How to Be a Solitary Witch

A solitary witch is simply a Wiccan who practices on their own. Many believe only a coven can make you a Wiccan through initiation into the craft. Scott Cunningham, who wrote "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" and a followup book, "Living Wicca," championed the solitary path. Follow these steps to get started.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Read as much as you can about Wicca, especially about practicing as a solitary witch. Buy Cunningham's books but also expose yourself to different Wiccan traditions such as Gardnerian and Alexandrian practices. Cast your net of study as wide as possible.

2. Experience nature by taking frequent walks and becoming aware of your surroundings. The basis of Wicca is feeling at one with the natural world. Watch birds and smell the flowers in spring and summer. Marvel at the changing colors of the leaves in autumn and the blankets of snow in winter.

3. Reflect on the principles of Wicca such as the "harm none" and threefold laws. Experience the goddess and god in their many forms. Go out when the sky is dark and search for the moon. Wake up just before dawn and watch the sunrise.

4. Keep a journal from the day you decide to follow a solitary Wiccan path. You'll need a Book of Shadows too, but for now concentrate on figuring out what you believe and how it all fits together. Call it your Witch's Journal and combine it later with your Book of Shadows.

5. Begin practicing Wicca by creating very simple rituals to honor the festivals. You don't need anything to perform a ritual, though you may decide a white candle to represent the goddess and a gold one for the god helps keep your mind focused. As you gain a clearer idea of your solitary path, create your Book of Shadows.

Tips & Warnings

• Write your Book of Shadows out by hand. This brings you closer to the process of creating your own tradition.
• You don't have to isolate yourself completely just because you're a solitary witch. Connect with other Wiccans wherever you are to open your mind to other practices.

[homeschoolwitch]

on 8/6/2009 I enjoyed your article, as it suggests, rather then dictates, which is the largest mistake of many people writing about Wicca and Witchcraft.
Blessed Be!

[shadowmere]

on 2/18/2009 nautical999 please respect wiccan beliefs and do not try to convert us. we don't try to convert people, we basically leave you alone so leave us alone. And by the goddess, please don't get angry. Solitude is a state of peace, not evil.

[sailboat11]

on 1/16/2009 I appreciate your article.
Magic is not against God, but given to us all at birth, by God, & unlearned as we grow. He created the stones, herbs, & congrigate together, that are spoke of 'highly' in the Bible.
The Pope, was the only human allowed to wear an Amethyst (restricts addictive or ill behavior)in the olden age, which is recorded religiously.
Unlearned as we grow. God created prayer same as a confirmation or positive thought. In mass, imagaging (all thinking the same thought/s) 'IS' the same as a prayer group and 'just' as powerful.
The problem starts when people use the energies/thoughts/prayers for ill will or against someones wishes. Thus bad begins. Even prayer can cause harm, God doesn't always give you the answer in the way you would have liked????
AND SO MOTE IT BE!!

[Walkaboutangel]

on 10/30/2008 Blessed be

Angel

[Aryia]

on 4/1/2008 This is how to become a solitary Wiccan, which is not necessarily a solitary witch, but can be with experience.