I found this from a lump of witch types, and It immediately caught my attention just reading the title. So I looked up a couple articles on it, and gathered a bit of info: the founders, its coven-oriented and highly ritualistic, and derived from gardenian witchcraft. Has an initiation and diety and element worship.
I currently identify as a Green witch, but I dabble in white and hedge witchery. I also am researching dietys.
From what I've read about the Alexandrian type- Im hooked. But I have a few questions.
1.Since its mostly coven based, but Im a closeted witch, would I even be able to participate?
2.I havent been able to find much about initiation, so I'd love more details on that.
3.Any sites I could refer to to find more info on this type of practice?
Thank you, and blessings,
Ruth.
Hey! I'm not an expert by any means in Alexandrian Witchcraft, but I'll try to help!
Theoretically, yes you could participate, but you would known as a witch to your coven members, and it would make it a lot easier if you were known by others in case someone asks details, but you never are required to tell anyone details about your personal life that you do not want to! For instance, if you are not 'out' to your friends and they ask you where you are going on Halloween, but you have a coven event, you might just have to not say anything, but that is all up to you.
This path is very passionate about tradition and secrecy about teachings within the coven/path, but from what I've found on initiation "The Alexandrian Tradition shares...the belief that “only a witch can make another witch”. The process through which an individual is made a witch is called initiation. There are “degrees” of initiation and are known as First, Second, and Third degree." (taken from www.alexandrianwicca.net)
The site above is one resource I found, secretive traditions are a lot more difficult to research obviously, so I'd recommend to try to reach out to a coven/member in your area, or online to try to learn a bit more before you make the decision to join the coven. The site I linked to has a resource where you can contact others/ join a forum. You could also try to find more books that deal with it, but since it is secretive, that can be really hard!
Best of luck with this! Hope this helped!
I have had several Alexandrian friends so I'll try my best:
1 Alexandrian Witchcraft is an old school, lineaged, initiatory based tradition. That has fallen out of favor these day and is sort of unpopular but it's true. You don't necessarily have to be an out and proud witch. Most that I have met are rather unassuming. They don't hide but they don't usually flash it either.
2 That is one of those things that can vary from coven to coven but they have a 3 degree structure, celebrate the major holidays and full moons (called Sabbats and Esbats respectively). You need to be taught and initiated to be considered an Alexandrian. That being said. That doesn't mean your path isn't valid and that you aren't magical. It's just not Alexandrian. Also there are authors who are of that path. Janet Farrar is one so look for books that she co authors. Also Maxine Sanders is the co founder of the tradition. So you can look on youtube for interviews and things as well. There are also old documentaries featuring the founder Alex Sanders.
3 If you would like to learn more just search in facebook groups for Alexandrian Wicca. They exist and would know more. Plus they all kind of know each other. It's kind of like a witchy phone tree lol!