Hey all,
For a long time I was certain that Wicca wasn't the religion for me, as it weighed heavily on only the female energy, and I wanted a more dual representation in my work.
Enter Alexandrian Wicca, which (from what I've read) incorporates an equal amount of male and female energy. This seemed more in my idea of religion.
Anyway, my question is if anyone knows of any credible books specifically about this tradition, and also if the concept of having to be initiated by another Wiccan to be validated is still true? Thanks!
There are many branches of wicca, I think most are balanced, the people practicing it, or claiming to, might not be. The Wiccan who generally place the goddess in higher esteem are Dianic wiccans- I believe Lark stated somewhere in the past week that originally that movement did not hold the title of Wicca.
I believe the Witches bible by the Farrars is written from an Alexandrian Wiccan perspective- they were definitely Alexandrian Wiccans. There is also the so called "Alexandrian book of shadows", you can google that as a pdf i think.
Alexandrian Wicca is one of the branches of British Traditional Wicca. BTW includes such Traditions as Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Kingstone, Silver Crescent, etc. All of these Traditions include an initiatory lineage tracing back to Gerald Gardner and the New Forest Coven. All are oath-bound mystery Traditions.
If you wish to become Alexandrian you must find a proper Alexandrian coven to train with and into which to become initiated. There is no way to teach yourself how to be Alexandrian, and without the proper training and initiation you would not be considered Alexandrian. Initiation by someone who is a legitimate Alexandrian Wiccan is absolutely essential if one is to become an Alexandrian.
If you are looking for some books that will talk about the Outer Court (public information) about Alexandrian Wicca then the books by Janet and Stewart Farrar are helpful. (But not the books by Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone). I would also suggest reading the books by Gerald Gardner to whom Alexandrian Wicca traces its beginning. However, understand that what actually teaches on about Alexandrian Wicca is the oral lore shared only between initiator and initiate.
I know that it has been suggested that you access the so-called "Alexandrian BOS" is available on-line. As I have said, the writings in that BOS are oath-bound and only made available once one has already been initiated. So I would doubt the validity of any supposed copy of any BOS from any of the Traditions of British Traditional Wicca.
I will also note, since your profile does not indicate your age, that no BTW coven will accept for training anyone under the age of 21.
While I am not Alexandrian, I am a 3rd Degree Gardnerian priestess, and I would be happy to try to answer any questions you have about BTW Trads, at least as so far as my oaths permit.
That was some very helpful information, thank you!
I do feel that I am called to Wicca, but as someone with very limited access to other covens, I fear I may not find one anywhere near me to join. :c Also, apparently there are a multitude of different traditions! Do you have any suggestions for reading that cover the most prevalent groups?
There are essentially two forms of Wicca. There is British Traditional Wicca which is a lineaged, oath-bound practice that traces its roots back to the New Forest Covens in England. To become a member of British Traditional Wicca one has to be trained and initiated into a BTW coven. There is a useful website on BTW at http://www.newwiccanchurch.org/aboutbtw/aboutbtw.html In addition, some good books on BTW would include:
" Witchcraft Today " by Gerald Gardner "The Meaning of Witchcraft " by Gerald Gardner "The Witch's Bible Complete " by Janet and Stewart Farrar (Contains the books " What Witches Do" and "Eight Sabbats for Witches" "The Rebirth of Witchcraft " by Doreen Valiente
The second form of Wicca is what one might call Eclectic Wicca. Eclectic Wiccan Traditions may or may not require initiation and may or may not be oathbound. Furthermore, there is no requirement to be a member of a coven in order to practice Eclectic Wicca...in fact most Eclectic Wiccans are solitaries. Because this is such a broad spectrum of groups and individuals with many different ways of practicing it's hard to find one book that will talk about all of them. But I might suggest the website at :http://wicca.cnbeyer.com/
In addition, I would recommend the following books to give you an overview of some of the eclectic Traditions out there:
"Drawing Down the Moon" by Margot Adler
" Which Witch Is Which?: A Concise Guide to Wiccan and Neo-Pagan Paths and Tradition s" by Patricia Telesco"
" People of the Earth: The New Pagans Speak Out " by Ellen Evert Hopman
One thing to think about when looking at various Traditions is that it is important to find something that speaks deeply to your spirit. Don't just grab at the first available group that you find. And if you don't find a group right now...well that's OK to.
If you need some suggestions on some reliable books to help you get started in your own practice just let me know.
