Coven or Solitary?

[Kaylara]

A thought occured to me, and I thought that purhaps it would be interesting to see how many of us are coven members, solitary, or both. (or neither.)

Take the poll!

Blessed Be!
Kaylara

[Wyrdsister]

Good topic for a poll, Kaylara!

I myself practice pretty much solitary. I am not opposed to coven practice; it's just that the people I would love to practice with all live in different places which makes it difficult! We all try to get together when we can, and one of my friends and I have vowed to always celebrate Beltane together, sort of an anniversary for us. :)

Looking forward to further poll results!

BB,

Wyrdsister

[Rosabelle]

i think it doesnt matter if you are solitary or in a coven. i think it depends on the person. i would never go into a coven because i dont like the idea of people checking up on me, because a lot of the things i do are not in books and are just in the moment (spells and so on).
but being in a coven would suit a lot of people so i dont think one is worse than the other :)
Rosabelle

[Kaylara]

Covens are the same way, only you bring group dynamics into play. I have found that it is actually good for me to have someone else helping me to track my progress, to push me when I need it, and to let me know when I am wandering instead of being focused.
I can say that the majority of my worship, rituals, spells, charms and energy work was not found in any books. I consider myself a natural. But for people who are not natural, and who have to try very hard to learn these things, I think that books are a great resource. Along that same line of thought, for those of us who are not natural witches, a coven maybe a good learning experience.

Just a thought...

Blessed Be!
Kaylara

[Amethyst Rose]

I'm a solitary, but only because I don't think that I could ever find a coven that would have the same beliefs that I do. I think that the only way I'd actually be able to fit in with a coven would be if I started one of my own.
I have, however, participated in group rituals before. I was the president of the university Pagan club and a bunch of us became really good friends and started celebrating the sabbats together.
I think that was the ideal setup for me. Not only could I be free in my beliefs, but I also had people to work with and talk to, etc.
Since then, I've moved and have become pure solitary again. It's a bit lonely when the sabbats come around, but I've managed.

[Mairwen]

Thanks for adding College to that list. ;)

[Kaylara]

No prob! (I knew you'd like that!)

Blessed Be!
Kaylara

[Mairwen]

*smile!*

[Kaylara]

*Smiles back*

[Shatav]

These are great polls!

I'm not really suprised to see that the vast majority are solitary, though. It's just so hard to find someone of like mind in a society that makes people afraid to admit they are not part of the status quo.

[Red Dragon]

I was a bit surprised at the results so far , but not too surprised that so many of us are solitaries. It seems that covens bring typical problems that face any group, mainly who's the boss, and everyone has to follow my way, etc. The main thing that draws us to the craft is that it is unique to each of us and we can do as we please. I'd like to perhaps find one or two others to form an informal working relationship for such things as the sabbats, but otherwise remain happily solitary. Hee, hee.:cool:

[Ari]

I have a foot in each camp and like it that way ~ I work with a couple of friends every so often and bounce ideas off them all the time, but still practice mostly as a solitary.

[Merlin]

Well here goes, my first reply posty type thingy.... I practice mostly by myself, although I often celebrate the Sabbats with friends and I have belonged to a few 'learning circles' (for want of a better name). I always meet up with others when I am ready for some more challenges and new learning.
The last two full moons have been amazing. I have just started working with a friend and it's like we've known each other for ages, we've known each other for a while and we can't believe it has takn so long to start practicing a bit together.

Blessings
Merlin

[SilverMoon999]

Merry Meet everyone!

I just joined and have taken the opportunity to post my first message. I've been a solitary Witch for quite a while now. Just recently I started working with a friend of mine. I wouldn't call it a coven or anything, but I think it can still be classified as a group!

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

I am mainly a solitary practioner, but I do have a couple friends with an interest so I help them on their path when I can. My best friend is 3000 miles away, but we practice what we can together! :)

Dag
:)

[Niamh]

Greetings,
I practice as a solitary. However, I don't feel alone! While I don't have many friends who are pagan, I have a few with whom I can get together and discuss anything from spell work to rituals. And we are all at different levels of experience so we learn a lot from one another. Also, one is great with herbs, another with stones, and I with candles. We try to help one another.
However, we've never discussed the few of us getting together for a ritual, etc. I think that some would be willing to celebrate a Sabbat together. BUt like many others who have posted, we don't live so close...
I also don't feel so alone because these message boards are so darn good!
-Niamh

[Witchbourne]

Solitary**

[belladonna23]

Solitary.

[Skye_McCarthy]

right now i'm a solitary...but i think that may not be so later on... mostly i'm stilly pretty new to wicca so i can still learn a lot from books and especially on places like mysticwicks :)
also the nearest coven to me is about an hour away..and since i have to share my car its a little hard to get that far on a regular basis....
also i'm eventually moving somewhere else..so maybe there will be a coven there that will suit me....ok now that i've told u my life story lol ;)

have a great day all :D
-Skye

[mol]

Originally posted by SilverMoon999
Merry Meet everyone!

I just joined and have taken the opportunity to post my first message. I've been a solitary Witch for quite a while now. Just recently I started working with a friend of mine. I wouldn't call it a coven or anything, but I think it can still be classified as a group!

Welcome SilverMoon!

Wow, we have a few solitaries eh?

[sherry]

Solitary I guess ! But have not read enough to feel comfortable about covens. Maybe as I grow to a more comfortable level of knowledge I will not feel like I am only asking questions !! I do hate the thought of stupid questions coming from me but ask MOL I have alot of them. I just feel like I can't learn it all fast enough

[Semele]

Sherry, welcome to the community. Ask away.. don't worry no one will judge you here and we have such a diverse, helpful group of folks here that most questions will be answered several times over, often with helpful links. Then you can decide for yourself what you feel is right for you.

Before long you will be the one answering questions, in fact I bet you already have some answers waiting to surface. Until then feel free to hang out and ask all you want...and answer some of the polls that are up throughout the community. All opinions count around here.

Semele

[sharon_fitzhugh]

I am what most would consider a Solitary, but as I have a male friend who practices with me on most occasions I answered "Other".

[mol]

Originally posted by sharon_fitzhugh
I am what most would consider a Solitary, but as I have a male friend who practices with me on most occasions I answered "Other".

I can relate. I consider myself a solitary...but actually, my Wife and I practice together so...I guess we really are not. ;)

[Sunsong]

Guess I am the only neither...

[MystyPines]

Hello Everyone!

For the most part I consider myself Solitary, doing most of my spellwork and celebrating the Esbats with my husband. But, for the past 7 years I have been celebrating the Sabbats with a small group (4) of female eclectic witches revering the Celtic pantheon. I guess I wouldn't consider us a coven but we are dedicated and usually don't miss a Sabbat without celebrating together. We all do our part as far as writing rituals, altar decor and setup and feasting foods for afterwards. We usually know who is going to do what before we start, casting, calling quarters, consecrating the water, the main celebration, symbolic great rite, cakes & ale, reciting poetry, using musical instruments, dancing, etc. It's wonderful!

Bright Blessings! :D

[Myst]

I've been practicing solitary all along, although we do have a few rituals in a circle of friends, and a Pagan festival or two annually.

There's one established coven in the area, but it's not accepting members. My friends in the circle don't really think they have the time to work in a coven. Especially since I've been reading CovenCraft by Amber K I've been hoping to find or start a coven, or even join an online coven to get some sort of experience - but I haven't even found an online coven that's suitable.

Any ideas or comments?

MP;
Willow

[D~M]

I'm a solitary wiccan, mainly cuz I reeeeeeeeeally dont work well in groups, everything *HAS* to go my way, otherwise i'm not happy with it...(im really self-centred, c? ;))
Last Samhain tho, i was lucky enough to spend it with my mum's best friend and some of her friends, who are also witches. We had a great time, it was in Whitby, which is meant to be the town of goths or something, and because it was hallowe'en, all the goths came out to thrive... it was great, actually i was just remembering it a few minutes ago *sigh* that was such a great night............
:D

[Laiste]

I am a solitary, but, on occasion I work with a friend or two. Lately though I seem to be needing something else and I feel as if I have come to a plateau. When I move I intend on searching for covens in my area. I think for a while or possibly longer I would like the structure and closeness that a coven would provide.

Blessed Be,

Laiste

[Celtic_Angel]

I voted other. The only thing I practice is my backstroke in the pool...

[Lord Summerisle]

In the 20 or so years I've been involved with the craft, I've been in 2 covens, and had some truly amazing experiences. Things change, people come and go, and now I work mostly alone, but sometimes I miss working with others, especially outdoors. Maybe sometime in the future......

[MammaStar]

I'm a solitary. I tried working/learning in a Grove situation, but it just wasn't for me. Every once in a while my friend and I do something together, but not that often. I guess I've always been this way. I seem to work better alone, it said so on my 3rd grade report card! :D

[Skye]

I had to vote other....
mostly I am by myself, but never alone.
My family is ever present, whether in spirit or in person.
The ways in which we practise our craft always involves our ancestors....living or dead

I know really weird.......but I like it that way:cool:

[Rævyn Cigány]

I am for the moment a solitary, but the more people I meet in my area, the more I want to be a part of a coven, or at the very least, a study group (HINT HINT Wyrdsister!!! ;))

BB

Rae )0(

[Wyrdsister]

Oh I heed your HINT, Raevyn! :) I am SSSOOOOOO excited for Sunday!!! :D :D

(just as a comment to everyone else, Rae and I are getting together this Sunday for a day of fun and magick! Wheeee! :) :) Big Thumbs Up for meeting people online!)

Wyrdsister

[Mythrel]

I put both as my response. I practice primarily with my girlfriend. Since I met her, we practice together for all the Sabbats and for things like making mead. But I also practice as a solitary from time to time for personal stuff...Iam from Colorado Springs, CO and there is a large pagan community here. One group in particular called the Earth Spirit Pagans(ESP) holds rituals for all full moons and sabbats. They are an interesting group, the come from all backgrounds, druidic, eclectic, alexandrian, etc. and for each ritual someone different steps up to organize it and lead the ritual in there particular area...it is interesting what blends start to happen...quite interesting. Anyway, to get back on point, I have gone to a couple of there rituals as well, so in essence I have worked with a group, coven and solitary. Alright I think I am done rambling now....

Mythrel

[quixote]

MM,
I am solitary, partially by choice. I have heard of a full moon circle that is around here, but i've been told it is strictly a women's circle.
oh well...
bb
quixote

[solwicca]

I am a solitary by choice simple because I don't follow one tradition exclusively. If there is something I like about a tradition and I think it would help me grow then I incorporate it. Besides I know people in a coven and from what they tell me I don't think I would be as happy as I am on my own. Although occasionally I will get together with a couple friends for Sabbats or some spells.
Blessed Be Solwicca

[Myst]

Well a coven doesn't have to follow any set tradition anyway, and just might make their own as they go. I've always preferred solitary too, because that's the kind of person I am, but lately I can't get enough of discussing Paganism with other people and trying group circles, etc.

[Garnet]

Put me down as another solitary. I practice alone for several reasons...I don't drive, have a weird work schedule, I'm a raving individual. Some of my rituals I'd be embarrassed to perform in front of others (the ones where I beat my head on the altar & scream, "Why must I be flypaper for the male freaks of this planet!")
:rotfl:

[Twilight Garden]

I'm mainly solitary. I participate in rituals with a Wiccan church sometimes. I've never worked in a coven.

[Yvonne Belisle]

Garnet I have a friend in Yuma Arizona who preforms that same ritual. I will have to tell her she isn't alone.

[amberlaine]

wow this thread is exactlyone year old today. Down with necromancy!

[Illuminatus]

Discordians don't have Covens, we have Cabals, and I'm not in one, though I would like to be. I think they would be more aply named Cells, since each one is capapble of performing destructive acts in and of itself completely independantly without any central leadership. Any takers?

[NeoPhoenix]

I voted other because though I'm curently solitary I am looking for other pagans to practice with in my area, as well as maybe a teacher. And I also would love to one day find a coven I like and join them as well. :D

[Flaire-FireStar]

Solitary.. The one bad thing about living in the middle of no where is that I don't think there's anyone close to where I live.. (Although I have been in contact with someone from my area -haven't heard from him in weeks though. :dis: ) There are other reasons - like I prefer being alone (just not the group type) and I like to do things my own way. :)

[Raindancer]

I have participated in some group circles and celebrations, but by and large, I prefer to be Solitary. Like many people, I have problems with the whole group dynamic thing, as then there is pressure to go with the group flow, when you might want to do things differently. Also too, there is the ego/boss thing. I'm pretty strong and independent, and wouldn't stand for someone telling me THE RIGHT WAY TM, and just as much don't want to be put in the position of people looking to me for that. Its just not how it is, and thats that for me. If there were someone who looked at things similarly, and with whom I got along well, I wouldn't mind doing ritual with them, but not a coven, more of a confederation of solitaires each contributing their energies in their own way to the whole. No right or wrong, just love and acceptance and sharing. No ego...Meanwhile, I'm happy to do things my way, its right for me.
Raindancer

[Nyx]

Solitary by choice. However, I'm not against meeting with other Pagans in my area. It's always nice to have some "like minds" to talk to. I'd like to try working in a coven one day, but I'd have to find a group I like first. That's the hard part.

[Lavender]

Solitary as well. I like doing things my way.

[Raindancer]

I have to tell you guys about this one website that I was subscribed to ( now gone sadly) which had a ritual room with a graphic altar, midi's to choose from for ritual music, and it was also a chat room.

It must have taken a lot of planning and working out the ritual, but they had an online ritual which people could tune into and participate. Just before they disappeared, they had a Sabbat ritual that I took part in. They told everyone well in advance when it was, what time and timezone and so people all around the world were able to converge and do a ritual together. I think it was Samhain. The person who ran it worked out the framework of the ritual, and people who wanted to say something, jumped in with it. It was structured but flexible.

The site was called Haven or The Haven, and it was a good if a bit overkill on the security side ( you had to use passwords to go from one room to the other, which considering that you had to be subscribed as a member to get in in the first place seemed like a bit much. But it was a good site, and the worldwide online ritual with cool altar, and music ( I played Enya) was something to remember.

BB
Raindancer

[Radocs]

I'm solitary. I'm not much of a people person. ^_^

[Haedis]

Purely solitary. I'd like the experience of working with a group but in my town the only "Pagans" who are out of the closet are Wiccans who think its all some sort of a trendy club. *sigh* someday.

[Myst]

Originally posted by Raindancer
The site was called Haven or The Haven, and it was a good if a bit overkill on the security side ( you had to use passwords to go from one room to the other, which considering that you had to be subscribed as a member to get in in the first place seemed like a bit much.

I imagine with all that organization and planning they *really* didn't want some newbie or curious "wicca is cool, I saw it on charmed!" type people wandering in to disrupt it. I think that's a cool idea; and I think a member of MW started a club for TechnoPagans that centered around such expressions and rituals. I don't know if it went very far tho - I haven't seen him here in weeks or heard from him on the club for awhile, and I parted from it I think so I don't even remember the name... *sigh* Try doing a search for "technopagan" and maybe you'll find it here :)

[Psyche Ague]

Purely solitary. Never had the urge to be in a coven. There aren't any around here anyway. I like practicing alone much more.

[HallsOfAvalon]

I 9 times out of 10 am solitary, but I am very suprised you didn't give an option for circle.

I belong to a circle, and I think it is very different then belonging to a coven or being solitary. It is a place you can go without the commitment that is needed in a coven. Also circles tend to be larger. The one I belong to has about 300 members and it is amazing at the power you feel during rituals.
We also do drumming rituals. I have allot of my circles newletters up if anybody wants to see more of what I mean as far as being different. They are located in my MessageBoard. Link is in signature. (this post is not a shameless plug, I really believe there is a big difference)

[Raindancer]

I've participated in a few circles that cosisted of whoever showed up at the celebration, and especially on one occasion when we were really focussed, it was like being in a huge power generator, but you're talking about people who get together regularly aren't you? I haven't belonged to anything in a Wicca context, but belonged to something sort of like that in an SCA context. I don't know if you know about SCA households, but some can be quite structured with a household head, and so on ( not always of course) I belonged to a loose knit group of friends who hung out together at events, camped together, ate together, and did stuff together, but weren't committed to it if we were going to do something else. More of a federation of equals with no household head. We called it The Alliance. It worked pretty well for a long time. If you're Solitary but want to do rituals with others from time to time, it sounds like one way to do it. The main thing is that everyone should feel comfortable together.
Raindancer

[HallsOfAvalon]

Well some circles get together on a regular bases.... so do not. The one I am in used to be every full moon, but now it's like twice a year. But that is nice, it gives us a chances to join even more circles or do it alone.

[Ardwinna]

Solitary... but I have been in a coven. It didn't work out though, it was too disorganized and we barely ever got together. I was in a different one before that, and it was stupid because everyone started fighting after a couple months and they were just being mean, so I left.

Bad luck, I guess! So, I'm happy just to be solitary for now.

[story]

tough call.........
I vote other.
I've worked with others before, and still do to some extent, but mainly practice alone. Basically i just don't have the same worldview as most of my friends.

[mato]

Solitary... but I am not wiccan and it is just solitary paganism that should be practiced in a tribe and not as a solitary :wah: I dont think that I would be able to work with some one not of my blood, they wouldnt be able to handle it. That and I would never EVER serve under another in a religious/spiritual setting, I dont like using a god because he get's in my way far to often (man I have an ego...). The virgin goddess thing is far easier to handle and use for me.

[Ball-Bhreac Ròn]

Solitary..I just know if I was in a coven etc, I'd get really p!ssed off after a while, because things wouldn't always be done my way...I'm a bit of a control freak, y'see :D

[magick_faerie]

merry meet
im a solitary and dont really know any other pagans/wiccans round my area as people in england dont accept us at all
any advice would be very useful
look forward to the results
:boing::boing::boing::boing::boing::boing:
:shift::shift::shift::shift::shift::shift::shift
blessed be
anthene
xxx

[HallsOfAvalon]

I always thought they were more understanding in England. What part are you from? Big city/small town?

[magick_faerie]

not really
they ask me if i worship satan lol
i live in london
blessed be
Anthene
xx
:boing::boing::boing::boing:

[Raindancer]

My first teacher ( online) Ishobelle, was from there, and lived near London and worked there for a long time. She's living in another part of England now, and sadly couldn't afford to stay online. She was great and will always be special though we haven't been in touch for a few years now. Ish was a victim of discrimination because of her religion. She had an executive type job until they found out she was a witch and they fired her. Furthermore, they gave her a reference that pretty much prevented her from ever working in the field she was in. She was able to change fields and ended up doing something more rewarding and interesting though lower paying, but the Mom takes care of Her own. Also, if you read Sybil Leek's autobiography, you will see that as one of the first witches to go public, she encountered a great deal of discrimination in England, and eventually went to America where she became a celebrity. Most of the witches that I know of there are sort of in the closet unless they have serious financial resources and don't have to worry about working. Still, English witches get to live where all that wonderful historical stuff is... Stonehange, Avebury, and so on...I went there in 85 and if I had the chance to spend more time there in or out of the closet, I would do it in a hot second.
Blessings
Raindancer

[magick_faerie]

thats very sad raindancer, sadly its like like all over england and even places like stonehenge isnt sacred anymore, people come up when people are visiting places like that and ruin it by calling names, causing trouble etc
there is a lot of wonderful countryside tho and it is lovely to just go sit on your own miles from anyone else, its a very spiritual place england but full of discriminating people. Thanks for your insight
Bright Blessings
Anthene
xx

[Raindancer]

Hi Magick Faerie, that really sucks that you have to put up with that. You would expect it in Bible Belt USA, but not in England, especially in London which is theoretically, a cosmopolitan city of the world. Over here in NZ which has a strong British influence, having been a colony and being part of the Commonwealth, I find that most people couldn't care less what your religion is, though being a solo parent of 3 small children, and being on a Domestic Purposes/Disability Benefit, I feel that I need to be careful around bureaucrats that I have to deal with, and the school. They have Scripture Classes in public schools, which is luckily, optional, but there is social pressure on the kids to conform. I've made my feelings clear about them not attending Scripture, as I also don't feel that someones religious doctrines belong in public school curricula. So I haven't had to give them the whole story, though I wear a pentacle ring. They don't seem to have noticed. But it just pays to be careful, these people have a lot of power over people in my position and can easily push their personal prejudices and agendas.
Raindancer

[Alphyna]

Just my husband and I , although sometimes we are solo. Many Bright Blessings!

[Sephiroth]

im more of a person to work with in a group and by myself so i have to say both of them. it just goes on the way i feel on the days. plus theres not that many pagans in my area..

[Bryony]

Mainly solitary. I have problems with people (being mildly autistic) and it comes out in most instances, including this. The exeption is my friend and I sometimes 'make the rounds' at school, and last year we drummed up enough respectable pagans to celebrate a couple of sabbats. Too bad half of them graduated last year!

[Bryony]

I've been to england, it is really interesting. Didn't there use to be laws against witches, I think they were repealed in the fifties..... It would be interesting to pursue for historical purposes. I like knowing my history- of religeon, country, etc. it helps if you happen to get in an arguement with someone.
I hate losing arguements, unless I really realize i was truly wrong.

I am also in a place where they seem to not care about religeon, but I have to be careful about certain areas, and it is dangerous to admit that you are a witch within 50 yards of a christian church around here. You get annoying ppl knocking at your door at all hours of the day, Nd I hate dealing with idiots trying to change my mind. I kept getting called by someone at 2:30 in the morning. I finally figured out who it was, and they recieved a nice little letter from my parents about filing for a lawsuit on harrassment ('cause that was what the fool was doing).

they quit calling..................gosh, My parents are so great!

[kblackthorne]

Thanks for including the "both" option!

It's really the only option that covers me & mine. There's a group of us that get together for the Holidays when it's mutually convenient... And we do have a distinct Tradition, though I'm probably the only one at the moment who's really stopped to realize that.

But the last time we met was Samhain.

We all tend to think of ourselves as Solitaries at least as much as we think of ourselves as part of a group.

[phoenixsong]

I'm a solitary by location, age, and in-the-broom-closet-ness. Don't really know any serious Pagans or Witches round where I live, though I tried contacting some via Witchvox.

[Raindancer]

Maybe its a matter of semantics, but I think that what you are talking about when you talk about a group of individuals who get together for rituals but have no obligations to them, or a set of strict do's and don'ts, and this- is- how- we- do - its, is a circle. Correct me if I'm wrong, and a coven is more like a mini church congregation or even a sect unto itself. Its much more rule bound and organized than what most ( but not all ) solitaries feel comfortable with.

I'm solitary because I like the freedom it gives, I make my own rules and my own ways of doing things. If I do a ritual with someone else, I give up and compromise some of that to accomodate their ways. If its someone I feel really comfortable with, I don't mind, I like the togetherness bond and look at it as something beautiful we create together, but it only works well if they as much as I, have the freedom to follow what we feel within what we're doing. To work well, we would really have to be on a wavelength though.

In a coven, I would be walking into a group that already has things worked out and if I wanted to participate, I would have to conform to the program, and only add my own bit where I'm allowed to do so.

Either that, or I'd have to start my own and probably do that to someone else who walks in new to it all. I don't feel comfortable with either of those ideas, as I feel that if we wanted to be told what and how to worship, there are lots of churches out there who would be glad to do that for us. God/dess made us to be strong and free, to reach the stars as best we can in our own unique ways, and not to be enslaved by anyone.

Raindancer

[Felidae]

Solitary because I'm shy, shy, shy!

And there is that old "Only Child" thing, too. Guess I'm just used to autonomy. :)

[BloodRose]

While I like practicing by myself i'd also like to be part of a coven.

There are none around me though. :rolleyes:

*BloodRose*

[Aine of the Fae]

All by my lonesome self. Well sort of. My hubby and son kind of practice with me although we're mostly three solitaries in the same house. Oh and my son is six so he's still in the early, early learning phase.

[AmbivalentMirage]

I work with a coven but I also do things outside. It's a very freeing coven and I love being there. ^.^

[Joshua]

My wife and I are both solitaries. I'm eclectic and she's green(kitchen). We're both perfectly happy to practice according to our own particular styles.

[Ceallach]

I actually started a group just recently. Its not a typical coven, but we do rituals together and study together. We also practice on our own as well. I like knowing that I have others I can talk to in person and get together to celebrate with.

[Koehnae]

I put neither because I don't consider myself "practicing" yet. I am still trying to gather information and find my place in Paganism.

[Eowyn]

Im solitary... I havent been a Wiccan long and I think I miss a lot of information before I join a coven. After all it's a big step

[blueiris]

i voted other, mainly because i am a solitary but i would like to join a circle eventually. i don't think i could join a coven and have to have such a commitment because i am a very eccentric person and very self-conscious. i am also trying to find my place in Paganism, as well, so it will be a while...
blessings be!

[Convallaria]

I voted solitary because I usually do sabbat rites in the solitude of my bedroom, but I enjoy attending open circles, just to mingle and grow from other people's advice and teachings.

[Kalika]

Solitary.

[enchancea]

Solitary

[SilverClaw]

i have been solitary for the past6 years or so and have just joined a group.

[seph valentine]

i was number 150 to vote solitary kool

[Dauthus]

I too am solitary. But..I don't think I would mind seeing how members of a coven do things. I am always open to learning new things, and that seems like a good way to do so. I guess it just depends on the people and the coven. That make sense?

[DixieWitch]

I voted Solitary. I am Solitary for a few reasons 1) I have not found a coven or one has not found me 2)I am still new and wanting to learn on my own for a bit 3) I am terribly shy and have trouble meeting new people and 4)I prefer to be on my own, which is basically #2 again. I'd do jsut about anything to have an in person really good friend that I could practice with!

[michellef]

Solitary for a few reasons - I'm quite shy, I don't really know anyone else in my area into similar ideas and I really enjoy the freedom of being able to go my own way and explore new ideas and methods. I still feel quite new, so being able to explore on my own is a big thing right now.

[SilverClaw]

I find that there are definte perks to being solitary and part of a coven.

1) solitary you get the freedom to do things how you want, when and how long you want.

2) in a coven though you get to try different things you may have not learnt being a solitary practioner.

There is more I wanted to post but I jsut pulled a blank, I think I need sleep. :foopsies:

[Teshuva3D]

Wow!!! Lots of solitary folk here..I'm a solitary,mostly because my work hours prevent me from commiting to a group's activities..I'm casually aquainted with some like minded folk,but seems I have to work whenever there's a shindig..:(
On the upside though,I like studying alone..what I want and when I want..but I've been alone for sooo long that it DOES get REALLY lonely...but such is life..

[tazz11]

i dont know if you well be able to under stand this but whats new lol so i well just run with it and hope for the best ! see i have 7 diffrent house but i like this old farm home stead the best because it has a few ghost and spirits , now as i got to say all of the above for this reason , i found that diffrent ghost have away of being seen by some and not others this i see as a state mind passing into a medatation state that lets are sence lock on to them and with out the open mindedness to guide us we find are self flowing the path and not openly walking in the field for say ,

so i got to say each has its value but those that under stand all for what they are and can change levels and intencities can reach most and connect , now i see ghost as aruora reasadew of a time long gone where powers of the soul have inprinted them selfs and play back when conditions fit a set environment where they once happen in real time , thus a time loop of any where from a few secs to a few mintues ,often they play out the same vision at after time and the same goes for spirits they are liveing spirits that have yet past and they often lock on to a person for some reason of now relationship in their life or the type of person they are ,so this shows us is they can relate to us but only if we can be open to them and relate to them and if we control are selfs to be only guide by one set of standards we find are selfs not connecting to them and in many case from my point of veiw they pass us by with out most even seeing them because of this color to are aruoras or some given sign they see we dont ,

the coven, being a x war lock, i find often witches feel the power of the war lock as a over powering force that can not be a part of the coven but often we know the coven and set in the dark and watch and guide them if needed but let anything or and one try to hert the coven and the war lock come from the darkness sky alone life they live to step out as a death in the air and war in the heart that few things can defend them selfs from ! the arts and will to fight evil from herting the coven is beyond under standing , they saying where i come from was " fear the fury of the witches scorn,but death is where war locks are born".....this saying has been in my family sents before the 1500's where it came from i could only guess other than it being in a statement in are family tree ....this is very old words of my soul and who i am ......if i talk to a coven near by the bow and never look me eye to eye and we both know why .....if i see a witch and we make eye contact at a store or some where a word is not spoken and i see fear in their eyes , and i stay clear of them ,

see witches are a war locks candy to the eye, this is true i can not lie ....when i where the long robe of black ,i cover my head ,hood to hide my eye that taste or my lust would cast apone their race .....a rule to know young war locks are of the body war to lust ,old war locks are focus direction and cus and death is not the war anymore its a must .....

all of the above , all the way , all my life ,i say ....

[tazz11]

i would like to add : a coven has come to me at times and ask to use my meeting place of stones ,i would stand on the lagest stone with my hood over my head ,and they would meet and be as one in fun and life and i would not move or talk, i was only their to protect the coven ,from above .....they knew i could step from the stone and they could all die in seconds ,yet this holds the coven true......for if a time ever came where the war lock steps down why the circle holds the coven, he step within and their only chances is as a pure coven of one . for a war lock's blade is not for fun ....

[Tiana_Ecarias]

I was part of a group, not a coven exactly, but we did do rituals together and such. But since a few of them moved, and then I moved, I've been solitary.

[Pesha]

Long time solitaire here. I find it easier to be so and also where I live makes it difficult to find like minds. So I go it alone.

BB
DS.

[13thChylde]

I voted both, although I'm mainly solitary. There is a group that somewhat nearby (an hour's drive) that I enjoy. I have to make arrangements for the kids, etc. so I don't get to attend as often as I like.

I'm making my own stone circle in the woods next to my house with room for a small fire in the center for those full moons when I'm not able to attend.

I don't mind being alone so much, but it would be nice if some of you guys lived in town and we could do things together :) .