My own experience is that solitary is a preferable form of practice for me. My practice (which combines many world systems, including, but not limited to, Wicca) is very eclectic. I use magic, but not the same way necessarily. I also have a more "philosophical" as opposed to literalist about gods, deities, etc. and see them as powerful symbols and archetypes. For me, being a Witch is about walking the Heroine's Journey. As a solitary, I have the freedom to operate by my own interpretation of religion without anyone else's hopes or fears or beliefs getting in the way. My practice is very deeply personal to me. However, I do get together with others from time to time to share information and ideas, and talk about our beliefs. Frequently, we do practice together... when we can agree on how to. :)
DreiaLuna@aol.com
Date Added: 11-22-01

Well I am still studying the path of wicca, but I myself will probably end up leaning towards that of the solitary practice becuase I have always been pretty much aloner. I prefer to do something my own way without having conflict. Yes, Once I am a member of the wiccan religion I might lean towards the coven side, it depends on what I need when I am done studying enough to say okay yes I am ready to become a member of this religion..
RavenChild
Date Added: 11-22-01

Merry Meet! I actually would consider myself as working as a Solitary witch, but when I need help I have my sister, Aradia to turn to. I don't actually work with a Coven and neither does she, but there is great comfort in knowing we both share this and can turn to each other in times of need. There are so many negative stereotypes placed on us, my sister and I find it very difficult to allow people in this part of our lives. I know if our family ever found out we would be ostracized. I think it's so sad that people fear what they do not understand. I definitely support Covens. We need a place where we can turn to, no matter what the reason. Brightest Blessings.
Isis
Date Added: 11-22-01

I am solitary. A natural intuit that has practiced since I was young. I have been led to many places but have not found a group of people here who can hold it together, in an egalitarian setting. There seems to be much secrecy and power-tripping amongst the groups here.

I would love to learn from a group of like minded people. I am not however, a traditionalist. I noticed one comment that said that practitioners like myself have given Witchcraft/ Wiccans a bad name. I do not believe this, as the work I do is work for the world at present..... harmony and balance within the self, will enable me to be strong in the work I do, for the external.

I am in Canberra. If anyone would like to share with me, please contact me on the address below.
markapura@bigpond.com
Date Added: 11-22-01

I live in a small town in Canada, and becuase I am also a funeral director I prefer to be a solitary. People look at me strangely enough, but if they found out I was wiccan they'd start linking wicca and satanism together. I didnt' realize this corrolation could be made until a friend of mine observed "After all, you have human parts readily available, don't you?" Entirely too sick to even thing about.
lady_death2001@hotmail.com
Date Added: 11-22-01

OK, here goes.

I am a femminist, Dianic, Ecclectic with a strong emphasis on Celtic(Can you say Riverdance?) Wiccan/Witch. I have only known what my life-long beliefs, I'm 44, added up to for a little over a year.

I just kind of assumed I'd be a solitary because in so many ways I've lived a kind of solitary life as far as friends go. But someone I work with is also a femminist. Dianic, etc., too. She and I celebrated Summer Solstice in 2000 and we decided to start a coven. She is now my dear friend.

We both decided that we didn't want a High Preistess and wanted to do things by consensus. She has been a Wiccan for close to 15 years and knows a lot about it.

We wrote down some things to give to the owner of a local New Age bookshop so that anyone interested in joining could contact us.

At first things went very well. We found several womyn who seemed interested in joining and thought we were well on our way to building a working coven of 7 womyn, which is our goal. I'm very lucky in that I own a home and my husband is very supportive of my chosen spititual path so I can easily accomodate a coven meeting in my home.

We fixed up a room in my home to use as a Temple.

The problems started in September of last year and kind of peaked in May of this year. Here's what happened!

One woman/child didn't contribute any money, or any energy, towards our group and giggled and talked about her boyfriend in circle! One of them said she only wanted to join because she wasn't getting anywhere on her own and we didn't know anymore than she did! One woman/child seemed to think that doing things by consensus meant that she had an equal say-so in how things were run but wasn't required to do any of the work that just gracing us with her presence should be enough! And one woman who contacted me by phone absolutely said that she could only spend a very limited time with us and could never under any circumstances spend an entire night away from home because her husband wouldn't let her! That came up because I mentioned that sometimes we had all-night gatherings.

Moral: It ain't easy to find independent, mature, womyn in charge of their own life!

At this point our group is down to two. We're currently regrouping with the Covencraft book by Amber K as our guide on how we want things to be set up. We intend to set some ground rules this time and in a few months we'll start looking for members again.

I think in the end it will be worth it. I feel that by being part of a Dianic coven I am helping in some small way to aid in the Re-Birthing of the Worship of the Lady, "who of old was called..." I believe this to be very important, even neccessary for Planet Earth.

Blessed Be!
btimmer@YWCACIN.ORG
Date Added: 11-22-01

I have been interested in paganism since my mid-teens, now as a woman in her mid-twenties, I have had several years to sort out my feelings about about both solitary and coven practices. Personally I still feel that I have much to learn on my own before I decide to practice with others, as a matter of fact I am still trying to find my path, a daunting undertaking as many here will know. Sure when the holidays roll around, celebrating with a group is very appealing. There are times when I feel quite lonely, and crave the company of other like-minded human beings. But as a solitary I also enjoy some of the freedoms and privacy that practicing alone ensures. In my opinion there is a point in every pagan/witches' life that she/he seeks the oness with divinity that comes from mumbling a silent prayer on a beach under a dusky sky, or raising the cup to her/his deities under the silent, but powerful oak.
MAEVE39117@aol.com

I have to say that while I am interested in being part of a coven, I am not interested in a lot of the "drama" that a lot of people invite into thier lives. I've worked very hard to get my life to a place of peace both on a mundane level and a spiritual level. While that's not so hard to maintain, it still is an effort to be loving and kind to accept people as is and the path that they may be on. I don't always get it right, but my heart is in the right place. People who are very active in groups seem to look for "problems" with each other and with other groups. Who has time for that? In essence I have a life and it works for me. While I may have a responsibility as a Witch to share my knowledge and what works with others on the same path, I struggle with letting others into my haven I call a life.
indigox@earthlink.net

Solitary OR a partner. I'm new at this, don't trust many people, I'm already viewed as 'crazy' by my employer and others who nothing of my interest in this. Alone or having one partner is most meaningful.
Ursula Victoria (I think, still deciding eke-name)

As with many Family Covens my wife and I started as Eclectic Solitares 30 some-odd years ago. When our children were old enough to choose their own path, we became a "Family" coven, Then we came "out of the Broom-closet" on a local radio station and have been helping fellow travelers on the Path ever since. So one path or the other isn't necessarily exclusive of each other. Travel as your Spirit guides you all and Blessed Be.
Wicca6@Aol.com

I'm a solitary witch because of where I live. I live on a very small(900 pop.) island in Canada and there is no one to practice with. I go to high school on the mainland so there could be some teens at my school would practice Wicca and I just haven't realized it yet. If I had the choice of being in a coven or not I would have to say I would prefer being in a coven. This is mainly because I am somewhat inexperienced at the moment and I would learn so much more from my fellow Wiccans.
~Veleda~

I found that I REALLY enjoy my time alone doing ritual and spell work. That makes my private worship every bit as fulfiling as I imagine a coven would be. I would like the guidance that a more "experienced" witch could give but I'm not chasing the experience down. A funny thing happened at work- I was reading a Silver RavenWolf book and had it curled up behind my back. One of the supervisors stopped me to ask questions and another co-worker stepped along side of me. The co-worker looked behind my back and I kept turning to hide the book. Later in the parking lot she said she was a witch, and also in a coven. We are all around each other and don't know it. Let your love of the Goddess eminate to those around you and she will bless you with support - both physical and spiritual.
Blessed Be - Nepeta

I have spent nearly four years working with a coven. I enjoy working with a close knit group of like minded people. The level of love and trust we share is incredible and at the same time very vulnerable. Make no bones about it, being in a coven is work, hard work. Any relationship that matters takes energy, time, trust, and commitment.

The varying viewpoints we all put forth challenge each one of us to re- evaluate our own perceptions and explore the rituals and symbols we hold dear. I am part of an oathbound tradition which places a great deal of responsibility and accountability firmly on my shoulders. It is a "burden" I chose to accept and bear. I have not had reason to regret this decision despite the turmoil that our coven has gone through.

The coven relationships we share are based on love and trust. These are not unconditional (is any relationship unconditional?) and there are standards we must all live up to. We all agree on these standards or are free to go our own way. Any time you place trust in another you take a chance, a risk of getting hurt. It is those closest to us that have the power to injure us the most severely. It is the respect for each other and the love we share that allows us to tahe this risk. It is not foolproof, we are all human, but we accept that.

I practiced solitary for a few years and did not gain the insights or challenge myself to the levels I feel I am currently at. I notice that many solitaries yearn to share ideas and beliefs, yet seem unwilling to take a chance at getting hurt. I have never known anyone in our group to be censured for doing work outside of the coven, nor are we restricted in how we divine, learn, and grow. For those who feel covens are restrictive or oppressive, I truly hope you have the opportunity to work in a group that is not this way.

The coven structure can be abused and I'm sure has been quite often. That is regrettable and people who do such things should be held accountable by their peers.

Blessed Be!
Trynovar

Merry Meet!
I have been a solitary for over 10 years and often wanted the knowledge of a coven. I have recently joined a Gardnerian Grove (coven training group) and I love the feeling of having another "family".

I have already learned much from the HPS and HP and hope to continue to grow and learn within this group. At the end of the training I may request to initiate into the coven, I will decide at that time if I am truly ready for such a step in my life!

Being a solitary does not make you any more or less than being in a coven! It is very much a personal preference!

Follow the Goddess and she will guide you....

Blessed Be,
MTD

I myself am solitary by necessity, simply because I can not find anyone in my area. I have only been exploring this path for a short time, but I feel I would like to be part of a group. To share in the energies of other people and to bond in our beliefs.
Kelly

Actually, I am a solitaire and I just Circle with a coven. No obligations, no risk of karmic backlash I don't deserve. I'm not corded into the group, I just do ceremonies with them ! That's a great way to go in some ways. I may choose to join them one day, but it's not a light decision. But now I know the beauty of both practices. Once I did Circle with this group who wanted to do a particular spell for a goal that's never really turned me on, and maybe I didn't add a lot of power to the working. When you're on your own, what you do in your magick is, of course, entirely up to you. Like you can't raise enough power by yourself ! You know that if you want something badly enough, you'll get it. And we don't use tools in Circle, so what good would all those nice tools I have at home do if I didn't do ritual by myself sometimes ? So in a nutshell, I'm saying both have their ups and downs. I wouldn't give up one for the other.

~**)O(**~
Dragon Phoenix

After 9 years of practice and the first three in a coven, I have grown in my understanding as well as my beliefs. I have preferred the solitary path because it allows me to find my own direction. And since I moved, it has been difficult to find fellow pagans who accept my own Celtic and Norse faith. I have several Wiccan friends, however, and that always makes it nice for discussion, questions, etc. I throughly encourage people to at least attend some sabbats with a coven for it helps yourself understand better what Wicca can be about and if it is the path for you.
- - Ailikn Thordsdohter

Good question and one which seems to stir up some controversy at times. I've been practicing my particular path for over 30 years and have found that it requires serious, sometimes daily workings on a very personal level - conducive most to solitary practice. Since I have a major issue with "spiritual hierarchy," structured wiccan covens are not for me - though I do join in open circles of many traditions, and drumming circles for a good time.

Too many of the covens I've been invited to participate in operate as self-help or emotional support groups - something I am not looking for at this stage of my life. When I do join circles these days, I work with equals (people who assume neither a superior attitude to my practice nor an englamored, neophyte attitude). I am not a teacher (save by example and my very strong OPINIONS).

One's spiritual path and personal training is a very subjective thing, sought best through the auspices of one's own heart - whether that heart leads you to group work or not, it is very helpful to have around you strong and honest people who are unafraid to tell you what they truly think. And who will, as your Papa Crow says, share the wine.
Blessings, Victoria Glynn

I have been practicing solitary wicca for 2 years, and feel that this is the right way for me. Being in a group would be very difficult, cause I think it's many peoples diffrent wills, and it's hard to push this into one. So I prefer solitary.
athas123@hotmail.com

Hi
I am a solitary and thoroughly enjoying myself. I am a single gay mother with three kids so getting out and going places tends to be a hassle. I am in australia and would love to chat to other solitaries like me.
Blessed Be
crystal@nor.com.au

will read when come off air, yes I am a solitary, in GLOS U.K. there are many covens near me, but I do not like the idea of being TOLD what to do. i have my own beleif system, and it is like no others, so far I have not gone to any other meets, as I am worried in case their way of celebrating will conflict with my own. i am I suppose a luke wark type, but it works for me, I do no spells yet, I call them requests. i work within my own family, and for noone else. I am a natural sensitive, as was my grandmother and my mother was trained as a SPIRITUALIST MEDIUM, during the last war.I have a natural affinity with ancient buildings, stones, and sosme animals. I am a simple peasant, but I also have a brain that asks WHY, adn WHAT and WHICH. i find the GODDESS much easier to understand, as MOTHER, than anything else, however I am entering the GRANDMOTHER CRONE age, and so the mother is past. i understand the ways of men and woman, and link in daily with my GUIDES, or guardian spirits. I dont just worship the ONE MOTHER, although I used to, I keep my options open. I sing all my requests it is normal to do it in the shower or bath! I work with the elements, and fnot long lists of classical dieties, that is past, I work with problems of the earths problems now! My phone bill for the internet surfing was over £1000 this year, so I wont be using it so much, all interested parties, that would like to correspond, solos only please do so., my busy time, is fnow, full moon, I hibernate during our winter months. It is hard frost today and the red fox visited my pond! I write and keep dream diaries, and am doing a corresp course based on MARIANA GREENS book A WITCH ALONE. brightest belssing, full moon. time grandmother moonowl.
moonowl@lineone.net

I have been a witch for six years now. In the beginning I started out with a teacher and two other witches. We called ourselves a family (not a coven). As time went on I came more into my own. People left the family, new people joined. Some of them even non-witches, but could understand the craft. Now the family consists of six members one of them non-witch, two partially awakened majick users, and three fully awakened witches including myself. We are a very close and loving family. I live with two of them, one of them is my boyfriend. So I guess I do prefer a coven as long as it is a close group of friends.

A coven is good for sharing understanding and experiances. When I was first learning, having a close group of friends that were involved in the same thing made it very easy to learn.

delirium@zensearch.net

I have followed the teaching of the old ways for over 30 years. I have "practiced" the Craft, and followed the Rede all my life. I have been both solitary Witch and Coven member, both student and teacher. The Craft chooses who shall enter the true realm of the wise. It matters not should you be solitary or with a coven. What matters is that the Rede is kept and those who wish to learn, remember, that when the student is ready the teacher shall appear. There is much to remember when working with a coven, especially for those new to the Craft. But above all remember OF YOUR FREE WILL, no true member of the Craft would "force" in any manner, another to proceed into a situation that is not of their choosing.

Unfortunately there are those who keep not the Rede, and follow a tradition of their own creation. It has been these false practionishers of the Craft that has harmed all of us.

I do not carry my belief into the thee public sphere, it is my choice, but I am not less Wiccian, or witch than any who does and neither are you.

Coven work should give you more insight, compassion and love. However, always remember a Coven is a growing and ever changing family, and above all else the Craft shall survive and be passed on.

In perfect love and perfect peace

Blessed be
Aurora Zo