I am a founding member of the Lunaguardia Tradition; we’re a close-knit spiritual family and I consider myself to be extremely blessed in this. One of the questions that I find myself being asked over and over again when people join the SAPC or meet me in person, is “where do I find a teacher/coven?” and I find it would be rude to retort with the old cliché “when the student is ready, the teacher will appear”, to tell the person to be patient and not to be in too much a hurry to find a teacher/coven. But what else can one say when folk are genuinely seeking spiritual guidance in a society where there are those who take advantage of others’ needs and generosity?
Here I turn to personal experience. Years back, when I traveled and moved a lot, I allowed my intuition and discernment to guide me when making difficult decisions pertaining to exactly the finding of a coven or mentors … and when I was not able to love and trust, I became a committed solitary.
Unlike what is commonly believed, being a solitary does not mean being a second-rate Witch, nor does it mean that one is a Pagan-in-waiting. I was happy to work, study and celebrate the high dates on my own. It was a period of deep introspection which I would actually recommend, before you attempt finding/joining a group. Knock only on a possible teacher’s door, once you’ve accrued sufficient knowledge not to be foiled, mislead or ripped off. This will enable you to know what is “real” and what is to be considered as personal dogma of that group/teacher. There would also be the matter of personal preference, where persuasion [Wicca, Asatru, Strega, etc] is concerned.
And what if you are confronted with the New Age, “fluffy bunny” types? Yes, they too have a place in the great scheme of things, but do you have to settle down for their love-and-light perspective? Not unless you want to. Look at Mother Nature, she retaliates with apparent cruelty, in the guise of her many creatures, but is a lion that kills a zebra “wicked” or is he simply being true to his nature of lion?
We don’t need to negate our “shadow selves”. Rather, we need to embrace our inner emotional and psychological darkness, listening to the voice from within, that voice that has been stilled by reason, by the accepted ways of society, by lack of time or understanding. Taking introspective cognizance, accepting our dark nature and being accountable for our actions liberates us, awakening us to our own truth and power.
In our vast country, it is often difficult to find anyone on the Path in one’s vicinity. My opinion is if you self-define as a Witch or a Pagan then you are one. You don’t need anybody’s stamp of approval, accreditation or recognition. If you are able to learn from books and have access to the writings of reputable teachers and or the internet, then you will be able to learn and progress on your spiritual Path with ease. As you gain confidence and as you grow in knowledge, the Law of Attraction will invariably bring “like to like”. Many groups on the internet assist Pagans and Witches with networking and meaningful liaisons and spiritual ties can be forged in this manner. It happened to us.
And yes, the more you learn, the more you realise that you actually know very little, but do not be disheartened. Never tire of reading. Read the works of the old philosophers and continue striving for betterment. Slowly but surely your personal Path, your ideology, your theology will commence forming itself in your mind and you will finally find direction. With or without a group.
When you finally meet other Pagans/Witches you might find that they won’t be too keen on believing in you or giving you the credit you deserve, until you have proved yourself to them. Do they have the right to put another through this selective period of observation? Perhaps not, but you will find, that in time, you too will be applying this unorthodox “method” to newcomers … the motive being the need to ascertain “genuineness” … the end justifying the means.
Sharing with a teacher, an elder, a group as well as others will broaden your perspective and “experience” will do the rest to ensure your progress on the Path of Wisdom.

Merry Path!

BB!
Morgause
SAPC Registrar