Deborean Tradition (Deb-OR-ee-awn)
This American eclectic tradition has Celtic ties in the sense that they use names from the Anglo-Celtic mythos to designate their leaders. They are an initiatory tradition which attempts to reconstruct Wicca as it was before the witch persecutions, know in the Craft as "The Burning Times." They view their principal purpose as being to help all humans find their inner spiritual home.
Dianic:
This is more of a sub-class, rather than a particular tradition pinpointed by Margaret Murray in 1921 in "The Witch-Cult in Western Europe". There are several feminist traditions which are considered dianic. This sub-class tends to emphasize Circle Wicca the female aspect of the Goddess, sometimes to the exclusion of the male God. Some feel that these groups are rather reactionary and self limiting (this webmaster agrees). Be that as it may, the Dianic covens tend to be more politically active. A tradition that worships the Goddess as Diana, as the central deity. Female leadership is encouraged, though male members are allowed into covens. Rituals are either skyclad or robed. There are also some covens which are female exclusive and follow a Dianic Feminist Wicce.
Druidiactos
A Druidic path, as much cultural as it is magical and religious, which devotes itself to Celtic study and accurate as possible a reconstruction of past practices. The teachings and beliefs od the Druidiactos are outlines in The Sacred Cauldron, by Tadhg MacCrossan.
Druidic Traditions
The pathways based on the practices, rituals and magic of the Celtic priestly class known as the Druids. Many expressions of this tradition exists, and their differences have often been cause for dissension in the Pagan community. Two of the best books published in recent years on Druidism are Book of Druidry, by Ross Nicols, and The 21 Lessons of Merlin, by Douglas Monroe.
Dryad Tradition
A feminist tradition of female Druidesses who were given their name by the tree faeries of the Celtic lands, who are also known as Dryads. Faery lore plays a strong role in their practices, and the majority of their other teachings are Druidic with a modern feminist slant.
Eclectic Wicca
Basically a loosely based tradition which uses any practices of other paths and incorporates them into their own path. It is now quite a common and popular form of Wicca, as the followers use what works best for them regardless of its source.
Eireannach Tradition (AIR-un-n'yock)
Several distinct traditions claiming this label seem to be operating in North America. The name simply means "Irish." Eireannach is probably best described as a catch-all term for the various Irish paths rather than the name of any one single expression.
Erisian Tradition (Discordia)
A philosophy which believes that the universe is uncertain and that natural laws are not everywhere and constant. Eris is the Goddess of chaos. Discordia was rediscovered in 1960's by Californians Kerry Thornley and Gregory Hill, who published a book called Principia Discordia on their experiences. The tradition also involves humor in its rituals. Similarly Englishman, Austin Osman Spare, often called the father of chaos magic, took chaos to a more scientific plateau.
Faery Tradition
An environmentally-minded path which claims its origins in the oral teaching of the Tuatha De Dannan of Ireland, the deities who became the faery folk. Once a secretive, Californian-based group, their beliefs and practices have been made public in the Faery Wicca series of Books by Kisma K Stepanich
Family Traiditions
Various traditions passed down through individual families are usually tossed together under this label. Some of these are secretive for reason of personal security, others openly combine their Celtic Pagan beliefs with those of mainstream religions. A Family Tradition can be a part of any culture's indigenous region, not just Celtic.
Fennian Tradition
An initiatory Irish path which takes its name from Fionn MacCumhal's warriors, the Fianna.
Frost School of Wicca:
Headed by Gavin and Yvonne Frost, this school is the largest correspondence school of Witchcraft in the US. Numerous covens have resulted from this school, although it is somewhat unconventional (if, that is, anything dealing with Wicca could be called conventional). The Frosts' views on Wicca as a religion do differ with the majority.. in that they do not consider Wicca as "Pagan", but rather as Monotheistic.
Gaelic Tradition
A generic label sometimes applied to the traiditions or Ireland and Scotland.
Gardnerian:
One of the first traditions in witchcraft to emerge into the public eye during the 1950's. The teachings are based upon the works of Dr. Gerald Brosseau Gardner, who researched much of the history of the Craft and added them to his famous Book of Shadows. Many traditions use his Book of Shadows, in a modified form, as a basis for ritual practice. course, exceptions to this, but these descriptions are, for the most part, only generalizations based upon information gathered from many sources). The typical Gardnerian view of the God/dess is that of a Dominant three-faced Goddess (maiden, mother, and crone) with a male consort (who has many names.. the Young Summer King, and the Old Winter King). Ceremonies include a series of initiations into higher levels of the craft, various holiday celebrations (based, of course, upon the "Wheel of the Year" calendar of Feast days.
Georgian Wicca
An eclectic Wicca tradition founded by George E. Patterson in 1970. This tradition is influenced mostly by Alexandrian and Gardnerian teachings and leans towards Goddess and God worship at an eclectic level. Individuals work either skyclad or robed and are encouraged to write their own rituals.
Hebridean Tradition
A secritive Socttish traidtion which is based on the Irish myths, but no which local legends associated with them are applied. This Irish tradition probably developed during the Middle Ages and shows Roman influence.
