I’ve done it a few ways so far this year: Totally alone, with a large group every week, occasional visits…But the question is, is it better alone, or with a group?

Get your heads out of the gutter, folks. We are talking about either practicing as a Pagan/Wiccan solitary or joining a coven (a group of like-minded Pagans and Wiccans, usually within a specific tradition).

As a spiritual wanderer this year living in an area where Protestant Christianity is pretty much the only game in town, it’s tough finding friends across the religious spectrum. Sometimes I have to drive over one hundred miles to find the nearest practitioner. Other times, they are hiding in plain sight. Because of this, it gets lonely and frustrating, especially because I have only a month with each religion and I want to make the most of each experience.

In this regard, Wiccans and Pagans of many traditions have a choice: Practice as a solitary, or join a coven…if they are lucky. Why? Because you don’t see billboards along the road advertising coven worship events like you find with churches who spend out the yang for ads. In fact, you won’t find Wiccans or the greater Pagan community prosthelytizing at all. It’s not part of the faith. You find them…they don’t come looking for you.

This is especially tough on newbies coming into the faith, and because many Wiccans often blend in with society without any markers (for various reasons), many people start out as solitary practitioners because they have no other choice. For some traditions, the solitary path is perfectly acceptable along with self initiations into the faith. This is more of a dedication to one’s particular god(s) and/or goddess(es) in a private setting.

Other traditions, such as those Wiccan paths similar to Gardnerian Wicca, often hold to lineages. Lineages are a sort of pedigree which traces your initiation and teaching background. For instance, if I were to remain a student of Fey Wicca and became initiated into the faith by my Mentor, Melissa, my lineage would include her, her teacher, the one before that teacher, and so-on. This is where ranking and degrees come in (later post). Because of the importance of lineage to some traditions, the argument over the validity of a self-initiate is hotly debated.

But what if you do have a choice? What are some benefits of going solitary?

1. Complete independence. You set the tone and method for your practice as you see fit.
2. The ability to draw from many different traditions.
3. Ceremonies and worship are done according to your time frame, not a group’s
4. No group/peer pressure. All worship/devotion/belief is between yourself and your deities.

Sounds like a good way to go, right? I mean, who doesn’t enjoy freedom? While having a great deal of spiritual space is a pretty sweet deal, it doesn’t work for everyone. There are times when I enjoy being alone and not being pressured to be part of a group. Other times…it’d be nice to have some company. So what are the benefits of a coven?

1. Companionship. Let’s face it: Humans are social creatures. A coven provides a great spiritual and social structure for individual members.
2. Expanded teaching. There is always someone wiser than you. Covens provide a good resource of like-minded people who can impart years of experience.
3. With that wisdom comes structure. As a beginning solitary, there are so many directions to go–just within Wicca! In a group setting, a guided path relieves one from some of the stresses of searching.
4. Formality. Coven ceremonies are usually highly structured and elaborate. Some folks enjoy the grandour of formal ceremony, while others are more laid-back.

So it looks like it really comes down to personal choice and your circumstances. Perhaps you’re the only Pagan you know of within one hundred miles! Or maybe you’ve got your own thing going on and you don’t want some group rocking your boat. Maybe you’ve been with a coven for your entire life and enjoy the community of believers. This aspect of religion is not unique to Pagans and Wiccans either. People across many faiths often make this choice of group or individual practice (and often blend the two).

Personally (and I understand that my opinion here holds little weight), I think it comes down to what works for you.

There are benefits to both methods, but why not blend the two? Maybe a group of Pagan friends get together on Sabbats and Esbats but otherwise practice alone. With technology now, there are no limits as to how Pagans can reach out to one another. Sites like witchvox.com offer a huge forum of folks from many traditions sharing information and experiences. Not only that, but the site also gives listings about local events. All you have to do is type in your location.

So what’s your take on the issue? Solitary or coven(group)? Which is better or which do you prefer? Do you blend the two?