Traditions of Wicca
Original Author Unknown
Founded in England during the 1960's, Alex Sanders referred to himself as the "King" of his Witches. The rituals are said to be modified Gardnerian.
British Traditional Witch:
A mix of Celtic and Gardnerian beliefs. Most famous organization at this time is the Red Cross Garters. British Traditionalists move mostly from within the 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.
The use of a Celtic/Druidic pantheon mixed with a little ritual Gardnerian, 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.
Caledonii Tradition:
Formally known as the Hecatine Tradition, this denomination of the Craft is Scottish in origin, and still preserves the unique festivals of the Scots.
Followers of this Tradition use a great deal of ceremonial magick in their practices. Detailed rituals with a flavor of Egyptian magick and sometimes a favorite, or they may use the Qabbalistic magick.
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, denomination, sect, or magickal practice. They learn and study from many magickal systems and apply themselves to whatever works best.
Organized by Gerald Gardner in England in the 1950's. Just why is the guy 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.
Note:
Both the Alexandrian and Gardnerian traditions follow a more structured route in ceremony and practices. Usually, they are not as vocal as other Witches and are careful both in screening and the practice of their Craft. Therefore, if you are ever invited to visit or join either circle, do not expect the High Priest or Priestess to spill his or her guts during your first encounter. They adhere to a fairly foundational set of customs.
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 definition 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 much like the marriage of an individual into a family.
You will hear this term every once in a while. Basically, this type is one who practices by hearth and home, dealing with the practical side of the religion, magick, 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 something special for a sick child still holds true today 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 a 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 the Craft or even know the nature of it's true birth.
Founded by Raymond Buckland in 1973. Although of Saxon basis, it was authored by Buckland himself without breaking his original Gardnerian 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.
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 trad or sect through the teachings of another. 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.
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 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 rarely use the term "Wiccan", and that many of the definitions -other than the individuals' names and dates- are derived from my own understanding of each term. 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 that 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 conclusion as to the terms they use tom describe themselves. I personally like the term "witch" very much. To me, it means mystery, healing, power, special, different, balanced, 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- church, new earth, wicker furniture (don't ask me why), the new age movement, and hiding the true nature of oneself. It also means 'front', a way to bring the public into accepting our belief system for what it actually is, not what their preconceived 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 definition is better than the other; you must choose for yourself.
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