Different Traditions
There are many different types of Wicca...different denominations.
These are known as traditions. Here, I will list some of them, but be
sure that there are many many more than what I can list here.
Alexandrian Traditions
- Founded in England during the 1960's, Alex Sanders
referred to himself as the "King" of his Witch's. The rituals are said
to be modified Gardenarian.
British Traditional Witch
- A mix of Celtic and Gardenarian beliefs. Most famous organization
at this time is the International Red Garters. British Traditionals
move mostly from within teh Farrar studies (the famous Witch husband and wife
from England.) They too are fairly structured in their beliefs, and train
through the degree process. Their covens are also co-ed.
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 faeries.
Caledonii Tradition
- Formally known as the Hecatine Tradition, this demonination of the Craft is
Scottish in origin, and still preserves the unique festivals of the Scots.
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.
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
- Look in any personals column in a Craft-oriented newsletter or journal
and you will see this catch-all phrase. Basically, it indicates that the individual does
not follow any particular Tradition, demonination, sect, or magickal practice.
They learn and study from many magickal systems and apply to themselves
what appears to work best.
Gardenarian Tradition
- Organized by Gerald Gardener in England in the 1950's. Just why is this fellow so
darned important? Gerald 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.
Under all the hype, I truly believe he understood that the young needed the Craft
as much as the Craft needed a new generation to survive.
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. Channeling doesn't count.
How far one has to go back on the family tree to meet the conditions of the first part of
this definitions is debatable. Family Trades (another name for Hereditary Witches) occasionally
adopt individuals into their dynasty. This decision is never a light one, and usually stems from
the lack of offspring to carry on the line, or the high regard they hold for the
person in question. The ceremony is intricate and important. After all, it is not every day
you can pick your relatives. It is muck like the marriage of an individual into
your family.
Kitchen Witch
- You will this term every once in a while. Basically, this type is one who practices by
hearth and home, dealing with the practical side of magick, religion, the earth and the
elements. There are some who groan loudly at this type of terminology, viewing it as
degrading or simply inappropriate. Just remember that the Old Religion started somewhere, and most
likely the kitchen (or cookfire) was the hub of many charms, spells, healings,
and celebrations. After all, where does everyone congregate during the holidays?
Grandma's kitchen has always produced magickal memories for humanity; visions of
Mother making that special something for a sick child still holds true for many of us.
Pictish Witchcraft
- 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.
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 it's roots in German Witchcraft, few
practicing Pow-Wows today in Pennsylvania follow teh Craft or even know the nature of it's true birth.
Satanic Witch
- One cannot be a satanic Witch because Witch's do not believe in satan.
Seax-Wica
- Founded by Raymond Buckland in 1973. Although of Saxon basis, it was authored by
Raymond himself without breaking his original Garderian oath. Raymond Buckland's
contribution to the Craft is a significant one. Not only did he develop a Tradition that is
more than acceptable to many individuals, he also has written a large volume of textbooks
on different magickal aspects and practices of the Craft, thereby enhancing
many lives in a positive direction.
Solitary Witch
- One who practices alone, regardless of Tradition, denomination, or sect.
Solitaries come in various forms. Some were at one time initiated into a coven and
eventually chose to extricate themselves from that environment and continue practicing a
particular Tradition or sect by themselves. A solitary can also be an individual who has no
desire to practice with or learn from a coven structure, but still may adhere to a specific Tradition
or sect through the teaching of another. For example, a member of a Hereditary Family may choose to teach
a close friend the art and science of the Craft, but choose not to adopt them as a Family
member for any number of reasons. And Finally, a solitary Witch can be a person who has
decided to tough it out on their own, learning from books, networking, and fellow Witches
of different Traditions. These people have the ability to pick themselves up and brush themselves
off, and live to try again. More and more individuals are selecting the solitary path
rather than that of group interaction. Another name for a solitary Witch is "Natural
Witch". You may hear this word from time to time as well.
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; however, their teachings are beautiful and should not be missed.
Teutonic Witch
- From ancient time the Teutons have been recognized as a group of
people who speak the Germanic group of languages. Culturally, this included the English,
Dutch, Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish peoples. This is also known as the
Nordic Tradition.
The Wiccan Witch
- So far in this rundown of Witches you may have noticed that I very rarely use the terminology
"Wiccan," and that many of the definitions - other than individuals names and dates - are derived
from my own understanding of them. I have listened to and read many arguments for and against
the use of the words "Wiccan" and "Witchcraft." I will tell you quite honestly that I
have used both words when discussing my faith, depending on the recipients of my conversation.
There are those who feel the term "Witch" is an egotistical one. Maybe so.
Different words mean different things to a variety of people. Each individual must draw
their own conlusion as to the terms they use to describe themselves. I personally like the word
"Witch" very much. To me, it means mystery, healing, power, special, differnet, abalance, and
history. It means knowledge, secrets, the earth, and a bond with both the male and female sides of
myself. The word "Wiccan" does not give me those feelings. It projects a different set
of associations - weaving, church, New Earth, wicker furniture (don't ask me why) and the movie
"The Wicker Man" (which although I despised, I fully understand). It also means "front,"
a way to bring the public into accepting our belief system for what it actually is, not what their preconcieved
ideas of a word dictates to them. Both words have their strong and weak points.
It is simply how you view them that makes the difference. Neither definitions is
better than the other; you must choose for yourself.
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