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Chado2423 · 10-14-2007, 07:45 PM

OCT 14th

(Last night I had a gathering to meet some Pagans in my new location. The meeting went failry well

Today's Wiccan word for Oct 14th is Tradition :

Tradition - A specific way of practicing the Craft. There are many traditions in Wicca. Basically a "Tradition" is thus: a tradition is a group of rituals and procedures that are adhered to by a particular group of Wiccans or Pagans. They pass their tradition on to others, usually within a coven. Examples of Traditions are: Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Dianic, Celtic and Saxon.

Many Wiccans, and other Pagans don't have a tradition and they are referred to as 'eclectic'. An eclectic solitaire is a solitaire who borrows from several traditions, wheras some solitaires adhere to only one. It is not uncommon for either solitary practitioners or covened wiccans to practice an "eclectic" tradition. Ecclectic practice is like a hodge-podge of different influences, made up of practices from various paths, although the solitary "tradition" is not usually referred to under the title of "Tradition. Thus, in the theological usuage of the term, a tradition is a sub-group of beliefs within a broader faith. In Christianity, for instance, things are sometimes said to be in the "Baptist tradition" and similar things. A tradition is not a mere denomination, but the rites and folkways that separate the members from other groups.

There is no tenet to join or not to join a Tradition, Coven or Order, though many seekers do. One reason why Wicca is difficult to put in a little box to define accurately, is because there are many forms of Wicca, it's an extremely diverse religion and each practitioner decides what's right for him or her. The right to choose or not to choose a Tradition ultimately rests with the practictioner.

(Note: IMO it is ill advised to join any system solely based on peer-pressure, or majority rules. Historically we have seen that the majority is not always accurate in morality, and peer-pressure is often very superficial, except in positive peer-pressure instances. We have seen majority rule in society with moral issues, later the majority shifting perspective. We have seen peer-pressure influence entire nations. It is my personal belief that one must not base their judgement solely upon the whims of others, but must determine the best course of action in supreme moral judgement.)

Some Traditions are very rigid in their practice, and practically unwelcoming as they have very strict rules for members, wheras others are more welcoming in one aspect or another. Bear in mind, what I mean by welcoming is not that they do not welcome outsiders, but their practices of welcoming those into their Tradition are very strict. The more strict Traditions may be termed "Oath bound" Traditions, or "Mystery Tradition." The best example of an ecclectic non-solitaire tradition that I know about at this time is the Church of Universalist Eclectic Wicca, (UEW) Church of Universal Eclectic Wicca One of the more "structured" versions is the British Tradition Of Wicca.

Advice of the day: "Don't believe everything you read."

Common Wiccan Beliefs

Blessed Be.

10-14-2007, 07:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
Chado2423 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 388	OCT 14th (Last night I had a gathering to meet some Pagans in my new location. The meeting went failry well Today's Wiccan word for Oct 14th is Tradition : Tradition - A specific way of practicing the Craft. There are many traditions in Wicca. Basically a "Tradition" is thus: a tradition is a group of rituals and procedures that are adhered to by a particular group of Wiccans or Pagans. They pass their tradition on to others, usually within a coven. Examples of Traditions are: Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Dianic, Celtic and Saxon. Many Wiccans, and other Pagans don't have a tradition and they are referred to as 'eclectic'. An eclectic solitaire is a solitaire who borrows from several traditions, wheras some solitaires adhere to only one. It is not uncommon for either solitary practitioners or covened wiccans to practice an "eclectic" tradition. Ecclectic practice is like a hodge-podge of different influences, made up of practices from various paths, although the solitary "tradition" is not usually referred to under the title of "Tradition. Thus, in the theological usuage of the term, a tradition is a sub-group of beliefs within a broader faith. In Christianity, for instance, things are sometimes said to be in the "Baptist tradition" and similar things. A tradition is not a mere denomination, but the rites and folkways that separate the members from other groups. There is no tenet to join or not to join a Tradition, Coven or Order, though many seekers do. One reason why Wicca is difficult to put in a little box to define accurately, is because there are many forms of Wicca, it's an extremely diverse religion and each practitioner decides what's right for him or her. The right to choose or not to choose a Tradition ultimately rests with the practictioner. (Note: IMO it is ill advised to join any system solely based on peer-pressure, or majority rules. Historically we have seen that the majority is not always accurate in morality, and peer-pressure is often very superficial, except in positive peer-pressure instances. We have seen majority rule in society with moral issues, later the majority shifting perspective. We have seen peer-pressure influence entire nations. It is my personal belief that one must not base their judgement solely upon the whims of others, but must determine the best course of action in supreme moral judgement.) Some Traditions are very rigid in their practice, and practically unwelcoming as they have very strict rules for members, wheras others are more welcoming in one aspect or another. Bear in mind, what I mean by welcoming is not that they do not welcome outsiders, but their practices of welcoming those into their Tradition are very strict. The more strict Traditions may be termed "Oath bound" Traditions, or "Mystery Tradition." The best example of an ecclectic non-solitaire tradition that I know about at this time is the Church of Universalist Eclectic Wicca, (UEW) Church of Universal Eclectic Wicca One of the more "structured" versions is the British Tradition Of Wicca. Advice of the day: "Don't believe *everything* you read." Common Wiccan Beliefs Blessed Be. Last edited by Chado2423; 10-15-2007 at 02:35 PM.