Seax-Wica

The Tree (1974) was the founding text of the Seax tradition.

Seax-Wica is a tradition, or denomination, of the neopagan religion of Wicca which is largely inspired by the iconography of the historical Anglo-Saxon paganism, though, unlike Theodism, it is not a reconstruction of the early mediaeval religion itself.^[1]

The tradition was founded in 1973 by Raymond Buckland, an English-born high priest of Gardnerian Wicca who moved to the United States in the 1970s. His book, The Tree, was written with the intent for it to be a definitive guide to Seax-Wica, and was published in 1974 by Samuel Weiser, and subsequently republished in 2005 as Buckland's Book of Saxon Witchcraft.

The tradition primarily honours four principal deities: Woden, Thunor, Frig or Freya and Tiw. These are seen as representations of the Wiccan deities of the Horned God and the Mother Goddess. The tradition uses a minimal set of ceremonial tools, including a spear. Runes are also significant.

Openness

Seax-Wica does not employ any secrecy oath.^[2] Buckland's Book of Saxon Witchcraft was written in mind that the reader would already be well versed in the various techniques of Witchcraft and Wiccan ritual. However, Buckland has pointed out that his Complete Book of Witchcraft gives instructions on how to proceed when no tools are available. These instructions are enough to allow one to begin, self-initiate, and consecrate one's first tools.

Organisation

Seax-Wica allows self-dedication as entry into its tradition. In the Seax tradition, covens work by a form of democracy, electing, un-electing, and re-electing coven officers, the high priest and priestess. Within ritual settings, there are the thegn, a type of sergeant-at-arms/guard/watchman, who can also be responsible for the covenstead (the meeting place of the coven), or guarding a ceremony being performed; there is also a scribe/secretary, who keeps most, if not all, of the coven's records. The word "Thegn", or "Thane" is an Anglo-Saxon title (Anglo-Saxon: þeg(e)n meaning "a servant, one who does service for another."^[3])

Buckland is not the head of the tradition, but is respected as its founder, and continues to practice and contribute to it.

The first elected steward of Seax Wica is Wulfeage (Sean Percival) on 2006, who was elected by covens worldwide until October 2008, when the Seax-Wica High Witan closed.

See also

• Wicca
• Raymond Buckland

References

• Lyblac Anglo Saxon Witchcraft. Capall Bann Pub. 2008. ISBN 978-1-86163-287-6. 

Wicca
History	History of Wicca Etymology of Wicca Wicca and LGBT people Dettmer v. Landon
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Notable figures	Gerald Gardner Doreen Valiente Alex Sanders Maxine Sanders Sybil Leek Margot Adler Victor Anderson Eleanor Bone Gavin Bone Lois Bourne Jack Bracelin Raymond Buckland Eddie Buczynski Zsuzsanna Budapest Charles Cardell Ipsita Roy Chakraverti Patricia Crowther Vivianne Crowley Robert Cochrane Scott Cunningham Phyllis Curott Cerridwen Fallingstar Janet Farrar Stewart Farrar Raven Grimassi Gavin Frost Yvonne Frost Philip Heselton Frederic Lamond Silver RavenWolf Starhawk
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Key concepts	Wiccan morality Wiccan Rede Rule of Three Wiccan views of divinity Coven Craft name Magic Witchcraft White magic Otherworld The Summerland Reincarnation Karma Skyclad Summoner Watchtower Familiar spirit Animism
Rites and ritual	Drawing down the Moon Great Rite Handfasting Wiccaning Fivefold kiss Magic circle Cone of power Herbalism Scrying Spellwork Banishing Divination Incantation Invocation Initiation Rite of passage Eko Eko Azarak Solitary practitioner
Holidays	Wheel of the Year Solstice Equinox Imbolc Ostara Beltane Midsummer Lughnasadh Mabon Samhain Yule Esbat Wild Hunt
Paraphernalia	Magical tools in Wicca Altar Athame Besom Boline Book of Shadows Cauldron Censer Chalice/Goblet Horn Pentacle Runes Incense Tarot deck Wand Talisman Amulet Scourge Candles Bell Statue Parchment Witch's ladder
Literature	Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches The Meaning of Witchcraft The Spiral Dance What Witches Do Witchcraft Today Charge of the Goddess Enchanted Feminism
Related	List of Wiccan organisations Bricket Wood coven New Forest coven Traditional witchcraft Witch-cult hypothesis Left-hand path and right-hand path Cunning folk in Britain European witchcraft Malleus Maleficarum Granny woman Cunning folk Witching hour Witch-hunt Witches' Sabbath Flying ointment Museum of Witchcraft and Magic Witchcraft Research Association "Fluffy Bunny"