Traditional Witchcraft questions

As I work with the Sacred Well Congregation on ordination with them, I asked on their Facebook group what books I might read to learn more about their GreenCraft Tradition. I received quite a few recommendations - on of which was Traditional Wicca: A Seeker's Guide by Thorn Mooney. What I know so far about GreenCraft Wicca is that it is associated with the Alexandrian tradition which came from Alex Sanders who was influenced by Gerald Gardner. GreenCraft incorporates more nature based practices and understandings than the Alexandrian tradition.

This is a fascinating book and got me thinking. She states that the traditional coven model and the degree system is meant to prepare people for becoming priestesses and priests of Wicca. As people move towards the Third Degree, they can then teach others and start their own covens. Initiation is a serious matter since it prepares a person to enter a specific tradition of Wicca. The degree system is a matter of experience and mastery of Wiccan practices. She is clear that Traditional Wicca is orthopraxic which derives from Greek meaning "right practice." While Traditional Wicca can contain wide variances in belief, the practices are meant to engender common understandings of that tradition's rituals and liturgy.

While she does not think eclectic Wicca is wrong, she does make the point that those who are not initiated into a traditional coven may be lacking in deep understandings of Wiccan practice.

For example, she writes "Over time, the coven develops its own unique egregore - a group mind. This occurs when coven members fall in to a kind of magical rhythm with each other. . . Every time someone new is brought into the group (or someone leaves), the egregore shifts. This is why coven leaders take such great care in evaluating and admitting new members." And "Part of the intention behind traditional hierarchy is the preparation of the individual Witch to receive the Mysteries through direct experience. This is a process that goes beyond simple exposure to text."

After reading this book, I see traditional Wicca as a kind of mystery tradition, similar to those of the ancient Mediterranean. There is much about traditional Wiccan that is compelling and fascinating and yet I have questions. What if a pagan person does not want to be priestess or priest? Is traditional Wicca telling us that only those initiated into a traditional coven can learn how to access our deities? Can only priestesses and priests commune with the divine? I yearn for the kind of coven she talks about, but I was initiated Dianic which is not a traditional path. I'm not sure I want to be initiated into another tradition, however, I do see the value of learning more about Traditional Wicca. She does a good job talking about why traditional covens have hierarchies and thinks that hierarchies are not inherently problematic. Here I differ since as a feminist, I think that hierarchies are always ripe for power issues and prefer that leadership is shared.

I'd love to hear what others think about this and particularly if we have any Traditional covens in Sonoma County.

Subsequent to posting this on Facebook, I received answers to my questions! I very much appreciate the responses. First, in Traditional Wiccan people do not have to become priestesses or priests. Many stay at the first degree because that is all they desire. Traditional Wicca does NOT believe that only priestesses or priests can help us communicate with the Divine. All Pagans can do that on their own. Not all groups are hierarchy based, some share the tasks with everyone, while some maintain a hierarchy with the priestess holding the most power. Good luck to all seekers in any tradition!