I've read many books suggesting the idea of crafting your own Wiccan tradition.
I think this is a wonderful thing to consider.
And I'd like to add that if you're a solitary practitioner and have been practicing for almost any measurable length of time,
You've probably already done so,
Or at the very least started to.
In some of my other talks and courses,
I've encouraged the practice of creating your own Book of Shadows.
The craft is such a very personal practice,
Or relationship as I prefer to call it,
That this seems quite natural,
If not necessary.
Many people agree and do create their own,
But there doesn't seem to be as much consideration given to the idea of forming one's own tradition,
Which can be just as rewarding and quite satisfying.
If you are a solitary Wiccan,
You have the unique and exciting opportunity to brand your practice in a way that can be even more meaningful to you,
Because it is you.
In Wicca,
There are a few core tenets,
If you will,
That are largely agreed upon.
Deity,
A relationship with nature,
The existence of the divine in all living things,
Just to name a few.
Aside from this,
There is no central governing body of Wicca.
There are no defined rules,
Rubrics to follow,
Or dogmas requiring strict adherence.
Having said that,
There is still a sense of unanimity in practice.
The readings for my private Yule ritual probably differ,
At least somewhat,
If not greatly,
From the readings of another Wiccan who might be celebrating just down the street from me.
But we are both celebrating Yule.
If one of us popped in on the other,
Both of us would clearly understand what was going on and probably join right in.
Similarly,
Some people cast a circle clockwise,
While others go counterclockwise.
Some start in the north,
Others in the east.
It simply doesn't matter,
And I find that to be refreshing.
If you've been practicing for any length of time,
You have no doubt heard of different types of Wicca,
Such as Alexandrian,
Celtic,
Gardnerian,
Hereditary,
And so forth.
These are all Wiccan traditions,
Yet they are still Wiccan.
Mint chocolate chip and rocky road are both ice cream.
Traditions are typically defined by the influences brought into the practice.
These can be cultural,
Regional,
Or purely preferential.
So again,
Unless you belong to a coven,
By following your own book of shadows and conducting your own rituals,
You have already started your own tradition.
Whether or not you formalize it is completely your choice.
Here are a few examples of such an adaptation from my personal practice.
For me,
Rituals engage each of my senses,
So my practice is heavily ritualistic,
Formal if you will.
I am strongly devoted to my spirit animal,
The crow,
Odin and the Morrigan,
And the elemental of gnomes.
Each of these are honored in my personal rituals and daily practice.
I am drawn to crystals,
Chakras,
Trees,
Shamanic drumming,
And the spirits and ecosystem of my home in the desert southwest.
I have adored the moon long before I became Wiccan.
These are the ways in which I naturally connect with divinity.
So if one were to apply labels to my practice,
It would be fair to say that I am a Wiccan who is influenced by hedge and green witchcraft and a hearth-centered practice,
With Celtic,
Germanic,
And Native American elements thrown into the mix.
My practice has been nuanced by many things,
And I'm guessing yours has been as well.
I was recently asked my opinion on which way the elements should be dismissed at a circle.
My reply was,
Exactly the way you've been doing it.
Just saying that brought a smile to my face,
And,
With that smile,
The same measure of peace I felt when I first discovered Wicca.
Intention is the very source of magic.
Everything else,
As wonderful as those things are,
Is secondary.
Whether you wish to define your personal practice as a tradition or not is dictated only by your preference.
More than anything,
I want to encourage you to be proud of your established ways of doing things,
And be proud of yourself.
Blessed Be.
