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Pagan Traditions

In the sense we mean it here, a Tradition is a group or organization that initiates and instructs individuals in some kind of magical or spiritual path. Use the links on the left to find out more about a particular tradition. Do you know of a tradition that we need to include that is not here? Please let us know by sending email to traditions@pagannnews.com. Please include as much information as you can so we can research as thoroughly as possible!

Alexandrian

American Tradition of the Goddess

Asatru/Norse

Black Forest Clan

Blue Star

British Traditional Wicca

Brotherhood of the Phoenix

Celtic

Correllian

Dianic

Faery

Family Wiccan Tradition

Gardnerian

Georgian

Golden Dawn

Isian

Lycian

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Golden Dawn

The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was founded in 1888 in London by William Wynne Westcott and Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers, and was based on the Cipher Manuscripts, a mysterious document of unknown origins, but which appears to be based on Rosicrucian teachings. The Golden Dawn ceased to exist as an entity in 1903, but fractured into two spin-off groups, the Stella Matutina and Alpha et Omega. However, the works of individuals such as Aleister Crowley, Israel Regardie and more recently Chic and Tabatha Cicero have helped to keep the Golden Dawn alive and thriving one hundred years later. Ceremonial Magic (which is the nature of the Golden Dawn) is very different from Wicca. It is not a religion, per se, it is more an area of magical study.

The Golden Dawn is the Outer Order of the O.T.O (Ordo Templi Orientis). In this outer order, the student learns a great deal about the elements, the qabbalah, alchemy, astrology, geomancy and many aspects of high magic. Once the student has completed their outer order studies, they may join the inner order - The R.R. et A.C. wherein the Great Work is undertaken, and the student becomes the teacher. The third and final order is composed purely of ascended masters, and despite what any individual may claim, no living being can claim any grade above Adeptus Exemptus whilst still incarnate.

One of the best known individuals associated with the Golden Dawn was Aleister Crowley. Initiated into the order during its tumultuous last years, he wrote 'The Book of the Law' and several other works on Geomancy, Ceremonial magic and other subjects.

The teachings of the Golden Dawn were widely publicized at the time of the original orders collapse, and consequently, through the 20th century, various groups have been
established, some claiming direct lineage with the original order.

Although not a true Pagan religion or tradition in the strictest sense, the highly mysterious yet fully public documents of the Golden Dawn have had a significant impact on the formation of pagan traditions in the last few decades.

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