The Woodwitch Tradition

The Woodwitch tradition was founded upon principals and traditions which were established over eight decades ago. The New Forest Coven is effectively the bastion of these principals and the Woodwitch tradition, and therefore, continues to observe them and guard them well to the present day. They are central to the Woodwitch tradition and philosophy and in themselves form part of the distinctiveness of the Woodwitch tradition.

Woodwitches...

• Use wands made only from wood.
• Use only wands for all magical, ceremonial and ritual purposes.
• Make no use whatsoever of ritual or ceremonial knives of any kind.
• Have simple craft knives for crafting purposes - but not for ritual or ceremonial use.
• Make no use of bells, hand bells or chimes for any reason.
• Have no High Priests, Priestesses, Coven Heads or hierarchy.
• Do not engage in hierarchical craft names or elevated titles.
• In a gathering serve collectively and equally as their own council.
• Do not recognise the embodiment of the elements as conscious beings or lords of domains.
• Believe the elements to be natural sources of cosmic energy that manifest through nature.
• Have no levels of succession (no degree system).
• Make no use of diverse fixings in spells and charms.
• Use only wood fixings as the repository for concentration, visualisation and intent / will.
• Habitually burry their spells or charms in the earth.
• Make no use whatsoever of tarot cards.
*Have strong views concerning psychic exhibitionism and psychic spam.
• Do not hold any reverence whatsoever for directional focus - points of the compass.
• Gather ritually / ceremonially only four times in the year. Two Solstice and Two Equinox.
• Do not place any particular or biased emphasis on the gender aspect of worship (we are not specifically Goddess orientated).
• Consider there to be only five principal spell formulations.
• Train in five skills to achieve greater effect at both the physical and metaphysical level.
• Use herbal lore that centres around trees and their constituents, properties and applications.
• Believe in Higher Justice (Cosmic Balance) but do not hold reverence for the three fold principal.
• Use only the magical properties of trees in spells and rituals.
• Have distinct beliefs which are detailed here.
• Are not eclectic in rituals, traditions, practices or beliefs and heed well the singular Woodwitch traditions only.
• Do not dilute, incorporate or corrupt their traditions with input / elements from other traditions / beliefs / paths.
• Gather in the woods and forests - irrespective of weather.
• Do not engage in or have reverence for the ritual known as of the ‘Great Rite’ (or any practice of sex magic).
• Do not engage in or have reverence for the practice known as being sky-clad (naked).
• Often share and interchange each others ritual tools during rituals, workings and ceremonies.