BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Pagan Covens and Solitary Witches

One question relevant to those both new and experienced with paganism is the decision of whether to be a coven member or be a solitary practitioner. Each path comes with its own pros and cons.

Covens and Solitary Witches

Excellent article!

Thought I'd stop in to say hi. It seems I spent all my time at the cemetary for a few months and I let myself process my grief. I went back to work full time last week and spend most of my time driving, so there's no online access during the workday.

I've never belonged to a coven but had a strong desire to do so a few years ago. I never moved forward with it.

I have organized a pagan group and it was like trying to balance on a beach ball on a mine field. I'm not competitive and have no need to be worshipped or famous or notorious but my associate did. I withdrew myself and the group is thriving. I feel good to have laid the groundwork but I'd never go back to the leadership part!

Sadly, our community was like a war zone for some time and is still somewhat segregated. The older I get, the less tolerance I have for conflict and power games. So, I'm solitary and my own high priestess. Sometimes I let the cats be my handmaidens!

That was a great article, really well written. I enjoyed reading it very much.

I actually have been solitary and I am part of a large group and I am part of a coven. I Think the most important thing to remeber is that a coven is a very intimate group. YOu have to be able to trust the other members with ANYTHING. Larger groups are great for celebrating Sabbats with even if you are a solitary. But a coven is something special and hard to find. Sometimes they can come out of the larger groups and I have known people who have tried to create that coven setting with people that they barely know and it never seems to work.

It is really a difficult thing to develop that kind of relationship, but when it is right it can be the most amazing and profound experience.

I'm a solitary, but I am just back from spending the weekend attending a fire circle ritual. The event is called "TipiFire" and is hosted by a couple in their 50s who own this lovely 125 acre chunk of land. A friend donated the 27' tipi poles to them three years ago and they've held an annual ceremony in there ever since.

It was an eclectic group ritual, if there is such a thing... LOL... Elements were Native American and Wiccan, but much was created (or improvised) by all of us. I supplement my solitary practice with gatherings of a dozen to a few hundred people a few times a year, often at an event that happens annually, as a way of having connection to community. And for things like making music or singing, it always sounds so much better with others versus doing it by yourself....hahaha

Interesting article. IMO, I feel it leaned a little too much towards the coven side of things.

Personally, I like being solitary. I didn't, however, agree with any of the reasons someone might choose to be solitary in the article. For me, I have the flexibility to learn at my own pace (usually pretty quick) and develop in the areas that feel right for me. I think she put kind of a bad light on the reasons someone might go solo.

I suppose I might be interested in joining a coven one day if the right one presented itself but for the most part I prefer to practice my spirituality my own way.

~Skyrah

I think it's interesting you felt I was so slanted in the direction of a coven, Skyrah, especially since I am solitary myself.

Great article, Rae!

I've recently realized that I am, indeed, a Pagan. I've researched the net looking for groups in my area but since I live in such a rural area, they're pretty far apart.

However, I've always been a solitary type. Even when I was in church (and as a pastor) I never really felt like I was worshipping *with*. Always felt like it was just me and God anyway.

I'm thinking about getting Cunningham's book for solitaries, but we'll see. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hey, Janet!

I'm glad you liked the article. I was quite delightedly surprised to see your banners running on my site here the other day....

The more I learn about the various forms of spirituality that can be considered pagan, the more I learn about the diversity in the world. I also recently had the pleasure of describing my spiritual beliefs as "northern California eclectic neo-paganism" and the other person laughed and completely understood what I was implying....LOL...