All religions have a method to their practice, in Wicca the practice or method is called "witchcraft." This word therefore carries with it the meaning "the way of the witch" or "the technique of the witch." It is often used to refer to the Wiccan religion itself.

There are always differences between various religions. There are also common points and the Lycian Tradition tries to focus on those commonalities. The Lycian Tradition takes the stand that a person can be a member of more than one religion at a time, so long as obligations made to each religion are kept.

No, although it is an extremely useful tool.

The practices of the tradition itself cannot be dated. The tradition specifically called "Lycian," as the modern rebirth of the ancient practices, began in 1985.

Yes, we feel sexuality is an essential part of what makes us divine beings.  Because of the vastness of the Divine, sexuality as a Divine Expression is, of course, going to be quite varied and all variations are seen as equally sacred.  We feel that the individual in sexually expressing their own true nature is the voice of the One made manifest and no one should inhibit any individual from freely expressing that nature.

All the forces of Nature, indiscriminately, known by culturally derived names describing the "personalities" we associate with them, in order to relate to them as individuals.

It means "wolfish." "Lyc-" comes from the Greek language for "wolf" and "-ian" is the standard English ending meaning "of" or "pertaining to."

It is the word used to refer to a Wiccan marriage ceremony.

The legalities of a marriage being recognized by the state vary from one location to another. If the handfasting meets the legal requirements of the state, then YES, it is as binding.

On the other hand, in a spiritual sense, a handfasting is always as binding as any other religion's marriage rituals.

This is a ritualized series of blessings given to a newborn baby, by friends and family, in the hope for a good life.

In one way or another, all the cultures indigenous to Europe, both ancient and modern.

Nothing is ever universal. It may appeal to a great many, but no one religion is right for everyone; everywhere.

The Lycian Tradition does not treat these as mutually exclusive. In fact, the tradition is both, at different levels of understanding.

It is "traditional" in the fact that in ancient times Pagan religious practices were not thought of being one thing, but not another. In ancient times, if something worked for someone else, then it was adopted into one's own practices. There was always a central core of beliefs and how these were put into practice was adaptable to the people, as they evolved or changed.

Categories are a convenient way, for us today, to keep a large number of religious practices distinct from one another. The idea that religions should not borrow from one another is a holdover of the Judeo-Christian idea of having to keep the group's identity completely differentiated from everyone else. Witches do not need to do this.

If something works, keep it. If something does not work for you, change it or drop it. Simple as that. The Lycian Tradition has a central core of beliefs and rituals that make it "Lycian." Adaptability is also needed to keep a religion in touch with the people at the present time. We accept that as well.

It is neither a "fusion" nor "entirely new." The mythology, as taught in the tradition, is simply "archetypal" described in the language common to the country it is being taught in. (English in the U.S.A.) Because of this it may seem as new, because the names of various deities are usually not translated into a language easily understood by the student.

The Lycian Tradition's method is to teach a difficult subject in the language most familiar to the student. Later this is tied, by means of examples, to foreign mythological concepts for a fuller understanding.

The directions are assigned to the directions according to the season and the pointer in the night known as the "Big Dipper." It points East during Spring; South during Summer; West during Fall; and North during Winter. The signs of the zodiac have elements attributed to them, which are pre-Ptolemaic, and are grouped according to season.

These are:

Aries, Taurus, Gemini ..................... earth = Spring
Cancer, Leo, Virgo .......................... fire = Summer
Libra, Scorpio, Saggittarius ............ air = Fall
Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces ........... water = Winter

(If you live in the Southern Hemisphere click here for information pertinent to your location.)

"An it harm none, do as you will." This is the ideal, although we in the Lycian Tradition are aware that every action has its "good" and "bad" results. So, all we can do is, strive for the ideal the best we can.

We also acknowledge, as guidelines, the ancient Pagan virtues:

1. Temperance (The art of knowing when enough is enough and what is too much.)
2. Strength (Being strong in mind and body; taking responsibility.)
3. Prudence (Using good judgement. Taking the time to study a situation and using a reasoned approach.)
4. Justice (Giving and expecting one's just due.)

For a fuller explanation of the Rede as it is used in the Lycian Tradition go here: Lycian Rede.

Yes, the original meaning of the word "magick" was "the method of a Mage" or "wise person." Religion on the other hand can be practiced without any wisdom present. Look around for examples.

Please see this chart: The Influences on the Lycian Tradition.

Yes, although it was not called "Lycian" at the time.

It refers to the God that has been wounded or maimed in one leg or foot. This is a ritual mark very common in shamanic cultures denoting that, that God is destined to die.

The assumption here is that the Gods are "impervious." They are not. The Gods and Goddesses are manifestations of the "Forces of Nature" which are impervious. We as human beings can relate to the manifestations, but not to an abstract "force." The two should not be confused.

It is a technique, method or system by which one can accomplish a task.

All mythologies are based on Nature. Mythology is how we try to comprehend the "incomprehensible."

Both, if one can heal using the "old ways" and avoid some really expensive medical care at the same time; terrific! If on the other hand, it is just not working at the time, it is smart to seek "alternative" medical care and go to a modern facility.

The only candles, on a Lycian altar, required to be a certain color are the candles attributed to the Lord and Lady. The rest of the candles can be of any color handy or, of symbolic importance to the individual.

This is a personal choice in the Lycian Tradition, as it does not affect the core teachings of the tradition. However, by convention the following colors are attributed to the directions; red to the south, black to the north, white to the west and green to the east. The "traditional" colors that do affect the core teachings are only the three: red, white and black. These colors relate to various symbolic values, for example: the three stages of the alchemical process (rubedo, albedo and negredo) and the three forms of the Goddess (red=mother, white=virgin and black=crone).

The green color is simply a default color used to represent the God as Green Man whether of "oak" or "holly" variety. If other colors than these were used for the directions, the teachings of our tradition would remain the same as they do not rely on directional color attributions, only on the interplay of the traditional three: red, white and black.

Yes, as it is a part of a larger symbolic system, which is meant to communicate information of a mystical nature, revealed through initiation at various levels.

It represents the north, the "Quadrant of Darkness," and so should remain unlit to more fully symbolize this.

In the northern hemisphere, as the sun rises in the east moves toward the south and then sets in the west, it will be noticed that there is always a shadow on the northern side of trees, buildings, and such. This is the dark side.

Also, in the night sky there are "watcher" stars which helped in ancient times to divide up the sky into degrees. These stars were: Aldebaran in the Spring/east, Regulus in the Summer/south, and Antares in the Fall/west, all of which were first magnitude stars. However in the constellations associated with Winter/north, there was no first magnitude star so a second magnitude star was selected: Fomalhaut. This again made the north the place of darkness.

There is no "white" or "black" magick, as in one is good and the other bad. Magick is a tool or way of working. Calling it good or bad is like calling a hammer good or bad. If I build something with hammer, or I bash someone's head in with the hammer, it is still just a hammer; neither good or bad. Just the same, magick is just magick, neither black or white.

If by "devil" it is meant "the entity believed in by the descendants of Abraham;" NO. We do not believe in any being as absolutely evil and unredeemable.

If by "devil" it is meant in the original context of the word thus:

In Sankrit,

deva .......... "a shining one"
-il ............... meaning "small" (diminutive)

In other words, "a small shining one" or "a small god," then YES. There are many small Gods and Goddesses, as in being less powerful than others, but this does not make them evil.

Locate a member of a Lycian Coven and ask to become a member. After this you will be invited to Sabbats, in order to enable the current members to get to know you. When they feel comfortable with you, you will then be invited to the working Esbat meetings. A ritual of acceptance will then be done for you.

Remember though, you must ask for membership, because Lycian Coven members are prohibited from proselytizing.

Yes, however if "formal" initiation were ever desired finding an initiator would be necessary. In cases of total isolation, where an initiator is simply not available, we do recognize that initiation in the inner realms is very possible, although more difficult and rare.

(For examples of the three types of initiation, click here.)

Yes. A Lycian Coven is such because it performs its rituals in a manner harmonious with the symbolism of the Lycian Wheel of the Year and the Four Kingdoms of Deities. Also, all rituals are spoken using the language most familiar to its participants.

Initiations must be done by someone qualified to do so. "Rites of dedication" though are perfectly acceptable to perform on one's own.

East is where the sun and moon rise. We take this direction as symbolic of where to look for new light; light representing "knowledge."

There are two symbolic "Great Rites" in the Lycian Tradition.

The first is about "life" in which the opposites of fire and water join, by using the wand and cup to represent these elements, and life is produced in the cup as in a womb. The water in the cup is also essential for life to continue.

The second is about death in which the opposites of air and earth join, by using the dagger and platter to represent these elements, and death is produced in the platter as the grain must die to produce bread. The bread on the platter will be reborn as the body of its partaker.

Both of these rites are about the revelation that is produced when opposites are brought into harmony. Those revelations are as food and drink, which nourishes us.

The wolf is the animal/instinctual part of one self. In order to become whole, we must not only come into harmony with our "higher" selves, but also, the "wolf" within us; the lower self. The acceptance of the wolf is the total acceptance of ourselves, as both "light and shadow." It is facing the most fearsome parts of ourselves and embracing them as one's own.

Any study that is worthwhile is long, in fact, it may never end.

In a Wiccan sense, it is another name for the "watchers" at each of the quadrants. We in the Lycian Tradition see them at various levels of understanding. Guardians, spirits, lesser deities, rulers they are equated with the "watcher stars." See Also...

If by "magick" you mean the ability to do work beyond the normal "Laws of Nature," then NO! There is no such thing.

If, on the other hand, you mean the wise application of those "Laws of Nature" with awareness and responsibility, then YES! It does exist. It is also called "science" but applies to the realms of non-physical reality as well.

Yes. I am often told not to talk that way. I think, though, that this question is really about effectiveness. Are curses effective? Depends on the curser and the cursee. They can be effective for a great number of reasons, including psychological, spiritual, emotional and so on. If nothing else, they can definitely have an effect on the person making the curse, and not in the most positive way.

No. The individual's decision to choose what makes them comfotable is more important than going without clothes.

It is old Anglo-saxon for "So may it be."

"Dabbling" can be dangerous in regards to anything, not just Wicca. If you are going to investigate something, then do it fully. If you are going to dedicate yourself to something, then do it fully as well. "Dabbling" is half-ass, never do anything half-assed.

Not for any subjective reason involving "purity" or "passion" and which gender is attributed to which. The real reason is basic: There two fluids that are specific to each sex, blood every month for a woman, and so, red is her color, and semen from the man, and so, white is his color.

A witch is a member of "the Old Religion" also known as Wicca. No one is born believing in a particular religion; they learn that later. So the answer is NO.

The same way one works with a friend. You are polite, you ask favors, as well as give them, you spend time together and most importantly, you don't expect from them, what they cannot give.

When you visualize the animal, whether in dreams, meditations or otherwise, treat it as you would with any other animal. The "totem animal" is your soul animal and is as receptive to positive and negative stimuli as any other animal would be. Therefore, one should exercise caution not to alienate it. Once you are "familiar" with it, you may begin to train it to do things for you.

When that person performs the rituals and accepts the faith, of a Witch, as their own. This is entirely a personal decision and when it is made no one has the right to dispute it.

The two have nothing to do with one another. A male witch is a man who practices witchcraft. Warlock is the word in the old Scottish language that meant "oath-breaker" or liar.

Lovingly.

The only secrets of the Lycian Tradition are as follows:

1. The initiation rituals.
2. The means of recognizing another member of the tradition according to level of initiation.
3. The identities of other members in the tradition; unless permission has been granted to reveal such, by the person being identified.

Everything else is open for discussion.

Yes. Causing disharmony to such a degree that the coven is no longer able to function properly is cause enough to be expelled. This should only occur, though, after stringent attempts to correct the cause for the disharmony.

The Lycian Sanctuary. This does not mean that the rituals are not subject to interpretation, it just means that if the interpretation ranges too far from the core of what it means to be Lycian, then it is something else, no less valid, but not Lycian. See also...

Initiation through the three "Rites of Initiation" are the means to becoming clergy which is legally recognized, through The Lycian Sanctuary, by the state. One can be a Priest or Priestess in this tradition though without seeking legal recognition; it is simply a matter of learning to do so properly.

Yes, in fact this is one of the core tenets of the tradition. It is believed that true and final initiation can only be gained "between worlds" also known as "in the astral realms" or in dreams (lucid).

The techniques of moving into these realms of consciousness are also taught, to aid individuals in the tradition to acquire this initiation.

The major differences are various details on the Wheel of the Year, the super-imposition of the "Four Kingdoms of Deities" and their assignment to Tarot cards as convenient symbols. Also, the "Third Rite of Initiation" is not based on the symbolism of sexual union, known as the "Great Rite." Instead, it is based on the "Wild Hunt" as known in the Celtic/Germanic traditions.

It is a "religious non-profit organization" recognized as a legal entity by the government of the United States of America, which oversees the day-to-day tasks necessary to function in the performance of various religious duties.