The Solitary Pagan Path

A Solitary Pagan is simply someone who practices their Pagan beliefs on their own rather than as part of a church, coven or other group. Most people turn to this path for one of three reasons:

1. They dislike groups in general and are more comfortable worshiping on their own
2. They are unable to find a local group of Pagans who both share the same basic beliefs and are willing to accept new members (many groups in more conservative areas still maintain a strong tradition of privacy for the protection of their members)
   or
3. They have an eclectic set of beliefs that are not fully reflected in any of the groups in their area

Dislike of groups

The first reason, that they are not comfortable in groups, is a common enough reason for younger pagans. That being said, many of these pagans find themselves being gradually guided to at least meet and speak with other pagans as time goes by. Even so, many are most comfortable practicing their magic and rituals on their own.

Often, this is purely a personal choice, but for some, it is necessary, at first. Some people are so sensitive to others' auras that anyone nearby is a severe distraction. If you are one of those people, I recommend practicing the Ground, Center, Shield Spell; it can help you become less sensitive over time without losing your innate ability.

Unable to find Local Groups

Being unable to find a local pagan group is still a common problem. Even in fairly open-minded communities, pagan groups are sometimes regarded with suspicion. In small and/or politically conservative communities, this problem is magnified, and can even lead to violence againt pagan groups.

Even when violence is avoided, some communities destroy pagan groups through shady legal tactics (one small Florida-based group I know of was literally sued out of existence - without ever losing a single case!). The more politically conservative a town is, and the more active and vocal the conservative elements are, the less likely it is that any pagan groups will be both active and open in the community.

It can also be hard to find a group of any sort if you live in an unusually small community. I have seen some small towns where the only places open on Sunday were the (only) two churches, and if you weren't at either one on Sunday, everyone in town knew by Tuesday. Naturally, such environments are not conducive of the creation of new groups, especially ones that might have beliefs that contradict with the existing churches.

This is far from limited to paganism: one of the places I know of was proud that they were tolerant enough to "allow" a Jewish synagogue to open in their town. Here's a good rule of thumb: if getting a stoplight is front page news in your town, you may want to exercise caution in publicizing your "non-standard" beliefs.

The Eclectic Solitary Pagan

The third major type of solitary is someone who follows an Eclectic Path. These solitary pagans may be members of one or more churches or covens, but follow a broader set of beliefs than the groups.

Some of these Eclectic Pagans will eventually form their own groups, and sometimes grow into their own traditions. This is essentially the way new churches are formed in every religion.

Which is right for you?

The decision to be solitary, or not, is a personal choice. The important thing is that you follow your calling and be true to yourself. Do NOT feel pressured to join a group just for validation. Be who you are and your peers will eventually accept you - or you will find a different peer group that will.

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