Wiccan Traditions
Not all Wiccans are the same. There are different 'branches' within this religion, and those branches are typically called 'traditions'.
Alex Sanders was himself trained in the Gardnerian tradition, but his own teachings have spawned a distinct tradition. Much of the beliefs and rituals are similar to that of Gardnerian covens, but there are notable differences. Alexandrian covens do not hide their activities in the same way, and their rituals have evolved to include more elements of Ceremonial Magick.
Blue Star Wicca is a centuries old Pagan tradition founded in the mid-1970s. Originally established as a single coven in Pennsylvania, Blue Star evolved over the next decade or two into a collection of more than a dozen covens all across the U.S., all working in what is essentially the same framework and therefore recognizable as a tradition.
Originally the Correllian Tradition was not always known as that. The Tradition was founded by Orpheus Caroline High-Correll in 1879 (1479 Pisces). She was a woman of Scots-Cherokee ancestry, she is claimed by some members of the High-Correll Family to have been a Scottish Traditional Witch. She was also a practicing psychic, a spiritual healer, and a herbalist. She spent many years traveling with her husband, John Correll.
The Dianic tradition is female-oriented, and was founded by Zsuzsanna Budapest in the 1970s. Some Dianic covens are women-only and their rituals focus on the Goddess, and some exclude the God altogether. Many rituals are related to Women's Mysteries. Covens lack any hierarchy and they do not require any formal initiation.
Eclectic
This is more of a term for Wiccans who follow no tradition, or at least not only one. Many solitary Wiccans have crafted their own paths, using bits and pieces from other traditions. Eclectic covens also exist, and they are usually rather informal and open.
This tradition is named for its founder, Gerald Gardner, who was one of the first to bring witchcraft back into the modern age. Gardnerian covens are strictly organized, and many details about their rituals are not available to non-initiates. Much of their knowledge can be traced back to Gardner himself, and is passed along as new covens are 'hived' off. There are ranks (degrees) that one can acquire through study and training.
This tradition was founded by the author, Starhawk in 1980. There is a strong political and social element to the Reclaiming tradition. Reclaiming covens have no strict hierarchy, and the focus is on one's inner spirit and personal power. A unique part of the Reclaiming movement, are the Witch Camps. They are intensive annual retreats for study and ritual.
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