History
The Lycian Tradition is the result of shamanic initiations undergone "between the worlds" by Boniface.’. roughly between the years 1973 and 1985. Boniface.’. began to astrally project approximately in 1973. After years of working through the ordeals of initiation in this other realm he experienced, in 1985, what has since become the Third Rite of Initiation in this tradition.
Boniface.’., called by his inner initiator to write down the initiations, started to do so in 1985 and finished the process in 1989 when he then initiated "Rashal" his first student. The two formed the first Lycian coven, later named "Wolfsong," and began to accept members and to perform initiations.
Core beliefs
The Wolf Clans of Western Europe were quite widespread in their reach. They extended from the far northern Scandinavian countries down into Ireland and England, then into France along its western coast near the Pyrenees, down into Spain along its northern coast also near the Pyrenees, along the southern European coast and finally into Italy. Inquisition records still exist of the questioning done by the Catholic church of these "Wolf Witches" and show that the latter day cult was of an agrarian nature. The wolves were believed to be benevolent creatures wishing to aid humanity. This was done by means of a mock ritual battle in which the "good witches," those considered to be the wolves, fought the "bad witches" and depending on which side won there would or would not be prosperity for the following year. It is very evident that the battle was of a mock type as all the participants would afterwards sit together and partake of a huge feast. Any child born with the caul was considered to have been pre-ordained to become one of the wolves. The records seem to point out that these witches believed that they left their bodies at night to become wolves, and then met others who did the same and would roam in packs doing good. They were known as the "Benandanti" in Italy.
The modern rebirth of this wolf tradition in America is due to the strongly held belief that we can and do leave our bodies at night. Once out of the body, those of the "Wolf Clans" will find each other, renew the "old ties" and continue the "Great Work" for the good of all. Although there are three grades of initiation in the Lycian Tradition, the final true initiation is accomplished in the spirit body where one becomes fully accepted by the Wolf.
We realize that all decisions and actions taken are unique to a particular situation and cannot be isolated into some "ideal" situation from which all others can be judged. Being accepted by the Wolf is to become as Nature intended us, in harmony with all that surrounds us. Actions then proceed from a standpoint of that harmony and not from any notions imposed on us of "should" and "should not." The person accepted by the Wolf has integrated himself or herself. We have united the spiritual, human and animal parts of ourselves to become a whole person in harmony with the deities, with Nature and with our society.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE LYCIAN TRADITION
1. The Ultimate Deity is one and only one. It is the source, the ground, the foundation for all that is, and all that is, is contained within this ‘One.’ It is beyond names or definitions because they place limits, and the ‘One’ is unlimited. No words can be used which would be totally accurate with respect to the ‘One’, but since we must use words to make reference to the ‘One’ we call it ‘The One Who is Nameless.’ Bear in mind that these words are themselves in error.
2. When referring to, or thinking of, the ‘One Who is Nameless’ no words will do, because words make comparisons and regarding the ‘One’ there is no other, so no comparison is available. We can compare things, which are within the ‘One.’ There is change and movement within the ‘Whole’ and therefore some things can be said to be different from other things. In this realm things are either this or they are that. The highest deities in this realm of ‘either, or’ are the God and Goddess. They govern all existence between them; what is not governed by one, is by the other.
3. The Lord and Lady when in union, so as to be indistinguishable form the ‘One’ and in this union are in eternal bliss, as all the opposites are in harmony within them.
4. The Sun, as ruler of the day, and the Moon, as governess of the night, between them oversee the entire twenty-four hours perpetually. Therefore, we take these celestial bodies as appropriate symbols for the Lord and Lady. We worship and honor the Lord and Lady by celebrating and recognizing the phases and seasons of the Sun and Moon. By trying to harmonize ourselves with the natural forces that surround us, which are but manifestations of the God and Goddess, we acknowledge the Lord and Lady as the source of our own being.
5. Humanity, in order to understand concepts that are at times very abstract, must use symbols as a means of holding them in mind. These symbols differ from culture to culture. What must be remembered is that what the symbols represent is the same, no matter the culture. We use symbol to represent Deity, which we worship; we do not worship the symbol. We use symbol to give form to our means of worship; the ritual. By performing these ritual celebrations we attempt to attune ourselves to the Divine.
6. As the Lord and Lady in loving union harmonize all the opposites, and thereby achieve bliss, so too by harmonizing the opposites of male and female, in union, do we emulate the Divine and hopefully also reach bliss. The union of man and woman is the Highest Sacrament. If the Sacrament is done with love then that love makes someone other than the self of prime importance and the particular, known as the personality, is transcended.
7. Since all that is, is a part of and exists in the Divine, we see all as being Divine. Therefore the universe is filled with Gods and Goddesses all manifesting to a greater or lesser degree the qualities of the Lord and Lady Most High. Therefore a hierarchy exists of greater and lesser Gods and Goddesses and yet all being equally Divine.
Role of clergy
To perform all rites and ceremonies of the Lycian Craft in compliance with:
1. Their personal spiritual and ethical requirements.
2. The accepted liturgy of the Lycian Tradition.
3. The legal requirements imposed by the state on non-profit religious organizations.
To instruct others in the performance of the rites and ceremonies of the Lycian Craft and to give spiritual counseling when asked to do so.
Organization of groups
The Lycian Sanctuary is a non-profit religious organization, which consists of a "Council of Elders" and member covens.
The "Council of Elders" is in charge of seeing that the integrity of the rituals in the tradition remain intact, that initiators are fully qualified, and manages all funds and properties for use by the tradition’s member covens.
Covens are autonomous and membership in The Lycian Sanctuary is voluntary and is not required in order to be considered a Lycian Coven. However, if a Lycian Coven desires legal recognition this can be accomplished on their own or with greater ease through the Sanctuary.
Holidays
February Eve or the "Feast of the Mother and Child."
The Vernal Equinox or the "Feast of the Green Man."
May Eve or the "Feast of the Battle."
The Summer Solstice or the "Feast of the Sacred Meal."
August Eve or the "Feast of the Lame God."
The Autumnal Equinox or the "Feast of the Virgin."
November Eve or the "Feast for the Dead."
The Winter Solstice or the "Feast of Our Dark Mother."
Standards of Conduct
"An it harm none, do as you will." This is the ideal, although we in the Lycian Tradition are aware that every action has its "good" and "bad" results. So, all we can do is, strive for the ideal the best we can. We do not hold this ideal as any sort of rule or law, simply a good suggestion. However, using a bit of logic we deduce a fuller more useful rede as follows: "An it harm none, do as you will. An it cause harm, do as you must."
We also acknowledge, as guidelines for our actions, the ancient Pagan virtues:
Temperance (The art of knowing when enough is enough and what is too much, or too little.)
Strength (Being strong in mind and body; taking responsibility.)
Prudence (Using good judgment. Taking the time to study a situation and using a reasoned approach.)
Justice (Giving and expecting one's just due.)
Ways of worship
"To work is to pray."
"To live fully and well."
"To spend time with loved ones."
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