Gardnarian- the Gardnarian tradition was founded by Gerald Gardner in England in the 1950's. He is credited to the revival of the Craft. Gardner claimed he was initiated into a coven by a hereditary Witch with lineage that was unbroken. Now it is known that the works of Charles Godfrey Leland, Margaret Murray, Rudyard Kipling, Ovid, Aleister Crowley, and Doreen Valiente, with others, form the basic parts ofGardner's rituals.They were not handed down from an old coven.Gardner's rituals and structure were drawn from Celtic Druidry and the mysteries of Freemasonry, the Key of Solomon, and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. From all these sources Gardner made up his rituals along with some folk magick.

Alexandrian- the Alexandrian tradition was founded by Alex Saunders in the 1960's. He called himself the "king of the Witches." It is an offshoot of sorts of the Gardnerian trad. Most rituals were copied and re-written from the Gardnerians.

Britiah Traditional- this trad is a mix of both Gardnerian and Celtic beliefs. Most British Traditionals have beliefs based on the studies of Janet and Stewart Farrar, the authors of many books on the Craft.

Celtic Wicca- this tradition is a mix of Druid and Celtic concepts. Celtic Wicca stresses the connection of all creatures. Celtic Wiccans know and respect the healing properties of plants and stones. They are also aware of the Elemental spirits, such as faeries.

Ceremonial Witchcraft- Ceremonial Witches are very formal and theatrical in their presentation of rituals. Egyptian magick is a favourite amongthis trad. They are mostly concerned with the magickal aspects of the Craft.

Dianic Tradition- the main focus of the Dianic trad is the Goddess.Diana's Roman name was Artemis. She was a triple goddess figure of Virgin, Mother and huntress. The Dianic trad has been called the "feminist traition." Followers of this trad have been criticized for a lack of balance, as they practice without the God influence. Followers seek to regain the self from male oppression.

Hereditary- this group is also known as the family tradition. In order to be a hereditary Witch, you have to be able to trace the Craft in your family and had to be taught by a relative.

Kitchen Witch- the kitchen has always been a magickal place, and this is the Kitchen Witch's turf. To a kitchen Witch the tools of cooking are her tools in crafting. Recipies are made with love and otehr intentions can be quite powerful.

Strega- Strega is associated with a woman known as Aradia in the 1350's. It contains what appears to be the original version of the "Charge of the Goddess." The Charge has been brought into other trads as well.

Solitary- when practicing in the solo tradition, one doesn't have to deal with power struggles or hierarchies within the coven. Study may be more difficult and good information harder to find. Many books have been released on the Solitary trad and can be helpful to anyone starting out.

Eclectic Solitary Witch- this is the person that takes a little bit from any trad and mixes it all together to fit what they are doing. The good thing about Eclectic solitary is that you work with what works for you. However, otehr trads tend to frown upon the absence of an initiation into a tradition.