Slide 29: Title: The "Trads"

Slide 29 Text: The various types of Wicca that reflect the culture that they are indigenous to are called the "Traditions".
Every individualpacticiner is a priestess or priest of the Craft and carries a special flame of divine Light that is imparted to them by their own personal deities. We empower ourselves. Our Faith empowers the Gods. The Gods are within all of us in so many ways. Like "A Stranger in a Strange Land" Thou art god. There are many ways to perform Wicca rituals. Some interpret the Rituals of the Craft like a play and Reenact scenes from the Mythologies of the Gods. There are as many Traditions in the Craft as there are people in it. Everyone brings their own special altar to the Gods. No two are ever the same.

Every individual that is a priestess or priest of the Craft carries a special flame of divine Light that is imparted to them by their own personal deities. We empower ourselves. Our Faith empowers the Gods. The Gods are within all of us in so many ways. There are many meanings to Wicca. Some interpret the Rituals of the Craft like a play and Reenact scenes form the Mythologies of the Gods. You'll find that alot in the books like the Witches' Goddess and the Witches' God.

Witchcraft could be called British and Wicca American.

There is still much that can be learned from the old world, however a long history does not mean that what was once done is still right for today. The Witchcraft law in England was repealed in 1950. (The witchcraft laws in Conneticut weren't repealed until 1993, finally, thanks to my coven.) Also in 1950 an eccentric Englishman named Gerald Gardener wrote a book about witchcraft. He claimed that he was an initiate of a coven that had existed for hundreds of years. However, actual members of the New Forest Coven such as the brilliant author Sybil Leek had a very different approach to the rituals of the old religion of Witchcraft. She wrote Diary of a Witch, and the Complete Art of Witchcraft. Both are pretty good. Gardnerian witchcraft is based in 1950's "naturism" or nudism. Nudity was never really part of the Craft until this dirty old goat decided that he wanted it that way. Some in the Craft are still using these initiation methods of the dark ages. It is a shame because this penchant of his added to the confusion and misinformation about witchcraft for another 50 years and still persists today among the misguided and misinformed. Tying people up, scourging, and challenging initiates in humiliating ways are unnesessary and inappropriate. Don't let anyone talk you into this.

Some say that Wicca is an American word, developed in the 1970's. The Modern Craft began with American women leaders like Starhawk and Selena Fox. Starhawk's ground breaking book is called The Spiral Dance. Zoning victories were won by Selina Fox of Circle Sanctuary, led to the federal recognition of Wicca as a legitimate religion. Who decides what is a legitimate religion in the U.S.A.? Why the IRS of course!

Slide 30 Title: Traditions of Wicca

Slide 30 Text: One of the most popular traditions is called "Celtic" and there are a wealth of references books and covens in this Trad. One of the most influential books is not a Wicca handbook but a fiction novel called The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Many covens have based their coven on this work of historical fiction that takes place in the time of King Arthur. Antoher way that this tradition is refered to is as "Authurian". A series by Element books features many good titles such as Elements of the Arthurian Tradition, Elements of the Druid Tradition, written by the leaders in each field. A celtic couple John and Caitlin Matthews have several best selling books in this tradtion that are all pretty good.

There is the Fairy Tradition. To study up on fairies, read fairy tales and you will form your own opinions about these allegories and their alternate realities. Modern works on fairies such as Fairy Wicca outline a moderate and workable tradition. Authors like J.R.R. Tolkien include the elves though it is presented fiction. Tolkien is thought to have been part of a Druid order. Who is to say what is really real? In fact in one of his books the Silmarillion Tolkien mentions that the universe was created by sound, and recently cosmologists have theorized that the big bang might have been more like music of the spheres.The Irish and the Native Americans both have fairy beliefs.

In the Egyptian Tradition there are many Deities to become acquainted with. There are several distinct Pantheons within the Tradition itself. And it can be very confusing. The Ceremonies are very long. They have an element unique to the Egyptian Trad called the Negative Confession. As many as six or eight directions are invoked. There are not just one offering of cakes and ale made, but several. It was thought that a certain amount of life force energy was released and transmuted to animate the Gods. When foods were offered to the flames or were left on altars the Egyptians believed that the gods needed us to believe in them to continue to give energy to them for their continued power and existence. One book that is a stand out in this area is Coming Into the Light by Schueler. However Egyptian Magick is very scholarly and high toned. Not for your garden variety pagans.

In the various trads things are done a little differently in each type of Circle. One of the differences is the use of watchtower guardians that are called by different names or are referred to by the directions, runes, animals etc. For instance to protect a Circle. One method of doing this in the Norse Tradition is to use the Elk Rune at stone shrines or on stones at all four corners of the property. The sign of the upraised hands symbolize Adulation of the Divine, and invoking the Protection of the Gods. It is a universal concept symbolized with different glyphs in many religions and traditions. The Thor's Hammer is a popular symbol of Norse Magicks. There are two wonderful books called the The Leaves of Yddrassil by Freya Anniswyn and Rune Magick by Nigel Pennick. An offering off bread and Ale is usually given to the Fire in the Northern Tradition.

Many pagan gatherings are very loose and un religious instead they are celebrationary. Some ceremonies don't involve "mage" Magick which is mental Magick and meditation. "Open" Circles are open to the public. You really need to be aware of the astral level of a Circle like that. It may be unwise to participate in something that has no well defined direction for energies to go in. there is a danger in doing any type of energy work with strangers. Be cautious. Another phenomenon is called a "pagan gathering" though some honest and sincere Wiccan religion may take place at these, more often too many other things go on at these gatherings that are not. Young people seeking dates, and thrills often dominate the scene at these events, rather than any real Magick being done.

Slide 31 Title: Animal Magick

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An Ally is an animal's spirit that comes to you of its own volition with the intention of friendship. It may appear in meditation, journey work, or dreams.

A Power Animal in Shamanism this is an animal spirit that develops a relationship with the Shaman in several ways. 1.) By contact in dreams or visions. A cat appears to you in a dream and gives you information about finding a new job. 2.) By contact in the physical realm through a significant interaction with a wild animal. Such as feeding a wild fox by hand. Or being repeatedly landed upon by a crow. 3.) In advanced practice the Shaman metamorphs, or shape shifts into the shape of his power animal to make certain tasks easier during astral travel.

A Totem is the most popular and widespread knowledge about animal Magick. Totem animals and are confused with the other categories. A totem animal is a "favorite" animal. People with collections of animal figurines, clothing, and pets are those with a totem animal. The purpose of this casual interaction is friendship and companionship.

A Familiar. The historic aspects of the witches' familiar often are ripe with superstition, and hysteria. The actual purpose of a familiar spirit is to have a companion who is interested in the practice of Magick them self as well. The black cat familiar for example is the perfect spy, or silent guardian. A familiar spirit is bound to the witch by love and spells, and is eager to please the master. This relationship is very different than the Shaman and power animal.