The Branches Of Wicca
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING CONTENT CONTAINS RELIGIOUS INFORMATION ABOUT WICCA. DO NOT BE OFFENDED BY THIS BLOG BECAUSE I REALLY DO NOT CARE IF YOU ARE OR NOT.
Branches of Wiccan spread far and wide. Their origins are at random and beliefs are very different. They differ in the way rituals are performed, the clothing that is worn (or lack of clothing) within the circle, the language that is spoken, training, the symbols used, and most importantly, the magick that is practiced. Here I post the different branches, explaining what they believe and how they tick.
There are many so-called "courses" on "How to become a Witch" ranging in price
from a dollar to several hundred dollars, none of which are enlightening to the
well read, nor do they reveal any of the secrets of the Wicca. For the curious,
perhaps, they can be of benefit - for the serious, they are at most worthless,
and more often than not, dangerous and inaccurate.
The following are brief descriptions of the various traditions within Wicca:
GARDNERIAN - A branch of Wicca deriving its name from Gerald B.Gardner who was
initiated into a coven of Witches in the New Forest in Britain and who helped
greatly in the advancement of the truth about Wicca by his love for it and his
writings on the subject. It is inherently Celtic in origin encompassing rituals
as practiced in Southern England. Ritual nudity is required at all times.
TRADITIONAL - Many branches of the Craft which claim to be pre-Gardnerian.
This covers a lot of territory, again depending upon the area of origin (i.e.,
Wales, Scotland, Ireland, etc.). Ritual nudity is sometimes required. Some
groups are strictly robed.
ALEXANDRIAN - A branch in Wicca deriving its name from Alexander Sanders. This
is a form of Gardnerian Wicca (rather, a form which "borrowed" much of
Gardnerianism). It is very ceremonial, encompassing much of Quabalistic magick,
etc. Ritual nudity plays a part but it is not required, the choice being left to
the individual Witch.
CONTINENTAL - This can be put under the heading of "Traditional," again
depending upon origin (France, Germany, Spain, Basque, etc.).
STREGERIA - This can be put under the heading of "Continental." It is
Witchcraft as practiced in Italy and Sicily, each area of Italy and Sicily
practicing according to their own folk-tradition. These are extremely
secretive peoples, but much can be learned about them by reading Leland's
ARADIA: THE GOSPEL OF WITCHES and Leo Martello's WITCHCRAFT: THE OLD RELIGION.
HEREDITARY - Pockets of Hereditary Witches do exist in Europe and America,
carrying on their family traditions. They are usually the most secretive,
preferring to work alone or only within their families. Their form of
Witchcraft is almost entirely different than what we know as Wicca.
DIANIC - This branch of Wicca lays a great stress on the Goddess, sometimes
entirely ignoring Her Horned Consort. I do not know much about them, but they
seem to be similar to Gardnerian (or vice versa). Perhaps this was the
original tradition that Gerald Gardner was initiated into.
THE NEW REFORMED ORDER OF THE GOLDEN DAWN - A neo-Gardnerian or quasi-
Gardnerian group founded by a Californian named Aidan Kelly. They are a
beautiful and idealistic form of the Wicca, constantly researching into our
ancient heritage.
AMERICAN-CELTIC - Perhaps the largest and fastest growing form of Wicca in
America originating out of the Twin City area (Minneapolis-St.Paul). Their form
is akin to Gardnerian, though ritual nudity is not required by all of their
covens.
Two of the newest branches of the Craft are the SEAX-WICCA, formulated by Dr. Raymond Buckland (formerly a Gardnerian), based upon the religion of the Saxons. It is a unique system which has eliminated the Degrees and operates upon a
democratic level. Unlike other traditions, non-initiates are permitted at times
to witness the rituals. The other of the two is simply called WICCA and was
formulated by Edmund M. Buczynski from nine years of study and research into
pre-Celtic and Celtic religions. It also is operated upon a democratic level.
However, the three degrees have been kept as well as ritual nudity. Only
initiates are permitted to attend meetings.
There are many other groups, many are "underground" and shun any publicity. Most
are small and isolated (like the BOREADS, a lovely tradition who call themselves
the "children of the north wind". The fact remains that all of these groups are
legitimate representatives of Wicca in the world today.
WELSH TRADITIONAL - This is a Celtic-derived tradition which incorporates the teachings and mythology and traditions of Ancient Wales. There is a large group at present in Georgia, California, and New York.
MINOAN BROTHERHOOD AND SISTERHOOD - These groups are worshippers of the Cretan snake goddess whose holy priests and priestesses were historically homosexual.The Brotherhood and Sisterhood meet separately at the Esbats, but meet together at Sabbats.
BLOG NOTE: PLEASE COMMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW YOUR OPINIONS OR IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ON THE GROUPS THAT I DID NOT HAVE.
Branches of Wiccan spread far and wide. Their origins are at random and beliefs are very different. They differ in the way rituals are performed, the clothing that is worn (or lack of clothing) within the circle, the language that is spoken, training, the symbols used, and most importantly, the magick that is practiced. Here I post the different branches, explaining what they believe and how they tick.
There are many so-called "courses" on "How to become a Witch" ranging in price
from a dollar to several hundred dollars, none of which are enlightening to the
well read, nor do they reveal any of the secrets of the Wicca. For the curious,
perhaps, they can be of benefit - for the serious, they are at most worthless,
and more often than not, dangerous and inaccurate.
The following are brief descriptions of the various traditions within Wicca:
GARDNERIAN - A branch of Wicca deriving its name from Gerald B.Gardner who was
initiated into a coven of Witches in the New Forest in Britain and who helped
greatly in the advancement of the truth about Wicca by his love for it and his
writings on the subject. It is inherently Celtic in origin encompassing rituals
as practiced in Southern England. Ritual nudity is required at all times.
TRADITIONAL - Many branches of the Craft which claim to be pre-Gardnerian.
This covers a lot of territory, again depending upon the area of origin (i.e.,
Wales, Scotland, Ireland, etc.). Ritual nudity is sometimes required. Some
groups are strictly robed.
ALEXANDRIAN - A branch in Wicca deriving its name from Alexander Sanders. This
is a form of Gardnerian Wicca (rather, a form which "borrowed" much of
Gardnerianism). It is very ceremonial, encompassing much of Quabalistic magick,
etc. Ritual nudity plays a part but it is not required, the choice being left to
the individual Witch.
CONTINENTAL - This can be put under the heading of "Traditional," again
depending upon origin (France, Germany, Spain, Basque, etc.).
STREGERIA - This can be put under the heading of "Continental." It is
Witchcraft as practiced in Italy and Sicily, each area of Italy and Sicily
practicing according to their own folk-tradition. These are extremely
secretive peoples, but much can be learned about them by reading Leland's
ARADIA: THE GOSPEL OF WITCHES and Leo Martello's WITCHCRAFT: THE OLD RELIGION.
HEREDITARY - Pockets of Hereditary Witches do exist in Europe and America,
carrying on their family traditions. They are usually the most secretive,
preferring to work alone or only within their families. Their form of
Witchcraft is almost entirely different than what we know as Wicca.
DIANIC - This branch of Wicca lays a great stress on the Goddess, sometimes
entirely ignoring Her Horned Consort. I do not know much about them, but they
seem to be similar to Gardnerian (or vice versa). Perhaps this was the
original tradition that Gerald Gardner was initiated into.
THE NEW REFORMED ORDER OF THE GOLDEN DAWN - A neo-Gardnerian or quasi-
Gardnerian group founded by a Californian named Aidan Kelly. They are a
beautiful and idealistic form of the Wicca, constantly researching into our
ancient heritage.
AMERICAN-CELTIC - Perhaps the largest and fastest growing form of Wicca in
America originating out of the Twin City area (Minneapolis-St.Paul). Their form
is akin to Gardnerian, though ritual nudity is not required by all of their
covens.
Two of the newest branches of the Craft are the SEAX-WICCA, formulated by Dr. Raymond Buckland (formerly a Gardnerian), based upon the religion of the Saxons. It is a unique system which has eliminated the Degrees and operates upon a
democratic level. Unlike other traditions, non-initiates are permitted at times
to witness the rituals. The other of the two is simply called WICCA and was
formulated by Edmund M. Buczynski from nine years of study and research into
pre-Celtic and Celtic religions. It also is operated upon a democratic level.
However, the three degrees have been kept as well as ritual nudity. Only
initiates are permitted to attend meetings.
There are many other groups, many are "underground" and shun any publicity. Most
are small and isolated (like the BOREADS, a lovely tradition who call themselves
the "children of the north wind". The fact remains that all of these groups are
legitimate representatives of Wicca in the world today.
WELSH TRADITIONAL - This is a Celtic-derived tradition which incorporates the teachings and mythology and traditions of Ancient Wales. There is a large group at present in Georgia, California, and New York.
MINOAN BROTHERHOOD AND SISTERHOOD - These groups are worshippers of the Cretan snake goddess whose holy priests and priestesses were historically homosexual.The Brotherhood and Sisterhood meet separately at the Esbats, but meet together at Sabbats.
BLOG NOTE: PLEASE COMMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW YOUR OPINIONS OR IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ON THE GROUPS THAT I DID NOT HAVE.
I've been wiccan for about... nearly a year i think?
I didnt become wiccan just because at the time i was 'emo' to some,
I became wiccan because I loved their nature and history oreintated beliefs.
I dont know anybody out of my friends (and alot of them are 'emos') that even KNOWS about wicca.
I have a few goth friends that are wicca, and a couple of my scene kid friend's are wicca, but they actually believe in it and do everything they're meant to in rituals and such.
Personally, I believe the only one's doing it just because davey havok does are mainly in America, and such a wide generalisation shouldnt be made against all 'emos', considering most of them in New Zealand arent idiots, although there are a few.
Most people will never even understand Wicca, You have to put alot of time and energy into being a full wiccan, So I highy doubt those 'followers' could be called Wiccan's anyway.
This is a great blog.
psychosocial, October 16th, 2008 at 10:10:57pm
being a wiccan. i loved this blog. very informative about the other branches.
thank you so much for taking the time to write this!!
Nina.Nightmare, October 16th, 2008 at 07:29:54pm
Dude, this blog is awesome and really informative.
I should probably start my project... It's due tomorrow.
St. Mikey, October 16th, 2008 at 04:47:37am
Miss Neurotic,
"all" emo kids? Isn't that more of on the over-response stage? I know a few emo people but, yet, they are not Wiccan. Just saying...that's an overstatement.
Saixx
TheShadowChild., October 16th, 2008 at 03:49:33am
wow i... have very dissimilar beliefs, but interesting read
Miley Cyrus, October 16th, 2008 at 02:16:56am
all emo kids claim to be wiccan just because it's such a trend right now and because they all wanna copy davey havok and sh*t. i think the whole deal kinda takes off the credibility of people who are actually really into this stuff, which kinda sucks.
Jesus Christ, October 15th, 2008 at 10:51:54am
oh cool. i have all these wicca books, but they confuse mee :S
Viva La Gloria, October 15th, 2008 at 07:10:59am
I'm looking into Wicca, and this blog was super informative. :) Thanx.
MikeIsMine!!!, October 15th, 2008 at 03:59:01am