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Pagan Traditions - Editorial Guidelines
Author: Witchvox Central
Posted: January 10th. 2001
Times Viewed: 14,494
Pagan, pagan, what are you seeking,
Through all of the days of your long earthly tread?
Your sunrise and moonrise what chances are bringing?
Where will your travelling footsteps be led?
(From "The Road" by Doreen Valiente)
The diversity of thought within the Pagan community can make it difficult to even define Paganism. Here at TWV, we generally accept as Pagan anyone who defines themselves that way, as long as they adhere to the Rede or a similar code of ethics. This makes a pretty big umbrella, and we are fascinated by the variety of ideas, rituals, magickal teachings, ethical standards and religious thought that fits under it.
We think this diversity is one of our greatest strengths, based as it is in our refusal to have our personal spiritual growth fettered by dogma. Our umbrella shelters a number of "traditions" that have been created over the years, each one with its own set of beliefs, rituals and standards. Given the incredible variety we see in the world around us, it seems to us that the variety of Pagan traditions is, in and of itself, a tribute to the gods.
Unfortunately, there have been some problems associated with this diversity as well, not the least of which has been a tendency to focus on our differences. All too often, another Witch War either starts with or degenerates into a bunch of finger-pointing over who is, or is not, "really" Pagan.
In an effort to celebrate the variety of Pagan traditions, and hopefully bring a greater understanding of what "Pagan" means both to our community and to the larger world, The Witches' Voice is offering this section on Traditions. In it, we hope to eventually have explanations of all Pagan traditions written by those who practice them.
We will accept—in fact, we hope to have—more than one essay per tradition, so that no one person will have the final say on defining a tradition. The basic requirements for the essays will be the same as those given in our Editorial Guidelines, along with a few others specific to this section:
The tradition must be an established one—for our purposes, we'll call it established if it's been defined and practiced by three or more groups for at least one full year. Individual practices or the practices of single covens, however interesting, are not traditions.
We feel strongly that Pagan traditions belong to the people who practice them; therefore we will not accept any traditions that are trademarked, copyrighted, or otherwise legally claimed by any individual, even if that person or group is the tradition's founder.
The essays may be longer than our regular monthly essays; up to 4000 words.
We'd like to include (but don't require) photographs and references, both to books and web sites.
Here's what we'd like to see included, if applicable:
History
Core beliefs
Role of clergy
Organization of groups
Holidays
Standards of conduct
Ways of worship
Reading and other references
To submit YOUR Tradition profile CLICK HERE FOR THE FORM.
One more thing, though we hate to have to say it; any essay that questions the validity of or denigrates in any way other traditions or other groups in the same tradition will be rejected.
We are really looking forward to the growth of this section! The traditions we have essays for are listed on the sidebar to your left. If you don't see your tradition listed there, please write something for us or find someone who will!
http://www.witchvox.com/_x.html?c=trads