itself. I suggest familiarizing yourself with past witches(gerald gardner, raymond buckland, aleister crowley, to name a few)
I would not consider Spell Casters to be active. They have a few posts every now and again, but it's usually always the same questions or posts.
If you want a good coven, look through the coven page and find one that offers what you are looking for or practice. Check when the last time was that the leaders logged on and then maybe talk to them and the council members and members to get a better idea of the coven and activity.
There are many active covens. Spell casters chatter is active, but full of fluff.
Many coven's themselves, require experience. Most newbies get declined, however not all do! SoM is a community, and many will try to aid your learning process.
Also check if the coven's leaders are active. You want a learning and family atmosphere, not fluff thyself!
Just a tip, after you guys have read around and still cannot decide, it is quite fine to message the Priest or Priestess and start a communication with them
It would give you some insight into the coven that may not be on the coven page and help you decide if the coven is right for you.