Selyndria is a friend from the Witches' Thicket message board (see the links section) residing in California. Read on to hear a little about her particular flavor of Wicca.
Karen: What's your path? And, how long have you been practicing?
Selyndria: I'm Wiccan and about 18 years.
K: What sort of Wiccan?
S: I started with DCW in California and then the FOI. DCW is Druidic Craft of the Wise and FOI is Fellowship of Isis.
K: You read my mind with the acronyms. So, are these eclectic Wiccan traditions?
S: Well FOI is British. The Head of the Organization is an actual Titled Lady.
K: British Traditional? Or just British?
S: Well, not Gardner, but a contemporary.
K: Ok. Cool. So, what do you think are the things that make your branch of Wicca unique?
S: Good question. A more open interpretation for teaching (FOI). DCW-strong on lineage and work.
K: Since you brought up teaching, how long does a person have to study before being initiated into the tradition?
S: Initiated, 1 year and a day (DCW and FOI). Teaching, two years for both.
K: What sorts of skills will an initiate learn?
S: With the FOI, that varies depending on the Iseum/Lyceum structure of the Heirophant/Archdruidess (equiv of HP). In the DCW, basics first: grounding; centering; shielding; energy sensing, projection and earthing; Cone of Power; ritual drama; ritual spellwork; research; pantheons; drawing down and elementals.
K: More or less the same stuff any serious group will give you. Can I ask what your current standing is with each group? (Initiate, Teacher, HP, whatever)
S: Elder/DCW, FOI/I'm finishing my Archdruidess so I can open my own Grove.
K: Cool. Now come the fun questions...
S: LOL, so says you!
K: What do you think Wicca is?
S: A mystery tradition with lineaged initiation in a group setting with rituals.
K: I could be really nasty and ask you what a Mystery is, but I can't even answer that one.
S: Oh that's easy, a mystery is something we can't decipher, mostly can understand, and changes us irrevocably.
K: lol... ok, maybe it is easy to answer. How do you relate to your deities? Do you have a patron(s)?
S: I relate to them on a daily basis. They are not archetypes, though I use those to initially teach the concepts of deity and pantheon. I do have patrons/matrons.
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