Pagan Traditions

I do NOT pretend to have every tradition in the world today listed. I have selected the traditions followed primarily in the United States, the British Isle's and Northern Europe. If I have left out your favorite, please e-mail me. Also this information has been garnered through my own observations and not taken directly from a book. Most of the information is accurate, some of it however is open to my own interpretations.

Celtic: Old and New followed by those on the Island of Ireland and in Scotland and America. Though confused with Wicca, it is NOT Wicca, but Celtic or Druidic as some will follow, myself included.

Alexandrian Tradition: In the 1950's Alex Sanders founded the Alexandrian tradition. This tradition combines Qabbalistic teachings with Gerald Gardner's Wiccan teachings. This tradition is very ceremonial, and being sky clad is important.

Baltic Pagan: Traditions of the Baltic region of NE Europe. This tradition encompasses Slavic, Russian, and Teutonic traditions.

British Traditional: This is a structured belief system, training is done through the degree system in covens.

Caledonii: Known as the Hecatine this tradition is Scottish in origin, and preserves the Scottish festivals and traditions.

Ceremonial Magic: Alchemistic magical tradition based upon Qaballah. This tradition requires years of study. Merlin was a Ceremonial Magician.

Dianic Witchcraft: The Goddess is it here, often this tradition is referred to as the feminist movement of the Craft.

Druids: This is the tradition revered by poets, bards and beauty. It is very natural, most rituals are held outdoors, regardless of weather. Also identified with the Celtic faith, it is the High Priest/ess branch of that faith. Though it is now and was then considered individual unto itself.

Gardnerian Tradition: Founded by Gerald Gardner in England during the 1950's. Gardner is viewed as an important figure in Craft history because he was one of the few determined that the Old Religion would not die. Gardnerian practices follow a structured route for both ceremony and practices. Skyclad is an important part of this tradition. These people consider themselves the only true Wiccans. Though this tradition named after the founder, is much more structured and came about after his death.

Gothic: Tradition of the southern Teutons, also sometimes called the Gothic tradition.

Gian: Gaia is our earth mother and this tradition focuses on our earth and it's ecology. This is also a VERY pro-woman tradition.

Hereditary Pagan: A Pagan who can trace the craft through their family tree and has been taught the craft by a living relative.

Kitchen Witch: A person whose magick involves the home, primarily the kitchen, brewing and conjuring, no offense is meant here, but Granny from the Hillbillies was a wonderful example of a kitchen witch. Kitchen witches often make wonderful midwives!

Native American: This tradition focuses on the earth and animal spirit totem magick. It is preserved through legends and stories, mostly by the spoken word.

Norse: Traditions from Scandinavia, also sometimes called the Nordic Tradition. It includes the beliefs and practices of the early Vikings and Lapps.

Pow-Wow: Based in South Central Pennsylvania. This ancient system of magick uses the art of healing, similar in many ways to kitchen witchcraft.

Shamanism: Combining work in the spirit and the body at the same time. Modern Shamanism is nature based.

Voodoo: The practice of African Voodoo in the North and South American continent. This is a very Shamanistic religion. Modern Voodoo also encompasses some elements of Catholicism.

Wicca: This tradition was established by Gerald Gardner in the 1930's.. This tradition involves healing and nature worship, with a heavy emphasis on the use of healing plants. One God and one Goddess are the primary focus. Heavy reliance on Celtic tradition to identify itself. If you call yourself Eclectic, you are lumped into the "Wiccan" tradition.

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