The Wellhead

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Contact us

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:54:31 +0100

We are always open to other peoples ideas and beliefs. Are you a pagan, or are you interested in the Craft? Do you have some experiences of being gay and a pagan? Do you want to share them? If so, then please mail us using this form to let us know!

Wicca 101

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:44:25 +0100

A guide to the basics of Paganism and Wicca

This section attempts to set out our own take and understanding of the basic concepts and philosophies of Paganism in general and Wicca in particular. The views we express in the next few pages are those that we have developed over a lifetime of Spiritual exploration, and several decades of study in the Craft and Occultism.

Where we speak of Paganism we try to express the simplest of all religions, and that which is most rooted in who and what we are as embodied mortals - a religious view that is rooted in mankind's first experiences and understandings, and one in which immanence is the guiding principle: that the Gods are with us, embodied in the world and not separated from it as Creator and object.

When we speak of the Craft or of Wicca, we refer to the current manifestation of a long Mystery Tradition and Religious system. Parts of what we say may be expressive of all of the various Wiccan traditions, but much will be particular to our own interpretation of the knowledge and training that we have received as Initiates in the Alexandrian Tradition, one of the British Traditional Witchcraft traditions.

Tradition

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:44:25 +0100

This section is an attempt to set down some of what it means to be an Alexandrian Witch - one of the British Traditions of Witchcraft. They try to explain - as far as one is able - what some of the concepts and ideas that we work with mean: what do we mean by Mystery?, why do we make such an emphasis on self discipline? What do we mean by Tradition, or Priesthood?

Our source is the Tradition itself - the 7 years worth of oral teachings and experience that is passed to each witch in the BTW paths as part of their training to 3rd degree; there is also a debt of gratitude to the numerous witches we have spoken to and shared our joint knowledge with - the generations of ancestors before us, our own initiators and teachers, and our contemporaries today - from all around the globe, and from published authors to "backwoods" hedgewitches. We may not follow academic rigour here and provide references for everything we say, (can an oral tradition be footnoted after all...?) but we know that very little here would be controversial with any of our Brothers and Sisters in the Tradition. We have also tried to steer as close as we may to our Oaths...

Gay pagans?

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:44:25 +0100

"Is there a place for Gay men or Lesbians in the Craft?"

"Can I be a witch if I'm Gay? Most of the books I've read/Covens I've spoken to say I can't."

"Does Gender or Sexuality really matter to the Gods?"

For ten years We have thought about these questions - we drew from our joint background in Qabalah and Taoism; we read, we discussed, we did ritual, and we meditated.

But t always came back to the same answer: everything within us, everything that drove us, told us:

"Keep pure your highest Ideal
Strive ever towards it,
let naught stop you, or turn you aside"

In the old days we came across those in the Tradition who said we could never thrive - but we found a way for us to take what we had learned, and make it grow. We have been working as a couple for over 20 years: learning and growing, following the Spiral of the Sabbats, exploring the Shining Paths together, Striving for Truth. And we haven't been alone: through those years we've run a successful Coven, and helped many people in their own Quest.

Moots, groups and events

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:44:25 +0100

In this section we provide details and links to the individuals and organisations that work to provide networking and social events for pagans within Gloucestershire and it's surrounding area.

(If you run any pagan moots or events that you would like inlcuded in this list, please contact us with details - and do make sure to pass on your information to Phil and Marie, our new Pagan Federation Regional Co-ordinators, at: PaganFedGlosRC@aol.com)

An extensive list of Moots can also be found at TwistedTree.org.uk

Bristol Moot

The King William,
King Street,
Bristol.

Every Tuesday, 8pm

Contact info@bristolopencirclemoot.org.uk

Cheltenham Pagan Moot

The Strand Wine Bar
High Street
Cheltenham
2nd Monday of the every month, 8pm - 10pm

The moot is primarily a social meet-and-greet, designed as an opportunity for local pagans to meet and get to know each other - although Elders of the different Traditions present often give a short (15-30 minute) talk on prearranged topics. There is normally also a small raffle - with fabulousprizes! (and to cover the costs of advertising, organising etc...)

The Coven

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:42:14 +0100

In this section you will find details of the Elders and the Coven, together with some more "personal" pages that would not fit anywhere else on the site:

The Coven Elders: short Biographies and craft backgrounds to David & Geoff.
The Coven of the Sacred Wellhead: the background of the Coven, it's working methods and membership.
"On the nature of study": a statement on the requirements for the 4 Initiations of the Sacred Wellhead.
Finding a Coven: An essay giving advice on how to find and recognise reputable covens and teachers.
"The Craft and the 'Web": a short report on the findings of David's MA research project: "The Craft and the 'Web: a qualitative study into the use of the Internet by the Pagan Community".