"An organized, structured, specific subgroup, which is usually initiatory, often with unique ritual practices. Many traditions have their own Books of Shadows, and usually recognize members of other traditions as Wiccan. Most traditions are composed of many covens and solitary practitioners."
- Scott Cunningham on defining a tradition
A tradition is a term that is used to describe a specific style of Wiccan practice, similar to how other religions have their own sects or denominations. What makes a tradition a tradition will vary depending on who you talk to, but in general the above quote by the late Wiccan author, Scott Cunningham, suffices. Gerald Gardner set the precedent for Wiccan practice which later became known as the Gardnerian Tradition or Gardnerian Wicca. Since that time, Wicca has spread all across the world and various different Traditions have formed.
Hereditary witchcraft is the transfer of beliefs, magical practices, power and/or ritual practices from one family member to another, usually from one generation to the next. This is also known as a family tradition. Family traditions exist mainly as remnants of cultural folk religions and magical practices that survived the spread of Christianity. These cultural traditions range from the cunning folk and fairy doctors of Celtic countries to the benedicaria and stregoneria of Italy, and often times are referred to as traditional witchcraft. The information passed down is usually considered a closely guarded secret.
Sometimes the information is shared with trusted family friends or other individuals, especially if there is no heir in the bloodline. Some individuals claim to be part of a family tradition that predates Gerald Gardner, however, most cannot trace their lineage back or offer another kind of proof. The concept of tracing one's lineage back to some ancient, obscure line has been common all throughout the occult and witchcraft revival as a means of securing a sense of validity or authority. Truthfully this is just a way to feed the ego and is absolutely unnecessary. If you are part of a family tradition, great! If you aren't and only know Wicca from books and media, that's absolutely fine! The only thing that invalidates your practice is your own insincerity.
(To that end, do not be afraid to ask someone for proof of the lineage they are claiming, especially if you are considering them as a teacher or mentor. Vetting in this manner is a fundamental right for any seeker and any worthwhile teacher will not have any issue with it. If they cannot provide proof of the lineage they are claiming and especially if they are requesting you do unethical or illegal things, run for the hills!)
Fortunately in our case, we can trace a lineage back to a family tradition that predates the arrival of Gardnerian Wicca in America. Our family teachings were brought to America from the Middle East by a man named Kahlil Gibran and are said to have originated in ancient Phoenicia (modern-day Lebanon). Kahlil established a working group in New York City. It was from this group that our late elder, Lady Rhea (Ruby “Red” Johnson-Widner), was initiated into the family ways in 1943. Lady Rhea eventually moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she continued the lineage by teaching new students and was instrumental in the formation of new traditions, including The Unicorn Tradition and GryphonSong Clan.
Jodi (née Yolkell) and John Monogue started taking classes under Lady Rhea in 1977. Initiated in 1980 into the family ways and taking on the magical names of Lady Galadriel and Lord Athanor, they hived off to form their own group, The Grove of the Unicorn.
In constructing the Grove of the Unicorn, many of the family teachings were retained. Other aspects, such as the degree system, were changed to bear more resemblance to what Traditions in the modern Craft revival were doing. The scope of training was also expanded, drawing on material from the Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Celtic, and Hermetic/Western Mystery Traditions. By blending the best of both the old and the new ways together, they created a system that is aesthetic, functional, and allows enough flexibility for personal exploration and experience while providing a safe and cohesive structure in which to do so. This group was the progenitor of what would become the Unicorn Tradition, which would formally be established and gain 501(c)(3) status in the mid-1980’s.
One of their first students, Lady Magdalena, started taking classes under Lady Galadriel and Lord Athanor (under the guidance of Lady Rhea) in 1979. Her husband, Lord Myrddin, was in the military and got stationed in S.C., but the commute to Atlanta was close enough for her to continue her studies. His next station, however, was a bit too far and landed them in Austin, TX. Then a 2nd degree initiate, Lady Magdalena found students eager to learn the craft and so committed herself to finishing her studies.
In 1982 she received her 3rd degree Initiation and formed The Grove of Phoenix Rising. Since that time, further deployments have taken them all around the world, including Germany, where Lady Magdalena received a letter from a prominent American Wiccan leader, Starhawk, asking her to attend a women's self-development workshop in Stuttgart. The organizer, impressed with her knowledge of the craft, asked her to teach a Wiccan course for interested German-speaking women, which led to a formation of a new group - Der Hain dem Regenbogen Hexen or the Grove of the Rainbow Witches.
Eventually Lady Magdalena and Lord Myrddin returned back to Austin and then later to Atlanta where it all started. The Grove of Phoenix Rising was relocated to Atlanta, under their care once again, and renamed The Temple of the Rising Phoenix, but an unbroken lineage has remained in Austin since that time. Shadow Wolf Coven is the great, great grandchild of this amazing lineage, our parent group being Oak Henge Grove. In 2019 we joined other members of the Phoenix lineage at a breathtaking reunion in Atlanta where we formally recognized Lady Magdalena and Lord Myriddin as the founders, mother and magus of the Rising Phoenix Tradition.