Seax-Wica
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- For criticism see Criticism of Seax-Wica
Seax-Wica is a neopagan religion loosely related to the Wiccan tradition and based on a rough reconstruction of Saxon tradition.
Contents |
History
In 1973 Raymond Buckland, an author and practitioner of Gardnerian Wicca, created a new variation of Wicca tradition, which did not break his Gardnerian Wiccan oaths, for, as he later wrote "as a personal form of the Old Religion, just for my own use." [1]
He was later encouraged to write a book called The Tree to act as a guidebook and a definitive work for those wishing to follow this new [[Wiccan Traditions|tradition. It was published in 1974 by Samuel Weiser Inc. There are also online Books of Shadows for the tradition on assorted websites.
The tradition honors Woden and Freya, and uses a minimal set of the usual ceremonial tools and a spear. Runes are significant and regularly discussed. Persons fond of the Germanic pantheon would probably be quite comfortable in this tradition. Note however that the genders are quite equal in Seax-Wicca, unlike some Odinist movements.
Buckland was known as the Faeder, or Founder/Father of Seax-Wica and for many years ran a correspondence course for the tradition, believing that individuals unable to join or contact a coven should not be excluded. As a result, Seax-Wica is now a worldwide tradition with covens operating in such places as Japan, Russia, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and all across England, Europe and the United States. In 1993 at Lughnasadh, Buckland decided to retire from active participation in the Craft, and handed the leadership of the tradition on to an ex-student, Michael B. Smith. As the new leader, Smith re-started the tradition’s correspondence course.[2]
Around 2000, Smith resigned as leader due to health reasons and Buckland appointed Mark Ventimiglia, a controversial figure who condemned homosexuality within Seax-Wica. In 2003, Buckland disassociated himself from Ventimiglia. [3]
In 1976, Garman Lord founded an offshoot of Seax-Wica known as Theodish Belief, intended to be a more organic and accurate reconstruction of Anglo-Saxon religion.
Another off-shoot of Seax Wica is Lyblác Anglo-Saxon Witchcraft. This tradition based on Anglo-Saxon practices was founded in 2003 by Wulfeage/Sean Percival and has many members from the UK, US, and Australia.
Openness
The Seax tradition does not employ any secrecy oath.[4] The official books of Seax-Wica don't intend to omit or misrepresent the tradition although they may be a bit sparse in terms of detail, leaving such things to individual practitioners or groups.
The Tree doesn't mention how a solitary practitioner with no consecrated tools available gets started, as consecrated tools are used to cast the circle, and tools are consecrated within the already cast circle. It is hoped that the upcoming new edition will offer wisdom on this issue. For now, one must find someone with consecrated tools, or visit one of several websites to find out about a workaround ritual. However, Buckland has pointed out that his 'Big Blue Book' gives instructions on how to proceed when no tools are available. These are sufficient to allow one to begin, self initiate, and consecrate one's first tools.
Organization
Seax-Wica allows for self initiation into the Seax path.
There are also many covens in Seax-Wica. A coven is autonomous, and ruled by the vote of its members, who elect or unelect the officers. There are four officers as currently called for in The Tree. High Priest and High Priestess are elected by the members of a coven to serve for 13 moons and one day, there is the Thegn, a sort of sergeant at arms/guard/watchman, who may also be responsible for the covenstead or guarding the ceremony, and a Scribe/secretary, keeper of the coven's records - and if one incorporates a congregation, a treasurer to satisfy the legal demands of most US states. This last office is not mentioned in the first edition of The Tree.
Buckland also wrote on Pecti Witta and Gypsy Wicca, both of which were imaginative reconstructions of nonexistent witchcraft traditions.
Offshoots
There are at least two distinct offshoots from the original Seax-Wicca tradition.
The first is Théodish Belief, founded by Garman Lord in 1976. There are currently more than a half-dozen Théodish groups in the United States, both large and small, all of which derive from the self-described "Seax Wiccan heresy" which Garman Lord founded. [5]
Another offshoot of Seax-Wica is Lyblác Anglo-Saxon Witchcraft. This tradition based on Anglo-Saxon practices was founded in 2003 by Wulfeage/Sean Percival and has members from all over the world. In July 2007 Wulfeage was voted into the position of Stiweard of Seax Wica by coven and solitary-based Gesith (Seax Priesthood) from the UK, Sweden, Germany, Holland, Peru and Australia.
References
- ^ Daven's Journal, letter of Raymond Buckland, dated August 21, 2003.
- ^ Controverscial.com "Traditions, part 2" by George Knowles. Accessed July 27, 2008.
- ^ Daven's Journal. "Statement of Disassociation."
- ^ Buckland's Book of Saxon Witchcraft, ISBN 1-57863-328-1, p. xi.
- ^ Theodism: A Heathen Orthodox Approach To Germanic Reconstruction, http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usny&c=words&id=10416
External links
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