Post by Brenton on Dec 23, 2007 23:38:11 GMT -5
Was founded by the late Alex Sanders in the 1960's in the UK alongside his wife Maxine, the tradition has it's roots in the Gardnerian tradition. The tradition's name may be a reference to it's founder, but it is more likely to be named after the ancient library of Alexandria which was the centre of occult knowledge in the ancient world.
Maxine Sanders says the name was suggested by Stewart Farrar. The tradition spans internationally and it was Sanders' media antics which were key in bringing the craft into the public eye.
Alex Sanders was unique in that he called himself "King of the Witches."
Alexandrian Practice is coven based, oath bound, with a system of three initiatory degrees, emphasis is placed on gender polarity. Worship is in the form of Goddess and God, the seasons are celebrated and they have meetings around the time of the Full Moon.
Alexandrian is often said to have been the first of the Modern Wicca traditions, originally members of the craft were just reffered to as "the Wicca", Gardnerian and Alexandrian originally being the same - it was Sanders' conflict between two other well known pritestesses of the time which caused a schism and thus the gradual birth of Alexandrian as a tradition.
Some Alexandrians are strongly oriented toward ceremonial magicka, some folk magick, qabbalah, angelic, enochian. Emphasis is on tradition - with each generation adding to the previous one's knowledge. Traditionally work is done with the "Old Gods of Europe" primarily "Our Lady of the Moon" and her consort "the Horned One" - however, each pracitioner can work with their chosen God(s).
Importance is placed on personal connection with and understanding of deity, ancestors, and the rhytms and tides of nature.
There are three degrees - a 1st degree is a priest or priestess, a 2nd degree a High Priest or High Priestess and a coven leader. 3rd degree is often reserved for coven leaders. The time between each degree is not set and depends on the coven/pracitioners views on the person and training experience, progress comes through growth with oneself and the Gods. A second degree can 'hive' and form a new coven, and may initiate up to their own degree in most lines, with elder permission.
Second degree covens are under supervision and authority of the High Priestess/Priest of the Mother Coven until such a time as the Third Degree is taken. 2nd degree autonomy varies, whilst a 3rd degree is totally autonomous. Initiation is performed in cross-gender format.
High Priestess is considered first among all equals, holding the final word in all coven matters. There is however, no laity, only priest and priestess, the clergy share an equal role. Skyclad or clad? This depends on the coven, however, some cite that "all recognised covens" would perform certain rituals always as skyclad.
The power of magick is important, pracitioners use both traditional and experimental techniques, embracing a modern-perspective.
Alexandrian is a coven-based tradition, and many of this tradition seem to be the of the view that an Alexandrian is only one if they were initiated into a 'proper coven,' whether you agree with that is up to you. Many quite comfortably work Alexandrian into their own eclectic, or even solitary path.
Further reading:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandrian_Wicca
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Hope this article was interetsing and enjoyable. Feel free to comment, add to and so on.
Maxine Sanders says the name was suggested by Stewart Farrar. The tradition spans internationally and it was Sanders' media antics which were key in bringing the craft into the public eye.
Alex Sanders was unique in that he called himself "King of the Witches."
Alexandrian Practice is coven based, oath bound, with a system of three initiatory degrees, emphasis is placed on gender polarity. Worship is in the form of Goddess and God, the seasons are celebrated and they have meetings around the time of the Full Moon.
Alexandrian is often said to have been the first of the Modern Wicca traditions, originally members of the craft were just reffered to as "the Wicca", Gardnerian and Alexandrian originally being the same - it was Sanders' conflict between two other well known pritestesses of the time which caused a schism and thus the gradual birth of Alexandrian as a tradition.
Some Alexandrians are strongly oriented toward ceremonial magicka, some folk magick, qabbalah, angelic, enochian. Emphasis is on tradition - with each generation adding to the previous one's knowledge. Traditionally work is done with the "Old Gods of Europe" primarily "Our Lady of the Moon" and her consort "the Horned One" - however, each pracitioner can work with their chosen God(s).
Importance is placed on personal connection with and understanding of deity, ancestors, and the rhytms and tides of nature.
There are three degrees - a 1st degree is a priest or priestess, a 2nd degree a High Priest or High Priestess and a coven leader. 3rd degree is often reserved for coven leaders. The time between each degree is not set and depends on the coven/pracitioners views on the person and training experience, progress comes through growth with oneself and the Gods. A second degree can 'hive' and form a new coven, and may initiate up to their own degree in most lines, with elder permission.
Second degree covens are under supervision and authority of the High Priestess/Priest of the Mother Coven until such a time as the Third Degree is taken. 2nd degree autonomy varies, whilst a 3rd degree is totally autonomous. Initiation is performed in cross-gender format.
High Priestess is considered first among all equals, holding the final word in all coven matters. There is however, no laity, only priest and priestess, the clergy share an equal role. Skyclad or clad? This depends on the coven, however, some cite that "all recognised covens" would perform certain rituals always as skyclad.
The power of magick is important, pracitioners use both traditional and experimental techniques, embracing a modern-perspective.
Alexandrian is a coven-based tradition, and many of this tradition seem to be the of the view that an Alexandrian is only one if they were initiated into a 'proper coven,' whether you agree with that is up to you. Many quite comfortably work Alexandrian into their own eclectic, or even solitary path.
Sources: Wicca Revealed - MagickaSchool.com
Witchvox Article - The Alexandrian Tradition
Raymond Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft (Traditions appendix)
Witchvox Article - The Alexandrian Tradition
Raymond Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft (Traditions appendix)
Further reading:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandrian_Wicca
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Hope this article was interetsing and enjoyable. Feel free to comment, add to and so on.