Alexandrian
Tradition:
Founded in England during the 1960's, Alex Sanders referred to himself
as the "King" of his Witches. It is a formal, structured, neo-Gardnerian
tradition.
Amythystian :
Founded in 1968 by Lady Amethyst. Tradition is rooted in the Order of
the Garter, Order of the Royal Oak. Traditional with lots of Hermetic
beliefs. Dedicated to preserving old traditions while growing into a new
generation of enlightened ones. Teaches by example in daily life, at
home and at work, as well as when among our own. Known through work and
deeds. Believes in a strict code of ethics exemplified by one's actions
and lives by the Wiccan Rede.
Aquarian Tabernacle
Church: An American Tradition of Wicca based on English Traditional
Wicca, and focused on service to the larger Wiccan and Pagan community
through open worship gatherings. ATC was founded in 1979 by Pierre
"Pete Pathfinder" Davis. The Church is based in Index, WA. ATC
provides regular, open worship circles and also sponsors several annual
festivals. ATC also functions as an umbrella organization, accepting
affiliations by Wiccan groups wishing to become recognized, open and
public Wiccan churches.
Black Forrest
Clan: This is Silver
RavenWolf's group and is considered Euro-Wiccan, drawing from Silver's
German heritage and Pow-Wow and training she received from her Old Guard
Wiccan magickal teachers. The Black Forest is not a social organization
and does not charge an initiation or elevation fee. The Black Forest
training program is designed specifically to train Wiccan Clergy, and
therefore does not train individuals new to the Craft, nor is it
considered a social organization.
Blue Star Wicca:
Blue Star was founded Frank Duffner in 1975 in Pennsylvania. Blue Star
practices mostly as a hierarchical, mystery-based tradition with its
roots in Alexandrian Craft. Most covens operate on a Grove system, in
which uninitiated members and students comprise an Outer Court, and
Initiates make up an Inner Court. Traditionally, a Coven (or circle)
would include both Inner and Outer court members and would be presided
over by a Third Degree High Priest and High Priestess.
British
Traditional Witch: A formal,
structured, neo-Gardner that is a mix of Celtic and Gardenarian beliefs.
Most famous organization at this time is the International Red Garters.
British Traditionals move mostly from within the Farrar studies/ They
too are fairly structured in their beliefs, and train through the degree
process. Their covens are also co-ed.
Caledonii
Tradition: Formally known as
Hecatine Tradition, this denomination of the Craft is Scottish in
origin, and still preserves the unique festival of the Scots.
Celtic Wicca: The
use of a Celtic/Druidic pantheon mixed with a little ritual Gardenarian,
and heavily stressing the elements, nature and the Ancient Ones. They
had a vast knowledge of and respect for the healing and magickal
qualities of plants and stones, flowers, trees, elemental spirits, the
little people, gnomes and fairies.
Ceremonial
Witchcraft: Followers of this
Tradition use a great deal of ceremonial magick in their practices.
Detailed rituals with a flavor of Egyptian magick are sometimes a
favorite, or they may use the Qabbalistic magick.
Church and School of
Wicca: This is one of the many Welsh-based traditions. It was
originally founded by Gavin and Yvonne Frost in the early 1970s. As
"The Church and School of Wicca" the material is presented to
students by correspondence, though the course is virtually the same as
the material presented in their book. Originally (in the book) there was
no mention of the Goddess at all and there were various sexual aspects
which dismayed many who were otherwise drawn to the tradition. The
latter situation has recently been modified and there is now mention of
the Goddess. It is a widely spread tradition, found throughout this
country and abroad.
Circle Wicca:
Circle was begun in 1974 by Selena Fox and Jim Alan. Its headquarters
are at Circle Sanctuary, a 200 acre Nature preserve and organic herb
farm in southwestern Wisconsin. They publish an annual source, the Circle
Guide to Pagan Resources as well as a quarterly magazine, Circle
Network News.
Correllian
Tradition: The Correllian
Tradition is dedicated to the advancement of the Pagan people and
emphasizes celebratory as well as initiatory Wicca, and is strongly
committed to accessible public ritual.
Covenant of the
Goddess: A cross-traditional
federation of over one hundred covens, plus solitary elders and
associates, who have joined together to win recognition for the Craft as
a legitimate and legally recognized religion.
Covenant of the
Goddess: Covenant of the
Goddess was organized in 1975 at Coeden Brith. It is incorporated as a
non-profit religious organization in California, though it has grown to
be a nationwide organization with members throughout the United States,
as well as a few in Canada and Overseas. Decisions are made at an annual
Grand Council or in local councils. The Covenant publishes The
Covenant of the Goddess Newsletter and sponsors the COG Merrymeet
Festival and Grand Council each year. A coven can apply for membership
if it is a cohesive, self-perpetuating group which has been meeting for
six months or more; the group follows the code of ethics defined by COG;
the coven has three or more members studying for the priesthood, one of
whom is an Elder; and the focus of the group's ritual and theology is
the worship of the Goddess and the Old Gods (or the Goddess alone).
Dianic
Tradition:
First pinpointed by Margaret Murray in 1921 in "The Witch-Cult in
Western Europe," this term appears to include a mixture of various
traditions. However, their prime focus in recent years is on the
Goddess, and has been pegged as the "feminist" movement of the
Craft.
Eclectic Witch: This
catch-all phrase indicates that the individual does not follow any
particular Tradition, denomination, sect, or magickal practice. They
learn and study from many magickal systems and apply to themselves what
appears to work best.
Faery Wicca:
This is an Irish tradition that centers on green Witchcraft and faery
magick. It is an ecstatic, rather than fertility tradition, emphasizing
on polytheism, practical magic, self-development and theurgy. Strong
emphasis is placed on sensual experience and awareness, including sexual
mysticism, which is not limited to heterosexual expression. Starhawk is
an initiate.
Family
Traditions: These are the
practices and traditions, usually secret, of families who have been
Witches for generations.
Gardnerian
Tradition: Organized by Gerald
Gardner in England in the 1950's. Gardnerian was one of the few people
so determined that the Old Religion should not die that he took the risk
of publicizing it through the media. This is a formal, hierachal path
with skyclad worship of Aradia and Cernunnos. Gardners believe it takes
a Witch to make a Witch.
Georgian
Tradition: The Georgians,
founded by George E. Patterson in 1970, were chartered by the Universal
Life Church in 1972, as The Church of Wicca of Bakersfield. In 1980 they
were chartered as The Georgian Church. They lean toward the Goddess and
generally work skyclad but individual groups or individuals may do as
they wish. They are both religious and magickal and celebrate the eight
Sabbats. Members are encouraged to learn from all available sources.
Hereditary
Witch: One who can trace the
Craft through their family tree and who has been taught the Old Religion
by a relative who was living at the same time. How far one has got to go
back on the family tree to meet the conditions of the first part of this
definition is debatable. Family trades (another name for Hereditary
Witches.
Kitchen Witch: Basically,
this type is one who practices by hearth and home, dealing with the
practical side of religion, magick, the earth and the elements.
Minoan Tradition:
The Minoan tradition is actually of triad -- the Brotherhood, the
Sisterhood, and the Cult of Rhea -- was incorporated in December of 1998
under New York State religious corporations law. Their beliefs do not
focus on the gender differences of the dieties and many Minoan followers
are gay, lesbian and bisexual.
Pictish Witch:
Scottish Witchcraft that attunes itself to all aspects of nature:
animal, vegetable, and mineral. It is a solitary form of the Craft and
mainly magickal in nature with little religion.
Reclaiming:
Reclaiming is a community of women and men working to unify spirit and
politics. It is a tradition of Witchcraft that began in the 1980s in
Northern California.
Pow-Wow:
Indigenous to South Central Pennsylvania. This is a system, not a
religion, based on 400 year old Elite German magick. Pow-Wow has
deteriorated to a great degree into simple faith healing. Although Pow-Wow
finds its roots in German Witchcraft, few practicing Pow-Wows today in
Pennsylvania follow the Craft or even know the nature of its true birth.
Sacred Wheel:
An eclectic neo-Pagan path which was organized in Delaware within the
past decade. Calling themselves Wiccan, they focus on balance and
learning. Celtic beliefs are a part of their teachings. Still
concentrated in the easten states, covens are formed from study groups
which include both old-timers and novices.
Seax-Wica: Founded
by Raymond Buckland in 1973. Although of Saxon basis, it was authored by
Raymond himself without breaking his original Gardenarian oath.
Shamanic
Witchcraft: This term refers
to practices associated with those of tribal shamans in traditional
Pagan cultures throughout the world. A shaman combines the roles of
healer, priest (ess), diviner, magician, teacher and spirit guide,
utilizing altered states of consciousness to produce and control psychic
phenomena and travel to and from the spirit realm. Followers of this
path believe that historical Witchcraft was the shamanic practice of
European Pagans; and Medieval Witches actually functioned more as
village shamans than as priests and priestesses of "the Old
Religion." Shamanic Witchcraft emphasizes serving the wider
community through rituals, herbalism, spellcraft, healings, counseling,
rites of passage, handfastings, Mystery initiations, etc. The
distinguishing element of Shamanic Witchcraft is the knowledge and
sacramental use of psychotropic plants to effect transitions between
worlds.
Strega Witches: Follows
a Tradition seated in Italy that began around 1353 with a woman called
Aradia. Of all the traditional Witches, this group appears to be the
smallest in number in the United States.
Teutonic Witch:
From ancient time, the Teutons have been recognize as a group of people
who speak the Germanic group languages. Culturally, this included the
English, Dutch, Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish peoples. This
is also known as the Nordic Tradition and incorporates deities,
symbolisms and practices from Norse and Germanic cultures.
Source: The Wicca Handbook, To Ride a Silver Broomstick,
and Index of Common Wiccan Traditions