Branches on the Wiccan Tree, part 1 Orthodox Traditional Wicca The term orthodox as used here means ‘accepted and conventional, rooted in established practices’. The term traditional as applied means ‘organized around a tradition’. Orthodox Traditional Wicca means ‘a branch of Wicca where things are done the old way and a tradition (denomination) is followed’. Orthodox Traditional Wicca dates back to 1948. It existed before New Age, before the ‘Learn Wicca’ books, and before use of the term Wicca1 as a religion. Orthodox Traditional Wiccan traditions are easy to identify by the following pattern: · coven practice for 3 to 13 members · High Priestess leads ritual · solitary practice is rare · formal initiation is required · self-initiation is NOT considered valid · three degrees of initiation · coven training required · hand copied book of shadows · oath of secrecy (at least some topics) · oath to not divulge another member · oath to not divulge the coven or covenstead Orthodox Traditional Wiccan ritual is for the most part quite formal. While freedom is somewhat accepted, in general one is taught to practice according to the ways and beliefs of the tradition. Coven training is required, and the tradition’s Book of Shadows is gradually revealed to a dedicant who hand copies it over the period of one year and one day training. A partial list of traditions1 includes Gardnerian (1948), Alexandrian (1963) and Georgian USA (1971). Others which may fit in this category are Frost2 (1968) and 1734 (1964) although their practices and lineage appear to be somewhat different from the others. (Maidenmoon by Simon Craft) Do any of you fall under this branch? I will do part 2, on Reformed Traditional Wicca, tomorrow.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Aug 2013 02:30:00 +0000
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