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Pagan Religions
Lists And Links
List And Links for
Traditional Wicca
Covens, Organisations and Information Websites
Definition: Traditional Wicca traditions follow Gardnerian principles, ritual practices, and structure. In general, these traditions tend to be strictly regimented and do not recognize Progressive Wiccan groups, covens, or individuals as being truly "Wiccan" or "witches". They also tend not to recognize or support solitary practitioners in any way. They are also usually not gay-friendly.
As with all new contacts made online, some caution and common sense should always be exercised.
Gardnerian Wicca
Gardnerian Wicca was founded by Gerald B. Gardner in 1953, one year before the publication of his famous book, Witchcraft Today. He is the "father of modern Wicca." There is no doubt that Gerald B. Gardner started the Pagan Revival.
However in writing his book, he claims that an oath of secrecy to his coven prevented him from revealing coven beliefs and true practices. So instead, Gardner wrote about concepts and practices that he thought would catch the imagination. For this, he based his "Wicca" on many concepts and practices "borrowed" from external sources. Of course, at least some Traditional Witchcraft is in there. But most of Gardner's concepts and practices were taken from exteriour sources such as the Order of the Golden Dawn, Eastern philosophies, Kabala, mythology, plus ideas gleaned from a variety of famous occultist and magicians. Therefore, Wicca cannot possibly be considered part of Traditional Witchcraft.
There is nothing wrong with this. Religious practice has to be invented by someone. There is also no doubt that Wicca has been highly successful. Gardnerian Wicca is a primary reason why the witchcraft is as popular as it is today. The structure of many rituals and ceremonial Magick can be seen in numerous new traditions that originate from Gardner's creation.
Nevertheless, it must be admitted that Gardner also created a strict organization, one that seems to be forever in controversy.
His overly hierarchical structure and degree-level system of ranks seems to encourages egotism. He created a "mystery" religion with many well-guarded secrets officially revealed only to initiated members. Of course, just about everything is now online, so nowadays the secrets that are really kept secret tend to be well-guarded minor details.
Gardner also created a membership system that makes it difficult to join. Coven membership is by sponsorship only. After you somehow find a sponsor, actually being accepted is a painfully slow and very demanding process . This process involves an overly invasive "hot-seat" interrogation, meant to weed out emotionally weak applicants.
Although there is no tradition of nudity in Traditional Witchcraft in England, Gardnerians require nudity (called "skyclad") during ritual. They also practice the binding (to tie up) of initiates and the whipping of initiates and other members.
The magic used in Wicca is not the magic used traditionally by witches, but high magic rituals taken from the Golden Dawn. This is a highly ceremonial form of magic. He also did not bring an herbal tradition into Wicca. This last point has been heavily criticized as a severe limitation, even a perversion of witchcraft. What witch works without the use of herbs?
In Gardnerian Wicca, self-initiation is never recognized, nor are the initiations into Wicca by unaffiliated covens. Therefore, Gardnerians deny that witches of other trads are real Witches. Strangely, initiations conducted by males are now never permitted, even though Gardner himself did so. There is very seldom any accommodation for solitary practice, except in cases of old age and serious sickness, and then only after long service in a Gardnerian coven.
Even so, while there are many strict rules and procedures, lots of exclusiveness and inaccessibility within Gardnerian Wicca, there is also the plain fact that Gerald Gardner brought about a basic change in the Pagan world.
Gardner's Wicca started a trend that has rolled into a full Pagan revivalist movement. He made it possible for others to come along and more easily create other Pagan groups and Trads to satisfy the ever-growing number of those seeking a closer relationship to Nature and guidance to spiritual awareness and enlightenment. In this, Gardnerian Wicca is the most important and beneficial development in Paganism in contemporary times.
Alexandrian Tradition
Named in honour of Alexandria, Egypt. This Trad was founded in England in 1963 by Alex and Maxine Sanders. This tradition is an offshoot
of Gardnerian Wicca but has become more popular in England because they are more easily accessible to those in search of a Wiccan coven.
The Alexandrian Tradition is more eclectic with more emphasis on magic, plus greater emphasis on Egyptian, Greek, and Roman elements. They also have more liberal with rules. An example: Ritual nudity (being skyclad) is optional. The popular authors, Janet and Stewart Fararr, are supporters of the Alexandrian tradition.
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The Alexandrian Tradition An article from CoG.
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StarKindler Tradition - Began in 1974 and is associated with the Alexandrian Tradition and traces its decent from the Temple of Uranus. Star Fire Rising is the online home of the StarKindler Line.
Algard Tradition
Brought together Alexandrian and Gardnerian teachings under a single banner. Founded by Mary Nesnick (New York City) in 1972. She had been initiated into both traditions.
Aquarian Tabernacle Church (ATC)
A Wiccan "congregation" founded in 1979 in Washington State, USA,by Pete Davis. The "church" is the headquarters of a system of 25 worldwide British Traditional Wiccan "congregations." They provide a variety of services to the general Pagan community including meeting facilities and support services.
Blue Star Wicca
Blue Star Wicca was founded in 1975 in Pennsylvania, USA, by Frank Duffner and Tzipora Klein. It has its roots in the Alexandrian Tradition. It is a mystery-based,hierarchical Trad. They have an unusual Outer Court - Inner Court division of membership. The genders (thankfully) are treated as equals, with no emphasis on either Priest or Priestess, God or Goddess. But, worship is more important than Magick.
Central Valley Wicca (CVW)
Began in the early the early 1950's in Northern California's Central Valley, the name of this important Tradition's founder is today unknown, but is believed to have been a contemperary of Gardner or one of his early students. This Tradition is noted for providing its (third-degree) elders complete autonomy; however, no elder is permitted to speak for CVW.
CVW is now known as the Order of the Silver Crescent, (not to be confused with the English tradition of the same name). There are many offshoots including:
- Majestic Tradition which became an identifiable offshoot around the late 1950's - early 1960's.
- Kingstone Tradition was founded as a offshoot of the Majestic and Silver Crescent Traditions in 1973. They founded the New Wiccan Church International, which is an association of British Traditional Wiccan covens. The Kingstone Tradition has a focus on agricultural and pastoral deities, alongside the God and Goddess.
- Assembly of Wicca (AOW) was founded in 1975, they believe in a single source of all creation, termed "The Oneness" which separates itself into male and female.
- Daoine Coire (Pronounced DEEna COYra), is Scottish for "honest folk ," began in 1993 and has several covens.
Correllian Nativist Tradition
This tradition combines British Traditional Wicca with Native Americanpractices. There is an emphasis on study and the honoring of ancestors. They hold rituals that are open to the public.
Georgian Wicca
Founded by George Patterson in 1970 in Bakersfield, California, USA. By 1980 the Trad was chartered as "The Georgian Church". While they are a Traditional Wiccan group, they tend to be somewhat more eclectic. Example: Working skyclad is optional. Members are encouraged to learn from all available sources.
Pagan Religions • Lists And Links
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