define their path differently, so use this as a general guide only. If you find that you are particularly interested in a tradition, check out the accompanying links for more information or check to see if it is listed on the following, highly recommended site: Some of the English Traditions and their offshoots.

THE 1734 TRADITION: British flavored, sometimes eclectic tradition based on the ideas of poet Robert Cochrane, a self-titled hereditary Witch. 1734 is said to be a cryptogram for the name of the Goddess honored in this tradition. For a more complete definition, see the Covenant of the Goddess 1743 Tradition defined page.

ALEXANDRIAN TRADITION: A popular tradition that began in England around 1960 and was founded by Alex Sanders. It is similar in some ways to the Gardnarian Tradition. Alex Sanders drew much attention from the media and was referred to (by the media) as the "King of Witches" For a more complete definition, see the Covenant of the Goddess Alexandrian tradition defined page.

BRITISH TRADITIONAL WITCH: A tradition with a strong framework of structure and degrees. The members of the International Red Garters are considered British Traditionalists. Rituals appear to encompass the feel of Celtic and Gardnerian paths

CELTIC WICCA: A very earthy tradition, this one focuses on nature, the elements and elementals, sometime faeries, plants, etc. Many "Green Witches" and "Eclectic Druids" follow this path that looks to the ancient Celtic pantheons for their Gods and Goddess.

CALEDONII TRADITION: A tradition that attempts to preserve the ancient festivals of the Scottish and is sometimes known as the Hecatine Tradition.

CEREMONIAL WITCHCRAFT: Uses ceremonial magick to attain a stronger connection with divinity and realize their higher purposes and abilities. Rituals are often derrived from Quabbalistic magick (which is flavored by the Judeo-Christian history) and Egyptian magick. Although certainly not intended, this path often is plagued by egotistical and insecure people who feel that ceremonial magick is a way to either 1) get whatever you want or 2) attain higher levels so you can look down on those 'below' you. This unfortunate situation is not true of all Ceremonial Witches, and there are many sincere seekers on this path.

DIANIC TRADITION: This is a hard one to pin down. Some Dianic Witches focus only on the Goddess, are very politically active, and feminist oriented. Other Dianic Witches simply focus on the Goddess as a way to balance out the many years of Patriarical dominance on Earth. A few Dianic Witches use this title to denote they are 'Daughters of Diana" their patron Goddess. There are Dianic

Witches that are all of these, some that are none of these, and some that fall in between these.

ECLECTIC WITCH: A Witch that blends the ideas of many traditions or sources. Like a Witch's cauldron, ideas are added to season the brew, spice it up, make it more effective, etc. This 'tradition' that isn't really a tradition has the flexibility to endure changes, but sometimes lacks grounding. Generally, rituals are self-styled and covens are loosely structured.

FAERY--FAERIE--AND FERI TRADITION: There are several 'Faery' traditions. This is a controversial topic so I'll make it brief and send you off to the search engines and libraries for more. A Faery Witch could be but isn't necessarily: working with nature energies and spirits, also known as Faeries, Sprites, etc.

homosexual following one of Faery Feri or Faerie Traditions.

A couple 'big' names in this arena are Victor and Cora Anderson, Tom Delong (Gwydion Penderwyn) etc. For a more complete definition, see the Covenant of the Goddess Faery Tradition defined page.

GARDNERIAN or TRADITION: Founded by Gerald Gardner in the 1950's in England. This tradition has contributed greatly to much of the Craft as it is today. The structure of many rituals and magickal workings in numerous traditions originated from Gardner's work. Some of the historical claims made by Gardner himself and by some Gardnerian Witches have yet to be verified (and in

some cases have been disproven) however, this structured tradition has backed many modern Witches. The Witches Bible Complete by Janet and Stuart Farrar as well as many books by Doreen Valiente tackle this tradition and the Alexandrian tradition in more detail. Here are some links for more:

Some of the English Traditions and their offshoots - highly recommended!

Wicca 101 History of Gardnerian Wicca

HECATINE TRADITION either 1) A Witch who seeks inspiration from Hecate and attempts to reconstruct and modernise the ancient rituals of her worship or 2) see the Caledonii Tradition

HEREDITARY WITCH: A Witch that was usually trained by a family member and/or can trace their family history back to another Witch or Witches.

KITCHEN WITCH: A practical Witch who is often eclectic and focuses on magick and spirituality centering around the 'hearth and home'.

NORDIC TRADITION: See Teutonic Witch

NROOGD (New Reformed Orthodox Order of the Golden Dawn): For a more complete definition, see the Covenant of the Goddess NROOGD defined page.

PICTISH WITCHCRAFT: Often, but not always a solitary path that focuses on the divine in nature.

POW-WOW: SilverRavenwolf, the author, has more to say on this path. It is more of a magickal system than a spiritual path and can be incorproated into diverse religions. Pensylvania was a prime settlement of this 400+ year old German Tradition. Much of what is left of pow-wow magick is 'Water Witching' and 'Faith Healing' but that is changing!

SCHOOL OF WICCA: A widely know correspondence school founded by Gavin and Yvonne Frost and once based in North Carolina (or New Hampshire, can't remember which right now, I file things in my mind alphabetically and somehow this one got mixed up, you know NC or NH) and is now also in West Virginia. The Frosts have started out many Pagans on theirs paths and although

opinions vary about them, they provide (for a fee) an important service to the community. Often, they are the first resource of information discovered by people who live in 'bible belt' or remote areas.

SATANIC WITCH: Witches do not acknowledge Satan because 'Satan' is a purely Christian phenomenon. There is no such thing as a real Satanic Witch, but perhaps only such thing as a Satanist who says they are a Witch.

SEAX-WICA OR SAXON WICCA: Founded in 1973, by the prolific author, Raymond Buckland who was, at that time, a Gardnerian Witch. One of the first traditions to specifically make allowances for solitaries and the self-initiatiation. These two aspects have made it a popular path.

SOLITARY WITCH: One who practices the Craft alone (but may occasionally join the Sabbat festivities of a Coven). A Solitry Witch may follow any of the traditions, or none at all. The majority of eclectic Witches are solitaries.

STREGA WITCHES: Thought to have started in Italy around 1353. The controversial history can be found on many sites and in many books. Aradia...Gospell of the Witches is a must have book for the archives of Strega Witches.

TEUTONIC WITCH: Teutons were a group of people who spoke Norwegian, Ditch, Icelandic, Swedish, English and other European dialects that are considered to be 'Germanic' languages. A Teutonic Witch often finds inspiration in the traditional myths and legends, Gods and Goddesses of the areas where these dialects originated.

TRADITIONAL WITCH: Here's another tough one to define. Every traditional Witch will give you a different definition. Often prefers the title Witch over Wiccan and will frequently define the two as very different paths. A traditional Witch bases their work as much as possible on historical methods from their tradition or geographical area of interest.

WELSH RITE GWYDDONAID: A Welsh/Celtic Tradition of Wicca, worshipping a Welsh Pantheon of Gods and Goddesses. Gwyddonaid, roughly translated from Welsh means "Tree Witch". This tradition listing was submitted to the site, click here to read the complete write up as it was submitted.

ZWS OR ZvS TRADITION: The ZvS Web Site could tell you more about this one. The name is based on the truth rune, and it is a very nature oriented path. Practiced individually and collectivly, a main difference is that no Book of Shadows is kept by the Covens or Solitaries. It is felt that truth can be found in nature and cannot be kept in a book. Some members of ZvS will keep a record, but it is not a standard necessity. Site either in Swedish or English.