Traditional Witchcraft

Traditional Witchcraft is a term that was introduced to refer to the aboriginal spiritual traditions of Europe. There really is no collective historical term that could be used to refer to these traditions, so the use of the term Traditional Witchcraft fit quite nicely. Those who follow these traditional ways are often referred to as Traditionalists. Traditional Witchcraft refers to the old traditions of the Ancestors and embraces family traditions, reconstructionalists, and others who seek to follow the ways of the ancestors and honor the land in accordance with tradition.

Unfortunately, in an effort for Traditionalists to define their cultural beliefs and traditions which varied dramatically from those proposed within the Neo-Pagan movement, somehow the term Traditional Witchcraft was also adopted by those who became disenchanted with Neo-Paganism and its Wiccan counterpart. Still others adopted simultaneously the term Traditional Witchcraft as a rebellious movement against the fluffy bunny goodness and light that seemed to be manifesting itself within Paganism. Of course, this deviated incredibly from the definition of Traditional Witchcraft and from those who actually are Traditionalists.

There are also other traditions that identify themselves within the scope of Traditional Witchcraft. Some of these other traditions include 1734 Tradition and Sabbatic Witchcraft. Recent contemporary trends also identify the so called cunning folk with the Traditional Witchcraft, however, this is actually quite ironic as it was the cunning men who historically were at odds and even participated in the identification and persecution of Witches during the Medieval and Renaissance periods.