Training with us

Gardnerian Wicca vs wicca

Many of the books coming out of the Llewellyn publication boom were predicated on the work of Gardnerian initiates keen to share their experience and understanding of the tradition they were part of. Bound by oaths, these books often obscured truths about the tradition, or changed them to make the tradition more palatable to the cultural sensibilities of the time. Even in the 1990’s, authors were still engaging in these practices and as a result a whole other form of wicca was born. Initiates will often differentiate between these two understandings through the use of capital letters, though this is not to say that there is no value in the information contained within wiccan books. The reality, however, is that there are numerous and substantial differences between Gardnerian Wicca and wicca, and it is only by engaging with a lineaged coven that these can be explored.

By engaging with a lineaged coven such as Coven of the Laughing Magpie you can speak to people with a first hand experience of a closed tradition to:

• explore your understanding of wicca and Paganism, within a Gardnerian frame
• discuss common misconceptions about this tradition
• share your thoughts and experiences with other like minded seekers and initiates
• find out if this tradition is right for you

What to expect?

The following curriculum has been developed to assist individuals in their quest to become effective workers of magic with an interest in becoming an initiate of The Craft. Topics covered include an introduction to:

• Magic and the occult
• Tides and timings within Wicca
• Basic techniques of relaxation, meditation and visualisation
• The Working Tools
• Psychic hygiene and defence
• Ethics and Oaths

Through study, application, self-disciple and dedication, these foundational topics are the building blocks for becoming an effective practitioner of the Art Magical, and it is our intent to provide you with a space in which to explore them, within a Wiccan framework.

Our commitment

• We are an open and inclusive coven, open to honest seekers over the age of 18. There is no upper age limit for seekers and we will try and accommodate any accessibility requirements as far as is practicably possible.
• We will not ask you to pay for training or training materials, either in fee or favour.
• We will provide vouches to confirm our legitimacy when asked. If you would like to confirm our legitimacy independently you can do so here.
• If we don’t think that either our tradition or group is the right place for you we will help you find a teacher or tradition more suited to you and your interests.

Your commitment

• One afternoon a month for the first year of training.
• True and honest engagement with the training material and exercises included.

Whilst it is not something we require, we do recommend that for the time you engage with our training group seekers focus their attention on a Gardnerian based practice. We would not ask anyone to give up existing practices and Whilst it is not something we require, we seriously recommend that for the time you engage with our training group, you focus your attention on the Gardnerian based practice you are being introduced to. We would not ask anyone to give up existing practices and commitments but we would ask that you give equal weight and focus to what you are learning with us . By doing this you will be able to see the similarities and differences brought by Gardnerian Wicca to your practices and understanding, and it will also enable you to explore if it is possible for you to establish an equilibrium in your practice and life which incorporates Gardnerian Wicca effectively.