The Three Faces Of Witchcraft

 one can divide "Witches" into three major categories.


    1) Traditionals
    2) Wiccans
    3) Eclectics


    Traditionals are actually self-perpetuating groups of ceremonial
magickians.  The "Secret Masters", magickians sufficiently evolved and
skilled (hence "Masters") to have to stay apart from most human contact
(hence "Secret") mentioned by Crowley, Blavatsky, and others are
probably groups of these.  They tend to be very closed, very stable
groups, as their ceremonies require complete openness and cooperation
(not unlike therapy groups in many ways).  They are also very
hierarchical, and apolitical.  Essentially, they KNOW who knows what in
any area, and what that person says, goes, no questions asked, or even
needed.  Every member, however, is expected to learn ALL the
knowledge of the group.  These groups are HIGHLY stable, and can go on
for centuries.


    Wiccans are a religious group, following the teachings of the
religion founded by Gerald Gardner (who, in turn got his teachings
largely and indirectly from "Secret Masters", via Crowley and the
Comasons, who are NOT a 60's rock group, Ben).  They tend to be somewhat
stable, and their leaders are chosen based on level of skill and
knowledge.  These groups tend to be about as stable as any other
small religious groups; in general, new people come in about the same
rate as old people leave.  They tend to be about as private as any small
religious group, as well.  Members tend to specialize, and have their
own areas of expertise.


    Eclectics (who tend to be in the majority) are groups who are
seeking their own answers.  They tend to be relatively public, and
do not require a high level of commitment for members.  They are highly
democratic, and therefore tend to be highly political.  The leader is
usually a High Priest or High Priestess; the most active member of a
small group is generally the leader.  Members frequently do "research
projects", where they go out and learn a discipline, which they in turn
teach everybody else.  These groups tend to be HIGHLY unstable, and have
a typical life expectancy of a year or two.   Note, however, that these
are the groups from which the Traditionals evolve.

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