Universal Eclectic Wicca

Universal Eclectic Wicca
A floral Pentagram is a commonly used symbol in Universal Eclectic Wicca.
Classification	Eclectic
Lineage	Has Lineaged and Non-lineaged Septs
Corporate Body	Church of Universal Eclectic Wicca (CUEW)
Geographical Area	United States, International
Founder	Jayne Tomas
Origin	1969 Westchester NY
Separations	Progressive Eclectic Wicca (2004), Inclusive Wicca (2008)
Official Website	cuew.org

Universal Eclectic Wicca (UEW) is one of a number of distinctly American Wiccan traditions which developed following the introduction of Gardnerian and Alexandrian Wicca to the United States in the early 1960s. Its corporate body is the Church of Universal Eclectic Wicca (CUEW) which is incorporated and based in Great Falls, Virginia.

It is particularly noted for its early Internet teaching coven - the Coven of the Far Flung Net (CFFN),^[1] and for its inclusive approach to solitary as well as coven based practitioners.

History

Silver Chalice Wica

What was to become UEW began, in 1969, as the core coven associated with the Silver Chalice Land Trust; an Intentional community based in Westchester NY.^[2][3]

Silver Chalice had a diverse membership^[4] drawing from both Dianic and British Traditional Wiccan backgrounds. It was partly as a response to this diversity, as well as a perceived need for reform in Wicca, that their High Priestess, Jayne Tomas, began to create a body of liturgy for Silver Chalice Wica as a distinct tradition.^[5][6]

A defining text is the Ordains of Silver Chalice,^[7] which may be seen as an attempt to refer to, and move away from, the Old Laws^[8] of Gardnerian Wicca. Together with the Fifteen Creeds of Silver Chalice Wicca (1969)^[9] they emphasised modernism; democratic principles; historical, intellectual and personal integrity; race and gender equality; self-determination; and engagement with society.

Change of Name to UEW

By 1986 the land held by the Silver Chalice Land Trust was sold, and all the covens that originated with Silver Chalice were referred to as Universal Eclectic Wicca.

'Universal' because "Wicca is universal because it can be used by all, and anything can be used in Wicca"; and 'Eclectic' because "UEW is based not on one or two sources, but an infinite number of sources".^[5]

On-line Teaching Covens

In 1997 UEW chartered the Coven of the Far Flung Net (CFFN),^[10] which began operating in January of the following year; and which it maintains was the first on-line teaching coven.

UEW has two other on-line teaching groups, the Coven of Non-Fluffy Wicca (2006),^[11] which is aimed at more advanced students with some prior knowledge of Wicca; and Vircle, which is for Third Circle Studies.

Schisms

In 2004, following a re-organisation of CFFN which abolished its then clan structure, one of the dissolved clans, Athames's Edge, re-established itself to form an independent Progressive Eclectic Wicca tradition.^[12]

Later, in 2008, the first Australian UEW coven, Oak and Mistletoe, split away to establish the Inclusive Wicca tradition.

Core Beliefs

UEW allows for diverse interpretations of Wiccan practice and belief; provided that a core set of ethical values are observed. These are commonly referred to as the Five Points of Wiccan Belief and the Affirmation of Acknowledgement.

Five Points of Wiccan Belief

The 'Five Points' are:

The Wiccan Rede; The Law of Return; The Ethic of Self-Responsibility; The Ethic of Constant Improvement; and The Ethic of Attunement.^[13]

Affirmation of Acknowledgement

In addition to the 'Five Points', UEW requires its members to assent to the Affirmation of Acknowledgement, which is intended to inform behaviour towards, and interaction with, those of other faiths. It states that:

I: I acknowledge the presence of other faiths on my planet, indeed, right here in my city/town/village. I acknowledge that the followers of these faiths feel as strongly, maybe more so, than I do about mine.

II: I forgive the other faiths and wipe clean the slate between us. I cannot hold a person responsible for the acts of their faith, I cannot hold a faith at fault for individual practitioners. It is not my place to convert, or otherwise alter a person's religion. I invite discussion of beliefs without judgment of those holding them.

III: I acknowledge that I may be wrong, and I have found comfort in the fact that I may be right.^[14][15]

Organization

Types of Membership

There are five types of membership recognised in UEW:

Pre-First Circle - those who have only basic knowledge of UEW or Wicca and who will be typically registered for an introductory course in UEW

First Circle - in which a knowledge of The Five points of Wiccan Belief must be demonstrated;

Second Circle - in which a higher degree of knowledge and signing of The oath of practice are required;

Third Circle - in which an independent project has determined a "higher level" of Devotion to a "Path" of UEW; and

Clergy - ordained ministers.

Triad

The executive body of CUEW is the three-person Triad. The Triad is solely responsible for extending or withholding membership of CUEW to both individuals and groups. Each member of the Triad is responsible for the selection and training of their successor.

Council of Elders

The Triad is advised and assisted by a Council of Elders. Any Third Circle member may nominate themselves for membership of the Council of Elders. The Council of Elders annually elects one of their number as Chief Elder.

Association of Universal Eclectic Wicca Clergy

The Association of Universal Eclectic Wicca Clergy (AUEWC), is responsible for the ratification of Ordained Clergy. CUEW covens with eight or more .^[16]

References

v t e Contemporary witchcraft Key concepts Magic Otherworld Spellwork Wiccan history Wiccan morality Wiccan Rede Rule of Three Wiccan views of divinity Triple Goddess Horned God Witchcraft Witches Victor Anderson Charles Cardell Ipsita Roy Chakraverti Scott Cunningham Phyllis Curott Cerridwen Fallingstar Raven Grimassi Sybil Leek Silver RavenWolf Starhawk Wiccans Margot Adler Eleanor Bone Gavin Bone Lois Bourne Jack Bracelin Raymond Buckland Zsuzsanna Budapest Patricia Crowther Vivianne Crowley Janet Farrar Stewart Farrar Gerald Gardner Philip Heselton Frederic Lamond Alex Sanders Maxine Sanders Doreen Valiente Traditions 1734 Tradition Cochrane's Craft Coven of Atho Feri Reclaiming Stregheria Wicca British Traditional Alexandrian Wicca Algard Wicca Blue Star Wicca Central Valley Wicca Chthonioi Alexandrian Wicca Gardnerian Wicca Other Celtic Wicca Correllian Nativist Tradition Dianic Wicca Faery Wicca Georgian Wicca Odyssean Wicca Seax-Wica Universal Eclectic Wicca Rites and ritual Banishing Divination Drawing down the Moon Eko Eko Azarak Esbat Fivefold kiss Great Rite Handfasting Incantation Invocation Sabbats Saining Paraphernalia Altar Athame Besom Boline Book of Shadows Cauldron Censer Chalice/Goblet Horn Magical tools in Wicca Pentacle Rune tiles Smudge stick Tarot deck Wand Other Bricket Wood coven Charge of the Goddess Coven Coven of the Far Flung Net Craft name Dettmer v. Landon Etymology of "Wicca" LGBT topics and Wicca Museum of Witchcraft New Forest coven Pentagram Skyclad Summoner Watchtower Wiccan Laws Witchcraft Research Association Literature Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches The Meaning of Witchcraft What Witches Do Witchcraft Today Related Aradia Circe Contemporary Paganism Aleister Crowley Galdr Hecate Leo Ruickbie Margaret Murray Ronald Hutton