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Alphabetical listing of some Wicca and Witchcraft traditions/Practices
Alexandrian Tradition
Founded and based upon the teachings of Alex Sanders, in England.
Ceremonial Magick and the Kabbalah have been included with the rituals
of Gardnerian Wicca. Skyclad is a common practice in ritual. As with
other Wicca religions, the duality of Goddess and God is recognised as
and the Sabbats and Esbats celebrated.
Asatru Tradition
Asatru is a Norse word meaning 'belief in the Gods'. This tradition is
very ancient with its roots in the historical agricultural Vanir and
warrior Aesir tribes of Scandinavia and northern Germany. The main
deities are the Goddesses Freya, Frigg, and the Norns while the main
Gods are Odin, Thor, and Frey.
British Traditional
Influenced heavily by Gardnerian Wicca and Celtic traditions. Covens
are co-ed and members train through a degree process. Janet and
Stewart Farrar are British Traditionalist witches. The International
Red Garters is British Traditionalist.
Celtic Wicca
Based upon old Celtic/Druidic practices, and ritual Gardnerian design.
The emphasis is placed heavily upon Celtic deities, the elements,
nature and the magic of trees.
Ceremonial
Witchcraft
Less religion, more
emphasis on the art and science of magick. Rituals are generally
complex and practices lean towards the secretive, 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
Dianic Tradition
A tradition that worships the Goddess as Diana, as the central deity.
Female leadership is encouraged, though male members are allowed into
covens. Rituals are either skyclad or robed. There are also some
covens which are female exclusive and follow a Dianic Feminist Wicce.
Eclectic Wicca
Basically a loosely based tradition which uses any practices of other
paths and incorporates them into their own path. It is now quite a
common and popular form of Wicca, as the followers use what works best
for them regardless of its source.
Erisian Tradition (Discordia)
A philosophy which believes that the universe is uncertain and that
natural laws are not everywhere and constant. Eris is the Goddess of
chaos. Discordia was rediscovered in 1960's by Californians Kerry
Thornley and Gregory Hill, who published a book called Principia
Discordia on their experiences. The tradition also involves humour in
its rituals. Similarly Englishman, Austin Osman Spare, often called
the father of chaos magic, took chaos to a more scientific plateau.
Faerie Wicca (Also referred to as fae, fey, faery, fairy, fairie...)
A tradition based
on faery lore and beliefs. Consists of a mixture of "green" Wicca,
celtic and druidic practices, and modern witchcraft.
Gardnerian Tradition
One of the first traditions in witchcraft to emerge into the public
eye during the 1950's. The teachings are based upon the works of Dr.
Gerald Brosseau Gardner, who researched much of the history of the
Craft and added them to his famous Book of Shadows. Many traditions
use his Book of Shadows, in a modified form, as a basis for ritual
practice.
Georgian Wicca
An eclectic Wicca tradition founded by George E. Patterson in 1970.
This tradition is influenced mostly by Alexandrian and Gardnerian
teachings and leans towards Goddess and God worship at an eclectic
level. Individuals work either skyclad or robed and are encouraged to
write their own rituals.
Green Witchcraft
(also known as natural witchcraft)
Witchcraft with
very strong emphasis on the four elements, balance of nature and the
subtle changes of the seasons. Less "pomp & ceremony" than other
traditions, most often solitary and a little eclectic in practice.
It is highly personalized, and strong emphasis of herbs used in
magick. Usually practiced with very simple set up, tools and
equipment.
Hereditary Witch
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.
Kitchen Witch
Witches who practice around the home and hearth, and incorporate
magick and religion into daily life around cooking, weaving, etc.
Pictish Witchcraft
Witchcraft developed in Scotland. It's followers are solitaries and
worship involves animal, vegetable, and minerals, as aspects of
nature.
Pow-wow
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.
Satanic Witchcraft
There is no worship of "Satan" or "Lucifer" in Witchcraft. These
deities were created by the Christian religion. A Satanic Witch is an
oxymoron and anyone who tells you otherwise, knows nothing about the
Craft.
Seax-Wica Tradition
Founded in 1973 by Raymond Buckland, this tradition incorporates Saxon
lore. Covens have co-ed open rituals and are either performed robed or
skyclad. Buckland developed this tradition without breaking his
Gardnerian oath.
Shamanistic Witchcraft
Shamanism 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.
Solitary Witches
“No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We
ourselves must walk the path.” - Buddha
Individuals preferring to work in private rather than within
the confines of a group setting. Wicca works well with this sort of
practice. Solitaries can pick any number of traditions that fit well
into this sort of practice. Can be as fulfilling as working in a group
setting. You can be a solitary witch and still socialize and attend
group gatherings, it just means you predominantly walk your own path,
and practice alone. It doesn't mean you have to isolate yourself.
Strega Witches
A tradition founded by a witch called Aradia around 1353 CE. Strega
can lay claim to being one of the oldest unchanged forms of
witchcraft. This tradition preceeded Garderian or Celtic based
religions and developed in Italy during Roman times
Teutonic/Nordic
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.
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