GERALD GARDNER (Founder of Traditional Gardnerian Wicca)
TRADITIONAL WICCA
The value attributed to the practice and philosophy inherited through the preservation of a successive initiatory lineage is what sets Traditional Wicca apart from more contemporary approaches.
Traditional Wicca is a form of neopagan religious practice that dates back to the mid-20th century, with deep roots in European esoteric traditions. The term "Wicca" gained prominence through the work of Gerald Gardner (1884-1964), often regarded as the founder of modern Wicca. Gardner claimed to have been initiated into an ancient form of witchcraft in 1939, and his work helped structure and spread the religion, especially after the repeal of the Witchcraft Act in the United Kingdom in 1951.
Although the religion has incorporated aspects of Western occultism, esotericism, ceremonial magic, and pagan folklore, its foundations remain centered on the initiatory structure, the divine duality (Goddess and God), and the natural cycle of birth, life, and death. The value attributed to the practice and philosophy inherited through the preservation of a successive initiatory lineage is what sets Traditional Wicca apart from more contemporary approaches.
Traditional Wicca is distinguished by its structured practices and formal initiations conducted within covens. Its rituals and teachings are passed down orally, preserving a lineage that traces back to Gardner or other prominent figures from Wicca's early period. This direct lineage is a crucial element of Traditional Wicca, setting it apart from other forms of neopaganism or eclectic practices.
ALEX SANDERS (Founder of Traditional Alexandrian Wicca)
THE ALEXANDRIAN TRADITIONAL WICCA
Alex, who became known as the "King of the Witches," was initiated into Gardnerian Wicca in 1963.
The Alexandrian Tradition of Wicca was founded in the early 1960s by Alex Sanders (1926-1988) and his wife, Maxine Sanders, in the United Kingdom. Alex, who became known as the "King of the Witches," was initiated into Gardnerian Wicca in 1963 but quickly began developing his own variant of the religion, introducing elements of ceremonial magic and a focus on more elaborate rituals.
As both are considered branches of what is called Traditional Wicca, the Alexandrian Tradition shares many aspects with the Gardnerian Tradition, including the system of initiatory degrees, ritual structure, and practice within covens. However, Alexandrians are known for incorporating additional practices from ceremonial magic, such as Kabbalah and the intensive use of formal invocations, which are hallmarks of Sanders' adaptations.
By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Alexandrian Tradition expanded rapidly, especially in the United Kingdom and North America, attracting practitioners who appreciated the emphasis on elaborate ritualism and Kabbalistic mysteries. Alex Sanders' legacy is widely remembered for his skill in popularizing Wicca during a time of great public interest in occult practices and for promoting the acceptance of Wicca as a genuine and distinct religion.
Today, the Alexandrian Tradition continues to flourish with covens spread globally, including in Brazil, that remain true to the principles established by Alex and Maxine Sanders.
MAXINE SANDERS (Wife of Alex Sanders and Co-Founder of the Tradition)
INITIATION AND LINEAGE
Initiation is a fundamental rite that not only consecrates the individual to the Tradition but also connects them to a spiritual and practical lineage that traces back to the founders of the Religion.
Being a traditional witch in Wicca involves following a religious practice rooted in the preservation of an initiatory lineage. The concept of lineage is central to Traditional Wicca, as practices and teachings are transmitted directly from initiator to initiate, always crossing genders (women initiate only men, and men initiate only women).
Initiation is a fundamental rite that not only consecrates the individual to the Tradition but also connects them to a spiritual and practical lineage that traces back to the founders of the Religion, such as Gerald Gardner (for Gardnerian witches) or Alex Sanders (for Alexandrian witches). Thus, being initiated into a Traditional Coven means inheriting knowledge, philosophies, and practices passed down uninterruptedly from man to woman and from woman to man, in a succession line known as Lineage, from the founders to the newly initiated. It is not enough to simply identify with the Alexandrian Tradition to be considered an Alexandrian. It is essential to be initiated by someone with a genuine and valid Lineage within a similarly valid Coven.
Traditional witches practice in covens, typically closed groups that operate hierarchically. The system of initiatory degrees structures the spiritual and magical progress of the initiate, with each degree representing a step towards a deeper understanding of the Tradition's knowledge and mysteries. Fidelity to the lineage is a hallmark of Traditional Wicca, as it ensures the continuity of practices that trace back to the origins of the religion.
In contrast to eclectic practitioners, who often create their own practices from various sources, the traditional witch follows a formal set of teachings, whose authenticity is ensured by initiatory succession. For this reason, traditional covens carefully preserve their mysteries and transmit rituals and teachings meticulously, neither performing public ceremonies nor allowing visits to their private rituals.
SHIRLEY CABRAL (High Priestess of Acqua Matrem, Mater Matrix of the Tradition, and Founder of the Rio Coven)
THE ALEXANDRIAN TRADITION IN BRAZIL
The Alexandrian Tradition reached Brazil through two sources: an American Lineage and an Irish Lineage.
The first Traditional Alexandrian Coven in Brazil was Acqua Matrem, established with the mission of training the first leaders of Alexandrian Covens in the country. Its members, Brazilians initiated in an Alexandrian Coven in Peabody, United States, received direct guidance from Elders abroad, who visited Brazil on various occasions to participate in rituals and training. Notably among these visits was Maxine Sanders, co-founder of the Alexandrian Tradition, who came to Rio de Janeiro, sharing her knowledge and participating in moments within the magical circle with the members of Acqua Matrem.
After extensive training under the guidance of the Elders, Shirley Cabral was elevated to the rank of High Priestess and took over the leadership of Acqua Matrem until the completion of the training for the other members. Her efforts paved the way for the blossoming of the Alexandrian Tradition in Brazil, making her the Mater Matrix for the American-origin covens in the country.
With its mission accomplished, Acqua Matrem was dissolved, and its members dispersed across the country to establish the next three Alexandrian Covens. One of these was the Rio Coven, founded by Shirley herself.
ALAN COHEN (High Priest of the Rio Coven)
THE RIO COVEN
The Rio Coven is a Training Coven. Its mission is to welcome individuals whose essence aligns not only with the Alexandrian Tradition but also with the specific work of this group.
The Rio Coven was founded by Shirley Cabral, former High Priestess of Acqua Matrem, during Yule of 2017. Shirley led the group until mid-2019, when she completed the training of Alan Cohen, her successor, who was elevated to the position of High Priest and Leader of the Rio Coven, a role he holds to this day.
Alan's work has fueled the emergence of descendant covens, active covens that stem from the Rio Coven, which has helped to solidify the Alexandrian Tradition not only in Rio de Janeiro State but also in Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Barra do Piraí, Quebec (Canada), and more recently in Ceará. Additionally, the Rio Coven has become more active online, launching an official website, an Instagram profile, a podcast, and a blog.
The Rio Coven is a Training Coven. Its mission is to welcome individuals whose essence aligns not only with the Alexandrian Tradition but also with the specific work of this group, introducing them to the magical circle and teaching them the practices, knowledge, and philosophies that have been passed down through our Lineage since Alex Sanders.
ALEX AND MAXINE SANDERS (Founders of the Alexandrian Tradition)
WORKING IN A COVEN
We are not a family, a group of friends, or a therapy circle.
Alex Sanders believed that those who passed the entrance tests into a Coven were not new members joining the Tradition, but rather old witches returning home. Thus, all initiates were souls who had previously worked together in past lives and were reincarnating to continue that work.
Our experience reinforces this belief, and as a Training Coven, our mission is to guide initiates along the path of the Tradition’s mysteries, leading them through the process of self-discovery, self-mastery, and unveiling their true essence, helping them to uncover their True Will.
We are not a family, a group of friends, or a therapy circle. We are, essentially, a group committed to profound and traditional magical work, where seriousness, True Will, and devotion to the Gods are minimum requirements to keep pace with the coven. Our commitment lies in the relentless pursuit of excellence in the magical arts and a deep connection with the sacred.
Our philosophy is encapsulated in the motto inspired by a maxim from Alex Sanders: "Always raise everything to the highest level." This principle reflects our commitment to the continuous pursuit of excellence and evolution in our rituals and magical practices, while respecting and honoring the essence of this tradition.
The members of this coven are, by nature, quite reserved and rarely participate in public events or festivals. They prefer to focus on the intimate work of their inner circle, establishing contact only through specific channels. Those aspiring to join this group must have a genuine desire to dedicate themselves to intensive magical practice, deepen their studies, and explore their inner journey thoroughly. Additionally, it is essential that they value discretion, reserve, and silence as fundamental principles.
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