Traditional Gardnerian Wica Q & A
While there is always variety from coven to coven within Gardnerian Craft, and we do not speak for all groups and individuals who identify as Traditional Gardnerian, the following tenets and practices apply to most of those who call themselves the Traditional Gardnerian Wica.
What is Traditional Gardnerian Wica?
Traditional Gardnerian Wica is the core practice of Gardnerian Wica as handed down by Gerald Gardner and the early high priestesses of the Tradition. Traditional Gardnerians are lineaged initiates of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree of our tradition. We celebrate the Wheel of the Year and full moon/esbats, and we practice a range of metaphysical techniques, including divination, meditation, spell work, and many other forms of magick. This path is initiatory and degreed. Using a "teacher/student" model, we invest in future generations of witches, passing on what we learned, the way we learned it. This may seem highly structured to some and is not for everyone.
Below are some common questions about Gardnerian Wicca and the Traditional Gardnerian Wica that we receive from seekers:
Q & A Regarding Traditional Gardnerian Wica
Below find some common questions regarding Traditional Gardnerian Wica.
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Is Traditional Gardnerian practice LGBTQIA+ friendly?
Yes, it is. Some LGBTQIA+ individuals identify with and adopt the label of Traditional Gardnerian, and they practice traditionally. As any Gardnerian will tell you, Traditional or not, training and acceptance into a coven is contingent on fit. Fit is about many things, but most of all, it is about meaningful spiritual fulfillment for the seeker. All Gardnerians wish to provide seekers with that proper fit and will refer people to other traditions or practices, including other forms of Gardnerian practice, if Traditional Gardnerian practice is not suitable for them. This is determined between the seeker and the coven they are seeking with, as this is an individual process and because there is no central authority in Wica. LGBTQIA+ initiates have the same rights (and responsibilities) as any other initiate.
Is sexual practice a required part of Traditional Gardnerian Wica?
No. No initiate is ever asked or told to participate in any sexual practice in Traditional Gardnerian Wica. If you encounter someone requiring sex at any level of the tradition, you are likely not dealing with an actual Gardnerian. That being said, we are a fertility religion. Sex is a part of fertility, so you will encounter themes and underpinnings of the Craft that are sex-positive. These themes and underpinnings work with the interactions between male and female principles in nature. However, this does not indicate that sex is required or part of your everyday experience of Gardnerian Wicca. It is not uncommon for couples in the Craft to practice or study sex magic with their partner. However, that is typically an individual pursuit amongst those consenting adults and is not part of a regular group or coven practice.
Can I enter training with a partner or significant other? Are there advantages and/or disadvantages to this?
Most seekers who come to Traditional Gardnerian Wica seek to learn about the tradition. They may or may not have partners who are interested in the Craft. The Craft is, first and foremost, an individual pursuit - should you be lucky enough to enter training with a significant other, you will still be required to achieve individual progress, which is different for everyone. Progress through the degrees is not contingent upon having a partner to work with; however, if you can find a partner (platonic or otherwise) to run a group with, this is considered ideal. Working through the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degrees is typically an individual pursuit, but work after the 3rd degree (and yes, there is more work and learning after 3rd!) can often involve working with a partner to run your own coven. Sharing the workload with a partner usually leads to a well-balanced coven structure and is encouraged.
If I am under 18 years of age, may I join a coven?
No, you are not allowed to seek with a coven if you are under 18, and in some locations, you may not be able to seek before you are 21. Every coven makes its own rules regarding acceptance into their working group. However, with parental consent issues and maturity requirements to understand and practice Gardnerian Craft, most, if not all covens you encounter will ask you to check back in with them when you are 18+.