Home Circle - Definitions (for Home Circle forums)

Definitions (for Home Circle forums)

The terms Tradition, Wicca, British Traditional Wicca / Witchcraft, Traditional Wicca, Eclectic Wicca, and NeoWicca have many varying definitions. The definitions of these terms *as we use them in Home Circle forums, lists, classes and workshops* are:

A TRADITION is a coherent body of thought, behavior, and magical practice that has been passed through several generations with an intact core.

WICCA is a nature-oriented (not nature-worshipping), initiatory, pagan mystery religion based on the traditions and beliefs of tribal Europe, with significant influence from Western magical traditions and a ritual structure based on the writings and practices of Gerald Gardner and the covens of the New Forest region.

BRITISH TRADITIONAL WICCA (BTW) is an umbrella name for those Traditions that are direct descendents of, who maintain the intact core praxis from, and who pass a specific initiatory lineage from, the New Forest Coven or the Horsa Coven.

BRITISH TRADITIONAL WITCHCRAFT is a slightly broader umbrella that includes the British Traditional Wicca Traditions, as well as those witchcraft Traditions that descend from, that maintain the praxis of, and that trace lineage to covens from various other areas of Britain. (Some of these Traditions are considered Wicca, and some are not.)

TRADITIONAL WICCA is used to define those Traditions that may or may not identify as BTW, but that have a direct relationship to British Traditional Wicca, and who maintain the core praxis. Non-BTW Traditional Wicca is sometimes referred to as “Old-School” Wicca.

All forms of Traditional Wicca (BTW and non-BTW) have the following characteristics:

Initiation as a life-changing personal spiritual experience. Skills that lead to initiation are taught, but the experience is granted by the Gods. Initiation cannot come solely through time studied or by a specific ritual, although both of these are frequently requirements of ritual initiation.

Tradition – a solid set of interconnected practices (sometimes open to adaptations, but with restrictions on “acceptable” adaptations). Significant portions are considered oath-bound.

Training and study – stringent educational foundation and defined educational requirements, including elements that are not written, but are only transmitted orally or through demonstration.

Solid, consistent symbology and mythology

Polytheistic core, with service and dedication to specific Deity/Deities

Interlinked mythos and year wheel

Strong foundation of personal honor and consistent ethics (not necessarily Rede-based)

ECLECTIC WICCA is a broad category - it includes a number of newer traditions / groups that have a cohesive tradition but without some elements that define Traditional Wicca, as well as many self-trained solitaries. The main distinction that has evolved between Eclectic Wicca and NeoWicca is that Eclectic Wicca retains a systemic core praxis directly related to that of Traditional Wicca, where NeoWicca most often has such little resemblance to Traditional Wiccan practice that it sometimes isn't even recognizable as a related religion.

NEOWICCA is generally based on the teachings in a variety of books that have been published in the last 10 to 20 years. The most commonly cited authors are Silver Ravenwolf, Scott Cunningham, DJ Conway, Raven Grimassi, Edain McCoy, AJ Drew, and Patricia Telesco.
The self-teach/how-to books produced by these (and other) authors present systems that borrow components from Traditional Wicca, but are not “off-shoots” of, (or Traditions of) Wicca. They are more correctly a form of Craft inspired by Traditional Wicca.
NeoWiccans frequently incorporate elements of other religious systems (such as Buddhism, Christianity, or New Age ideas) into their practices, and (generally) there is little connection to the Mystery aspects that are found in Traditional Wicca.

Return to Articles

From Home Circle student materials.
For more information, please email homecircle@mindspring.com.