The solitary Witch, Wiccan or Pagan is alone by choice. There are many reasons for making this choice to be a Witch or Wiccan on your own. There are also lots of ways solitary Witches can share notes, talk and get new ideas from other Witches, when they want to.

Solitary Witches tend to be eclectic, they have their own vision and ideals for the path they follow. They don't fit in with a standard coven based faith and beliefs. This is one reason they choose to strike out on their own and do things as they feel right to themselves rather than the larger group.

Some solitary Witches also like the privacy of keeping their spirituality personal. Once you start keeping a journal of your beliefs, your ideas, your thoughts and experiences, you may find yourself not wanting to share all of it. Some of our thoughts are too personal. If you share your Book of Shadows you begin to edit it while you write, instead of just writing from your heart knowing everything you write is just for your eyes only.

Of course, some solitary Witches just don't like joining groups and prefer working alone.

How to be a Solitary Witch

Explore other paths, beliefs and ideas. I've read about Sea Witches, Garden Witches, Christian Witches, Druids, and so many others. I continue to read, research and explore. Look at other cultures and other religions too. Don't close your mind; you might miss something great while you're so sure you're right.

Enjoy and appreciate nature, wildlife, wildflowers, gardens, trees and think green. Wicca is a religion about nature and Witches celebrate nature and the natural world. Find your love for it and celebrate what we have.

Keep a journal (Book of Shadows). Write about your discoveries, explorations and research. Most of all, write about your feelings, everything you're thinking about - both positive and negative. Don't be intimidated and think you aren't ready for a real Book of Shadows. Any journal you keep is a Book of Shadows - there isn't a rule that says you have to write about Witchcraft and Wicca alone or in any certain way.

Build an altar. It can be very private, small and personal or you can go forth and build something right on your front lawn. A garden is a great place to have an altar, an easy place to bring the four elements into. Earth, water, air and fire are routine in a garden, at various times. You can create an indoor alter and have it right on your desk or kitchen counter if that is your best space. Some feathers for air, some rocks for earth, salt for water and a candle to light for fire - that's all you need for a start. Add personal touches as you grow into it.

Begin paying attention to the Wiccan/ Witch holidays and events. Honour them in your own way. Read more about what each of them means and their history. Pick a favourite, one that has extra meaning to you and make a real event out of it.

Become more aware of the Wiccan Rede, the three-fold law and the concept of harms none. They are all connected, saying the same basic idea in different ways. The idea is simple on the surface. As you consider it from more aspects it begins to get complicated. For instance, is it harmful to work against the free will of another, even if you are helping them? (This is why I don't get into any spells. It's a personal choice).

Don't Set Yourself in Stone

Being a solitary Witch gives you endless options to explore. While coven Witches have to maintain a set of core beliefs to be part of the group, a solitary Witch can always be learning and trying new ideas, looking into fresh concepts and reinventing his/ her path. As a solitary Witch you can always do what feels right to you, without getting the approval from anyone else.

This does not mean there are no guidelines at all.

Being a solitary Witch does not mean you are free to reinterpret the Wiccan Rede. Harm none is pretty clear.

Don't Buy Like a Witch Tourist

Don't fall into the idea that you have to buy books, jewelry, tools, special clothes or anything else.

Look for what you want and often enough you will find it, at no cost or very minimal cost.

You can find Pagan books at thrift stores, second-hand book stores and the library. You an also find a lot of information online. Contact the authors of any books you find valuable, some will write back a real reply and even recommend fresh resources to you.

You don't need to start buying tools, jewelled pentacles or custom clothing until you really know what you want and what will have real meaning to you. Don't buy anything just because you think you should have it. That's acting like a Witch tourist, someone who just wants to look like they fit in. Be true to yourself and only buy or collect the things you want for your own personal choice and your own needs.

It's not hard to find and join a coven if you are sincere and understand the basics of Wicca/ Witchcraft. Some covens will be a tough sell, some won't want new members (especially new Witches or solitary Witches) and some will just be close minded to anyone who doesn't fit exactly with their beliefs.

There may be an initiation required before anyone new can participate or join. I didn't find this the first time I found a coven in my community. They had open meetings every Friday right in town. Not everyone will find this easy acceptance, especially if you live in a small town, rural area. (Less people means there are fewer people to form groups).

It's all about making contact at first.

A local Pagan, occult or metaphysical store can tell you about covens in your area and give you someone to contact. Or, look online for anyone in your area, anyone who seems to have the same path of belief as yourself and anyone who is already a member of any kind of group based in your state/ province.

Attend events! If there are local Witches they probably meet up for casual social events, especially around the Pagan holidays. Look for people selling Pagan, esoteric or occult tools, books and handmade items at Farmer's Markets, flea markets and street sales in your town. Ask for business cards, or any kind of contact information they can give you.

Talk to artists who work with natural materials: wood, iron, hemp, etc. Those who make Celtic knots, dragons and pentacles are good to ask about local Witches, including their own circle of friends.

Coffee shops are another good way to find out about local Witches. Look for a coffee shop which supports the local community by putting up notices for events, small businesses and offers local art for sale. The coffee shops make and keep contacts in the area. The owners/ managers may have people you can talk to.

You don't need to appear an expert, but you don't want to look clueless either.

If the local Pagans get to know you, see that you aren't just curious but actually involved, you will be invited to join the group for a ritual.

When you are invited to watch on the sidelines or actually take part in the circle (group) be prepared. Know the ritual basics. Don't make a rookie mistake - like not understanding which direction widdershins is.

Ask questions, before the gathering. What are you expected to bring? What does everyone wear, or not wear?

Personality of the Dragon

As the sole imaginary animal, the dragon ranks fifth in the Chinese Zodiac. The dragon is the most vital and powerful of any in the Chinese zodiac, although with an infamous reputation for being a hothead and possessing a sharp tongue. In ancient times, people thought that dragons could control everything in the world, for they symbolized the character traits of dominance and ambition.

Gifted with innate courage, tenacity and intelligence, dragons are enthusiastic and confident. They are not afraid of challenges, and willing to take risks. However, the dragon is sometimes regarded as aggressive, and angry dragons are not open to criticism. They don't consider themselves irritating and arrogant. Instead of following the past, they are striving for a smooth and nice future.

Which Type of 'Dragon' Are You?

In Chinese element theory, each zodiac sign is associated with one of five elements: Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, or Earth, which means that a Wood Dragon, for example, comes once in a 60-year cycle.

Type of Dragon and Characteristics Wood Dragon (1964, 2024) Introverted, less enthusiastic, and lacking in good relationships Fire Dragon (1916, 1976) Smart, unreliable, and easygoing Earth Dragon (1928, 1988) Smart, ambitious, and hardworking Gold Dragon (1940, 2000) Natural and straightforward, unpredictable with continually changing emotions Water Dragon (1952, 2012) Persevering, farsighted, and vigorous

via Year of the Dragon: Chinese Zodiac Sign.

The City the Dragon Represent - Beijing

If any animal may be said to dominate the Chinese zodiac, that animal is the dragon. A symbol of royalty, its appropriate home is Beijing, the Chinese capital

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I fixed the formatting but the capitalization is not mine. Some things are well meant but not well written in the practical sense. I found this on Facebook and wanted to keep it around for myself. I think the Crone should be about more than death and endings though, too much focus on that and not enough on wisdom and experience.

And the Child asked the Maiden: Who is the #goddess?

The Maiden turned and replied: the Goddess is Pure. She is the first burst of Life. She is untouched by Man. She is One who finds Joy in everything. She is a Sister. She is a Child. She is One who is Servant to None for She has no Consort and no Child. She is the Huntress. She is Innocence. She is Growth.

But the Child was unsatisfied. And the Child asked the Mother: Who is the Goddess?

The Mother turned and replied: The Goddess is She who nurtures us. She keeps us safe. She guides us. She is the One to whom we can turn. She is the mother with the child at the breast. She is the pregnant woman. She is the One who has the earth as her body, the full moon as her symbol. She is the One on whom we depend for life. She sustains us. She is Life.

Still the child was unsatisfied. And the Child asked the Crone: Who is the Goddess?

The Crone turned and replied: She is Death and Rebirth. She is the Wisdom Collected over many Lives. She is All that has Happened. She is All that will Happen. She is One who has come to the end of the Cycle. She is Feared by the Young. She is the welcome Aid to those in Pain, to those who suffer. She is the One to whom All turn when They no longer wish for the Life She has given Them. She is Destruction in preparation for the New.

Still the Child was unsatisfied. The Child looked around but there was no one else to ask. Finally the Child shouted: GODDESS! GODDESS, WHO ARE YOU?

The Goddess replied: I am the maiden. I am the mother. I am the Crone. I am Diana. I am Isis. I am Kali. I am Birth. I am Life. I am Death. I am Creation. I Sustain. I am the Destroyer. I am one Goddess. I am Thousands of Separate Goddesses. I am in Everything. I am Everywhere. I am Eternal. I am in Everyone. I am whoever You want me to be. I am in You.

And the Child was satisfied.

I've tried so many different CMS this year. For now I would like to get back to writing, creating art and all the other things I like about having a site. I'm putting software on hold for awhile.

Meanwhile, I've lost the few posts I did have here so I am back to the start with this site. Not a bad thing since I mainly wanted it for the domain itself. If I were less of a domain shopper I would have everything here, on this domain. But, I don't. Once I get those domains I feel I should be doing something with them.

I get a lot of ideas and I tend to be impulsive.