Different Traditions

Wicca is divided up into sections, which all have seperate rituals and ways, but follow basically the same beliefs. It is much like Christianity, which has Catholics, Lutherans, Mormons, ect.

Gardnerian

Gardnerian Witchcraft was exposed by Gerald Gardner in England in the mid 1950's. He claimed that it had existed, in secret, since the witch-burnings during the Middle Ages. Gardnerian is a 'closed initiatory tradition', with three degrees of initiation, and the covens are headed by a high priest/ess. Gardnerian Wicca utilizes folk magick, Tantric Hinduism, and Crowleyan Ceremonial Magick.

Alexendrian

Alexendrian Wicca was spawned by one of Gerald Gardner's followers. It involves rigorous training, and the beliefs are fairly similar to Gardnerian, with more emphasis on ceremonial magick.

Dianic

Dianic Wicca is very feministic, and emphasizes worship of the Goddess. Many Dianic covens are made up of strictly women, and some only worship the Goddess. "Old Dianic" honors mostly the Goddess, but the God as well because he is Her consort, and these covens include men and women. "Feminist Dianic Witchcraft" honors only the Goddess and the covens are made up of all women, and are loosely structured.

Shamanistic

Shamanistic Wicca, or Wiccan Shamanism, has a multi- cultural focus. The practiser acts as a healer, priest/ess, magician, teacher, spirit guide, and diviner. These practisers invoke an alternate state of being for practises.

Celtic

The focus around Celtic Witchcraft is of Nature, healing , the ancient ones, and the Earth. Celtic Wicca is part of the Neo-Pagan Revival. It is a very popular tradition.

Faery

Faery Wicca is a mysterious tradition which focuses around danger, mystery, ecstasy, and divinity. Practisers sometimes incorporate their own art, poetry, and music into rituals. There is much emphasis on practical magick and self-development.

Saxon

Saxon, or Seax Wicca was started by Raymond Buckland, who was originally a coven leader in the Gardnerian tradition, to act as an alternative from Gardnerian. In this tradition, there is provision for solitary witches. (Witches who work alone, outside of a coven.) Also, in the Saxon tradition, self-initiation is allowed, as there may not be a friendly neighborhood coven.

Traditionalist

Traditionalist Wiccan's beliefs are based on the traditions, literature, myths, and folktales of a particular geographic/demographic area. There are also Family Traditions, or FamTrads, which are passed down through family.

Eclectic

Eclectic Wicca is a combination of any of the traits of any tradition. Eclectic Wiccans basically put together their own set of beliefs.