The Solitary Witch

The solitary witch, or solitary practitioner, is defined as a witch who practices their craft alone; without benefit of a coven or familial tradition for education, spell work, and support.

While this may sound lonely and even daunting, for many, including myself, it’s the right path.

So why do some witches choose to be Solitaries?

For some people choosing the path of the solitary might be their only choice because they don’t have access to other witches.

For others it can come down to feeling the need to keep things secret.

People who have strong personalities are either solitary, leading a coven, or trying to take one over. (You strong personality types know what I’m talking about! lol)

For me, the Solitary path started out as my only option, and I was good with that. I bought a ton of books and magazines and basically absorbed all of the information I could.

I loved talking with other witches, when I came across them. Growing up in the south in the 1970's, that didn't happen often. In the pre-internet days, it just wasn’t as easy to meet like minded folks, but we did what we could.

Then, years down the path, I was invited to become a part of a local coven that was hiving off from the big one in town. I spent about 6 months figuring out that I was way too much of an independent witch to remain a permanent part of their group.

It was a wonderful experience that I will value always, but I felt like there were a lot of restrictions and dogma attached to the whole thing. I get having structure and process, solitaries have that, too.

As a Solitary, I’m my own High Priestess. I like it that way.

I prefer to choose which deities, if any, I invoke and work with.

I prefer to live by my moral code, not someone else’s.

Truth be told I feel more like an Independent witch than a Solitary witch, but that's another blog.

I’d love to hear from other Solitaries/Independents out there.

Why are you a Solitary witch?