The Quiet Path: My Experience as an Independent Pagan
Author’s Note: The content of this blog reflects my personal experiences and perspectives on magic. Witchcraft is a deeply individual practice, and my approach may not align with everyone’s beliefs or traditions. I encourage readers to explore, question, and adapt what resonates with them. Nothing shared here is meant to serve as absolute truth or professional advice. Trust your intuition, do your own research, and walk your own path.
There are many, many ways to walk the Pagan path. Since my start, I have been a Solitary Pagan, a member of academic-only Pagan groups, and a member of worship-focused communities. Ultimately, after living and assessing those experiences, I choose to walk my path alone. For that reason, I am often referred to as a Solitary Pagan. But for me, the labels Solitary Pagan and Independent Pagan have very different meanings. And the distinction between the two plays a huge part in understanding how my personal faith shapes my life.
Solitary Paganism: Walking Alone, But Still Connecting
If you’re a Solitary Pagan, you might already know what I mean when I say that Solitary Paganism is often very much about doing your own thing but still staying connected in a way that feels right. Solitary Pagans practice their faith on their own, without necessarily needing a community to guide their rituals or beliefs. But that doesn’t mean they’re isolated from the broader Pagan world. Many Solitary Pagans still connect with others online, share their ideas, swap ritual tips, or even seek out other like-minded people to build a network with. It’s a solo journey, but it’s not necessarily a lonely one.
The beauty of Solitary Paganism is that it lets people cultivate their personal path while still feeling a sense of connection. Whether you’re swapping stories about your rituals or talking about your spiritual experiences, you’re still able to grow and feel supported without needing to belong to any specific group.
Independent Paganism: My Path Without Shared Community
Now, for me—being an Independent Pagan is a whole other thing. It’s not just about practicing alone; it’s about stepping away from community altogether. I’m not seeking out conversations about my practice, I’m not sharing my UPG (unverified personal gnosis), and I’m definitely not swapping interpretations of religious myth with others. I’ve deliberately removed myself from any kind of Pagan or religious community, and I choose to not share my personal experiences with anyone.
As an Independent Pagan, my practice is grounded entirely in the informed interpretation of the classical literature, rigorous academic study, and personal experience. I look to texts, historical sources, and my own scholarly interpretations to shape my faith. I’m not interested in modern Pagan trends, and I don’t look to others to validate my practices. It’s not about rejecting anyone else’s journey; it’s about ensuring that my spiritual practice remains purely my own, shaped by the traditions and academic sources that resonate most with me.
For me, my faith doesn’t need the affirmation of others or the influence of a community. My connection to the divine comes from the study of the texts and teachings that have stood the test of time, not from sharing personal experiences or learning from others. I find power in solitude, in walking my path completely independently, without relying on anyone else’s perspective.
The Role of Study in Independent Paganism
One of the biggest differences for me between Solitary and Independent Paganism is the focus on academic study. While Solitary Pagans may take inspiration from contemporary authors, ideas and experiences, I choose to root my practice solely in the historical components of my faith. I focus on what early peoples practiced, how they understood their world and their gods, and how I can bring those insights into my life today. My practice is about understanding, studying, and building a faith based on what was, rather than what someone else says.
That doesn’t mean I don’t have my own spiritual experiences—it just means I don’t share them, and I don’t use them to find connection with others. I find what I need in the my own ways, and it’s enough.
A Path of Personal Faith
Being an Independent Pagan is about complete autonomy in my spiritual life. I don’t look to community, UPG, or collective spiritual knowledge to define my practice. I don’t need discourse to tell me if how I give my offerings is right or wrong. Instead, I focus on my own experiences, grounded in deep study of the classical sources and traditions that have always spoken to me.
It’s not that I don’t value community or the ways others share their paths, but for me, the focus is on stepping away from that and embracing a purely personal, spiritual, and experiential journey. I’ve found that, for me, that is where my spiritual strength lies.
