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by TygerMoon Foxx &
Moondancer

* Is the Georgian Tradition part of "BTW" (British
Traditional Wicca)?

Georgian Wicca is similar to Alexandrian and Gardnerian practice, in that it is an initiatory line and oathbound. Many of
the rituals are similar to those published in various books on what is sometimes
called "British Traditional Wicca", such as the Farrar's Eight Sabbats for
Witches and The Witches' Way, as well as Ed Fitch's Grimoire of the Shadows.
However, strictly speaking, all BTW groups ultimately derive from a lineage that
goes back to the "New Forest" covens, and as the Georgian Tradition does not
have that, no, we are not, strictly speaking, a BTW line. BTW-derived, and
influenced, yes.

* There is precious little information posted on actual Georgian
beliefs. Why is this?

Well, a lot of the information you seek is probably contained within the
degree materials and that is of course protected by oath. The Georgian website
has the Georgian Manifesto on it
which spells out the basic beliefs and the contents of this site give you a
pretty good feel of who we are and what we do.

* Can just anyone start a Georgian Coven?

No. In order for a coven to be a valid Georgian coven, it must have at
least a 3rd° Elder who is a High Priestess or High
Priest. Very rarely, you may come across a study group that does not have an
Elder, however, these are always under the direct guidance of one (such as a
group of people completing distance study under a remote High Priestess or High
Priest.)

If you want to verify whether or not someone is
a legitimate Georgian Elder, or otherwise qualified to run such a group, you can
contact the online Council of Elders for clarification.

* Where am I to find study info?

I would suggest next asking questions and talking about your own beliefs.
That's the best way to see whether or not the Georgian Tradition could possibly
suit you --- and whether you would suit us. It's a mutual selection process with
each feeling the other out and making determinations of compatibility. During
Pat's lifetime, he maintained an active, worldwide study program via the mail.
Since his death, there has not really been anyone willing to take on that amount
of work on a full-time basis.

For the most part. the Georgians have always had a "hands-on" approach (which
remains the norm) but there are several long distance practitioners and
students on the Georgian Chat list at Yahoogroups. One of our members is in Australia and his teachers are
in California; another lives in Washington state but his teacher is in the
Midwest United States. Some may only see their teacher three or four times a year. On the other hand, if
you're looking for a website with degree information for the Georgians and want
to do a correspondence-type arrangement, I don't think that is something we do.
Even those of us who are long distance students have met our teachers at least
once in person and have interacted with other members of the group in some
fashion.

* Online studies are pretty much my only option.

I guess it would depend on what you mean by "online studies" and "only
option". There is, in my opinion, a difference between online studies and being
a long distance student. With the Georgian, close contact is kept with the
individual by at least several other members including the teacher. We're a lot
like a family in that aspect, even though we might be scattered to the four
corners of the globe. You're not going to find a correspondence-type course in
which the teacher just sends you materials, you complete a predetermined set of
lessons, and the teacher gives you your degree. The Georgians don't work that
way; most of the teachers I have had and have known like to stay involved with
their students and wherever possible the degree is always granted in person.
Frankly, if you don't live close to a Georgian teacher, and are not willing to
travel to further your studies, this Tradition is probably not for you.

* So, what are my options?

Join the Georgian Chat list, hosted at
Yahoogroups; that would
be a good start. Ask questions, get to know the people on the list, and when you
feel you've found one that meets your needs, ask for further study. Several
email lists maintain a "seekers list" - Amber and Jet, another list hosted at
Yahoogroups would be another good choice. Look at the information posted at the
Witches Voice, and check
the listing for your area in their "Witches of the World section. If there is a
local Pagan community, get to know the people in it. Attend any of the open
rituals or get-togethers that are held, and ask others who they study with.

Read, but read with a cautious eye - although there are many good and useful
books available on the general subject of Wicca and Paganism, a lot of them are
less than useful. Beware of any book (or teacher) that tells you you must hide
your beliefs from your family - you are the best judge of what your
family should know about you, and there are many reasons why in Traditional
Craft, there is no monetary cost for instruction leading to initiation
(reasonable costs for copying, etc., are appropriate, depending upon the
individual teacher.)

* Is the Georgian tradition a private matter?

The actual specific practices, rites, and Mysteries are indeed a private,
oathbound matter. Only initiated members of the Tradition have access to that
information. The Georgian Chat list is really good, however, about giving out
general information that will help you to decide whether or not the Georgian
Tradition is for you. Ask away .... someone will always answer.

* I haven't noticed any books on this tradition

Nor will you. The Georgian Tradition was mentioned in several books published
during the 1970's and 1980's, but the majority of those are now out of print. A
few of the books on general paganism mention us briefly as one sect of Wicca,
and repeated incessantly on the internet are a few pieces that were written many
years ago and posted "everywhere on the net". We're actually fairly unique; our
founder may have borrowed the framework from various places, but the blending of
information, lore, and practices is something unique to the Georgians and passed
down only among them.

If you're curious about a Georgian perspective, pick up

Dorothy Morrison's books. The information contained within isn't
specifically Georgian but it will give you a good general idea of the types of
practices which may be found among the Georgians.

* Speaking of the internet, several articles indicate
that the Georgians are eclectic, and others say they are traditionalist. What
gives?

Ultimately, both are correct. There is a core set of
rituals, lore and training that each Georgian should have been taught. Once that
material is understood fully, the members are encouraged to craft their own
rituals and spells for personal use or to share with the Tradition as a whole.
Patterson once expressed it thusly:

"A few of our Rituals are used just as we received them, but most are a
composite of Traditionalist, Celtic, Alexandrian and Gardnerian. We take what we
believe are the best or most effective parts of each and combine them into new
Rituals. And we don't look down our noses at any other Branch of the Craft,
although I'm sure that not all others will take the same attitude towards us."

However, just because a particular ritual, etc., is
written and conducted by a Georgian does
not automatically make it a "Georgian ritual".

If you have questions, you need only to ask. We rarely bite.