To practice alone or to join a coven? This is the question every newcomer to Wicca must consider. When embarking on your solitary path, you will find yourself being more of a learner than a practitioner. This implies that the early stages won’t involve much spell casting or magick, but rather an educational journey about all things Wiccan.
Indeed, you will delve into works by authors such as Gardner, Cunningham, and others. Notably, it was Cunningham who helped witches realize that it was perfectly acceptable to follow their own paths outside of traditional structures.
Here are the typical challenges faced by a solitary practitioner:
- Trial, error, and confusion- It’s quite possible to feel overwhelmed by the vast amount of information available. The initial phase calls for absorbing knowledge and exploring many aspects before you can forge your own distinct route.
- Limitations in your learning- At times, you may feel constrained and wish to gain insights from more experienced Wiccans through shared experiences. Self-directed learning does have its limitations, as learning in a social context often proves to be more effective. This leads to…
- A yearning for mentorship- A mentor can greatly enhance your educational journey. However, they typically belong to covens, which often adhere to a code of confidentiality. Self-doubt may creep in during your practice, but it’s crucial to persist. Continue exploring, reading, and absorbing knowledge. Eventually, you will reach a point where the ideas and teachings from your readings will come together, allowing you to create your own personal tradition.
- Yearning for social interaction- Engaging in the sharing of knowledge and conversing with those who are more knowledgeable can significantly widen your perspectives and deepen your understanding of Wiccan practices. While this was a considerable issue before the 90s, today, numerous online communities exist. It’s now easier than ever to connect with fellow Wiccans online, enabling solitary practitioners to engage and share with like-minded individuals.
- Challenges working with other Wiccans- Thankfully, in today’s world, interacting with other Wiccans does not necessarily require physical presence. Despite your peaceful nature, when people collaborate or spend time together, conflicts can surface; this is especially true for those who practice solitarily. Additionally, some Wiccans may not respect your individual journey. It’s best to overlook such negativity! Besides being together during Sabbat celebrations, a key benefit of being a solitary practitioner is the ability to step away afterward without feeling obligated to participate in additional ceremonies.
The modern solitary witch has plenty of resources at their disposal. Furthermore, there are numerous opportunities to connect with fellow Wiccans without adhering to strict guidelines. The benefits of solitary practice are numerous and should be weighed against the potential drawbacks. In my view, choosing the solitary path is a bold and deeply personal choice.
Do you practice alone, or do you belong to a coven?
Being solitary is more “fitting” in my life and for where I live. It can been seen as a “cop-out” or, simply, easier to be. I’m already a nurse in a very highly technical, fast-paced emergency room. Being solitary is the “simple” in my life.
My other, main reason, is that I find being any kind of religious, is an intensely, personal matter. I’m not comfortable discussing “what” I believe in…”who” I believe in….because when I tell someone, I feel very “open” and exposed, similar to feeling naked while at work…
My standard “answer” when I’m asked to define things, and then get “scolded” that its wrong, wrong deities, wrong as to being labeled by Christians, etc…
“What works for you, may not work for me and vise versa”.
Internally, I’m at peace. I respect others and the path they follow. I take bits & pieces from all faiths….
I found this article to be interesting, and I experience every point explained. I just recently found this website, and I love it! My faith and the practice of nursing, to me, are extremely close, being parallel in theory.
im working on being a solitary, and im doing alot of reading on it