New York WICA

Core Features of New York WICA with Midlands Grove

• Genuine British Traditional Wicca.

• Inclusive.

• Gentle, safe, and trustworthy.

• Our practice is positive and beautiful, while still retaining the magical effectiveness of traditional Wicca.

The Gardnerian lineage of our Priestess is also associated with the New York WICA Tradition (sometimes referred to by its initiates as The Edwardian Tradition or "the old Wica."). This tradition was established by founding Elders Edmund M. Buczynski (Lord Gwydion) and his first High Priestess, Lady Rhea Rivera, in 1973, Brooklyn Heights, New York, when Gwydion branched off the Kentucky Line of Gardnerians.  [Why Wica with one 'c'? In his books, Gerald Gardner used the one 'c' form, Wica, to describe the people involved in the tradition of Witchcraft that he was initiated into.] 

Ed Buczynski was a major Craft leader in the early 1970's. He was the father of Welsh Traditionist Witchcraft (1972). He then founded an independent Gardnerian Tradition, originally called simply "The Wica," now known as New York WICA, with Coven growth particularly in the US and France. Eddie was also active in the Church of the Eternal Source, a revival of ancient Egyptian religion, and continuing in this vector, he founded The Minoan Brotherhood and Sisterhood (1975-76). As of 2025, Eddie's Minoan system has Groves in Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Brazil, the UK, and 18 US states. He passed away in 1989, having spent the last years of his life involved in studies of archaeology, traveling extensively, and obtaining his M.A. from Bryn Mawr.

Although Ed initiated other High Priestesses, Lady Rhea, (now known as the "Witch Queen of New York"), who is the first, is considered the Mother of the WICA.

Eddie referred to his WICA as "neo-Gardnerian," meaning it is a new form of Gardnerian Wicca, adapted to our modern times. Like Gardnerian Witchcraft, NY WICA is an experiential, initiatory, oathbound, mystery tradition, with a three-degree system and lineage back to Gerald Gardner. However, as a contemporary derivative of the Gardnerian system, it is inclusive and allows for flexibility, making it more user-friendly. WICA Trad can be described as a more modern, more evolved version of Gardnerian Wicca, while still retaining the magic and the mystery of traditional practice. 

Core Beliefs

• Dedication to Craft Service with Dignity and Love.

• Service to our Gods, our Spirits, and our Coven brothers and sisters.

• We are all children of the Great Mother and a thread. In the unity of Love, we form the tapestry that reveals the Great Mother's presence within each of us.

• Love is the standard of our conduct, toward all human beings and nature.

• Priesthood strives to be humble.

• Mystery is within each human being. We are all points of the Mystery.

The New York WICA Tradition maintains a set core of practices and rituals: Circle rituals (Sabbats and Esbats), Initiation, and Elevations. However, covens are encouraged to develop their own expressions of that core, so there is room for flexibility and variety in NY WICA. For example, our Coven works with an emphasis on spiritual alchemy (transformative magic to accelerate healing/rebalancing, personal growth, and enlightenment). To learn more about the benefits of Coven membership, visit our Coven subpage.  

Eddie Buczynski advocated for the practice of inclusive Wicca decades before the penny dropped in the modern pagan community. We give credit where credit is due, and Midlands Grove is very grateful to be able to offer training in this tradition. Continuing to work in the spirit of inclusivity, the WICA Elders included the praxis of same-sex initiation in the tradition, which reflects a more developed interpretation of polarity. A central part of our core is the concept that polarity exists within each of us. Therefore, WICA Trad does not require the presence of both a priestess and a priest for a coven to function. A single leader may facilitate a coven and perform initiations (a High Priestess or a High Priest, of any sex/gender identity), or a coven may have two leaders of any sex/gender identity. Also, because each Elder may guide their coven in an autonomous manner, their coven can work robed or skyclad for regular Circle rituals, depending on the preferences of the membership and the discernment of the leadership.[1]  New York WICA has wide appeal and application because it is approachable, more comfortable and workable, to more people who are interested in traditional Wicca.

The New York WICA Tradition is recognized as traditional, initiatory Wicca by the New Wiccan Church International (a professional association of British Traditional Wicca Elders and Clergy). 

[1] The word “skyclad” refers to ritual nudity in Wicca and modern Paganism. Some Pagans, especially those in organized traditions (whether Eclectic or Traditional), perform specific rituals skyclad, or all their rituals skyclad. This is a legitimate custom with real significance. Working skyclad is not compulsory in one’s spiritual path; it is an optional experience.

For example, in our Grove, we wear street clothes or kaftans.

A coven is where advanced work happens. In our Coven, for regular Circle rituals, the attire is ritual robes and, sometimes, cloaks. This means that our Coven works robed almost all of the time.

In many Wiccan traditions, being skyclad is a part of advanced, guided coven work. For example, when someone is ready for advanced work, it will be with people whom they have come to trust. If—when that time comes—someone does not feel comfortable with the idea of working skyclad, it may be an indication that the trust factor is lacking, or that they are not ready for advanced work, or that another tradition might be a better fit. Whatever the reason, it is essential to respect one’s comfort level and personal boundaries, and it is fine to remain in the Outer Court indefinitely. There are many options within the path as we teach it, so the seeker can find the place that is right for them.

The list of Wiccan or Witch initiatory traditions that work exclusively robed is short. So, if your spiritual goals include attaining the experiential insights that come with advancement through the Degrees, you will need to consider joining an initiatory tradition, and before you undertake to join any initiatory tradition or coven, it is important to consider whether you would be able to work skyclad. It is also a good idea to talk with your group leader, or a knowledgeable Elder. Keep in mind also, that the decision about skyclad work is typically a decision to make later on, down-the-line, when someone has at least a few years of solitary practice under their belt and experienced one year or more of solid training with an accomplished Elder.

Ultimately, if you do not think you will be able to participate in skyclad work, then think about why, and if you still don’t think that you could, then do not pursue advanced coven work. Remember, you have options: you can remain a tenured Grove member, search among other traditions, or work solitary. If you do decide to join a coven, then you are agreeing to the way they do things. Coven Craft is not for everyone, and the Craft is not looking for recruits, but it does make itself available to the sincere seeker.

To gain more insight, here is an article from a Gardnerian perspective (a Wiccan tradition that works exclusively skyclad) about Ritual Nudity for the Insecure.