Scribd
Upload
184 views1 page

Trads

Traditional Witchcraft refers to a variety of historical witchcraft practices and traditions rather than a single path or lineage. It serves as an umbrella term for hundreds of cultural and practice-based traditions, including some originating in Europe involving spirits, nature, folk magic, and ancestors. While most Traditional Witchcraft draws from European sources, not all do. It emphasizes studying original lore and incorporating magic into daily life rather than following modern or ceremonial practices.

Uploaded by

Samael Asmodeo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
184 views1 page

Trads

Traditional Witchcraft refers to a variety of historical witchcraft practices and traditions rather than a single path or lineage. It serves as an umbrella term for hundreds of cultural and practice-based traditions, including some originating in Europe involving spirits, nature, folk magic, and ancestors. While most Traditional Witchcraft draws from European sources, not all do. It emphasizes studying original lore and incorporating magic into daily life rather than following modern or ceremonial practices.

Uploaded by

Samael Asmodeo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

I' ve heard many people trying to say what Traditional Witchcraft is and isn�t in

the past few years. Most people think it�s a tradition like Wicca, but it is really
an umbrella under which many witchcraft traditions flourish. Traditional Witchcraft
has attracted many newcomers in the past five years as it is currently the �in
thing� to rebel against Wicca and seek something that isn�t �fake�. This is a
ridiculous mindset as the components that make up Wicca are by no means fake and
many are just as ancient as the beliefs and practices of reconstructionists and
Traditional Witches. Just because Wicca wasn�t your cup of tea, doesn�t mean
Traditional Witchcraft will be either, it is not a refuge to run to, but an
extensive and demanding path to follow. Now that I�ve added that disclaimer here is
a brief introduction to Traditional Witchcraft:

Traditional Witchcraft in modern culture has come to mean any witchcraft or lore or
practices associated with Robert Cochrane, Joe Wilson, Evan John Jones, Andrew
Chumbley, Mike Howard, Nigel Jackson, and Robin Artisson. When people interested in
the craft first start researching Traditional Witchcraft, it is the works and
legacies of these people they discover. What they do not know is that Traditional
Witchcraft is much bigger than any one tradition. It is an umbrella term much like
�Pagan� or �Reconstructionist� to classify all the hundreds of traditions and
practices that fall within its shelter. Traditional Witchcraft, when not referring
to specific traditions (1734, Clan of Tubal Cain, Cultus Sabbati, Anderson�s
Feri, ), is an umbrella term for varying traditions of witchcraft � some are
cultural-based (i.e. spaecrafte, seidr, brujeria, streghoneria); some are practice-
based (i.e. hedgewitchery, green witchery, kitchen witchery) and can be found in
other forms of witchcraft; lastly, others are personal traditions unique to the
individual. Traditional Witchcraft isn�t just what witchcraft �may� have been like
centuries to millennia ago, but what it �was� like in cases with surviving
documentation, oral lore, and practices.

Witch preparing a spell Most Traditional Witchcraft practitioner�s paths are of


European origin, but not all. Core similarities would be working and communing with
spirits, working with elements from nature, ancestor worship, a certain level of
animism, and an overall use of folk magic (low magic) as opposed to high magic, but
some traditions do use higher magics. Overall I would say Traditional Witchcraft is
mainly a path of individuals, families, and very small groups. For me personally
what sets Traditional Witchcraft apart is that the practitioners base their
practices in the old lores � chants, incantations, ballads, superstitions,
collections of oral lore, documented witchcraft practices and rituals� Whereas many
Traditional Witches see Wiccans and Neopagans as practicing ceremonial-based lore
as well as modern-based lore and practices � not necessarily fakelore, but rituals
and beliefs stemming from modern day. Much of what we practice is from the Middle
Ages and later, but many Traditional Witches do incorporate older traditions and
beliefs into their craft. So if you hear any Traditional Witches or groups claiming
ancestry back thousands of years or of descending from a continuing line of witches
for hundreds of years, don�t believe it.

Overall, the essence of Traditional Witchcraft is taking things further in your


path � advanced study, practice, and experiences. Trying to find the sources, the
history, and the how and why for everything we witches believe and do. Most
Traditional Witches I know don�t read pagan books � we read anthropological,
archaeological, history, and religion texts � then like me, they may supplement
this knowledge with folklore and practicing what they�ve learned in their daily
lives. As a Traditional Witch I try to incorporate my craft and beliefs into every
part of my life and everything I do no matter how seemingly mundane. There is a
long history of magic to be found in any daily act � and I think the curious
Traditional Witch knows this best.

You might also like