The history of Seax-Wica traces back to the proposal of Gerald Gardner, who designed his practical system of worship, initially known as “The Craft of the Wica” or “The Craft of the Wise.” This system was founded on a series of ritual practices common to Western European cults, referred to as the Traditional Pattern of Rites. Over time, following Gardner’s passing in 1964, this system became popularly known as “Wicca” among its practitioners and initiates, who adopted the identity of “Gardnerian Wicca” or “Gardnerian Witchcraft.” Today, “Wicca” is the term used by those who identify with or are immersed in the system of worship and practice proposed by Gardner.
In this context, Raymond Buckland, a Gardnerian Wicca initiated in 1963 in the presence of Gardner and his High Priestess, Lady Owen – Monique Wilson, in Perth, Scotland, founded the first coven on the American continent in Long Island, New York. Buckland was actively involved in the dissemination and practice of this cult. Nine years later, having served as Gerald Gardner’s spokesperson in the 1960s and being familiar with his teachings, he decided to reform this system, resulting in what we now consider the refinement of Gardner’s work: Seax-Wica, a religious-magical cult based on Saxon foundations. This mystical-spiritual proposal represents a reconciliation of the eternal dichotomy between magic and religion.
The historical basis of Seax-Wica dates back to the early generations of pagan Saxons who invaded England until the year 975 CE. These ancient peoples honored four principal gods: Woden, Thunor, Tiw, and Frig. These deities were the most revered, as evidenced by the place names that still bear their names and the days of the week: Tiw (Tiwsdag/Tuesday), Woden (Wodensdag/Wednesday), Thunor (Thunorsdag/Thursday), and Frig (Frigsdag/Friday). Additionally, they also honored other deities such as Sunne (Sunnesdag/Sunday), Mona (Monasdag/Monday), and Satur (Satursdag/Saturday).
If I allow my imagination to roam regarding the order of the days, I would begin with Tiw (Tyr), who represents Tuisto and, in my view, is equivalent to Buri in Norse mythology. Following Tiw, we have Mannus (Borr), who, together with Bestla, begets three sons, including Woden (Odin). Next comes Thunor (Thor), son of Woden, and then the union of Woden with Frig (Frigga), the Seeress. Finally, we find Satur (Sutur), who culminates this era with Ragnarök, after which Sunne (Sune), the daughter of the sun, is reborn, followed by the return of Mona (Mani), the brother of the sun.
Historically, it is known that in a document regarding the Christian baptism for pagan Saxons (Baptismus Saxonum by Bonifacio – s.VIII), they were required to explicitly reject the following gods in their oath: Thunor, Woden, and Saxnot.This conversion process took place under the patronage of Charles Martel and, later, his grandson Charlemagne, who ruled from 768 to 814 A.D. Charlemagne was instrumental in the unification and Christianization of the Germanic territories.
Regarding Seaxneat, little is known; it is asserted that he is the son of Woden, and the Saxons claimed that their “lineage” begins with him, regarding themselves as descendants of Woden.
Currently, Seax-Wica practitioners honor Woden and Frig, as clarified in the new introduction of 2005 in Buckland’s Book of Saxon Witchcraft.
