{"id":2694,"date":"2009-11-01T01:10:23","date_gmt":"2009-11-01T06:10:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/content\/?p=2751"},"modified":"2009-10-28T11:00:59","modified_gmt":"2009-10-28T16:00:59","slug":"the-moonlit-path-a-discussion-on-pathways-and-traditions-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2009\/11\/01\/the-moonlit-path-a-discussion-on-pathways-and-traditions-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The Moonlit Path: A Discussion on Pathways and Traditions"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Unicorn Tradition <\/strong><\/p>\n

\"uni\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I’ve had many conversations with people over the years about differing Traditions and what their personal experiences have been.\u00a0 The focus for this month’s article is the Unicorn Tradition.<\/p>\n

A good friend of mine is a member of this tradition and it’s always sparked a great deal of interest for me because of the way it is structured and their take on certain aspects of Wiccan teachings.\u00a0 We have often discussed and debated topics with her perspective having come from a very traditional and structured background and my own eclectic learning here in the Midwest.<\/p>\n

The Unicorn Tradition stems from Atlanta, Georgia and was founded by Lady Galadriel<\/a> and Lord Athanor.\u00a0 The many branches of the Unicorn Tradition share a common belief and practice.\u00a0 Each group has its own flavor and main deities while keeping the core framework in place.<\/p>\n

The Unicorn Tradition is an initiatory mystery tradition.\u00a0 It is teaching and working tradition.\u00a0 The Unicorn Tradition celebrates the Sabbats, Full, and New Moons.\u00a0 Both the God and Goddess are revered as aspects of the One Source.<\/p>\n

The Unicorn Tradition has distinct levels and degrees within their system.\u00a0 Its structure includes 5 levels and 3 degrees.\u00a0 Those just starting out are Neophytes. Neophytes are those interested in Paganism and the Unicorn Tradition, but are not members of the group. They may choose to dedicate to the group, to the Pagan path in general or not at all upon completion of 13 classes. The next level is that of the Dedicant. A dedicant has chosen to continue with the group. First, Second and Third degrees come after dedication.\u00a0 Finally a member of the tradition may become an Elder. Progression within the tradition is not just time and information based. The tradition also stresses community support and work. As my friend says, \u201cIt is not a cookie cutter tradition.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, what sets the Unicorn Tradition apart?\u00a0 There are two major differences from other Wiccan traditions.\u00a0 The celebration of the Sabbats is based on astrological calculations.\u00a0 The calculations are based on when the Sun reaches certain degrees in the astrological circuit.\u00a0 The use of astrological dates instead of the more familiar calendar dates allows for a more even spacing of the Sabbats.<\/p>\n

The other most noticeable difference in this tradition deals with the elemental correspondences.\u00a0 In the Unicorn Tradition the correspondences are:<\/p>\n

East \u2013 Earth<\/p>\n

South \u2013 Fire<\/p>\n

West \u2013 Water<\/p>\n

North \u2013 Air<\/p>\n

The reasons that they are aligned in such a manner is to first place masculine and feminine elements across from one another.\u00a0 This promotes balance and a better flow of energy in the circle.<\/p>\n

Unicorn Tradition teachings also state that the earthly journey begins in the East and ends the journey in an incorporeal form through the North.\u00a0 Also, the directional correspondences are based on the seasonal aspects of the year.<\/p>\n

Since the elemental and directional correspondences vary from the more traditional Wiccan set, the tool correspondences also vary.\u00a0 The pentacle is associated with Earth.\u00a0 The athame is associated with fire.\u00a0 The chalice is associated with water.\u00a0 The wand is associated with air. The cauldron is associated with spirit.\u00a0 The tool is an extension of the element and what it represents.<\/p>\n

Though there are some striking differences between the basics tenants of the Unicorn Tradition and other Wiccan traditions, the reasoning for the divergence is sound.\u00a0 The Unicorn Tradition goes to great lengths to make sure that all its members are on the same page.\u00a0 The same sets of classes are taught to all of the new students. A common set of beliefs and philosophies binds all the groups of the tradition, but is accommodating enough that each group retains its own unique essence.\u00a0 It is an inclusive system that utilizes its structure as a strength that unites its members in all the groups associated with the tradition.<\/p>\n

Ostuni, Ro. Email Interview.\u00a0 15 October 2009.<\/p>\n

Welcome to the Unicorn Tradition (2009). Retrieved October 1, 2009 from The Unicorn Tradition Website:<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.unicorntrad.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Unicorn Tradition I’ve had many conversations with people over the years about differing Traditions and what their personal experiences have been.\u00a0 The focus for this month’s article is the Unicorn Tradition. A good friend of mine is a member of this tradition and it’s always sparked a great deal of interest for me because of the way it is structured and their take on certain aspects of Wiccan teachings.\u00a0 We have often discussed and debated topics with her perspective having come from a very traditional and structured background and my own eclectic learning here in the Midwest. The Unicorn Tradition stems from Atlanta, Georgia and was founded by Lady Galadriel and Lord Athanor.\u00a0 The many branches of the Unicorn Tradition share a common belief and practice.\u00a0 Each group has its own flavor and main deities while keeping the core framework in place. The Unicorn Tradition is an initiatory mystery tradition.\u00a0 It is teaching and working tradition.\u00a0 The Unicorn Tradition celebrates the Sabbats, Full, and New Moons.\u00a0 Both the God and Goddess are revered as aspects of the One Source. The Unicorn Tradition has distinct levels and degrees within their system.\u00a0 Its structure includes 5 levels and 3 degrees.\u00a0 Those just starting out are Neophytes. Neophytes are those interested in Paganism and the Unicorn Tradition, but are not members of the group. They may choose to dedicate to the group, to the Pagan path in general or not at all upon completion of 13 classes. The next level is that of the Dedicant. A dedicant has chosen to continue with the group. First, Second and Third degrees come after dedication.\u00a0 Finally a member of the tradition may become an Elder. Progression within the tradition is not just time and information based. The tradition also stresses community support and work. As my friend says, \u201cIt is not a cookie cutter tradition.\u201d So, what sets the Unicorn Tradition apart?\u00a0 There are two major differences from other Wiccan traditions.\u00a0 The celebration of the Sabbats is based on astrological calculations.\u00a0 The calculations are based on when the Sun reaches certain degrees in the astrological circuit.\u00a0 The use of astrological dates instead of the more familiar calendar dates allows for a more even spacing of the Sabbats. The other most noticeable difference in this tradition deals with the elemental correspondences.\u00a0 In the Unicorn Tradition the correspondences are: East \u2013 Earth South \u2013 Fire West \u2013 Water North \u2013 Air The reasons that they are aligned in such a manner is to first place masculine and feminine elements across from one another.\u00a0 This promotes balance and a better flow of energy in the circle. Unicorn Tradition teachings also state that the earthly journey begins in the East and ends the journey in an incorporeal form through the North.\u00a0 Also, the directional correspondences are based on the seasonal aspects of the year. Since the elemental and directional correspondences vary from the more traditional Wiccan set, the tool correspondences also vary.\u00a0 The pentacle is associated with Earth.\u00a0 The athame is associated with fire.\u00a0 The chalice is associated with water.\u00a0 The wand is associated with air. The cauldron is associated with spirit.\u00a0 The tool is an extension of the element and what it represents. Though there are some striking differences between the basics tenants of the Unicorn Tradition and other Wiccan traditions, the reasoning for the divergence is sound.\u00a0 The Unicorn Tradition goes to great lengths to make sure that all its members are on the same page.\u00a0 The same sets of classes are taught to all of the new students. A common set of beliefs and philosophies binds all the groups of the tradition, but is accommodating enough that each group retains its own unique essence.\u00a0 It is an inclusive system that utilizes its structure as a strength that unites its members in all the groups associated with the tradition. Ostuni, Ro. Email Interview.\u00a0 15 October 2009. Welcome to the Unicorn Tradition (2009). Retrieved October 1, 2009 from The Unicorn Tradition Website: http:\/\/www.unicorntrad.org\/<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":75,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":1,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2694","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2694","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/75"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2694"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2694\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2694"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2694"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2694"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}