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Alexandrian Tradition

Although not exactly a Celtic tradition, many Celtic paths today use words and expressions which reflect the Kabbalistic influence of this Pagan tradition.  It's founder, Alexander Saunders, was a Pagan leader who successfully blended Kabbalistic practice with Anglo-Celtic Pagan practice.  Many people believe that this blending first began in the later 1400s when Moors, Jews, Pagans , and other non-Catholics fled the Spanish Inquisition.  Many of these people came to thte west of Ireland, then the end of the known world, to to hide and begin a new life.  The book, Secrets os a Witches' Coven, By Morwyn, outlines the basic teachings of this tradtion.

American Celtic Wicca

"The American Order of the Brotherhood of the Wicca" covens stem from Jessica Bell ("Lady Sheba"), a self-styled Witch Queen. The tradition's rites are virtually the same as Gardnerian, though covens work robed. They follow the same practice of Gardnerian in preferring couples; preferably husband and wife. "Ceremonial Magic is the primary work of the American Celtic tradition and it is conceived as being the most powerful and ancient means of  sychological and occult therapy by which normal. healthy people can undertake a program of initiation and development."

Ango-Romany Tradition

A tradtion based upon the belielf of the itinerant Gypsy people of Britain and Ireland, commonly called "Tinkers."  This tradition often is blended with the more mystical aspects of European Catholicism.

Anglo-Saxon Tradition

An English path combining the practices of the Celts with those of the sourthern Teutons, whose Pagans are also sometimes called "witches."  Though the popular word "Wicca" is Anglo-Saxon in origin, the followers of this path discard it as a label for themselves.  There are many followers of thistradition, and many varied expressions of it's teachings.

Arthurian Tradition

A tradition from Wales and Cornwall based upon the Arthurian myths which each of the figures in his stories as individual divine images.  Books on the Arthurian legends can give you a basic idea of the practices of this pathway.  Look to the writings of Geoffrey Ashe and John Mathews for the best and broadest presentations.

Asatru Tradition

Asatru is a Norse word meaning 'belief in the Gods'. This tradition is very ancient with its roots in the historical agricultural Vanir and warrior Aesir tribes of Scandinavia and northern Germany. The main deities are the Goddesses Freya, Frigg, and the Norns while the main Gods are Odin, Thor, and Frey.

Australian Wicca

Australia has just about every version of Craft in healthy existence; the only significant difference is that Australians celebrate the Sabbats in opposite order from those in the Northern hemisphere, in keeping with their own seasons.

Brezonek Tradition (Bray-zone-AY'K)

This is the little-known Celtic tradition of Brittany.  It has most likely been influenced by both Roman and Celtic Gual, and by the Celts of the Britich Isles, though its followers think of themselves first and foremost as Celtic.

Brittanic Tradition

An Anglo-Celtic tradition which encompasses the belielfs brough to England by the invading Romans, as well as those of the Celts.

British Traditional

Influenced heavily by Gardnerian Wicca and Celtic traditions. Covens are co-ed and members train through a degree process. Janet and Stewart Farrar are British Traditionalist witches. The International Red Garters is British Traditionalist.

Brythonic Traditions

A generic label often applied to traditions of Whales, Cornwall, and England.  Though the Bretons also speak a Brythonic language, this name is usually not applied to their spiritual pratices.

Calendonii Tradition

This Scottich tradition receives little publicity in the Pagan press.  The name Caledonii is Roman in origin and may indicate that it, like the Hibernian tradition of Ireland, has strong Roman influences.  The now defunct Samildanach was the quarterly newsletter of this tradition.

Celtic Tradition

A briad abd eckectuc branch of Paganusm originating in Celtic Gual, western and northern England, Ireland, Wales, Scottland, Brittany, and the Isle of Man.  Generally they share much in common, but, specifically, they have many differences.  A basic overview of shared Celtic Pagan beliefs can be found in D.J Conway's book, Celtic Magic.

Celtic Wicca

Based upon old Celtic/Druidic practices, and ritual Gardnerian design. The emphasis is placed heavily upon Celtic deities, the elements, nature and the magic of trees.

Circle Wicca

1974 Circle is founded in Madison, Wisconsin. Its name, logo, and focus are conceived by Selena Fox. Circle sponsors its first Sabbat gathering. This small gathering is a Yule celebration hosted by Selena Fox and Jim Alan in their home in Madison, Wisconsin and includes Pagans from the USA and UK. For more information visit their website by Clicking here.

Creabh Ruadh Tradition (Crahv ROO-Ah)

The "Red Branch" tradition is highly secretive, initiatory, male mysteries Irish path based upon the myths nd exploits of the Red Branch warriors of Ulster.  It is highly stratified in character, much like Celtic society.

Cymri Tradition (KIM-ree or KEEM-ree)

The principal Pagan tradition of Wales.  It claims to be a pre-Celtic path which may antedate many of the Arthurian legends, though Arthur and his legions figure heavily in the teachings and mythology of this tradition.

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 initiiatory tradition which attempts to reconstruct Wicca as it was before the wtch persecutions, know in the Craft as "The Burning Times."  They view their prinicipal purpose as being to help all humans find their inner spiritual home.

Dianic Tradition

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 theirdifferences 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 Lessions of Merlin, by Douglas Monroe.

Dryad Tradition

A feminist traiditon 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 tradtions 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 reigion, not just Celtic.

Fennian Tradition

An initiatory Irish path which takes its name from Fionn MacCumhal's warriors, the Fianna.

Gaelic Tradition

A generic label sometimes applied to the traiditions or Ireland and Scotland.

Gardnerian Tradition

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.

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

Hibernian Tradition

This Irish traadition probably developed during the Middle Ages and shows Roman influence.

Irish Tradition

A generic term used to identify traditions native to Ireland and her people.  Many indicidual tradtions come under this broad heading, though some believe the only true Irish traidition is one which is pre-Celtic.

Kingstone Tradition

An English traidition with Celtic roots.  Look for the Internations Red Garters (An eight-times a year publication and umbrella organization for followers of the various English traditions which prints much contoversial materal.) for more information.

Kitchen Witch

Witches who practice around the home and hearth, and incorporate Magic and
religion into daily life around cooking, weaving, etc.

MaidenHill Tradition

This initiatory path was founded in England in the late 1970s and worships a generic Mother Goddess, sometimes called Rhiannon, and the Horned God.  Maidenhill does not have a significant number of followers in North America.

Majestic Tradition

An English traidition which views the long succession of ruling monarchs as sacrificial kings and fertility quues. Look for the Internations Red Garters (An eight-times a year publication and umbrella organization for followers of the various English traditions which prints much contoversial materal.) for more information.

Manx Tradition

An Irish tradition which traces its roots to the mystical Isle of Man.  Lots of faery lore-based beliefs and ritual workings are part of this path.  Manann Mac Llyr, God of the Sea, and Fand, a Faery Queen, are its principal deities.

North Country Tradition

The Pagan traidition of Yorkshire region of England.  The principal inluences on it were from England (which was heavily influenced by Pagan Rome) and from the Scottish lowlands.

Northern Isles Tradition

A combined path which follows the old Norse and Celtic ways - sometimes labaled Asatru. A Pagan group which calls itself "Northern Way" incorporated in Chicago in 1982.  Their beliefs are broadly outlined in Northern Magic, by Edred Thorsson.

OBOD

The Anacronym for the Order of the Bard, Ocates and Druids, a tradition of Celtic Druidry based in England.  As of this writing, the OBOD offers correspondence courses, a newsletts,  and netowrking.

Pecti-Wita

This is the solitary path of the pre-Celtic people known as the Picts.  The inhabited northern Scotland and warred frequently with the Celts before being absorbed by them.  The beliefs and practices of this path are recorded by Raymond Buckland in his 1991 book, Scottish WitchCraft.

Pictish Witchcraft

Witchcraft developed in Scotland. It's followers are solitaries and worship involves animal, vegetable, and minerals, as aspects of nature.

Reformed Druids

This flourishing tradition was organized at Carleton College in Minnesota in 1963 in protest against a school rule which required Sundday chapel attendance.  The original group rituals were based on the Episcopal form of worship, but its splinter groups have since tried to revise their rituals in line with the old Celtic ways.

Romano-Gaulish Tradition

This tradition combines Celtic and Roman Pagan practices in the same way that they merged and blended in Gual many centuries ago.

Sacred Wheel Tradition

An eclectic neo-Pagan path which was organized in Delaware within the past decade.  Calling themselves Wiccan, they focus on balance and learning.  celtic beliefs are a part of their teachings. Still concentrated in the eastern states, covens are formed from study groups which include both old-timers abd novices.  Notice about the formation of Sacred Wheel study groups can be found in Pagan periodicals, especially those based in the northeastern United States.

Scotia Tradition

A tradition for which little public information exists.  It is a path which attemptes to reconstruct the early Milesian faith as practiced about the time the Celts came to Britain.  This would ofnecessity seek to include old Iberian (Spanish) Pagan beliefs which are not virtually extinct thanks to the gross efficiency of the Spanish Inquisition.

Scottish Tradition

A generic term used to identify traditions native to Scotland and her people.  Many individual traditions come under this broad heading, though some believe that the only true Scottich tradition is one which is pre-Celtic.

Shamanic Traditions

While most people do not at first think of Shamanism when they think of the Celts, this spiritual practice has been noted in all ancient cultures.  John Matthews book, The Celtic Shaman, is an excellent text on this largely forgotten path.

Satanic Witchcraft

There is NO worship of "Satan" in Witchcraft. These deities were created by the Christian religion. A Satanic Witch is an oxymoron and anyone who tells you otherwise, knows nothing about the Craft.

Seax-Wica Tradition

Founded in 1973 by Raymond Buckland, this tradition incorporates Saxon lore. Covens have co-ed open rituals and are either performed robed or skyclad. Buckland developed this tradition without breaking his Gardnerian oath.

Strega Witches

A tradition founded by a witch called Aradia around 1353 CE. Strega can lay claim to being one of the oldest unchanged forms of witchcraft. This tradition preceded Garderian or Celtic based religions and developed in Italy during Roman times.

Teutonic Witchcraft

A tradition based on Germanic culture; can come from English, Dutch, Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish traditions. Also known as the Nordic tradition; sometimes separated into a different part of neo-paganism far different from Wicca.

Tuatha De Danann (TOO-ah Day THAY-nan or DAWN-an)

An Irish tradition based upon the mythic tales of the Tuatha De Danann, the last race to hold power in Ireland before the Milesian (human) invasion.  The mythic figures of the Tuatha constitute most of the Irish pantheon and serve as a divine foundation for virtually all of the Irish traditions.  Llewellyn Publications will soon be releasing a book on this tradition by Long-time Danann, Katharine Clark.

Ueleda Tration (WEE-lay-dah)

Ueleda was a name sometimes broadly applied to female Druids, and today it is the name for an all-female, initiatory Druidic tradition.

Welsh Tradition

A catch-All term for the several different Pagan traiditions which came out of Wales.

West Country Tradition

The principal Pagan tradition of Cornwall and Devonshire in southwestern England.  West Country Wicca, By Rhiannon Ryall, discusses the Anglo-Celtic practices of the West Country Pagans before the influence of Gerald Gardner.

Wicca (WICK-AH, WEECH-AH, or WEEK-AH)

The Anglo-Saxon term for witchcraft popularized by Pagan writers since the 1950's.  The term usually refers to an Anglo-Celtic practice, particularly as interpreted by Wiccan leader Gerald Gardner.  Wicca is an Anglo-Saxon word meaning "wise one," a term which came to label the craft as it was practiced in England, Whales, and the continental region once known as Saxony.  Many good books ave been written about Wicca and are easily found.  Look for authors suchs as Raymond Buckland, Scott Cunningham, Dion Fortune, Diane Stein, and Doreen Valiente for solid, ethical presentations.

Wicce

The olde English word for Wicca.  It is sometimes used to refer to an English Traitions where the Saxon influences, but not the Celtic ones, have been eliminated wherever possible.

Witan Tradition

An eclectic Scottish path which combines the Scottich, Celtic, Pictish, and Norse traditions.  Like the Irish Witta, it values the many influences upon itself as an asset to be cherished rather than eliminated.  Modern Wita has done away with much of the stratification of Celtic society and accepts self-initiation as vaild.

WitchCraft

This is another broad term which encompasses several, rather than any single, Pagan tradition.  All witches are Pagans, but not all Pagans are witches.  The term "witch" seems to have become a term exclusively reserved for practitioners of any of the Celtic or Anglo traditions, or less often, for the Teutonis paths (this latter is probably becuase the Saxons and the Norse had such a great impact on Celtic Paganism).  You will find witch used occaionally in thie book in place of the word Pagan.

Wittan Tradition (WEED-an)

An eclectic Irish path which keeps very old Irish traditions and combines them with the influences of the Norse.  Witta values Irish Pagan history and recognizes that at each stage in its development, over many centuries, each generation has been able to add something of value.  Until recent times Wittan covens were characterized by strict stratification and one-on-one teaching for its apprentices.  Today most Wittan covens operate on a consensus basis and will accept self-initiation and the solitary life as valid.  The precepts of the Wittan tradition are outlined in Edain McCoy's Witta: An Irish Pagan Tradition.

Y Tylwuth Teg Tradition (Ee TEE-Loo-eeth Tay'g)

A Welsh-based tradition names for the faery folk of that land, a people who roughly correspond to the Tuatha De Danann in Ireland.  Though the Tradition was officially founded in the United States, it maintains deeply Celtic roots and very humanistic philosophy.  Students of this path are asked to place heavy emphasis on the study of Welsh myth, folklore, and faery lore.

Church of the Cresent Moon

Check out this URL for more Information:  http://www.webspawner.com/users/churchofcrescentmoon/   Other Paths and Denominations not yet described here include....  

Coven of the Forest, Far and Forever

Deboran Witchdom

Dianic Feminist Wicce

Frost's Wicca

Nova Wicca

  There are some that are not even mentioned here and some of the information was taken from Edain McCoy's Celtic Myth & Magick .  We wish you the best of luck in discovering which path is right for you. Or if you have already found your way, Blessed Be!