Author: "TheOn3LeftBehind"
Note: This article was NOT written by me, but by the above mentioned author at the above mentioned site. I want to clarify what I feel are some misconceptions, however all in all this is actually a well written piece, stating a lot of what I actually believe.
Actual article in Italics...my thoughts in standard text below article
In the article, I will frequently use the word "some" because of the vast amount of traditions out there of Traditional Witchcraft.
What is Traditional Witchcraft? Traditional Witchcraft is not Wicca; Traditional Witchcraft is Traditional Paganism. It is the practice of pre-Wiccan and pre-Christian beliefs (or at least trying to revive the old ways). There are many traditions in Traditional Witchcraft and it should be noted that not all Trads have the same beliefs and practices, but there are basic principles that are followed. Now on to the differences: Wicca is an oath bound, orthopraxic, fertility-based witch cult and mystery religion. Gerald B. Gardner created it in the 1950s and he never actually called it Wicca, but rather "Wica". Traditional Wicca requires its members to be initiated into a coven to actually be considered Wiccan and therefore there is no such thing as a "solitary Wiccan"1. It is said that in Wicca, one must be initiated in order to receive the Inner Court
Traditional Witchcraft does not follow the Wiccan Rede (created by Gerald B. Gardner)3 or the Threefold Law. "An ye harm none, do what ye will" is a part of the Wiccan Rede4 and many people refer to this as a law, when in fact the word "rede" actually means advice. We take responsibility for whatever we do, whether it be harming or healing. Traditionalists know that there is a creative and destructive side of nature; therefore there is no "white" or "black" magic5. There are many Eastern philosophies included in Wicca (such as Karma), but Witchcraft originated from Western Europe and Trads prefer to stay true to the old ways which include folk magic. Traditional Witchcraft may be considered a religion to some, while others consider it just a craft, incorporating the craft into their religion6. It all depends really.
Wiccans write in a journal that's called a Book of Shadows. They keep their workings, rituals, and other information in it. Some Trads do not keep a journal of their workings because of the belief that one should forget about it after it is done7 and then some write down their workings and experiences. Personally, I keep a binder full of my own workings that I have written and other information (such as moon cycles, planetary symbols and cycles, rune symbols, herbs and their chemical uses, etc.) that I call a grimoire. Some just call their book a journal. It really doesn't matter what you call it. The land and the ancestors are very important aspects of Traditional Witchcraft. Some Trads call on their ancestors for aid in working. I call on spirits and my ancestors in my workings and in divination; I ask for their wisdom and their guidance. While working outdoors, it is not uncommon for Trads to call on the land spirits or communicate with them. Spirits are an important aspect of Traditional Witchcraft. Ancestors are very important in the Trad.8 Craft because we searched for the old ways, which come from our ancestors! Spirits can provide us with knowledge and power. Spirits protect us when in working; they are called upon to bring power. We are surrounded by spirits, hence why they're important.
Many Traditional Witches do not believe in deities and many do. It all depends on your beliefs. I don't believe in deities and never have. I believe in and use the power of nature. We don't "worship" nature, though, as many people believe. Fate is a belief held by many. Many believe that your past affects your present and your present affects your future. I don't believe that our future has been laid out for us. This is the Way of Wyrd. Free will is also not believed in9, as this is a part of Christian faith and the neo-Pagan movement. Although free will is not believed in by many, there is still common sense; if you manipulate a person's mind to love you and they do not truly do, do you believe it will actually last? Hexes, curses, jinxes, etc. are not shunned in Traditional Witchcraft. If one truly needs to perform a hex or something of the like because the individual, friends, or family were hurt badly, then one would. Hexes and jinxes can be seen as a little slap, whereas curses are more extreme in their power. I have performed a few hexes and one curse; the curse was worked because of the extreme pain it caused a certain friend and I and how badly we were hurt for multiple years. I've seen many "fluffy" sites describing how it's always better to fill a person's heart with love instead of performing hexes, jinxes, and curses and not recognizing the destructive side of nature at all! While it is better to perform "positive" workings, do you really think that filling a person's heart with love will stop them from doing the degrading things they have done?
Traditionalists do not believe in the Summerlands as Wiccans do. We believe that spirits dwell in the spirit world, or Otherworld, and may return as a land spirit or in the form of something else. There are three levels of the world: Underworld, where the spirits dwell and where wisdom is kept, Middle World, what we live in, and the Upperworld, the home of the divine10. The belief of afterlife varies from person to person. Hedge-riding is a practice that involves travelling to the spirit world through the use of trance work and other various techniques to alter the conscious mind (including entheogens, which are herbs and other substances used to induce trance) which allows the spirit to leave the body. Shamanic journeying is another practice involving leaving the body for spiritual growth; it is very similar to hedge-riding and is essentially rooted off of it. Common techniques to induce trance involve drumming, rattling, heavy dancing, rocking, entheogens, meditation, flying ointments, and a lot more. Books for the beginner are Hedge-Rider by Eric De Vries, Trance-portation by Diana L. Paxson, and The Temple of Shamanic Witchcraft by Christopher Penczak.
Many Traditionalists do not cast circles and some may cast what they call a "compass round" which is basically a circle, but does not have the same use as a circle does to a Wiccan or neo-pagan. Wiccans use circles in order to keep the energy within it and then send it out to the Universe, whereas a compass round is used for protection. A circle in Wicca creates a sacred space to perform their workings, but Trads consider all land sacred and therefore do not need to perform a compass round for a sacred space11. Sabbat, or festival, observations and celebrations differ from tradition to tradition. Some Trads observe four and some observe eight. Personally, I observe eight. I do not relate these sabbats to specific legends that Wiccans believe in. I observe them for the change in nature.
Some Trads use the pentagram to symbolize the elements of the earth (Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit) while others don't believe in these elements because it originates from the East12. Many neo-Pagan associate these elements with guardians/watchtowers to the four directions of the earth. Personally, I believe in the energy that flows from the four directions and from above and below. Robin Artisson has explained this in detail on his website. The symbol of this is called the "Witches Foot" or Hagal rune (from the Armanen Futharkh). Animism is a part of Traditional Witchcraft because we believe everything on this earth has a spirit (like plants, trees, etc.), just like Shamans.
Although there are many differences between Wicca, Traditional Witchcraft, and Neo-Paganism we all believe that nature is sacred and seek knowledge of the abyss.
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1. Perhaps within the Traditional format of Wicca, there may not be any such thing as a "Solitary Wiccan", as within this format one must be a part of the coven. Hence the creation of "Gardnerian Wicca". Over the decades that Wicca has been around, it HAS evolved and changed (as all religions do), and now incorporates different ideas still rooted by traditionalism. Wicca has branched out to incompass numerous "traditions", including "Solitary Wicca"...in which the practitioner does NOT have to be a part of any traditional covens, yet can still practice the religion.
2. Again, with the evolution of Wicca from its origins, this is no longer entirely true (unless one becomes initiated into one of the originating covens...these being Gardnerian Wiccan covens). Wiccans now choose the deities they feel drawn to and honor them, as opposed to secretly held names. Many Wiccans believe the divine calls them regardless of how they practice.
3. The Rede is a modification (for lack of a better word) from the Thelemite "Do as thou wilt, be the whole of the Law" created by Aleister Crowley
4. This is not 'part' of the Wiccan Rede; this IS the Wiccan Rede. The Wiccan Rede consists of eight words only. There are many misconceptions that the rede is some lengthy poem, starting off "Bide the Wiccan Law ye must..." This is not true. The line stated is the first line of the poem "Rede of the Wiccae", sometimes incorrectly credited to Doreen Valiente, but should more appropriately be credited to Lady Gwen Thompson, who submitted it to a Pagan magazine in the mid '70's.
5. There is no "white" or "black" magic in Wicca either. Magic (as understood by Wiccans) is a neutral force. There is no color.
5. There is no "white" or "black" magic in Wicca either. Magic (as understood by Wiccans) is a neutral force. There is no color.
6. This is where my beliefs come in. I don't refer to Witchcraft in a religious sense...I look at Witchcraft as merely a craft, I simply incorporate a few religious elements within.
7. The belief that one should forget their craft after performing, may stem from the old belief that if one keeps in mind their workings, and gets caught, one may be tried, tortured and executed for the practice of Witchcraft. Today, this is not necessary (here in the Western world where the practice of Witchcraft is protected under the 1st amendment in the United States that states the freedom of religion and beliefs, and in Canada under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which states the same...freedom of religion and belief). People have the right to freely practice Witchcraft whenever and wherever (even though the laws are loosely enforced and even some biased officers may make outdoor practice difficult).
8. My personal beliefs are that I believe in a deity and call upon her for assistance. The ancestors had their time, and now it is time for them to rest. I don't like the idea of calling upon them for petty things, they deserve their rest. My Goddess is there for assistance when I need it. I know not all believe this but again, these are my beliefs.
9. I do believe in free will. The idea of free will is that we have the freedom to believe what is in our hearts and to follow whatever paths are right for us. We have the free WILL to go where we like and do what we like without the religious regulations telling us how and what to believe and practice. I don't believe this to be a Christian concept, but one that has always existed, but emphasis placed upon BY the Christian church...however, their idea of free will extends that it's free will only when one chooses on their own a Christian way, as opposed to choosing another way, which would not be free will, but the will of their adversary.
10. Not all Witches believe in this tri-level worlds. I do not subscribe to such a belief. I believe somewhat in a place of rest (not necessarily Summerland) where one goes for rest and reflection before moving on. I personally believe ALL souls/spirits/whatever go there regardless of what they have done on this earthly plane. They go to this place, review what they have done in their life, rest from their journey then return to the earth, in whatever form they do.
11. I may cast a circle, but not for either reason mentioned above. While Witches and other Pagans may feel that all of the world or universe is sacred, I cast a circle as a sort of transparent, portable temple, reserved as space only for me and my Goddess divine. Sure, I could call my Goddess in without the creation of my circle, however I could get unwelcome energies, spirits, whatever while trying to attempt my workings. I feel the circle creates a room where my Goddess and I can be alone. I do call the "quarters", but I see them as "bodyguards" for my circle, keeping out what I don't want in.
12. While I do identify with these "elements" because I feel they represent that which we need to live (earth to grow food and on which to live; air to breathe; water to drink and replenish much needed fluids; fire to keep warm) I also identify the four lower corners (as the top one always remains reserved for the spirit/divine) with other identifications: the four nations (Caucasian, African, Asian and Native), the four directions (North, South, East, West), the four seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter), etc.
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