Originated in England in the 1960's, founded by Alex Sanders. The rituals are said to be of Gardnerian basis. Alex Sanders refered to himself as the "King" of his Wiccans. Although similiar to Gardnerian Wicca, Alexandrian Wicca tends to be more eclectic and liberal. Some of Gardnerian's strict rules, such as the requirement of ritual nudity, have been made optional by Alexandrian Wicca.
This is a mix of Celtic and Gardenarian beliefs. These traditionals move mostly within the Farrar studies and are fairly structured by their beliefs. They train through a degree structured process. The International Red Garters is the most famous organization at this time. Often includes druids.
The use of a Celtic/Druidic pantheon and focusing heavily on the elements, nature and the Ancient Ones. They have 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 faieries.
Less religion, more emphasis on the art and science of magick. Rituals are generally complex and practices lean towards the secretic, hidden side of magick. Not geared towards the solitary practitioner, but can easily be adapted for those who choose to work alone. Not necessarily a wiccan-only tradition, though there are many ceremonial witches.
Tradition from western Europe, tracked back to Margaret Murray in 1921. This tradition has been pegged as the "feminist" movement of the Craft. It is a mix of many traditions, but its focus is on the goddess, especially Diana. (Diana is a reference often crossed during study of Greek/Roman mythology.)
One does not follow one particular tradition or path. The partitioner learns and studies many magick systems and uses what they feel best works for them and what they are interested in.
Gardnerian is the tradition founded by Gerald Gardner. He was one of the first to go public with information about the Craft, modern Wicca has mostly been derived from his books. Gardner's inspiration was drawn from many sources, including 'Aradia, Gospel of the Witches', where strands of the Gardnerian tradition such as required ritual nudity can be found. This is an extremely traditional path with a hierarchical grade structure. These individuals are very secretive and take oaths upon initiation. Although there are a number of Gardnerian Covens active in the US, they are difficult to locate and once located are not easy to join. This tradition does not lend itself well to solitary practice, but some aspects of it do. It therefore deserves study by solitary practitioners, especially eclectics.
This is a person that can trace the Craft back on their family tree and was also taught the craft by a living relative. ("My mother's grandmother's sister's cousin was a Wiccan" doesn't count.) Because of the youth of modern Wicca, this really only applies to practitioners of witchcraft and not necessarily Wicca.
This type is one that practices by home and hearth concentrating on the practical side of religion, magick and the earth and elements. A more convenient form of practice for those who have limited space and resource, mainly suburban and city witches. This focuses on practicality, the use of magick in the home and in the workplace, and convenient ritual writing that includes readily available "ingredients" on short time and a tight budget.
A Gay Men's tradition of Witchcraft established in New York by the late Lord Gwydion (Eddie Buczynski) in the mid - 1970's, at the same time as the Minoan Sisterhood was being established by Lady Miw, also in New York. The Brotherhood remains exclusively a venue for Gay men to explore a traditional ritual Witchcraft, one which can foster a similar, though Gay, sexual mysticism and sense of personal empowerment as in some British traditions of Wicca. As the founder was a Gardnerian initiate, the rituals are roughly Gardnerian, with changes to accommodate a different core mythology and ritual custom.. Imagery and deities are those of Ancient Crete and Mycenae. Working tools and their uses are virtually identical to those of British traditional Wicca.
PictishPictish is Scottish witchcraft with a strong connection to nature in all of its forms. The practice is actually mostly magickal with little emphasis on the religious aspect. This is practiced as a solitary tradition.
This is a system, not a religion, based on 400 year old German Magick. In this day and time it has lost much of its concentrations and is basically now into simple faith healing.
(Or Saxon-Wica) Founded in 1973, by Raymond Buckland. Raymond Buckland authored this tradition without breaking his original Gardnerian oath. His contributions to the Craft is of great significance and many popular books today are of his authorship.
Beliefs are connected to contact with the spirit world. Through communication with the spirits, the Shaman can work acts of healing, divination and magic - revealing by way of vision, poetry and myth the deeper reaches of the human spirit.
One who practices alone and can be from any tradition. They practice alone because they want to or because it is not possible to have contact with other witches. (living in the bush or in a small town etc). They can also be called 'Natural witches'.
StregaThis tradition began around 1353 in Italy, with a woman called Aradia. Leland's book "Aradia, Gospel of the Witches" is the most veritable literary remainder of the original tradition. The teachings are insightful and should not be missed, for those who practice solitary or in covens, especially if you are interested in studying all traditions.
This is from ancient time, the Teutons have been recognized as a group who speak the Germanic group of languages. The languages include the English, Dutch, Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish. Norse practitioners are often Astruar that is, followers of Asatru. Many worship similar to their Norse predecessors, following Scandinavian and Germanic deities such as Odin and using divination methods like the runes.
Wicca is a Pagan religion of the Goddess and God. This tradition's definition varies with witches. Not all Pagans are Wiccans. A very nature and religion orientated tradition. It is not always necessary to practice magick on this path. Just a very deep respect and love of the earth and nature of all kinds is needed. The word 'Wicca' is derived from the Anglo Saxon word for witch 'Wicce'.
