I have been been pulled back and forth between Wicca and the Golden Dawn Kabbala for some time now. I know many combine the 2, but I have problems with that.

Recently, I gave up on Wicca, believing that a pure, non-diluted and non-tained stream of the Old Ways was simply not accesible to the public (excluding the Cultus Sabbati, but alas, I'm not rich! [sigh]). No offense, but modern neo-pagan Wicca just doesn't do it for me.

However, after stumbling across this site, and discovering R. Artisson's book, I might have to eat my words. Needless to say, the book, The Witching Way of The Hollow Hill, is on the top of my "To Get" list. Anybody out there know of this worK?

Here's the URL: http://www.thecrookedheath.com/elder/hallpage.htm

Let me know what you think.

Hmmmm. Ok. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hmm.gif)

I've done a bit of research on Robin Artisson (author of the book and website). It would appear that he doesn't quite have his heart in the right place.

But who knows? Crowley sure pissed a lot of people off. I'm not saying Artisson is the genius Crowley was, just that perhaps its best not to throw out the baby with the bathwater. But I don't know. I don't trust people who indulge in slander, negativity and hostility.

Anyway, the book still sounds interesting.

Will the Book Review section be getting the benefit of your thoughts on this book Flyingmojo, maybe with an outline of the contents?

It seems to have made an impact on you (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Fortunatly teachings in Trad Witchcraft (not Wicca) are still possible if one finds the right people. However these practices do not make the books and the folks I have met who do practice them are definatly going to keep it that way.
There is also crossover between traditions....
Searching through older antro sources does help a lot though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Athena

Dear All...

I am now 19, 20 in a few more days and have dedicated my life to the ways of magic(k) I was Raised in witchcraft and am Pagan by a religious standpoint. Though my may studies linger mainly around the Golden Dawn (Hermetic) I would like to once more take up my roots and study witchcraft more indepth once again. please understand I do not mean wicca or any of its likeness's, I am fasinated by Traditional Witchcraft and while my mother is still teaching me she has asked me to help her aswell find someone to help her pick up learning once morewe are over all looking for someone within the 1734 or New Forest Coven or one of the original covens. Time after time we have been disapointed by decievers if any of you could be of any use in our search please let us know... yahoo or hotmail or here thank you once again.

Flags, Flax, and Fodder.

I don't know much about traditional witchcraft or the 1734 tradition as i'm only 19, but from what i've seen www.thecrookedheath.com seems to be involved in the 1734 tradition (or at least, based on the writings of Robert Cochrane(sp), i think). Also there's http://www.cornishwitchcraft.co.uk/, which is about the traditional witchcraft of cornwall and http://www.conjurefolk.com/ is a site that deals with traditional witchcraft, i think.

Anyway, i hope i've helped, and good luck with your search.

There is also something called Old Tradition Craft (OTC). I know a couple of practicianers of this but haven't ever found references to it online. There have been a few privately printed books on it though.
Sibyl Leek wrote a number of books on witchcraft mostly in the '60s. She was initiated in the Horsa coven which operated in the New Forest. She was not wiccan, but wiccanized elements of her teaching later on in order to promote them. Some of her books were largely written by her students I am told. She had a valid lineage in witchcraft, but was parallel rather than descended from Gardner. After she died, different people claimed to be her successor. She had a son, a nephew and a female student that have been put forth as her successor. The best claim to being her successor is Zwotikos. He was initiated as a HP by her in front of wiccan VIPs who wrote about it in the Cauldron around that time. But Zwotikos happened to be gay and gay men weren't popular during the 1970s so he is almost entirely forgotten. He did initiate a dozen or so into the Horsa tradition before he died though. Part of my training is OTC and part is Horsa. I'm also Gard and Lexie.
The trouble with the traditional or pre-Gard stuff is that it is largley underground and it is hard to find. Once you find it, is that teacher genuine or a fake? You'll have to research to find it and research even after you've found it.

http://www.traditionalwitchcraft.org/witchcraft/index.html

http://www.geocities.com/echo879/

Something more.

Interesting to hear Goibniu. I am wondering is the the same tradition that comes from further up North? Near Coventry and West Bromwich, in that area?

OTC seems to be closely connected with what Sibyl Leek used to practice as I mentioned. Sibyl lived down south though when she was learning the craft near the New Forest. I don't know much more than that right now. Eventually I will get to the bottom of this.

Thanks Goibniu, I know how you feel about getting to the bottom of things (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I am always looking and trying to find out where what came from myself. Sometimes of course, you simply can't know, but I find it an interesting hobby.