Paganism and Traditions

Paganism, also called Neo-paganism, is a new religious movement whose adherents are found throughout the world. Paganism in an umbrella term that describes a variety of denominations – known to Pagans as Traditions.

If we could reduce Paganism down to its essentials, its two most central concepts are inter connectedness and Blessedness.

The belief that every part of the Universe is profoundly interconnected shapes how pagans view the nature of the Divine.

The belief that every part of the Universe is Blessed in its nature, and that there is nothing wrong with the Universe or with YOU.

The concepts of interconnectedness and blessedness are what link together most of the divergent paths and traditions within Paganism. Yet they are not the only common threads Pagans share.

Other characteristics common to Paganism as a whole are:

Paganism is a Religion
Paganism has no central hierarchy or dogma
Paganism stresses personal responsibility
Paganism offers a different worldview
Paganism is spirituality
Paganism is protected by law

Paganism is an umbrella term that describes a multitude of Religious and Spiritual Traditions.

Under the umbrella is found such diverse traditions as, Wicca, Shamanism, Asatru, Eclectic, Family Traditions, Celtic Traditionalism, Druidism, Strega, Santeria, Voudon, Ceremonial Magick, Mystery Traditions as well as a variety of blended paths such as, Judeo – Paganism, Christo – Paganism, Buddhist – Paganism and so on.

These traditions, while spanning many centuries and cultures share at least one of several characteristics: They are indigenous, earth centered, contain magickal elements, recognize both a Male and Female deities, were suppressed or eradicated by another religion, or stress a connection to and respect for the natural world.

Wicca is the single largest tradition within Paganism;
Wicca includes:
Gardnerian Wicca
Alexandrian Wicca
Dianic Wicca
Faery Wicca
Just to name a few.
Also found under the Pagan umbrella is

Shamanism
Shamanism is a Pagan tradition that involves going into a trance state in order to perform a variety of works. Shamanism is considered by some to be the oldest Pagan Tradition. It is also found in cultures and religions not necessarily considered Pagan. Shamanic Pagans may follow a particular shamanic tradition or combine practices from several.

Eclectic
Those who practice Eclectic Paganism combine what they believe to be the best elements from a variety of traditions.

Celtic Traditions
These describe groups or clans, whose goal is to re-create pre-Christian Gaelic religion and society
Witan
British
Northern Isles
Anglo-Saxon
Seax-Wica
Are all examples, however there are many more.

Druidism
Is a revival tradition that attempts to re-create the Druidic system and may or may not be combined with a Celtic Tradition
Avalonian
Order of Overts, Bards and Druids
Arthurian
Are all examples of Druidism

Santeria and Voudon
These traditions developed among Africans, especially followers of Yoruban religions, which later spread to Central America, South America, Puerto Rico and some portions of North America. What we know here in the south, as Voodoo is an example of these.

Ceremonial Magick
Is a tradition, but not religiously. Ceremonial Magick can be found in just about all aspects or traditions of Wicca. If a tradition casts a circle or uses tools they most likely got it from Ceremonial Magick. Ceremonial Traditionalists draw heavily on the writings of Aleister Crowley and the Order of the Golden Dawn.

Mystery Traditions
This Pagan tradition includes those who study the Ancient Greek. Roman, or Egyptian, particularly those practiced between 3 and 5 thousand years ago.

Blended Traditions
This term describes traditions that deliberately blend together two paths. Such as
Christo-Paganism
Jew-Paganism
Buddist-Paganism
Are a few examples.


Some info on Traditions

Gardnerian: Organized in the 1950’s by Gerald Gardner. His tenets include ritual nudity also known as skyclad, hierarchies of leadership, training systems. The many books of Janet and Stewart Farrar best present Gardnerian ways. Many of Gerald’s ideas have had much impact on modern Wicca and Paganism.

Alexandrian: Founded in the 1960’s by the self-proclaimed ‘King of the Witches” Alexander Sanders. Alex combined what he learned from Gardnerian with the Kabalistic practices and the Anglo-Celtic practices. The book, King of the Witches contains a lot about Sanders and his tradition, as dose Secrets of a Witches Coven.

Dianic: First made its way onto the Pagan seine in 1921 by Margaret Murray in The Witch Cults of Western Europe. Their prime focus in resent years is on the Goddess and is referred to as the Feminist movement of the craft. Let me also note here that the book by Murray was not on Witchcraft, as we know it. It was an anthropology of the Europe witchcraft trails. It did not become popular until Z Budapest brought it to the US.

Strega: Is the tradition of Italy. It began around 1353 with Aradia. Italian Witchcraft by Raven Grimasi will give you more info on this tradition. It is interesting to me that the word Strega means Witch.

Northern: Is a combination of old Norse and Celtic ways. For more on this tradition look into Northern Magick by Edred Thorsson.

Odinist: This is the tradition of the Nordic. Followers of this path take Odin as a personal or Patron Deity.

Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids: A tradition of Celtic Druidism based in England.

Northern Way or Asatru: This is based on the Old Norse gods. Parishioners generally work in re-creations of Old Norse dress. They celebrate 4 solar fire festivals and Old Norse holidays.

Christo-Paganism: as a tradition blends Christianity and Paganism elements. They may pray the rosary, and work with magically with angels, archangels, and other spirits. They revere Jesus and believe that his teachings are loving and beneficial to the world and in no way is opposition to the principles of Paganism.

Buddhist-Paganism: is a blending of Buddist teachings with Paganism, and in some cases other eastern teachings or traditions. In addition to pagan observances, their spiritual practices may include periods of meditations, yoga, tai chi, or other martial arts.



In her book To ride a Silver Broomstick Silver RavenWolf put it best, “Which Witch is which” With so many out there how do know what a person means when they call themselves a Solitary Witch or a Kitchen Witch.  Here are a few of the most known witch terms just remember there are many more not listed here.

Eclectic Witch: Basically it indicates that the individual dose not follow any particular Tradition, denomination, sect or magickal practice. They learn and study from many magickal systems and apply to themselves what appears to work best.

Hereditary Witch: One who can trace the craft through their family tree and was taught by a living relative who practiced. A Hereditary Witch is from or is said to belong to a family tradition.

Kitchen Witch: This is one who practices by hearth and home. Dealing with the practical side of Religion, magick the earth and the elements.

Solitary Witch: One who practices alone, regardless of Tradition.

Natural Witch: Someone who instinctively knows about magick and can work with the magickal world even if they don’t know what they are doing.

Traditional Witch: One who follows or practices a particular tradition, such as a Strega Witch or Gardnerian Witch.

Vampiric Witch: Not all but most Vampires are Pagan and follow some sort of Tradition of Witchcraft and magick. A vampire witch works with a lot of blood magick and the darker Gods and Goddess.


Witchcraft

American Witchcraft: Is a relative new term pinned by Silver RavenWolf, in her New Generation of Witch books. With her books Teen Witch, To ride a Silver Broomstick, To Stir a Magical Cauldron, To Light a Sacred Flame and Solitary Witch she has opened up a whole new Witchcraft system. To me it has all the key elements for true Eclectic Witchcraft and there is talk of it becoming a Tradition in the years to follow.

Draconian Witchcraft: Is the practice of using Dragon Magick. Draconian was formed in the mid 90’s. It combines Druid teachings with Celtic Traditions and the use of Dragons in Magick.

Avalonian Witchcraft: This system of study combines Druid teachings with some Celtic. It was also formed in the mid 90’s. The Daughters of Avalon dedicate themselves to bringing back the Druidesses of Avalon and their practices.

Nocturnal Witchcraft: Like Silvers American Witchcraft this is also a new form. Konstantinos brought Nocturnal Witchcraft onto the seine in 2002 with his book, Nocturnal Witchcraft Magic after dark. His book deals with the darker side of night, Gods, Goddesses and Magic. The follow up book was Gothic Grimoire. Many are eagerly waiting for the next.

Green Witchcraft: Gained popularity with the publishing’s of Ann Moura’s Green Witchcraft books. This is a very nature oriented form of witchcraft. The infuses is put on nature, herbalism, etc… The key to the Green facet of witchcraft is to be attuned to nature and natural forces.


So what kind of Tradition is the Purple Coven? The Coven as a whole would fall under the Eclectic Tradition, because each of us follows our on path, but we come together as a group for teaching, as will as to celebrate the Esbats and Sabbats and the many Life celebrations that we have.

What kind of Pagan are you?
That is one of the best things I find about being a pagan. It’s a question that you get to explore and find out for yourself. You can follow one Tradition that attracts you or you can blend several traditions to form your own spiritual path. No one will ever tell you, You have to believe this way or that. You have the freedom to decide for yourself.

So how do you decide what tradition or what form of Paganism you should follow?

By studying the many different Traditions.

It is conceivable that one witch could in fact practice many magickal aspects of witchcraft, paganism, or wicca.
There is no end to the combinations that will make you happy, successful and at peace with yourself, your world or human kind. Just because you begin by studying one tradition or form dose not mean you cannot read or learn about others, or take the parts that speak to you, put them together and come up with your own tradition, your very on Spirituality.


Books used for this class:
Celtic Myth and Magick by Edain McCoy
To Ride a Silver Broom Stick By Silver RavenWolf
Complete Idiot’s guide to Wicca and Witchcraft
Nocturnal Witchcraft by Konstantinos
Paganism by Joyce and River Higginbotham