AN ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF WITCHCRAFT AND WITCHCRAFT-LIKE TRADITIONS OF PAGANISM

Witchcraft is one of the most important religions of modern Paganism and it is also one of the most misunderstood. You notice I did not say that Paganism is a religion.  It is not.   It is a classification of religions.  Witchcraft is just one of the Pagan religions. 

Witchcraft is an initiatory and mystery religion which guides its initiates into a deep and meaningful relinking the powers of Nature with the human spirit.  This leads the initiate to a spiritual transformation of the his/herself. Women are initiated as Priestesses and men are initiated as Priests.

Wicca, is another word that is misunderstood.  Originally Gerald Gardner of England, founded a tradition (or denomination) of Witchcraft known as Wica or Wicca. It began to take it's modern form in the late 1940's. 

"Wicca is both a religion and a Craft. ... As a religion - like any other religion - its purpose is to put the individual and the group in harmony with the divine creative principal of the Cosmos, and its manifestation at all levels. As a Craft, its purpose is to achieve practical ends by psychic means, for good, useful and healing purposes. In both aspects, the distinguishing characteristics of Wicca are its Nature- based attitude, its small group autonomy with no gulf between priesthood and 'congregation', and its philosophy of creative polarity at all levels, from Goddess and God to Priestess and Priest."

Janet and Stewart Farrar, Eight Sabbats For
Witches, Robert Hale, London, 1981.

Witchcraft is sometimes called Gwyddon (if you are Welsh), or Wicca,   sometimes the Craft of the Wise, or more commonly, the Craft.

Those wishing to be initiated must usually be at least 18 years of age. Witchcraft does not seek converts and initiation is never offered. Initiation must be asked for and is only given to those who have proved themselves suitable. It is traditional to wait a year and a day before being accepted into the Craft, although in practice this varies.

In Britain, there are four main Witchcraft traditions: Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Hereditary and Traditional. In the United States, other traditions have evolved based on these four branches. Gardnerians claim lineage from Gerald Gardner, who was most responsible for the revival of the modern Craft. Alexandrians descend from Alex and Maxine Sanders, and Stewart and Janet Farrar who developed Gardner's ideas.

Traditionalists claim their methods pre-date the modern revival and have been passed down from generation to generation.  Hereditaries claim their traditions have been passed on by particular families through relations of blood and marriage. There are also those Witches who follow a solitary path.

Witches celebrate eight seasonal festivals called Sabbats.  Witchcraft rituals, like all Pagan rites, are often conducted out of doors and involve simple rites to celebrate the seasons and the gift of life.  Witch ritual is a means of contacting the Divine beyond our individual lives, but also a way of understanding our inner psyche and contacting the Divine within.

The Witches Way is a path of magic and love, the movement of a deep poetry of the soul, a sharing and joining with the mysteries of Nature and the Old Gods.  There is also a Dark component which recognizes that we need to protect ourselves against those who would attack us.

The ideal way to obtain training in Witchcraft is through a local teacher or coven.   However, in reality there are insufficient covens to cater for the needs of all those who wish to learn more about Witchcraft.  Below are some organisations in the Unites States, Canada, and Great Britain which offer training and can help those who wish to learn more before trying to contact a local group, or for whom there is no local training available.

WELSH WITCHCRAFT (GWYDDON CYMRY)

There are at least nine traditions that we know of which call themselves Gwyddon, and/or describe themselves as a Welsh Tradition.

From Wales we have 1) Dynion Mwyn, from which we have derived our tradition; and 2) Gwyddon Cymry: a very private group practicing on the Isle of Agelsey.   There are several  Wicca groups which have recently established themselves within the last ten years and call themselves Welsh Witches.

In the United states we have 3)The Celtic Church of Dynion Mwyn and The Church of Tylwyth Teg founded in the late 60s and derived from Dynion Mwyn tradition;   4) The Welsh Rite Gwyddonaid, a Welsh/Celtic offshoot tradition of the New York Welsh Traditionalist Wicca (NYWTW) originally founded by Herman Slater and Hermes and derived from Ed Byzinski and Gwen Thompsons traditions   5) WTW an offshoot of The New York Welsh Tradition located near Boston;  6) Y Tylwyth Tylluan located in Columbus, Ohio;  7) Trefn Gwyddoniad;  8)  The Gwyddonic Order; and last but by no means least;  9) Nemeton founded by Gwyddion Penderwen in the late sixties and derived from a family tradition in South Wales.   In our opinion, all of these groups are valid practitioners of the Craft and ALL entitled to describe their religion as a Welsh Tradition, with their essence and roots derived from the Land, the Language and the Culture of the Welsh Nation.

DYNION MWYN WITCHCRAFT IN NORTH WALES   (History and Practice).  Dynion Mwyn is primarily located in North Wales with one group located near Cardiff in South Wales.  Be prepared for a long correspondence process.  (They do not accept Beginners and train only those who have been referred by Covens they work with. If you are interested in this tradition, contact gwenllianwales@hotmail.com  

Y TYLWYTH TEG TRADITION IN THE UNITED STATES: Founded in Landover Maryland in 1967.  Coven of the Crystal Dragon founded in Landover maryland in 1967, and in Marietta, Georgia in 1970 by Lord Rhuddlwm Gawr.  Lady Cerridwen ab Gawr is Current Leader.

Y Tylwyth Teg and Dynion Mwyn sponsor several organizations throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and now Australia, which have either Study Group, Grove or Coven status.  These organizations are autonomous unto themselves and are not dependent on any other group for their survival, but they all share a linage of original initiation from the mother Cenedl in Wales and membership in the Association of Cymry Wiccae which gives them U.S. federal non-profit status.

IMPORTANT!!:   If you wish to contact any of the Study Groups or Covens listed below before you join, send an e-mail to dynionmwyn23@hotmail.com   identifying the Country, State, City and name of the group.  We will forward the e-mail to the proper high priestess or study group leader.

  UNITED STATES

We have covens and study groups in selected states.  For information contact Dynion Mwyn, P.O. Box 672125, Marietta GA 30006-0036  or e-mail contact us  When you apply for membership in a particular State group, you will be placed in the General Group until you have completed our correspondence course.  You will then be moved to the group associated with your location. Visit our General Web Page at http://www.dynionmwyn.net    

We have covens and study groups in selected states.  For information contact Dynion Mwyn, P.O. Box 672125, Marietta GA 30006-0036  or e-mail contact us  When you apply for membership in a particular State group, you will be placed in the General Group until you have completed our correspondence course.  You will then be moved to the group associated with your location. Visit our General Web Page at http://www.dynionmwyn.net     Also e-mail at contact usWhen you contact us tell us which state you are from.

We have covens and study groups in selected states.  For information contact Dynion Mwyn, P.O. Box 672125, Marietta GA 30006-0036  or e-mail contact us  When you apply for membership in a particular State group, you will be placed in the General Group until you have completed our correspondence course.  You will then be moved to the group associated with your location. Visit our General Web Page at http://www.dynionmwyn.net     When you contact us tell us which state you are from.

We have covens and study groups in selected states.  For information contact Dynion Mwyn, P.O. Box 672125, Marietta GA 30006-0036  or e-mail contact us  When you apply for membership in a particular State group, you will be placed in the General Group until you have completed our correspondence course.  You will then be moved to the group associated with your location. Visit our General Web Page at http://www.dynionmwyn.net     When you contact us tell us which state you are from.

We have covens and study groups in selected states.  For information contact Dynion Mwyn, P.O. Box 672125, Marietta GA 30006-0036  or e-mail contact us  When you apply for membership in a particular State group, you will be placed in the General Group until you have completed our correspondence course.  You will then be moved to the group associated with your location. Visit our General Web Page at http://www.dynionmwyn.net     When you contact us tell us which state you are from.

WWe have covens and study groups in selected states.  For information contact Dynion Mwyn, P.O. Box 672125, Marietta GA 30006-0036  or e-mail contact us  When you apply for membership in a particular State group, you will be placed in the General Group until you have completed our correspondence course.  You will then be moved to the group associated with your location. Visit our General Web Page at http://www.dynionmwyn.net     When you contact us tell us which state you are from.

MORE TRADITIONS:

 

Y TYLWYTH TYLLUAN is a sister Tradition of Y Dynion Mwyn. We are the parent cenedl of a Welsh Tradition located in Columbus, Ohio.  The coven's focus is on the acquision of Ancient Wisdom through study, hard work, and the practicing of the Art through an ongoing hereditary Craft structure preserved and continued in various forms and folk wayes from the days of our Druidic ancestors, and before.

Our philosophy concerning students is the ancient belief that a student must 'steal' knowledge. That is to say that we expect our students to have the initative to persue their studies without proding and the desire to develop along their path to the best of their abilities.

As ministers we offer our services to perform Handfastings, Wiccanings, and counsel those who need counseling, or just offer an ear to those who need someone to listen without prejudice.

 

SERPENTSTONE  TRADITION (US)        The founder Lord Serphant was initiated into The Welsh Tradition of Y Dynion Mwyn in Augusta, Georgia by Lady Branwen in 1976. (according to Lady Branwen).  He merged various elements of other traditions including the the Northwind tradition. After Lord Serphants death, Lady Rhiannon continues as the leader/Facilitator.   (Web Page)      Mountains of North Carolina near Asheville.  Covens in many States of Southeast U.S. (Contact)

 

BLACKFOREST TRADITION - The Tradition of SilverRavenwolf, Noted Author and Initiate of Lord Serphant.  Over 11 Covens throughout U.S.  Does not accept beginners.  Offers training for Pagan Clergy only.   (Web Page)

GARDNERIAN WICCA IN UK (Intro)

Contact through Pagan Federation Web Page

 GARDNERIAN/ALEXANDRIAN WICCA IN UK

Wicca Study Group, BM Deosil, London WC1N 3XX. Vivianne and Chris Crowley run an introductory correspondence course for those interested in exploring Wicca. Evening classes are held in London in the autumn, while one-day workshops are held throughout the year in London, and in other parts of Britain and Europe by arrangement.

GARDNERIAN WICCA IN CANADA   (CONTACT COVENS LISTED BELOW)

Coven of the Stone and Cauldron is a Gardnerian teaching coven in Calgary, led by HPS Autumn River. The group meets every two weeks, and requires completion of homework and practical exercises along with reliable attendence at the meetings.   Stone and Cauldron is intended as a training venue for seekers aged 25 years and up -- it is not a therapy or support group. To contact Autumn River, e-mail her via: beeswing@shaw.wave.ca

Wild Rose Outer Grove is a Pagan training group for people of mature disposition who have had no prior initiatory experience. The Grove is sponsored by Coven of the Stone and Mirror. The Grove's meetings will commence early in February of 1999, and run for one year. More information about the Grove is available at this Web page:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Agora/2416/wildrose.html

Coven of the Stone and Mirror is a Gardnerian elder coven in southwestern Alberta. It may be reached via: stnmirror@aol.com
The coven has its own Web page at: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Agora/2416/cosminfo.html
During the 1999-2000 teaching cycle, Coven of the Stone and Mirror will not accept students outside of the Grove process mentioned above.

British Columbia
There are Garderian initiates of several lineages in British Columbia, but thus far they haven't come very far out of the woodwork.

Ontario (and Eastern Canada)
Dave Springer of Quicksilver Coven in Ottawa makes student referrals to select Traditional (both Gardnerian and others) groups in Ontario, and can upon occasion be convinced to take students
himself. Students should be of the age of consent, and will be held to high standards of conduct and discretion. To contact him, e-mail him via: bronsonwood@geocities.com

Magazines and Newsletters
The Hidden Path is a quarterly magazine, published in the northern Midwest of America, and covering events of interest to Gardnerians across the continent (and overseas), and presenting
ritual ideas, historical and theological essays, and other things of interest to its readers -- leavened with occasional doses of wicked humour. Subscriptions are solely by recommendation from the leader of a Gardnerian coven.

For further information, write to:
THP c/o Windwalker
Box 934, Kenosha, Wisconsin, 53141-0934 USA

Red Garters: A Journal of Traditionalist Wicca is published in the wilds of the Central Valley of California. It covers events of interest to British Traditional Witches across the continent (and overseas), presenting rituals, historical and theological essays. Subscriptions are available to the general public at a suggested donation of $13 US per year (to Canada, Mexico and USA) or $17 US per year (worldwide, surface mail).

Red Garters also has its own Web pages, at: http://www.angelfire.com/ca/redgarters/redgarters.html

For further information, write to:
Red Garters International
Box 162046, Sacramento, California, 95816 USA

Six Roads: a Gardnerian Journal of the Art is a quarterly "little magazine" for Gardnerian initiates, published in Western Canada. Subscriptions are by formal recommendation from the HPS of a Gardnerian coven, and are subject to verification and acceptance. Subscription information can be obtained from the magazine's web-site at: http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/5756/sixrinfo.html
You may also e-mail to: brigantia3@aol.com

 

KINGSTONE TRADITION IN US   (Intro) (e-mail Contacts)

Founded around 1973.   Primarily Active in California

ASSEMBLY OF WICCA (Intro) (Contacts)

Founded around 1975.  Primarily active in California

DAOINE COIRE TRADITION (Intro)    (Contacts)

Primarily Active in Northern California

 

GARDNERIAN TRADITION IN US

The Gardnerian Tradition in the United States is represented by several different linages such as: The Long Island Line, The Chicago Line, The Kentucky Line, and the California Line.  You can find Gardnerians all over the United States.

PAGAN WAY WITCHCRAFT (in Chicago, USA) (Intro)  (History)  (Structure) 

Found Primarily in Mid-West USA

 

BLACKRING WITCHCRAFT TRADITION  (Web Page)

 

EVERGREEN TRADITION (Web Page)

 

AMERICAN TRADITION OF THE GODDESS  (Web Page)

 

AGLAIAN TRADITION (Contact) (Web Page) (History)     Located near Homewood, Illinois.