What exactly,
is Amtrad?
By Raven, Matriarch
of the American Tradition of the Goddess
The American
Tradition of the Goddess is a Wiccan tradition that
began in the mid 1980s. Three solitaires came together and began to honor
the Goddess and the earth. After a year or so, three more friends joined us
in our worship. As we attended public events, more inquiries were made as
to what we taught. In 1991, we wrote coven bylaws and formalized our initiation
process. Over the next year, we wrote the tenets of the American Tradition
of the Goddess and instituted a three degree system.
The
American Tradition of the Goddess is a teaching tradition of earth magic.
Our emphasis is on living our craft in thought, word, and deed. We honor the
Triple Goddess and the Triple God. We see the Goddess in all Her aspects as the creative force and the God as Her consort
and counselor. We follow the cycles of the sun, moon, and seasons, and celebrate
the eight festivals of the Wheel of the Year. We explore the ancient myths
and legends of many pantheons and cultures through teaching and ritual while
utilizing our members’ creativity in the presentation.
Students
of this tradition begin study and are first taught the basics tenets of Wicca
in our rainbow year. After this time of study, a first degree initiation may
follow. At a first degree initiation, the person is considered a witch and
is asked to do one of the sabbats that year. After
no less than a year and a day, a second degree initiation may be granted.
At this point, the person is considered a priest or priestess and is asked
to teach the rainbow year. When another year and a day pass, a third degree
initiation may occur. A person at this point is given the title High Priest
or High Priestess and may circle out to form a study group of this tradition.
A third degree priestess may be granted autonomy by her Mother Priestess if
she has a coven which consists of at least two other initiates and works the
full cycle of the Wheel of the Year.
On
a more personal note, my name is Raven. I was the "leader by default" so to
speak as myself and two friends began this tradition. I am the matriarch of
the American Tradition of the Goddess.
In 1997, the mother coven: Circle of the Moon, became a member of the
Covenant of
the Goddess also known as COG. For anyone who thinks creating a
tradition is easy, they are very wrong. It took ten years of hard work both
from myself and my coven to get things moving, but
by the grace of the Goddess we were successful.
To
those seeking a coven or a teacher, we believe in the old adage of when a
student is ready, a teacher will appear and the teacher will be able to teach.
We also believe that a person’s sincerity will be the key to their relationship
with the Goddess. She knows what is in your heart and where your sincerity
lies.
Bright Blessings,
Raven
High Priestess
of Circle of the Moon
Matriarch of the American Tradition of the Goddess
May, 1997