Solitary.

[Elementalist]

Does anybody practice by themselves? Do you find it easier?

 
I'm solo mostly because I have a very particular ideology and am only interested in a tiny subset of what's out there. I don't want to be distracted by all that other stuff until and unless it's of relevance to me. I'm also an independant learner in all things in life and just end up questioning learning that's handed down to me to the point of picking it apart. Better for me to discover on my own and pick apart my own stuff.  :p

I don't think either path is easier or harder. On the one hand learning from others gives you a headstart and some framework which is helpful if you are that kind of learner. A lot of people want to tread a well worn path and there's a lot of advantage in doing that. Likewise there is also a lot of advantage in striking out on your own and making discoveries for yourself. Horses for courses.

I've never been one to join any sort of formalised group so solitary was an obvious path for me.

[Myrth]

I practice solo and have for years. For a brief time I went to some CUUPS meetings, but that group was a little too Wiccan in its practices and I was not a good fit for them. I am an eclectic green witch who also practices Reiki. I think it is fairly common to practice solo, as it is difficult to find others who are like-minded enough to have ceremonies, rituals, and practices that are meaningful to all members.

[Kelly]

I practice solo and have for years. For a brief time I went to some CUUPS meetings, but that group was a little too Wiccan in its practices and I was not a good fit for them. I am an eclectic green witch who also practices Reiki. I think it is fairly common to practice solo, as it is difficult to find others who are like-minded enough to have ceremonies, rituals, and practices that are meaningful to all members.

 

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[Sveta]

Does anybody practice by themselves?

I don't know a single pagan IRL ~ so yep, I practice alone. I have some pagan friends online, which is fantastic, but I do sometimes wish that I could find a few offline...

[Donal]

Does anybody practice by themselves? Do you find it easier? I don't think a coven would suit me as I don't believe in higher gods. I believe in nature and such. I nlieve asking nature for help in return helping nature.
Am I the only one who practices there beliefs?

I have been Solitary for a while, but participate in some Esbats and Sabbats with a local group.

My own private focus is Eclectic/Celtic and Pluralist Universalist (my own term for myself). My Solitary practice focuses mainly on my own spiritual development and well-being, as well as blessings and workings to help people I know. I also do workings to help improve my life and material environment, as well as material help for others.

I go to the group rituals mainly to mark time and for fellowship. I find my private work to be more effective for me and more focused on self-help. That makes sense of course, since it is focused and directed only by myself and my own interests.

The Sabbats are just a good way of breaking out of too much solitude and helping social energy flow. I think, for me at least, a balance between solitary practice complemented by group ritual work is the best mix.  

I hope that your solitary work goes well.

Blessed Be,
Donal

[Violet Skies]

Does anybody practice by themselves? Do you find it easier? I don't think a coven would suit me as I don't believe in higher gods. I believe in nature and such. I nlieve asking nature for help in return helping nature.

I think in some terms it`s easier and in other terms it`s not.  I personally find it really annoying to experience all these cool spiritual things and have no one to tell, or bounce ideas off of, or get a different point-of-view from.  So, in that regard I think it`s better to have some kind of pagan community around, whether that be one good friend, a group of friends, or an actual coven.  Humans are by nature social, even if we do like our alone time.  Online communities are great, too, especially if you can`t find any pagans around.  But, to me, nothing quite beats sitting with a pagan friend at Starbucks chatting about the supernatural ... and utterly freaking out all the eavesdroppers around you.    

Since most participants in today`s pagan religions are highly individualized it is very hard to find people with the exact same philosophies as you.  Maybe even impossible.  Plus, if you`re doing energy work or spells together or something it can be awfully hard to make sure everyone is on the same page throughout the whole shabang which can make the end result of the energy work/spell less effect or just plain go awry.  So, when it comes to actual magick and what not, I think solitary is easier.  Less chances for things to go wrong.        

Right now I`m in Japan and the only Wiccans here are the: "DEATH WITCHCRAFT DESTRUCTION BLACK CLOTHES RAAAAAAAAAAAAAWR" non-conformist types who advertise worshipping satan just to try and scare people.  So, I`m waiting until I get back to the States to try and find some like-minded people.  Thus for now, I am a solitary, as well (with only community, of course). :ange:

[Jack]

But, to me, nothing quite beats sitting with a pagan friend at Starbucks chatting about the supernatural ... and utterly freaking out all the eavesdroppers around you.    

Somehow I just don't get people freaking out when I'm talking to my wife or my friends in public anymore. Maybe I look too respectable? Maybe it's just because I live in an area known for weird? Sometimes I miss it, though, having grown up in a small, easily-freaked-out town. Enjoy it while you can. XD

[Olie]

Does anybody practice by themselves? Do you find it easier? I don't think a coven would suit me as I don't believe in higher gods. I believe in nature and such. I nlieve asking nature for help in return helping nature.

Sorry cat stepped on my phone mid way through.

I want to work with nature so we both can achieve greater capabilities. Ill be hopefully practicing in my own garden and having a fish pond. I would use incense, aromatherapy, stones, herbs and plants. As well as things found in the forests and such.

Am I the only one who practices there beliefs?

 
im a by-my-selfer! i found some other people in my area who like witchcraft/paganism but they're more religious and i'm more not. i like doing stuff that makes me feel more like the witches on halloween with the whole "double trouble toil and bubble" stuff. even though no one really does that haha.
its hard finding people to take it as unseriously serious as i do :C

but this whole business about sitting at starbucks and freaking out the muggles with my witch talk does sound pretty fun >.,>

[Polymorphia]

Does anybody practice by themselves? Do you find it easier?

I really do. I've never been in a group, but I've recently taken up Hedgecraft, and hedgewitches typically work alone! I do have a close friend who is also a hedgewitch though, so I'm not too alone. I think it's good to work with people you can fully trust, really.

I would only ever seek the aid of a coven if I needed to do spellwork that required a lot of energy, but that's not likely to happen, heh. I like being the eccentric outcast!

im a by-my-selfer! i found some other people in my area who like witchcraft/paganism but they're more religious and i'm more not. i like doing stuff that makes me feel more like the witches on halloween with the whole "double trouble toil and bubble" stuff. even though no one really does that haha.
its hard finding people to take it as unseriously serious as i do :C

but this whole business about sitting at starbucks and freaking out the muggles with my witch talk does sound pretty fun >.,>

Lmao, I like the sound of that. xD