Hello all,

I'm finding that as time goes on I'm becoming more and more drawn to Heathenry, but I keep reading a lot of things that seem to suggest that being a solitary Heathen is somehow in contrast with Heathenry itself

Is this the case or are there solitary Heathens? If any one the Heathens here are solitary do you find it has an effect on your faith or practice of it (in either a positive or negative direction)?

I'm effectively a solitary these days, though I was once part of a kingroup. However, our kingroup wasn't at all like the usual Heathen type, in that members of it were not Heathens, including Religio Romana and one shaman with no religion.

I'd say that being part of a kingroup is good, if it's a good fit (as with all groups), in that you can do rituals together. However, that isn't enough for me to look for another group. instead, I am happy linking with my polytheist friends, including one other Heathen, though these days it's one-to-one and not in a group.

Oh, Lorelie, there is a Yahoo group "UK Heathenry", owned by my friend. It's probably the largest and most successful egrouping of Heathens in the UK.

Because there are so few Heathens scattered around the UK I think it likely that the majority are perforce solitary unless they are lucky enough to live in an area where there is a Heathen cluster, or are able to travel widely and often.

[Some are solitary because they are just too ornery for normal company ]


I would endorse Moonhunter's recommendation re UKheathenry.

My kindred are geographically scattered these days - we're across three continents, so in practice, like Moonhunter, I'm solitary. There are a couple of Heathens who are fairly (within 30 miles) local who I meet up with, but we're not really a group.

I think that as I've grown older it's become less important to me to do rituals as part of a group. Partly that's a confidence thing - I no longer need the reinforcement that I'm doing the "right" thing, and also elements of my practice have become very personal as time has passed. Oh help, that makes me sound ancient I'm not , not really.

Groups don't have to meet physically anyway - e groups and forums like this one are another way to meet people and learn. It's not compulsory to be part of a kindred. I agree with Davkin, the majority of Heathens in the UK are probably solitary.

Frey

MH & Davkin - Have joined UKHeathenry, but still feeling a bit nervous about posting questions on there until I figure out the mentality of the group (and because I'm a big wuss and worried that I'll get eaten alive for being a newbie ).

I may post or rather re-post my question about Frigg that I've put here on there at some point over the next week or so, once I've worked up the courage.

They won't eat you. They're not a bad bunch, really.

Logically I know they won't....I just have issues with Yahoo Groups (non-heathen ones) being the land of flame-wars...I'm sure once my personal stuff has calmed a bit I'll be posting there with bells on (or maybe that should be with horns on )

I'm sorry not to have welcomed you on ukh - I didn't notice the intro.

Welcome from here instead...

No worries, Jezreell


Thank you for the welcome