I do a lot of research into the books I write whether it’s the location that it might take place in, the time period or beliefs that would have influenced the people at that time. Because all of these are so eclectic and not like most main stream religions that it’s difficult to pin down a basic belief other than a core believe. “And harm none.” This is not the entirety of this however it certainly packs a lot in a few words. Because it not only means not harming others, you need to include yourself in this also. The full rede verse is below at the end.
Many religions actually tried to wipe out Witchcraft in all forms. It has obviously prevailed and will be around for a long time but since it is full of eclectic beliefs then it is influenced by many different avenues and different ones who follow these paths come from all walks of life.
I’ve included a long list of the group and a few basic beliefs to give a general idea even though because of being eclectic this can change a little from group to group and by no means covers everything that a particular group may follow. This is from my personal experience learning from various covens and there may be much more that I have left out. This is primarily to give you an idea about each group, individual or coven. I've learned so much that if I were to write everything out I could easily write a full book on each group.
You will notice that at times I will spell “magic” slightly different in this form “magick.” The prior is more for generic spelling however the second is used more often referring to a certain kind of magick that is practiced and not a woven fairytale.
I am sure there will be more than what I’ve listed. These are the main ones that I have personally been introduced to. There is so much information to be learned and shared. I’m providing a link below that I felt that yes it was very long but well worth the read as the person put a lot of time and effort while getting their historical facts straight. I’ve added this mainly because it really does cover in great depth and detail of various deities, Wiccan and Pagan groups.
Wicca: below are a few versions of Wicca. A very common core that many of these groups share is the “an harm none, do what you will Wiccan rede” which means no harm to others or self. These groups do not actively recruit members; they allow people to follow their own path and find their way into the group that either best fits them or personally calls to them. The difference with Wicca versus Pagan is there are no counterparts to the Devil or personification of an “all evil” creature. Many live according the three fold law, what you do comes back three fold. In other words if you do evil acts then evil falls upon you while doing good acts brings goodness. There is no one to blame but the person and event involved.
Each group practice different whether it’s a group gathered around a fire or a solitary witch is at home or outdoors with their own personal alter and tools. Many use tools such as an atheme, crystals, stones, water, cauldron, herbs, broom or many other items to help them show appreciation or connection to the deity, god, goddess they choose to celebrate or follow.
Not all groups practice in skyclad form however there are many that personally choose to do so and the reason can vary from each group. Many feel by having no clothing your allowing your energy to freely flow, others feel it is simply a way of showing you are holding back nothing from those you follow.
Basically following many of these paths or a mixture or your own is a way of communing with nature or as some used to call a group of "hippies" because they loved nature and drew from it emotionally and physically. I've taken it as a way to become in-tuned with nature, to love the earth and everything surrounding me. To respect the spirituality of it and to connect with the earth.
Alexandrian: Founded by Alex Sanders. This is a Neopagan religion of Wicca. Both men and women participate in this group and dedicate their attention to both god and goddess often times borrowing from Gardnerian traditions with the explanation of, if it works, use it. They work with ceremonial magic, celebrating the phases of the moon and Wiccan Sabbats. This group does initiate members into a degree system. As they start their training they work their way up in the coven with varying degrees.
British traditionalist: This group can be comprised of both men and women. They are taught and trained to reach each level in their coven and tend to be an eclectic mix of Gardnarian and Celtic traditions and beliefs. This is often a term used to describe specific set of covens in Britain.
Celtic wicca: These individuals embrace more of nature. They may work with animals, earthy materials, plants, elementals and generally are regarded as healers. They work close with herbs and other natural healing elements.
Caledonii (Hecatine) This is another one that is of Scottish origin and not too much is really known about it as it is a fairly secretive tradition other than it preserves the rituals of the scots. The word “Caledonii” is Roman meaning Scotland or Pictland. Their main intent is to preserve the ancient rituals of the Scottish Goddess Hecate.
Dianic: Although there are some men in this group it is primarily a group of women who follow a goddess and the feminine side of the craft. They incorporate various practices into their tradition rather than limiting themselves to only one.
Eclectic: These individuals do not follow any particular group or set rules. They tend to learn a little bit from everything and apply what works best for them.
Gardnerian: This group was founded by Gerald B Gardner. This group has been rather influential. This group works on a hierarchy within a coven. There are many solitary Witches that will follow this path however loser rules and outside of a coven. The God/Goddess is of a Dominant three-faced Goddess (maiden, mother, and crone) with a male consort (the Young Summer King and the Old Winter King). Ceremonies include initiations into higher levels of the craft as the member works their way up in the ranks. This group tends to be a bit more reserved and not as vocal as other groups as in preferring privacy to their covens than announcing themselves to everyone.
Pictish: Originally founded in Scotland and also found in Ireland roughly around the 16th century. This group is more of a magickal sort rather than a form of a religion. They also have a stronger connection to nature and most often practiced as a solitary form rather than a coven.
Seax Wicca (Saxon): This group was founded by Raymond Buckland. This is a rather loosely based group where there is no requirement to be part of a coven, initiation or membership. There are covens that follow the old way of teaching however you will find many solitary witches who follow this path also. There are covens that ones can choose to dedicate themselves to the path if they wish. They primarily give honor to Germanic deities and runes, using these as part of their divinatory practices. For those in a coven often will vote yearly for the high priests, high priestesses and coven officers. These individuals are encouraged to make changes to traditions as needed.
Strega: This term originally came from Italy and happens to be one of the smallest groups in the US. There isn’t too much shared this group greatly prizes their personal privacy. Strega means “Witch.” These individuals may have special gives such as being able to interpret dreams, healing abilities, psychic, read cards or tea leaves. They feel that Wicca can be taught to anyone however with Strega it is inherited and passed down through the generations. They feel a person who follows the Strega tradition is born with this gift and not one that is learned. They do admit it can be learned over a period of time but a true Strega is someone of born descent. They do not believe in the devil and do not believe in sacrificing children, animals or anything else as they respect the life and kindness of all.
Teutonic (Nordic) This group is more polytheistic in the way that they pay homage to an entire pantheon of deities’. Comparing all the deities, none of them are considered to be higher or lesser than another.
Pagan: Pagans’ generally do not view their deities as being all good or all evil. They do not follow the dogma of Christianity of God and Satan. They also do not believe in a Day of Judgment or ending as Christians do. Instead they believe in a perpetual cycle of birth, death and rebirth as many Wiccan’s celebrate with the Wheel of the year.
Witchcraft: Witchcraft is the practice of any magickal art of spiritual system or religious form. This is seen in many ways by so many different groups. Most its an extention of what they practice with their faith while others see it as only negative. Magick is neither good or evil, it primarily has to do with what the practitioner intends on doing with it. This can be from conjuring, performing spells or contacting spirits either on earth or the astral plane. It is simply a desire to be spiritual and most often at one with the earth and surroundings.
Various types of Witches: I have not listed every single one since there are many who fit under the group classification so I only wrote down the meaning once. An example of this would be the British Witch or the Electic Witch.
Kitchen Witch: Primarily practices at home with herbs or other household items.
Ceremonial Witch: Mainly uses magick in their practices. These individuals celebrate and follow rituals either from specific cultures or religious background. Religious doesn’t necessarily mean mainstream religion.
Satanic Witch: Does not exist! Witches do not believe Satan or the Devil.
Hereditary Witch: This is a person who has been trained through the years by family and passed down teachings to each generation, thus being born into it.
Solitary Witch: This is simply a person who practices alone without a coven or any other set number of members. They do not follow one set tradition or rules as they can change according to what is the betterment of their health and needs. The individual can incorporate traditions from other paths and even change those to fit their own path and beliefs.
Full Wiccan rede (also followed by many other groups)
Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.
For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.
Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,
let love and light be our guides again.
Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.
When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart's desire seek.
Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.
Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.
Oak in the forest towers with might, in the fire it brings the God's
insight. Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.
Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.
Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.
Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.
Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.
As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.
When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lamas night power is brought to magick rite.
Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules.
In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's height time for Oak and Holly to fight.
Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you'll be.
Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.
With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.
Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you.
These Eight words the Rede fulfill:
"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"
http://www.angelfire.com/ny2/wiccan/norsewicca.html
As I am introduced to more I will include more information.
