i keep hearing from people who say " if your not in a coven you're not wiccan" O_O are they serious???why in the world would they think that???anyways i would love to be in a coven but i don't have the time or ability to at this point (maybe later whatever)because it'd be nice to be w/ people with the same beliefs and interests...not to make me REAL...*rolls eyes* where did those people get these ideas????
2007-12-30 13:44:03 · 11 answers · asked by sara-harvest 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm an solitary wiccan, and I'M A WICCAN...so dont pay attention to that bs. I had problems finding a coven that fits with me/ and that practices the reall wicca, not a mix of black/white magic, so i decided to be solitary.
2007-12-30 13:51:11 · answer #1 · answered by Pinky 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because Wicca began as an initiatory religion. If you weren't initiated that meant you hadn't been trained in the core beliefs of Wicca and thus weren't Wiccan. Since then some of that knowledge has become public knowledge (although the amount of which is debatable) and lots of people claim to be Wiccan because they've gotten a hold of that information, but some Traditionalists continue to feel that initation (which can only happen within a coven) is a definitive part of Wicca. While I don't agree with them, I do very much understand their argument for it.
The fact that many Eclectics don't even understand why Traditionalists feel this way and the reasons why initiation is so important to them I think is a striking example of exactly why these Traditionalists object to Eclecticism, because its rather a core belief to them.
It's similar to the way some Native Americans feel about white people going to a weekend seminar or reading a book and then claiming to be following the native spirits or even calling themselves native shamans.
2008-01-02 09:07:42 · answer #2 · answered by Nightwind 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a Wiccan I am solitary. Never have belonged to a Coven, and I've been on a Wiccan (type) path since 2001. I do though go to the 8 Sabbats at public rituals as much as possible. It's important to be part of a local pagan community as well as developing yourself. Buddha sat underneath the Bodhi tree. He also went out and spoke with people.
2008-01-03 03:12:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a few Wiccan trads (most notably Gardnerian, Alexandrian, and a few others) that teach that you are not truly Wiccan until you have been initiated, and initiation can only be performed by a High Priest or High Priestess. They tend to call Solitaries "Neo Wiccans" and as much as I'm sure you might not like to hear it, it's a label you'll have to get used to if you decide to remain Solitary for whatever reason.
2007-12-30 14:06:53 · answer #4 · answered by Abriel 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do not have to be part of a coven to be Wiccan. There are many, many solitaries out there. Especially those that are isolated or just don't fit in with local groups.
Don't stress about it. When you have the time and ability - see if any local group and you mesh.
2007-12-30 14:01:30 · answer #5 · answered by Aravah 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Choosing between being in a coven or being a solitary practicer is your choice. For some, being in coven is a better choice as it gives something like group support. While others don't have the time, energy or etc for a group effort and choose to practice alone. It is solely up to you but either way you choose to practice you are still Wiccan.
2007-12-30 13:53:51 · answer #6 · answered by Tammy_Suto 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm not Wiccan but I do both.
Asatru is a community type religion though. Over all I personally think that IF YOU CAN you should make yourself as much a part of the community as you can, even it's just online.
2008-01-03 03:14:50 · answer #7 · answered by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could always practice solitary and if you are in need of a welcoming group of people who respect the beliefs and even celebrate some find a Unitarian Church. That way you can have spiritual support but still practice how you belive
2007-12-30 14:01:04 · answer #8 · answered by melissaw219 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are also people who will also say that if you dont belong to a church then you cannot be christian. To some people, having a religion is more important than being religious. Some people must have the organized instructions to follow step-by-step or they feel it doesnt really count.
Personally Im more for the religous than the religion. Ive seen too many "regular attendees" of any religion that dont count for much in my opinion.
2008-01-01 09:30:36 · answer #9 · answered by Gandalf Parker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are some Wiccan Trads and Covens that teach that to be Wiccan you have to be initiated into their trad or Coven.
2007-12-30 13:58:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋