Paganlore.com

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 recognized as and the Sabbats and Esbats celebrated.

American Celtic Wicca
"The American Order of the Brotherhood of the Wicca" covens stem from Jessica
Bell ("Lady Sheba"), a self-styled Witch Queen. The tradition's rites are virtually
the same as Gardnerian, though covens work robed. They follow the same practice
of Gardnerian in preferring couples; preferably husband and wife. "Ceremonial
Magick is the primary work of the American Celtic tradition and it is conceived as
being the most powerful and ancient means of psychological and occult therapy by
which normal. healthy people can undertake a program of initiation and development."

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.

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 humor in its rituals. Similarly Englishman, Austin Osman Spare,
often called the father of chaos magic, took chaos to a more scientific plateau.

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.

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.

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.

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 preceded
Garderian or Celtic based religions and developed in Italy during Roman times.

Other Paths and Denominations not yet described here include....

Australian Wicca

Church of Y Tylwyth Teg

Church of the Cresent Moon

Circle Wicca

Coven of the Forest, Far and Forever

Deboran Witchdom

Dianic Feminist Wicce

Faery Wicca

Frost's Wicca

Maidenhill Wicca

Northern Way

Nova Wicca

Pecta-Wita

There are some that are not even mentioned here.
We wish you the best of luck in discovering which
path is right for you. Or if you have already found
your way, Blessed Be!