What is a Solitary Wiccan?
A solitary wiccan is traditionally an individual who chooses to practice their spiritual faith privately and not within a group or coven environment. Most solitary pagans follow an eclectic path (though this term can be used for a variety of other reasons within a coven as well).
How Many Practicing Wiccans Are There?
It is a difficult task to approximate the number of Wiccans in the world today. Preferably, whether a Coven has a temple dedicated to worship or not, they are officially registered with their respective nation's government. However, even if all members of Wiccan Covens were accounted for, this number would not be nearly indicative of the total number of practicing Wiccans. This is because many Wiccans choose to practice and worship individually in the comfort of their unique sacred space. This group is referred to as solitary Wiccans.
Public or Private?
Being a Wiccan in itself all too often separates an individual from the mainstream. Therefore, many Wiccans choose to find others who share their views, interests, and practices, and either start or join a Coven. Others, however, choose to take the path to spirituality by themselves. They learn to become practitioners by trial-and-error, relate to nature in the most personal manner, and develop their thoughts without the external influence of others. Renowned Wiccans Raymond Buckland and Scott Cunningham are two of the proponents for solitary practice. Buckland states that some of the most infamous witches throughout human history had been solitaries, with the Witch of Endor of being one of the first. Evidence of the Witch, or Medium of Endor's work can be found in the Book of Samuel within the Old Testament.
Pros & Cons of Solitary Wiccans
While there are advantages to joining a Coven, there are advantages to being a solitary as well. The majority of solitary Wiccans fall under a subcategory called eclectic Wicca. Eclectic Wicca reinforces the idea of individuality within an organized religion. The solitary may select which traditions, beliefs, symbols, and the like are most relevant to who they are, rather than having these decisions already be made for them. Additionally, the solitary does not need to reject any other philosophy in order to accept the Wiccan faith. It is only within eclectic Wicca that you may find a solitary who holds Apollo or Seth as the supreme deity and creator of all.
Kitchen Witches
Solitary practitioners have also historically been called hedge witches, which has been modernized to kitchen witches. These solitaries are primarily concerned with the Magickal and other healing properties of plants and stones. They have learned through practice how to pick out the correct herbs from the wild hedges (or grocery store). Often times, the traditions or connection to a deity might not be as important to the hedge witch. However, because of the emphasis placed on reverence of nature, and the freedom to choose in the path to spirituality, the solitary will still consider him or herself a Wiccan. If for no other reason that they don't fit into any other "category" prescribed by society, they may always revert to Wicca.
I encourage you to visit our 7witches Facebook Page and join the discussion where our subscribers are answering questions like: Are you a Solitary Wiccan? What do you think the advantages are to being a solitary?
I look forward to reading your responses.
Cormac O'Dwyer
Librarian and Senior Witch
www.7witchescoven.com
5 Comments
glenda
Good information
Lilliane Dumais
you tell me what a solitary witch is and I can tell you if I am or not I don't know yet. I don't understand everything about witches.
Nola Hodgson
Hi every one and merry meet I am a solitary witch and I find that it works best for me as I am disabled but I find that being a solitary is no detriment to how I work or to the power I raise Bright Blessings Valraven
Elly
I am a solitary practitioner for over 25yrs. I follow the green path based on Celtic tradition. I am one of those who prefer to set my own rules about my faith. I am strongly into nature, mainly forest land.. I appreciate those who practice at a coven. The biggest con I see to my own practices is not having ppl to enjoy sabbats and other gatherings. That I would like to find in my area. I am from WI, USA
Helen Muschek
Merry meet on this beautiful clear night over here in Western Australia. It is definitely in ones own mind and spiritual needs as to whether they feel to join a Coven or not. I am born to the Old Religion through bloodlines on my father's side and knew very early, 4/5 years of age why I was here. I have always been a healer and speaker to Mother Earth and her animals and have been a servant from around the same age. Over the years I have read many different literary pieces to increase my knowledge and awareness and have found through experience of the mainstream world, a need to close myself off to most people. There has been and still is the desire to speak with others living the ways of the Old Religion but I have never wanted to be a part of a Coven, my circle has always been entrenched in the soil of Mother Earth and her animals. I find it a very peaceful journey for the mostpart and as quite accurately pointed, there is no particular need to worship any particular Diety although I am definitely for myself a person who honours Diana in her darkness. The life of either a solitary or Coven member I feel though should not be thought of as better than or more important, it is for the person themselves to decide their own unique happiness and peace in whichever manner that cometh as long as there is respect and an understanding of their own duality. Manipulation manifesting in any manner is not a part of who we have descended from and that includes or should include manipulation of ones own self. To all my cherished sisters and brothers of the Old Religion, Blessed Be and Merry part until we merry meet again. Xoxo
