There are independent magicians in the real Glorantha, though precious few in described sources. (The only ones I know which are even mentioned are the "unaligned sorcerers," the alchemists, and witches, all very vague groups.) There have to be independent magicians to perform the various magical acts people need done.
For one thing, there's not nearly enough divination in Glorantha. Our world is full of diviners. In the U.S., you can't drive down the road without seeing a palmist's office. To paraphrase O'Keefe (I don't have the book handy), the palmist is not there to amuse tourists; she is a diviner practicing an art with its roots in the Neolithic. Where are all the diviners of Glorantha? Divination is a 1 point divine spell, obviously not suited to the high volume practice a diviner needs. I'd peg the Divination spell as being the most reliable, flexible, and presitigious form of divination, but hardly the only one.
Do you have to ask a priest or shaman if you want to put a curse on someone? What if the cursee is someone who supports the same priest or shaman? Do you give up then? Nah, you just go to your local witch.
There are other areas of magic where independent magicians thrive, though priests and other group-oriented persons also do this kind of work, besides divination and black magic: medical magic, ceremonial magic, exorcism, occult sciences, and thaumaturgical societies (which often evolve into new religions). Many of these are dominated by what we'd call superstitions and folk beliefs.
I suggest that independent magicians are all around in Glorantha. These are the people who perform magic for a fee or a favor, or for a little local prestige. The Keeper of Dire Secrets in an Imtherian village is no priestess, but she knows things that no priest or priestess knows and she can give you a charm to do what you need done. In the back of an Alchemist's shop in Pavis there's a cubicle where you can consult with a man who has a book of divination. Among the Rathori, there are people who might be shamans, but they don't lead the Bear God ceremonies. Etc.
I'm not suggesting that "independent magician" is a good template for player characters, at least for beginning players. But it makes a great NPC. Independent magicians have access to a few neat things beyond the ability of ordinary persons. They're usually specialists. One guy may do nothing but divorces (breaking the magical oath of matrimony without bringing retribution on the heads of the husband and wife). Another may only tell you where to build a house and how to align it with the lines of force. I'm sure other readers of the digest can suggest other specialties.
End of Glorantha Digest V2 #298
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