The Wiccan Traditions

Just as in any other religion, the Wiccan religion has many different traditions or paths. Each path has its own distinct rituals and practices, and many are bound by a sacred oath so that their practices are held in secret, not allowing members of other traditions to know their ways. The list below tells about some of the different traditions of Wicca.

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 Alexandrian Ritual.  As with other Wiccan religions, the duality of Goddess and God is recognised and the Sabbats and Esbats celebrated.

Asatru Tradition

Asatru is a Norse word meaning 'Belief in 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.

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.

Dianic Tradition

A tradition that worships the Goddess 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

A loosely based tradition in which the followers use any practices of other paths and incorporates them into their own path. They use what works best for them regardless of the source. Eclectic Wicca is a common and popular form of Wicca.

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 the 1960's by Kerry Thornley and Gregory Hill, who published a book called Principia Discordia.

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 Gardner, who researched the history of the Craft and added much of it 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 Wiccan 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.

Kitchen Witch

Witches who practice around the home and hearth, and incorporate magick and religion into daily life.

Pictish Witchcraft

Witchcraft developed in Scotland. It's followers are solitaries and worship involves animal, vegetable, and minerals as aspects of nature.

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 traditions without breaking his Gardnerian oath.

Strega Witches

A tradition founded by a witch called Aradia around 1352 CE. Strega can lay claim to being one of the oldest, unchanged forms of Witchcraft. This tradition preceded Gardnerian or Celtic based religions and developed in Italy during Roman times.

Bright Blessings!

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