WHICH PATH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
ALEXANDRIAN
Started about the same time as Gardner's, this tradition is fairly similar, with a little more emphasis upon ceremonial magick. Alex Sanders founded this path in England during the 1960's. There are numerous covens in both US and Europe.
BRITISH TRADITIONALIST
Like Dianic, this is a sub-class and a mix of Celtic and Gardnerian beliefs. Each traditionalist group is based upon the traditions, literature, myth, and folktales of that particular geographic/demographic area. This is evident in the names of the God/dess used by individual groups. They are fairly structured in their beliefs, and train through the degree processes.
CALEDONII (HECATINE)
Also known as Hecatine, this denomination is Scottish in origin, and still preserves the unique festivals of the Scots.
CELTIC WICCA
The use of a Celtic/Druidic pantheon and heavily stressing 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.
DIANIC
This is more of a sub-class, rather than a particular tradition pinpointed by Margaret Murray in 1921 in "The Witch-Cult in Western Europe". There are several feminist traditions which are considered dianic. This sub-class tends to emphasize the female aspect of the Goddess, sometimes to the exclusion of the male God. Some feel that these groups are rather reactionary and self limiting (this webmaster agrees). Be that as it may, the Dianic covens tend to be more politically active.
ECLECTIC
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 to themselves what appears to work best.
FROST SCHOOL OF WICCA
Headed by Gavin and Yvonne Frost, this school is the largest correspondence school of Witchcraft in the US. Numerous covens have resulted from this school, although it is somewhat unconventional (if, that is, anything dealing with Wicca could be called conventional). The Frosts' views on Wicca as a religion do differ with the majority.. in that they do not consider Wicca as "Pagan", but rather as Monotheistic.
GARDNERIAN
Started by G. Gardner, in England, in the mid 1950's, this tradition claims to have existed, in secret, since the Witch-Burnings began during the Middle Ages. While there is some doubt as to whether or not it is as old as it claims, there is no denying that the Gardnerian sect has been one of the most influential of the traditions. In fact, many of the groups which follow were started by people who had been introduced to Paganism and the worship of the Lord and Lady as members of a Gardnerian group.
A structured religion with definite hierarchy within each group (known, as a coven), but little to no authority of one coven over another. Within the coven, a matriarchy exists, with the High Priestess generally being considered the leader (there are, of course, exceptions to this, but these descriptions are, for the most part, only generalizations based upon information gathered from many sources). The typical Gardnerian view of the God/dess is that of a Dominant three-faced Goddess (maiden, mother, and crone) with a male consort (who has many names.. the Young Summer King, and the Old Winter King). Ceremonies include a series of initiations into higher levels of the craft, various holiday celebrations (based, of course, upon the "Wheel of the Year" calendar of Feast days.
PICTISH
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.
SEAX (SAXON)
Started by Raymond Buckland, who was originally a leader in promoting the Gardnerian tradition, as an alternative to the existing covens. Unlike most traditions, which consider the coven group to be the normal unit of division (i.e.. all ceremonies/rituals = group rites), the Seax version has provision for lone witches (often referred to as Solitaires). Another thing which sets this particular brand apart is its non-reliance upon being properly initiated into the Wiccan community. Many of the other groups require that new members be brought to existing covens to be ceremonially initiated into that tradition, and that only after years of study within the group is one ready to start a new coven. The Seax tradition, recognizing that there may not be a friendly, neighborhood coven, allows for self-initiation, and auto setup of a coven.
STREGA
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 (NORDIC)
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 called the Nordic tradition.
