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| Articles & Resources: Sanders, Alexander - (1920 to 1988) Sanders rose to fame during the 1960's. He was flamboyant in character, and proclaimed himself "King of Witches" in his native England. as he founded the Alexandrian tradition which bears his name. The Alexandrian tradition of Wicca The Alexandrian tradition of Wicca was established in the 1960s by Alex Sanders , and his wife Maxine. Originally Alex claimed to have been initiated by his grandmother when he was seven years old (reference, The King of the Witches by June Johns), but later admitted that this was untrue. In fact, he was initiated into a regular Gardnerian coven, by one of Patricia and Arnold Crowther's initiates, a lady by the name of Pat Kopanski.  He was born in Manchester, the oldest of six children. His father was a dance-hall entertainer and suffered from alcoholism. Sanders said his grandmother, Mary Biddy, initiated him into Witchcraft. As a youth he found her one day standing naked in the middle of a circle. Alexandrian Web Ring A webring consisting of Alexandrian websites, mostly covens and groups in this tradition. A Memorial to Alex Sanders Alex died on the morning of April 30 1988, the festival of Beltane. As Gemini his Sun sign rose on the Eastern horizon and as the Moon waxed to fullness in the last degrees of Libra and headed for Scorpio the sign of his Ascendant, he passed out of his body and into a new phase of incarnation, another spiral of the Goddess' spiral dance. 
Welcome to the American Tradition of the Goddess, also known lovingly as Amtrad. This website is dedicated to share information about the teachings, practices, and people of Amtrad. This is a Wiccan tradition which began and flourishes primarily in north Texas.
What exactly, is Amtrad?
The American Tradition of the Goddess is a Wiccan tradition that began in the mid 1980s. Three solitaires came together and began to honor the Goddess and the earth. After a year or so, three more friends joined us in our worship. As we attended public events, more inquiries were made as to what we taught. In 1991, we wrote coven bylaws and formalized our initiation process. Over the next year, we wrote the tenets of the American Tradition of the Goddess and instituted a three degree system.
The American Tradition of the Goddess is a teaching tradition of earth magic. Our emphasis is on living our craft in thought, word, and deed. We honor the Triple Goddess and the Triple God. We see the Goddess in all Her aspects as the creative force and the God as Her consort and counselor. We follow the cycles of the sun, moon, and seasons, and celebrate the eight festivals of the Wheel of the Year. We explore the ancient myths and legends of many pantheons and cultures through teaching and ritual while utilizing our members’ creativity in the presentation.
Amethyst is a stone of spirituality and contentment. It facilitates transmutation of lower energies into the higher frequencies of both the spiritual and ethereal levels. It is representative of complete metamorphosis. It balances the energies of the intellectual, emotional and physical bodies and provides a clear connection between the Earth plane and the other worlds.Amethyst bestows stability, strength, invigoration and peace;the peace being the perfect peace which was present prior to birth
Fyre is of course very passionate...transforming...and powerful...
So then, the name Amethyst-Fyre is essentially the passion for Spiritual transformation...Enlightenment.
We at Amethyst Fyre Clan are a diverse group of people that practice different forms of Magic. We believe in using parts of all 'religions', beliefs, customs, etc. and integrating them into our lives.. Whether it be from Celtic, Eclectic, Christianity, Buddhism, etc. We use whatever feels right and works for each individual, so long as it hurts none.
This is why we are not the traditional coven, each person walks a different path and are at different levels. Believing in "AS ABOVE SO BELOW", we work towards the balance of the Divine Feminine and the Sacred Masculine, the Yin and Yang.
The Amethyst~Fyre Clan is now offering courses to provide opportunities for Wiccan Clergy to embrace and understand Magical workings, while obtaining the proper skills, background and credentials, abling each student/practitioner to stand confidently among peers and be recognized as equals with clerics of all religions.
A Quest for Wisdom and Balance
by Douglas "Dag" Rossman
Norse Religion, or Heathenry, is the modern-day practice of the ancient tribal belief systems of the Northern European peoples; the Teutons (continental Germanic tribes) and the Norse (Scandinavian and Gothic tribes). Although their deities were pretty much the same, they were pronounced differently among the various tribes. Thus you have Odin among the Norse, and Wotan or Wodan among the Teutons; Thor or Thonar among the Norse, and Donar or Donner among the Teutons.
Astrological Connections
Purists of the Norse Religion may scoff at the idea of associating the various Gods and Goddesses to a system that was not originated by the Norse. However, for comparison purposes, it is helpful to be able to associate the deities with the various signs of the zodiac; if for no other reason than to help in astrological chart interpretations using a Norse background.
Aries: the fiery Loki, and Ostara, the goddess of Spring
Taurus: both the youthful Idunna and Weiland, smith of the Gods.
Gemini: Both Freyr and Freyja as the Twins.
Cancer: Blissful mother Fricka (Frigg); also Manni; Lord of the Moon
Leo: Mighty Thor; also, Sunna (the Sun)
Virgo: Sif (Sifa), the wife of Thor and Frowe of the harvest
Libra: Tyr, the lawgiver of the Gods; also Forseti, the god of Justice
Scorpio: Hela (Holle); Goddess of Death and Rebirth
Sagittarius: Allfather Odin (mounted on Sleipnir)
Capricorn: Skadi; Goddess of Winter and the Hunt; also Ullr, Lord of the Hunt
Aquarius: Heimdall, Guardian of the Rainbow Bridge
Pisces: Both Njord and Nerthus; God and Goddess of the Oceans and Rivers.
The ancient Germanic/Norse year was divided into two seasons: Summer and Winter. Summer began at the festival of Eostre, close to the Spring Equinox, and Winter began at the festival of Winternights, close to the Autumn Equinox. Between these two festivals was the festival of Midsummer (Lithasblot) at the Summer Solstice, and the festival of Jul (Yule), at the Winter Solstice. There are other minor festivals that are celebrated in between these four major ones, listed below in the table.
Welcome to the front page for the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel's website. The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel is a legally recognized Wiccan non-profit religious organization based in the Mid-Atlantic region. The form of Wicca that the Assembly practices is syncretic and draws inspiration from Astrology, Qabala, the Western Magickal Tradition and the folk religions of Europe. Keepers of the Holly Chalice, the founding coven of the Assembly began its life in February of 1984. The Assembly was incorporated in the state of Delaware in 1993 and was granted 501(c)(3) status by the IRS in 1995. The Assembly currently consists of six covens: Keepers of the Holly Chalice, Coven of the Rowan Star, Oak & Willow, Weavers of the Moonfire, Guardians of the Windsword, and Fellowship of the Ancient White Stag. There is also a 7th coven in formation.
What is a Green Witch?
*Green Witches are allied with the green growth of the Earth.
*A Green Witch's heart is as green as the heart of the Earth.
*A Green Witch weaves the ways of the green nations with the ways of humans.
*A Green Witch understands everyday magic.
*A Green Witch creates green magic: heals with common plants, simple ritual and compassionate care.
*The ways of the Green Witch are individual and water like; each personal stream joining the one ocean of love.
There are currently twenty-three Black Forest Covens in the United States and one Canadian coven, with a total of 150 members. The Black Forest is not a social organization and does not charge an initiation or elevation fee. The Black Forest training program is designed specifically to train Wiccan Clergy, and therefore does not train individuals new to the Craft. Only Silver RavenWolf and her husband, MindWalker, have access to the temple rolls. Most Black Forest Witches are over the age of thirty-five. All Black Forest Witches are family oriented. Many of The Black Forest Witches have been chosen by Silver RavenWolf and MindWalker on their travels across the United States, giving the organization a unique blend of culture and expertise so that students can enjoy training in many areas of Craft knowledge and lore. Covens do not hive from the Black Forest Family. Each member has an equal vote in administrative decisions in a Grand Coven meeting held once a year.
Blue Star:
Blue Star is a very eclectic tradition founded in the 1970s. Their beliefs focus on worship rather than magick and they refer to themselves as a "teaching tradition".
Blue Star Wicca is a centuries old Pagan tradition founded in the mid-1970s. Originally established as a single coven in Pennsylvania, Blue Star evolved over the next decade or two into a collection of more than a dozen covens all across the U.S., all working in what is essentially the same framework and therefore recognizable as a tradition. (Also check out this site)
The Braided Wheel Tradition in 1995 included Star Wheel Coven, Braided Spiral Coven, and all students of the Tradition not affiliated with groups.
The Braided Wheel Tradition still shows many Blue Star influences in our strong emphasis on training, community service and the degree system as well as the cyclical motif of the altar which is unique in the craft. For more information please contact the following - sheherazahde@yahoo.com
by Devyn Christopher Gillette
Blue Star Wicca is a Craft tradition practiced across the United States and touching the lives of hundreds of people as it has evolved and grown. Commonly associated with the simple pleasures of music and family ties among its membership, its history is rich, diverse, and sometimes curiously contradictory.
Sea Star Grove is a coven within the Blue Star tradition of Wicca. We began functioning as a study group under the direction of our mother coven, Ravenstar Coven (based in Minneapolis) in 1992. At that time, Sea Star was based in Florida. In January 1998, we moved to our current location in Western Washington. In December 1999, Frodo was initiated into the clergy, and Sea Star became a teaching coven under the guidance of Ravenstar Coven. Sea Star is accepting new students, both local-participatory and long-distance. For more information, email summoner@sea-star.org or write us at:
Sea Star Grove
PO Box 2966
Redmond, WA 98073-2966
British Traditional Wicca (BTW) is the name we give to a number of denominations of Wiccans who have received (via initiatory lineage) and maintain an established body of lore and practice passed down from generation to generation. The best known of these are the Gardnerians, of which there are distinct British and American branches. Alexandrians, Mohsians and (California) Central Valley Wicca are also British Traditionals.
What is the difference between BTW and other people who call themselves Wiccan?
Other people who call themselves Wicca do not have the initiatory lineage mentioned above. In addition, the following features of BTW may not all be present in other paths which call themselves Wiccan: * Members are formed into small (3-13) groups called "covens" and are led by a High Priestess and/or High Priest.
* There is a formal ceremony of initiation which includes a solemn oath never to reveal certain secrets to outsiders.
* Initiates are oathbound to never charge money for initiation and training into the Craft of the Wise.
* There are usually three degrees or levels of initiation, called "Priest/ess", "High Priest/ess" and "Elder". (This may lead to some confusion, as coven leaders, who are usually Elders, are often called "High Priestess" or "High Priest" of the coven.)
* British Traditional Wiccans typically call upon the names of one Goddess and one God in their rituals. Most also acknowledge the Dryghtyn, who is not personified but represents the unified spiritual essence of the universe, from which both Goddess and God sprang.
The term "Celtic," from the Greek Keltoi was used by the Greeks to refer to the peoples who lived beyond the Alps. This term, more or less, meant stranger. There were many tribes who were referred to as the Keltoi, each of which had their own unique culture and identity. These tribes were mainly found in the areas we modernly refer to as Northern Italy, France, and Germany. Of note, the cultures of the British Isles and Ireland - which in contemporary thought form the heart of the Celtic culture - were still unknown to the Greeks and therefore not held under the term Keltoi. It is only later that archaeologists and linguists begin defining things such as the Hallstatt and La Tene' periods and deciphering the Indo-European languages that we see an expansion of the use of the term "Celtic" extending into non-Keltoi cultures. Coupled with the European unification propoganda of the 1800's, the term "Celtic" became a rallying point for all of the European countries as a point of mutual identification.
Many times, the term "Celtic" is used by scholars as a way to generalize and hide their lack of knowledge regarding the origin or subject of their work. By taking the time to specifically state the culture we are able to alleviate vagueness in our writing and expand our understanding of the topic. However, the term "Celtic" has become quite popular and is perhaps one of the more widely recognized terms we can use when referring to this widespread group of cultures on a collective basis.
Many individuals were in dialogue about what constituted genuine early Celtic religion and spirituality, and how to educate others about the differences between Wicca and the various forms of Celtic Paganism. These discussions initially took place in Pagan publications and around the fire at Pagan gatherings starting in the early 1980s. With the growth of the internet, dialogue on PODSnet Celtic, the GEnie network, Celtic-L and other online forums became the critical factor leading to a rapid spread of information after 1989. The phrase Celtic Reconstructionist (CR) began to gain common use during 1992 and 1993 to describe individuals who were trying to understand, research, and re-create an authentically Celtic path for modern Pagans.
The full name is the Correllian Nativist Tradition, and it combines traditional Wicca with Native American practices. There is an emphasis on study and ancestors.
 Please be sure to also visit the Correllian Tradition web site maintained by the Office of the Chancellor.
The Correllian Nativist Tradition is one of the largest and fastest growing Traditions of Wicca in the world today with locations in the United States, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Mexico, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay; and members all around the world. e-mail me
A short introduction to the basics of the Correllian tradition.
Dianic:
Dianic Wicca focuses on the feminine aspect of the Divine. Some Dianic covens and rituals are women-only.
Dianic Wicca, Dianic Witchcraft, and Feminist Dianic Witchcraft are all common titles for the Neopagan Feminist Dianic tradition . While some Dianics self-identify as Wiccans, some prefer the term Witch or priestess of the Goddess. Dianic Wicca can be very similar to traditional Wicca in practice (see section below for a discussion of their differences), but differs significantly from it in beliefs. Most Dianic Wiccans worship the Goddess only, acknowledging that She is the source of all living and contains all within Her. There are Dianic witches who practice other forms of paganism (possibly including honoring a male deity or deities) outside of their Dianic practice. Some Dianics are monotheistic, some are polytheistic, some are non-theistic.
A site dedicatecd to Dianic Wicca. There are lots of essays and articles that express these beliefs. Email
Not all Dianic Wiccans follow a true female-only path. Some groups include the masculine as well as the feminine.
 Temple of Diana, is a religious and educational organization providing services and education to nurture the spiritual needs of women through the teachings and practices of Dianic tradition. Dianic tradition is a feminist, Goddess and woman-centered, earth-based denomination of Wiccan religion revived by Z Budapest in the early 1970's.
Among the distinguishing features of the Faery tradition is the use of a Faery Power which characterizes the lineage. It is an ecstatic, rather than a fertility, tradition. Strong emphasis is placed on sensual experience and awareness, including sexual mysticism, which is not limited to heterosexual expression. In this, as in the general spirit of spiritual exploration, there is more risk-taking encouraged than in other Wiccan traditions which may have specific laws limiting behavior, and there is a certain amorality historically associated with the Tradition. We see ourselves, when enchanted, as "fey"--not black, not white, outside social definitions, on the road to Faeryland, either mad or poetical. We are aware that much of reality is unseen, or at least has uncertain boundaries. As in all the Craft, there is a deep respect for the wisdom of Nature, a love of beauty, and an appreciation of bardic and mantic creativity. The Gods are not just constructs or psychological forces from the collective unconscious. The Gods are real, with a system of morality different from our own, and we have a responsibility to them. The Faery Tradition, in common with initiatory lineages of the Craft which practice possession, is a mystery tradition of power, mystery, danger, ecstacy, and direct communication with divinity. This is in contrast to traditions which practice psychodrama or psychotherapy through ritual. The negative side of this style of working is that we have a lot of initiates who did not return unscathed from between the worlds. The tradition is not for everybody, and it is not amenable to mass attendance, like many Pagan paths.
Introduction
The Faerie Faith is a complex Pagan tradition, with its own mystical system, that of the Beth-Luis-Nion Celtic Lunar Tree Calendar. It is impossible to understand any one part of the tradition without looking at all of the tradition's different components. I will try to introduce some concepts that should be kept in mind while reading this paper.
First, the Faerie Faith is a Dianic tradition, and as such places emphasis on the feminine in humanity, in nature, and in God. For ease of reading, all pronouns will be in the feminine, according to that tradition. For example, "High Priest or High Priestess" will be referred to simply as "High Priestess, " unless noted otherwise. Similarly, pronouns such as "he or she, " and "his or her, " will be referred to as "she, " or "her, " respectively. It should be noted that individuals of both genders can and do enter the training of the Faerie Faith.
The Beth-Luis-Nion system is a mystical system, and therefore it is difficult to understand in a purely intellectual way. In many ways it is comparable to the Qabalah. Israel Regardie describes the Qabalah as, "a trustworthy guide, leading to a comprehension both of the Universe and one's own Self" (Regardie i). Similarly, the Beth-Luis-Nion system is a beneficial system that leads to an understanding of Nature, and a personal transformation of the student. It is this goal of personal transformation and balance that all students work towards on their journey through the mysteries of the Celtic Lunar Tree Calendar.
Wicca, Goddess Spirituality, Faerie Tradition, or Celtic shamanism. It develops one's spiritual, psychic, and worldly potential, while honoring each person's inextricable weaving with society, nature and cosmos. This is an ecstatic path pursued via a supervised and disciplined approach to: psychic training; intense personal growth (which includes purification of the inner blocks that keep one from fulfillment and service); an experience of the love of the Goddess and God in daily life; and a practical application of shamanism to life's joys and challenges. The 3rd Road is an initiatory path.
Family Wiccan Tradition is growing online as well as becoming a physical movement - mobilizing pagan families and encouraging them to give their children a legacy that is uniquely their own.
Family Wiccan Tradition presents ministerial services to pagan families designed to futher their own family's spiritual identity, presents educational opportunities for pagan parents and help to weave a web of real support for their families.
Created and operated by Lord Stone and Lady Adialawyddan - (Lady Dia)
Gardnerian:
Based on the teachings of Gerald Gardner in the 1950s, Gardnerian Wicca is considered by many to be the most authentic tradition.
 Biography of Gerald GardnerThe life and accomplishments of one of the best known figures of modern Wicca. Doreen Valiente's Home Page A notable author in her own right, Doreen was a student of Gerald Gardner himself. The Gardnerian Tradition A good overview of this tradition from the Witches Voice. Gardnerian Tradition A description of the tradition, specifically how a Gardnerian Coven is organized. Gerald Gardner - History of Wicca A site dedicated to the life and accomplishments of Gerald Gardner, the father of of modern Wicca.
Georgian Wicca:
Named for it's founder, George Patterson, the Georgian tradition began in 1971. It's a very eclectic tradition, based on Gardnerian teachings.
Background information on this tradition, and a little bit about what it represents. write to Moondancer at moondancer_wa@hotmail.com.
A comprehensive site on the Georgian tradition of Wicca. Welcome to GeorgianWicca.org, a web site dedicated to the teachings and practices of the Georgian Tradition of Wicca, as originally taught and expressed by our founder, George "Pat" Patterson and the Priestesses and Priests who have come after them.
An annual outdoor festival, for Georgian Wiccans, but all Pagans are free to attend. Contact Lady Vivienne : cynthianicola@sbcglobal.net
The Golden Dawn tradition is a branch of ceremonial magic most concerned with the concepts and practices developed by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
As of 2005, many more people consider themselves (but not necessarily each other) part of the Golden Dawn tradition than ever were members of the order led by Mathers. Most adherents are based in the United States and Canada.
The true and historic Esoteric Order of the Golden Dawn, founded in 1887, is an extension of the ancient Mysteries of Light. Golden Dawn teachings have remained and influenced thousands who seek a deeper understanding of the Mysteries. Today, the teachings, practices and initiations of the historical Golden Dawn continue.
The Golden Dawn magical tradition comes out of a secretive underworld of magical lodges in England, dating back at least to the beginning of the eighteenth century and possibly further still. From the time of John Dee (1527-1608), court astrologer to Queen Elizabeth I, English magicians had been working with the teachings of Renaissance high magic in new ways, developing a rich heritage of magical theory and practice that reached full flower with the coming of the Golden Dawn.
The Green Witches list is open to all Witches, Wiccans and friends who work or would like to work extensively with herbs for magical and/or medicinal purposes. This is a high volume list with many recipes exchanged for lotions, potions, brews, charms, spells and magical crafts. We discuss any topics related to herbs, such as healing, the Wise Woman Tradition, gardening, creating/growing a magical garden to using herbs as simples, sachets, amulets, incenses or scented oils in practical and effective ways of magic. Join us as we walk the path of the Green Witch.
The Gwyddonic Order was founded at Lughnassad 1998 when Mairwen y Gwydd separated her group (The College of the Blue Butterfly) from Trefn Gwyddoniad, an American-Welsh Celtic Tradition based in Northern California. The Gwyddoniad is a Welsh-Celtic spiritual, philosophical and metaphysical Tradition. Our philosophical foundation is Oneness: "Everything is the One, and the One is the All", meaning that no-thing and no-one is more or less the One than any-thing or any-one else.
a Wiccan tradition founded in Texas by an English Traditional Wiccan High Priestess and a Qabalistic ceremonial magician. It is Egyptian-oriented, and its training and initiatory system are based on the Qabalistic Tree of Life.
Home is where the hearth is. Being a kitchen witch goes beyond any specific tradition, it's more of an attitude. Gardening, cooking, herbs and crafts all tend to be part of kitchen witchery.
Kitchen Witch - This tradition is devored essentially to the pratical or working end or the Old Relition, with emphasis on the use of plants and spells for such things as protection and healing. This is also one of the traditions most easily praticed by solitaries, since the required education can be obtained from either self - teaching or can be learned from others. http://www.prcupcc.org/paths.html
Minoan:
The Minoan tradition is actually of triad (the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood, and the Cult of Rhea). Their beliefs do not focus on the gender differences of the God/dess and many Minoan followers are gay/lesbian.
Those men who are interested in further information on the Minoan Brotherhood may visit www.minoan-brotherhood.org . Those women who are interested in the Minoan Sisterhood may contact MagickalRealms@aol.com..
Site for a Minoan tradition temple in New York. Information on both the temple and the trad.
Reclaiming:
This is a recent tradition, founded by Starhawk in the 1980s. It's a blend of spirituality and political activism.
The Charge of the Goddess
The values of the Reclaiming tradition stem from our understanding that the Earth is alive and all of life is sacred and interconnected. We see the Goddess as immanent in the Earth's cycles of birth, growth, death, decay and regeneration. Our practice arises from a deep, spiritual commitment to the Earth, to healing and to the linking of magic with political action.
Reclaiming is a community of women and men working to unify spirit and politics. Our vision is rooted in the religion and magic of the Goddess, the Immanent Life Force. We see our work as teaching and making magic; the art of empowering ourselves and each other. In our classes, workshops, and public rituals, we train our voices, bodies, energy, intuition, and minds. We use the skills we learn to deepen our strength, both as individuals and as community, to voice our concerns about the world in which we live, and bring to birth a vision of a new culture.
The home page of the founder of the Reclaiming Tradition, Starhawk.
An annual outdoor Reclaiming camping event of myth, magic and mystery.
Seax:
Based loosely on Saxon culture, this informal tradition was founded by Raymond Buckland. It is particularly popular among solitaries.
Seax-Wica was the inspiration of Raymond Buckland . In 1973 fed-up with the egotism and power trips exhibited by others within the craft, he decided to leave the Gardnerian tradition feeling it no longer met his religious needs. He developed and founded Seax-Wica as a new tradition at Samhain that same year. He felt that the craft needed to develop beyond ego trips and self-gratification into a bone-fide religion, which did away with an oath of secrecy and became more democratic and enjoyable. Seax Wica is just that, allowing all to have a relationship with the God and Goddess. With access to the mysteries and kinship with all, "Love is the law, Love is the bond". While Buckland claimed no direct descent from Saxon times, he chose a Saxon background as a foundation for the new tradition with "Woden and Freya" as its main deities.
To learn more about Seax-Wicca you would also be well advised to go to Ray Buckland's Home Page and read what the founder himself has written. and The Home Pages of Seax Wicca from the "Coven of the Spiral Seax" in the heart of England, who's aim is to teach all that are interested about the tradition of Seax Wica. About the master of Galdra (Saxon magick) and the Seax Wica runes - the great father God Woden. And of course the Love, magick and protection of our beautiful mother Goddess Freya.
An online mailing list and discussion group on Seax Wica.
Review of Buckland's book, which is the central source for Seax Wicca information.
The Wiccan Church of Canada was founded in Toronto in 1979 by Richard and Tamarra James and their coven of the time. They wanted to start a public Wiccan organization, because they felt that the traditional coven structure made it difficult for newcomers to find their way into the Craft, and in particular for people who were still uncertain to be able to find out whether Wicca was for them without having to make a commitment that they might not be able to keep. They also were n ot entirely happy with the "religion of priesthood" concept and wanted to create a space where those who followed a Wiccan belief system but were not called to an initiatory path could worship the gods with others. The Initiates of the coven became, in ef fect, the priesthood of the church.
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