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Wiccan Wonders: Into the Forest Once More

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 		 Coven or Solitary? What’s Right for You

During your studies in Wicca, you may come across the terms "coven" and "solitary." What do these mean, though? Here are simple definitions I created to help you:

Coven: A group of Pagans or Wiccans that usually meet regularly and practice together and/or celebrate Sabbats (holidays) and/or Esbats (full moons) together. What they do in specific varies.

Solitary: A Pagan or Wiccan that practices alone.

When you first step onto your path, you may want to choose what you want to do: practice as a solitary or find a coven. What you choose is never definite; you can always switch if you are in a coven or are a solitaire. Some questions you may want to consider when it comes to deciding are:

Which one will be easier? If you haven’t come out yet, it could be hard to hide the fact that you are in a coven. It also may be easier to be solitary if there are no local covens and you are still inexperienced.

Which one feels "right" to you? Would you like to learn alone or practice Sabbats with others? Remember that if you are torn, you can still celebrate with other people sometimes and practice as a solitaire.

Do you want a teacher? Some covens also teach new Wiccans things. Just remember that some covens are not eclectic, as this site is, and may have different beliefs when it comes to some things. Don’t let them change your mind just because you want to "fit in" in the coven. If you’re not into Fae Wicca, don’t join a Fae Wicca coven, etc.

Whichever way you choose to study and practice, remember that we are all "solitary" when it comes right down to it. Even if you are in a coven, you need to not totally depend on the coven and learn some things for yourself.

Also realize that covens are like families. Make sure there is perfect love and trust in the coven because lack of either can cause problems that may even result in the breaking up of the coven.

Where?

Okay, so maybe you like the idea of a coven. Where can you find one? Let me first point out that starting a new coven isn’t always s good idea, especially if you are a beginner. Inexperienced covens tend to fall apart and are not worth it. Wait until you know more to start a coven.

Anyways, some good ways to find covens are:

Go to WitchVox.com  and look on the left side panel. There are drop-down boxes that allow you to choose where you live. It’ll take you to the main page for that area and, from there, you can click more links on the left side panel. One of them says something like "groups" or "covens" and will take you to a list of covens in your general area. Sometimes, you may see one close by you never even knew about!

If there are local metaphysical/occult/Pagan/Wiccan/New Age shops or places nearby, see if they have a bulletin board. Many covens and groups might post up advertisements for a celebration they are holding or a general "we need members!" bulletin.

If you are more experienced and think you could handle a group, maybe you could create your own. If a coven seems too big and too serious, consider a study group. You can still celebrate together, but less formally. Plus, you can all learn together, then!

Safety in Covens

This section is very important to those in Covens. Please realize that there are some "bad’ covens out there that may end up mentally, emotionally, or even physically harming you.

If anything in the coven is questionable, don't join. If a coven member or leader is asking for sexual favors, tell the police. There are covens out there that might not be real and are just there to hurt people.

Use common sense. If there are harmful practices going on or other things that are immoral or something you are not comfortable with, steer clear of that coven and find another. You should never need a coven so badly that you will do something bad or illegal to join.