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Q: What is Wicca?
A: "Wicca" is an Anglo-Saxon word
originally applied to one of the branches of the ancient Pagan
clergy. The word is the ancestor to the modern English "witch",
and many Wiccans call themselves witches and use "witchcraft"
as an alternate name for their religion. In terms of the modern
Craft, before the 1960s only the British Traditional Wicca used
this name, and we still believe that it only properly belongs
to us. More recently, "Wicca" has been applied to a
large number of various survivals, revivals and reconstructions
of Pagan religious beliefs and practices.
Although in recent years the diversity of the people who call
themselves Wiccan has made a comprehensive definition impossible,
some general statements can be made: All Wiccans worship a Goddess
or Goddesses; most also worship a God or Gods. Practically all
hold rituals inside a magic circle, usually at the time of the
Full Moon and eight Sabbats. Practically all believe in and practice
some form of magic.
Q: What is British Traditional Wicca?
A: British Traditional Wicca (BTW) is the name
we give to a number of denominations of Wiccans who have received
(via initiatory lineage) and maintain an established body of lore
and practice passed down from generation to generation. The best
known of these are the Gardnerians, of which there are distinct
British and American branches.
Alexandrians, Mohsians and (California) Central Valley Wicca
are also British Traditionals.
Q: What is the difference between BTW and other people
who call themselves Wiccan?
A: Other people who call themselves Wicca do
not have the initiatory lineage mentioned above. In addition,
the following features of BTW may not all be present in other
paths which call themselves Wiccan:
- Members are formed into small (3-13) groups called "covens"
and are led by a High Priestess and/or High Priest.
- There is a formal ceremony of initiation which includes a solemn
oath never to reveal certain secrets to outsiders.
- Initiates are oathbound to never charge money for initiation
and training into the Craft of the Wise.
- There are usually three degrees or levels of initiation, called
"Priest/ess", "High Priest/ess" and "Elder".
(This may lead to some confusion, as coven leaders, who are usually
Elders, are often called "High Priestess" or "High
Priest" of the coven.)
British Traditional Wiccans typically call upon the names of one
Goddess and one God in their rituals. Most also acknowledge the
Dryghtyn, who is not personified but represents the unified spiritual
essence of the universe, from which both Goddess and God sprang.
Q: Why can't a person self-initiate into BTW?
A: To a BT Wiccan, self-initiation is a contradiction
in terms. To us the ritual of initiation is performed not only
to signal an individual's dedication to serving the Gods, but
also their admittance to the community of BTW.
Q: Do members of BTW think they're better than other
Pagans?
A: Not at all. BTW strongly emphasizes the right
and responsibility of each individual to find the religious path
that is right for them. Some BTW members also belong to other
Pagan paths, including the New Reformed Orthodox Order of the
Golden Dawn (NROOGD), the Church of All Worlds (CAW) and Asatru.
Q: Why is BTW divided into separate traditions?
A: Each branch of the BTW has its
own story. Some developed a separate identity because geographical
separation from their parent stock. Others were formed due to
political disagreements (Wiccans are only human, too).
Q: How can I find out more about the various
BTW traditions?
A: A great resource for information
about individual traditions, orders and lineage can be found at
the index listing provided by the Beaufort House web site. This
site was created and is maintain by a member of the New Wiccan
Church. Note: Not all of the traditions, groups etc. listed at
this site are what we consider to be BTW.
Q: Why is BTW so secretive?
A: Actually there are a number
of reasons. We refuse to disclose who our members are without
their express permission. This is not just simple courtesy; there
exist many cases in our so-called enlightened times of Wiccans
who have been discriminated against in the courts and other public
institutions and even threatened with violence. Wiccans may choose
to "go public" if they wish, but we will not make that
choice for them.
We don't discuss what happens at initiation and elevation rituals
to those who have not undergone them for a very practical reason.
An initiation ceremony, Wiccan or not, works best when it comes
as a surprise to the person being initiated. To do otherwise would
prevent the emotional, non-intellectual response which is absolutely
necessary for a true initiation.
Finally, a coven's rituals and workings often are,
and should be, intensely emotional and personal experiences. This
cannot happen without a strong feeling of safety and privacy which
would be impossible without rules making these activities private.
Q: Some call BTW a "Mystery Tradition".
What does this mean?
A: "Mystery", in a religious
sense, means both the secrets of the religion and the ecstatic
aspects of a spiritual practice which cannot be explained but
must be experienced. As a Mystery Tradition, Wicca exemplifies
both of these meanings. We take certain oaths at initiation that
prohibit us from disclosing our mysteries (secrets) to those who
have not been initiated. We also promote, publicly and privately,
the mysteries (ecstatic experiences) which give our religion much
of its authenticity.
Q: Why is BTW secretive about magic?
A: For one thing, we believe that
our methods of making magic actually work and can be dangerous
in the wrong hands. Magic is governed by the universal rule of
"cause and effect" which simply means that for every
action there is a reaction. For this reason we only speak of magic
to people we've initiated, whom we believe to be responsible.
Initiates must be willing to take the time necessary to learn
properly and must have a clear understanding of Wiccan ethics.
Q: What are Wiccan ethics?
A: Much more can be written about
Wiccan ethics than can described in a brief FAQ entry. A brief
summary: All Wiccan ethics proceeds from the Wiccan Rede: "'An
it harm none, do as thou wilt." We take this to mean that
as long as your actions do not inflict harm on someone or something,
you are free to do as you wish. There are some things that are
so universally considered harmful, such as disclosing the name
of a Wiccan without their permission, that they are called "Craft
Laws". Our ethics have a practical side. We believe that
whatever you send magically returns to you three times over. Thus
if you send curses, you will be cursed; if you send blessings,
you will be blessed.
Q: Why are all the members of some BTW
branches called priests and priestesses?
A: In British Traditional Wicca,
everyone who attends a ritual is a participant, not an observer.
Even though the ritual may be led by a High Priestess and/or High
Priest, everyone in the circle takes an active part. There has
been much confusion on this point, because in other religions
the priest performs the ritual for the laity, who are expected
to be passive observers.
Q: Is BTW hierarchical?
A: Each coven is led by a High
Priestess and/or High Priest. In some traditions it must be a
High Priestess. In every human group, leaders will always arise,
even in groups which consider themselves totally egalitarian.
In BTW, leadership is formally vested in those who have the most
knowledge, experience (at least in that tradition) and have taken
the responsibility to form and/or maintain the group. This is
a form of quality control: If we wish the Craft to continue and
flourish, we must have responsible leadership.
Those who would become leaders are chosen for their
abilities and, especially, their commitment. It takes 3-5 years
(more or less) of study and practice to become qualified to form
and lead a coven. Most teachers don't expect their students to
go through extraordinary privations along the way - dedication,
a willingness to learn, and an honest effort are valued above
perfection when given a task to complete. Elders are there to
foster the growth of the individual, not to judge them by rote.
New coven leaders must also provide everything
that is needed for a coven to operate, including a good deal of
their own time. British Traditional coven leaders tend to be the
busiest people we know!
There are formal limits to the coven leaders' authority.
Almost universally, they may not demand sexual favors or money
of their students (although some covens have dues, used to pay
for supplies). Also, in most groups, new people may not be initiated
into the coven except with the agreement of all of the existing
members.
In most traditions the High Priestess and High Priest
are as far as hierarchy goes: each coven is considered an independent,
autonomous unit.
Q: Why does BTW have three degrees?
A: BTW emphasizes training, experience
and responsibility. When someone has had a certain amount of this
training and experience and is ready to accept additional responsibility,
we feel that it is only right and proper to acknowledge this.
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