Eclectic Witch: Basically, it indicates that the individual does not follow any particular Tradition, denomination, sect, or magickal practice. They learn and study from many magickal systems and apply to themselves what appears to work best. Many Wiccans will not accept Eclectic as Wiccan basically because many Eclectics will be so eclectic as to not practice the Sabbat celebrations nor follow the Wiccan Rede. Faery Tradition: An environmentally-minded path which claims its origins in the oral teaching of the Tuatha De Dannan of Ireland, the deities who became the faery folk. Once a secretive, California-based group, their beliefs and practices have been made public in the Faery Wicca series of books by Kisma K. Stepanich. Family Tradition: Various traditions passed down through individual families are usually tossed together under this label. Some of these are secretive for reasons of personal security, others openly combine their Celtic Pagan beliefs with those of mainstream religions. A Family Tradition can be a part of any culture's indigenous religion, not just Celtic. Gardnerian Tradition: Originated by Gerald Gardner in England in the 1950s. Gardner was one of the few people so determined that the Old Religion should not die that he took the risk of publicizing it through the media. Both the Alexandrian and Gardnerian Traditions follow a more structured route in ceremony and practices. Usually, they are not as vocal as other Witches and are careful both in screening and the practice of their Craft. This is not exactly a Celtic tradition, but many of Gerald Gardner's ideas have had so much impact on modern Paganism since he first begin writing about his vision of witchcraft in the 1950s that many Celtic groups have adopted them. His tenets include ritual nudity, hierarchies of leadership, and an organized, graduated training system for new converts. A very stratified, initiatory tradition. The many books of Janet and Stewart Farrar best present Gardnerian ways. Green Witchcraft, or Green Wicca: A valid Tradition on its own, separate from other more modern Pagan Traditions such as Gardnerian, Alexandrian, etc., although it can be successfully combined with other traditions as well. The Green W. Tradition originates from a "fam-trad" style and is literally centuries old, as green Witches were the herbalists and midwives of old. They used their expertise in local herblore to treat their family and neighbors medicinally. Not only to combat a variety of illnesses but, in true Green Tradition, to maintain and/or restore natural health and vitality. Many modern Wiccans/Witches have adopted the Green Man figure into their Traditions as a totem. As such it symbolizes the connection to a time when humankind held Nature in great reverence instead of regarding a beautiful open meadow as undeveloped land that would make a nice site for a shopping mall. The Green Man reminds us that we must join in common cause with Nature, for what we do to the earth we do to ourselves. Hereditary Witch: One who can trace the Craft through their family tree and who has been taught the Old Religion by a relative who was living at the same time. Hereditary Witches are rare and virtually non existent, regardless of how much one may hear about Hereditary Witches. Hermetic (also Ceremonial): A tradition incorporating an occult science attributed to legendary Egyptian philosopher Hermes Trismegistus. Hermetic philosophy forms an occult perspective of the inner workings of Nature, and it is in this that Hermetics connects with Wicca/Witchcraft. The essential teachings of Hermetic philosophies were preserved in a text known as the Kybalion. The science of Hermetics is based upon seven principles: The Principle of Mentalism; The Principle of Correspondence; The principle of Vibration; The principle of Polarity The principle of Rhythm; The Principle of Cause and Effect; The Principle of Gender The principle of mentalism defines the role of the Creative Mind within all things. It explains that all phenomena in the universe stems from the mental creation of divine spirit. The principle of correspondence demonstrates the relationship between the laws and the phenomena of various planes of existence. The principle of vibration explores the role of energy frequencies underlying the phenomena of natural and supernatural forces. The principle of polarity deals with duality and the pairing of opposites. The principle of rhythm addresses the interplay of natural and supernatural forces. The principle of cause and effect reveals the relationship between action and reaction. The principle of gender explores the characteristics and the role of masculine and feminine forces within Nature. Few modern Wiccan Traditions employ the available Hermetic writings that have survived to this day. This is somewhat unfortunate when one considers that Hermetic teachings support the authenticity and antiquity of magickal techniques and concepts used in modern Wicca. In addition, Hermetic writings also contain teachings supportive of Wiccan beliefs regarding the God and Goddess in Wiccan theology. Hermetic science also deals with the use of herbs, the brewing of potions, and the charging of objects by energy transference. Where a Wiccan spell might simply prescribe the carrying of a specific herb for a specific magickal effect, Hermetics explains the reasons why that would work. It also demonstrates how the act draws correspondences to itself, and what the method is to employ the inner mechanism of Nature, thereby ensuring a successful spell, ritual, or work of magick. Kitchen Witch: Used to refer to one who practices by hearth and home, dealing with the practical side of religion, magick, the earth and the elements. There are some who groan loudly at this type of terminology, viewing it as degrading or simply inappropriate. Many Kitchen Witches practice as Solitaries. Ladywood Tradition: Founded in 1982 with the creation of the mother coven, Our Lady of the Woods, in Wisconsin. The founders, Amber K and Catelaine, were both initiates of the Temple of the Pagan Way in Chicago. Pagan Way was created as an Outer Court program by Gardnerians, and evolved into a fullfledged tradition in the 1970s. Like the Pagan Way Tradition, Ladywood is eclectic and creative, drawing on mythologies and deities from various cultures, but using a Wiccan ritual structure. Both traditions follow the Wiccan Rede, both are initiatory, and both consider teaching to be their core mission. However, Ladywood differs in certain aspects. Ladywood-derived covens tend to be very public, to sponsor open sabbat and esbat celebrations and to actively pursue public education about the Craft. In addition to teaching, there is a very strong emphasis on healing; many members practice the healing arts professionally, including such diverse forms as chiropractic, herbalism, nutritional counseling, Reiki, Chinese medicine, massage, allopathic medicine, neuro-linguistic programming, and counseling. The Ladywood Tradition also emphasizes personal responsibility, continuing personal growth and learning, consensus decision-making, and healing the earth as well as its human population. Ladywood members are often involved with ecology and conservation projects, often through organizations such as the Nature Conservancy, the National Wildlife Federation, Greenpeace, Forest Guardians, and similar groups. Covens derived in whole or part from the Ladywood Tradition include 'Our Lady of the Prairie' and 'Terra Luna Mysteria' in Iowa, and 'Blue Fire Circle' and the 'Circle of Witan' in New Mexico. Pictish Witchcraft Tradition: Scottish Witchcraft that attunes itself to all aspects of nature: animal, vegetable, and mineral. It is a solitary form of the Craft and mainly magickal in nature with little religion. The Picts inhabited northern Scotland and warred frequently with the Celts before being absorbed by them. The beliefs and practices of this path are recorded by Raymond Buckland in his 1991 book, Scottish Witchcraft. Pow-Wow: Indigenous to South Central Pennsylvania. This is a system, not a religion, based on 400-year-old Elite German magick. Pow-Wow has deteriorated to a great degree into simple faith healing. Although Pow Wow finds its roots in German Witchcraft, few practicing Pow-Wows today in Pennsylvania follow the Craft or even know the nature of its true birth. Radical FaerieTradition: Harry Hay, the "father of the gay rights movement" began the Mattachine society in the 50's. He was ousted from its leadership because of his communist past. (He was called before the House Unamerican Activities Committee.) In 1970, Hay moved to New Mexico in a quest to find a living Berdache (a Native American Gay male spirit guide). In the late 70's, Hay formed the Radical Faeries, a group devoted to ecology, spiritual truth and gay centeredness. In 1978, the first gathering of Radical Faeries took place in the Arizona desert with over 200 gay men in attendance. The Radical Faerie Fellowship is a diverse and unorganized group of Gay men who center their spiritual lives around various and sundry pagan doctrines. While no particular doctrine predominates, the movement is deeply rooted in the precepts of Native American spirituality. Nonetheless, there are druids, wiccans, taoists, shamans, hindus, and any number of other recognized or unrecognized beliefs present among Radical Faeries. Radical Faeries embrace life in its entirety, yin and yang, drag and mufti. We create rituals meaningful to us in our lives, pagan rituals that validate and celebrate our lives as Gay men. The only organization present in the fellowship is the "circle", which might be described as a cross between a Quaker meeting and an A.A. meeting. All decisions are made by group conscience. There are no "leaders", (However there are control-queens at any gathering!), only "servants" to the group. 'Circle' is a sacred space where Faeries come to share, love, and support each other. There would certainly be several "congregations" represented in any particular circle. Each circle develops its own rituals relevant to the lives of its members. There is an immense degree of cross-fertilization among pagan traditions. There is a high degree of joy and silliness attached to Radical Faerie rituals. We celebrate the joy of living like few others. Generally, Radical Faeries celebrate the 8 pagan holidays of the year (the equinoxes, solstices and quarter-days) in a variety of ways. Candles, fires, prayers, chanting, dancing, streamers, drag, ritual music, mud pits, sweat lodges, fire dances, drumming, running through the woods naked, sufi twirling, spiral dancing all are used. As in many pagan traditions, nudity at ritual is common. There are also a number of men's gatherings either sponsored by Radical Faerie circles or attended by a sizeable number of faeries held throughout the year across the country. Some Faeries are quite hostile towards Christianity, as that religion can be hostile towards Gay men. Most Faeries simply ignore the Christian church; it has no relevance to their lives. [Some faeries are militantly anti-Christian. Most Gay men are introduced to the Radical Faerie movement by chance. Attendance at mens gatherings or gay rights marches, or general "mens movement" groups may bring one into contact with Faeries. A number of individual groups of Radical Faeries across the land are actively trying to set up "sanctuaries" (rural settings where Radical Faeries can live, work and provide ritual space for urban members). It is paradoxical the most Radical Faeries come into contact with the movement in urban areas, while the focus of the movement is on nature, ecology, and rural living. Since it is a matter of self-definition, women can also be faeries. However, some gatherings, particularly those which focus on the spirituality of gay male sex, are closed to women, in analogy to some "wimmn's mystery" work which excludes men. Some gatherings, (e.g. Short Mountain), are co-sexual and children-friendly and have been for a long time.