Seax-Wica
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Seax-Wica is a neopagan religion loosely related to the Wiccan tradition and based on a rough reconstruction of Saxon tradition.
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.
He wrote a book called The Tree as its definitive work. 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 Freyja, 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 here, unlike some Odinist movements.
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.
[edit] Openness
The Seax tradition does not employ any secrecy oath. The official books of Seax-Wica don't intend to omit or misrepresent the tradition although they may be a bit sparse.
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.
Also, there is a Yahoo Email list for the tradition where one may inquire for more detail and clarifying commentary. Beginners are welcomed there.
[edit] Organization
Seax-Wica allows for self initiation into the Seax path.
There are also many covens. A coven is autonomous, and ruled by the vote of its members, who elect or unelect the officers. There are 4 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; also 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, but may be a legal requirement in your state if you legally incorporate the congregation - you should check with a lawyer licensed in your state or territory on the matter.
Dr Buckland is not the leader of the order, but is respected as its founder, and continues to practice it and contribute to it. He is currently working on the new edition of The Tree (and other works not directly related to the tradition).
Raymond Buckland also wrote on Pecti Witta and Gypsy Wicca, both of which were imaginative reconstructions of nonexistent witchcraft traditions.
[edit] External links
There are also several websites for the trad, according to one's national location:
Another off shoot of Seax Wica is Lyblác Anglo Saxon Witchcraft. This tradition based on A.S. practices was founded in 2003 by Wulfeage/Sean Percival and has many members from the UK, US, and Australia.
