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This is a listing of some of the many different branches of Wicca. There are so many that it would be almost impossible to list them all. I've included those that (I feel) have had the most impact on the Craft today. Most new wiccan traditions can be traced back to one or several of these. After each listing I've provided the addresses of several websites (whenever possible) in case you'd like to know more about that particular branch. |
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 The Alexandrian tradition comes out of the coven started by Alex Sanders in England. Alex claims he was initiated by his grandmother in 1933, but many Alexandrian rituals are almost identical to Gardnerian ones, with a little more emphasis on ceremonial magic. The tradition's rituals, while basically Gardnerian, are modified with many Judeo-christian and Ceremonial Magick elements. Covens work skyclad. The eight Sabbats are observed and the Goddess and God are observed. Sanders did much to popularize the Craft but perhaps one of his best acts was to initiate Stewart Farrar. Farrar later formed his own coven and went his own way. Mary Nesnick, an American who was initiated into both Gardnerian and Alexandrian traditions, combined them in 1972 and created a new tradition called Algard. (From "Celtic Myth and Magick" by Edain McCoy) Alexandrian Book of Shadows (Public Domain) From the Covenant of the Goddess Homepage - http://www.cog.org/wicca/trads/alex.htm Back to the Top |
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 "British Traditional Wicca" is defined as the family of Wiccan Traditions who can trace their lineage to Gerald Gardner, and/or to Alex and Maxine Sanders; or whose Wiccan practice is based upon, or derives from, the above but without having initiatory lineage back to Gardner or Sanders."(Taken from the Star Kindred Website) Beaufort House Index of English Traditional Witchcraft The Star Kindred Web Ring - http://www.starkindler.org/kin-ring.html Keep Wicca Traditional: http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Square/7290/ - Interesting Site, while I don't totally agree, the webmaster makes a very valid point!  Back to the Top |
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 The use of a Celtic/Druidic pantheon mixed with a little ritual Gardnerian, and heavily stressing the elements, nature and the Ancient Ones. They had a vast knowledge of and respect for the healing and magickal qualities of plants and stones, flowers, trees, elemental spirits, the little people, gnomes and fairies.(From "To Ride a Silver Broomstick" by Silver RavenWolf) For a breakdown of many of the other celtic traditions click here. Cerridwyn's Cauldron: http://www.fortunecity.com/roswell/lovecraft/195/ Epona's Pagan Randomness: http://members.tripod.com/~Epona_Seaborn/home.html Back to the Top |
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 This is one of the many Welsh-based traditions. It was originally founded by Gavin and Yvonne Frost in the early 1970's. As "The Church and School of Wicca" the material is presented to students by correspondence, though the course is virtually the same as the material presented in their book The Witches Bible. Originally (in the book) there was no mention of the Goddess at all and there were various sexual aspects which dismayed many who were otherwise drawn to the tradition. The latter situation has recently been modified and there is now mention of the Goddess. It is a widely spread tradition, found throughout this country and abroad. For further information contactThe School of Wicca P.O. Box 1502 New Bern, NC 28560 Website: http://www.wicca.org/ Back to the Top |
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 Circle was begun in 1974 by Selena Fox and Jim Alan. Its headquarters are at Circle Sanctuary, a 200 acre Nature preserve and organic herb farm in the rolling hills of southwestern Wisconsin. Circle coordinates Circle Network, "an international exchange and contact service for Wiccans, Neo-Pagans, Pantheists, Goddess Folk, Shamans, Druids, Eco-Feminists, Native American Medicine People, Seers, Ceremonial Magicians, Mystics and others on related paths." They publish an annual source, the Circle Guide to Pagan Resources as well as a quarterly magazine Circle Network News. Both of which I highly recommendto everyone! Circle sponsors a variety of seminars, concerts and workshops at the home base and around the country. At least once a year they also sponsor a special program for Wiccan and other Pagan ministers, and at Summer Solstice hold the National Pagan Spirit Gathering. Circle is incorporated as a non-profit spiritual center and is recognized as a legal Wiccan Church by state and federal governments. Circle differs from many traditions of Wicca in that it is more aligned with Shamanism and Amerindian ways than with the Wicca of Western Europe found in the majority of Craft traditions. Futher information may be obtained from: Circle P.O. Box 219 Mt. Horeb, WI 53572 E-mail- circle@mhtc.net Web Site: http://www.circlesanctuary.org Back to the Top |
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 A cross-traditional federation of over one hundred covens, plus solitary elders and associates, who have joined together to win recognition for the Craft as a legitimate and legally recognized religion.The Covenant of the Goddess was organized in 1975 at Coeden Brith. It is incorporated as a non-profit religious organization in California, though it has grown to be a nationwide organization with members throughout the United States, as well as a few in Canada and Overseas. Decisions are made at an annual Grand Council or in local councils which may cover a city, state or an even larger area. The Covenant publishes The Covenant of the Goddess Newsletter and sponsors the COG Merrymeet Festival and Grand Council each year. The festival is open to non-members too. The Covenant makes ministerial credentials availabel to qualified members. It also publishes materials on the Craft and does a great deal of public education work with the media, law enforcement agencies, government officials, and interfaith groups. A coven can apply for membership if it a cohesive, self-perpetuating group which has been meeting for six months or more; the group follows the code of ethics defined by COG; the coven has three or more members studying for the priesthood, one of whom is an Elder; and the focus of the group's ritual and theology is the worship of the Goddess and the Old Gods (or the Goddess alone). Address: COG P.O. Box 1226 Berkeley, CA 94701 Web site: http://www.cog.org Back to the Top |
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 First pinpointed by Margaret Murray in 1921 in "The Witch-Cult in Western Europe," this term appears to include a mixture of various traditions. However, their prime focus in recent years is on the Goddess, and has been pegged as the "feminist" movement of the Craft.(From "To Ride a Silver Broomstick" by Silver RavenWolf) Dianic Feminist Wicce is a tradition started by Ann Forfreedom that is both religious and practices magick. It includes both female and male practicioners ("It is not lesbian oriented and not separatist" states Ann), solo practicioners, mixed covens and all female covens. "Dianic Feminist Wicce encourages female leadership, insists that a Priestess must be present for a Circle ritual to be held and involves its practitioners in feminist and humanist issues." Groups work either skyclad or robed. Further information may be obtained from: Goddess Rising 2441 Cordova Street Oakland, CA 94602 (From "Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft") Daughters of the Moon: http://www.daughtersofthemoon.com/ About.com page on Dianic Wicca: http://paganwiccan.miningco.com/msubdianic.htm , "Why go Dianic?" (From Mama Roses Kitchen) - http://www.iit.edu/~phillips/personal/philos/dianic.html Back to the Top |
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 This was the first denomination of the craft to make itself known publicly (in the 1950's, in England). Because of that, many people mistakenly think that it is the only "true" Wicca. It is named for its founder, Gerald Gardner, who actually launched the tradition a few years after the end of World War 2. For many years Gardner was accused of inventing the whole concept of Wicca and of getting Aleister Crowley to write its rituals. Today he has been pretty well cleared of both these charges. The Gardnerian Book of Shadows can now be seen as a compilation from various sources, much of it actually contributed by Doreen Valiente. For a detailed examination of the birth of Gardnerian, see Janet and Stewart Farrar's books Eight Sabbats for Witches and The Witches' WayThe Gardnerian tradition places emphasis on the Goddess over the God, with the female generally lauded over the male. It has a degree system of advancement and does not allow for self-initiation. Covens work skyclad and aim to have "perfect couples" - equal numbers of male and female, paired. Covens are, theoretically at least, autonomous. Gardnerian Wicca is found in most countries around the world. For more information contact: Joyce Rasmussen 383 Harrison Street Council Bluffs, IA 51501 Beaufort House A Gardner Biography - http://www.interlog.com/~bcholmes/gardner.html Back to the Top |
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 The Georgians, founded by George E. Patterson in 1970, were chartered by the Universal Life Church in 1972, as The Church of Wicca of Bakersfield. In 1980 they were chartered as The Georgian Church."The Georgians are eclectic, much based on Garnerian-Alexander plus some English traditionalist and some original...God-Goddess oriented but lean more towards the Goddess." They generally work skyclad but individual groups or individuals may do as they wish. They are both religious and magickal and celebrate the eight Sabbats. Members are encouraged to learn from all available sources. More information may be had from: The Georgian Church 1908 Verde St. Bakersfield, CA 93304 Georgian Online Newsletter (lots of information) Back to the Top |
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 An eclectic neo-Pagan path which was organized in Delaware withing the past decaade. Calling themselves Wiccan, they focus on balance and learning. Celtic beliefs are a Part of their teachings. Still concentrated in the easten states, covens are formed from study groups which include both old-timers and novices. Notices about the formation of Sacred Wheel study groups can be found in Pagan periodicals, especially those based in the northeastern United States."We are a Wiccan religion dedicated to the health of Mother Earth, and to all her children in whatever forms they may take. We recognize that every human carries the divine spark of God and Goddess within and work in the world to help to realize the potential implicit in that divine gift. We are a religion reborn from ancient stock into a new world, a new era, and a new life, evolving and adapting through time. May Wisdom, Understanding, and Beauty guide our actions in this and all the other worlds." (from Sacred Wheel site) The Assembly of the Sacred Wheel - http://www.sacredwheel.org/ Back to the Top |
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 This tradition was founded by Raymond Buckland in 1973. It has a Saxon basis but is, in fact, a new denomination of the Craft. It does not pretend to be either a continuation or a re-creation of the original Saxon religion. Main features of the tradition are the fact that it has open rituals (all of them are published and available), it has a democratic organization that precludes ego trips and power plays by coven leaders, there can be Coven or Solitary practice and there is the reality of Self-initiation in lieu of Coven Initiation, if desired. Seax-Wicca is found throughout the United States and in many countries around the world. For more information see "The Tree: Complete Book of Saxon Witchcraft" by Raymond Buckland.(I was unable to find a website dealing directly with Seax-Wica, beyond the usual definitions here and there. If you know of one, please send it to me!) Back to the Top |
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