One thing that I want to point out is that I am neither pro-solitary nor pro-coven. I am a "ecletic solitaire" by circumstance. That doesn't make my commitment to the God/dess, the peace of my spirituality, or the success of my magick any less. When the right people cross my path I will either join an existing coven or a new coven will form.
A solitairy practitioner of wicca is one who practices their religion by themselves or with a partner. The path of a solitaire is as varied as paganism is itself. The solitaire can be as competent and as well-trained as any coven-trained pagan.
There are many reasons for being a solitaire. One reason is they may live in conservative Christian community as I do. Many are solitaire by choice. Some may practice as a solitaire because of their job or profession. Also they may not have found others that they feel comfortable working with. Others have developed a eclectic path which they feel confident with. Some are waiting to meet others, who have similar beliefs, to form a coven. Some are new to wicca and don't know how to meet others.
I have chosen the solitaire path for many reasons. One is I live in the buckle of the bible belt. Most of the people I met years ago who claimed to be Wiccan, really had a very shallow grasp of the religion. Some of the people I met were just down right scary.
Because most solitaires are self-taught, they are voracious readers. They will also have do extensive research on how to process and use herbs, plants, and how to develope their psychic talents. On the whole, a solitaire's training can be as intensive as that found in a group. They must be intuative to know when their magick has worked.
The main problems solitaires encounter is from the pagan community. Because solitaires are self-taught, many coven-trained pagans think that solitaires are beneath them.
This upsets me. Lets say two different traditions disagree. (Never happens) One says "skyclad only", the other says "in a monkey suit on a pogo stick", yet both are able to produce equally effective and benificial Magick, then it seems to me that the "physical elements" are not truly essential. The magical process did not require these "physical elements" to produce the magickal change. On the other hand some people can do exactly what others and never produce any magick.
Note that I have said very little about covens. Truth is I have no direct experience with them. I can only speculate. I would guess that the power raised by a solitaire is multiplied by a coven. If that is so then a coven has tremendous magickal power available to them.
Another advantage is you would have spiritual support available to you. There would be someone to guide you or walk with you on your path.
Being a solitaire has taught me flexibility and has given me the freedom to develop new techniques. I have learned to do without some craft tools. I have truly learned my own strength.
Regardless of the path you are taking,"may the God/dess. shine the light of Bright Blessings on your path".
Highly Suggested Reading On The Subject
 Covencraft: Witchcraft for Three or More Amber K, Robin Wood
Retail Price: $19.95 |
 Wicca Covens: How to Start and Organize Your Own Judy Harrow
Retail Price: $12.95 |
 Inside a Witches' Coven Edain McCoy
Retail Price: $9.95 |
 Secrets of a Witch's Coven Morwyn, Skye Alexander (Editor)
Retail Price: $19.95 |
 Of Witches: Celebrating the Goddess as a Solitary Pagan Janet Thompson
Retail Price: $9.95 |
 Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner Scott Cunningham
Retail Price: $9.95 |
 Solitary Witch: The Ultimate Book of Shadows for the New Generation Silver Ravenwolf
Retail Price: $19.95 |
 Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner Scott Cunningham
Retail Price: $12.95 |
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BOOK OF SHADOWS
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COVEN OR SOLITARY
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~GODDESS~ SHE OF MANY NAMES ~~
MOON~~
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