It seems we're coming full circle in regards to the legitimacy of who is Wiccan and who isnt, and who may speak about it and who cant. I've encountered a rise in "claims" lately (and many of these claimants seem to target me for some reason), after a rather lengthy quiet period in which we all could agree to disagree peacefully. Must be a full moon or something.
As far as Im concerned, solitaries have access to the same public materials coveners do, and as long as there is REPUTABLE material out there (and there IS reputable material intermingled with the Llewellyn stuff), a Wiccan, is a Wiccan, is a Wiccan. As far as I'm concerned, it's merely details that separate a traditionalist from a solitary; the same details that separate a Catholic from a Baptist, from a Protestant, and look at how they co-exist.
I'm so sick of seeing high-and-mighty attitudes out there making claims like "you don't get to make authoritative statements about Wicca unless you have authority to do so". So who has the authority to issue authority? And who gave that person the authority???
If one seriously wants to get into this nonsense, and they want REAL technicality, NO ONE who is not a member of the originating Gardnerian tradition has the authority to speak about Wicca. Branches don't count, because Buckland's tradition (of which was carried to America) branched from Gardner's and look how changed from the original format it became. Same with Alex Sander's. Unless originating traditionalists come out and start policing Wicca and make the determination as to who has authority...anyone may speak about Wicca in an OPINIONATED authority.
Anyone who has spent YEARS reading books, taking classes (taught by those who have read the same books we all have), having discussions with practitioners has the authority to discuss Wicca in an authoritative manner. In a sense, solitaries are the High Priest or Priestess of their OWN singular coven of one, and it took a LOT of time and FAR more work for a solitary to learn what they know, than it did for a covener, considering a solitary has to work alone, making use of the "trial-and-error" method to learn anything. While coveners are told what they need to learn in what period of time...solitaries have no one...and must figure everything out on their own.
Really, in the end...it's about the Gods. The petty nonsense of who has authority and who doesn't is moot to them. They don't care who is a High Priestess and who is a novice (unless they appeared to people and declared "You...Have the Authorit-ahhhhhhhhh"). The only ones who care are the ones with the titles; the ones who can hold this over other people's heads as a banner saying "I'm better than you are because I have this label". It all comes down to labels doesn't it. Isn't it labels that serve only to segregate us from each other...those who are not privileged to sit at the popular table?
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**UPDATE**
This is the response I WAS going to post on a question in regards to why Traditionals don't consider Eclectics to be legit Wiccans, but I'm thinking, if I post it, I open myself to a lot of headache, despite posting a disclaimer. I'll link to the question, then post my added response (because I already answered the question)
Why do Some Traditional Wiccans don't classify eclectic Wiccans as true Wiccans?
"ETA: (A Disclaimer: This is not meant to ruffle feathers or offend, and I apologize if it does. It's meant to provide an outsiders view, and I know that not everyone either thinks this way or is portrayed this way)
I think the problem here isn't "Trads and Eclectics are different groups". They are. But the problem is one group coming off as if they're more privileged because they have access to something the other group doesn't. It comes off as a "superiority complex", and it DOES say to the other group "I'm better than you because I have knowledge you can't get", even if that group doesn't intend it that way.
Making clearly, very BOLD statements such as "High Priestess here, Coven Leader and Wiccan for such-and such years" on EVERY post reeks of this complex. Ok. So you have "credentials" and belong to a tradition for the past 25 years. So??? Does this mean you should be taken more seriously than the Wiccan who spent 50 years studying, simply because they had to learn from the books they had access to, and conversations they had from other, equally seasoned practitioners??
The two groups are different. Absolutely. And that's ok. The problem is one group looking down their nose at those who aren't as privileged to have covens close to them or granted the privilege of being accepted. That's like saying "you're not a true Christian because you're not a recognized member of the Church", even though they thoroughly read the bible every night, say prayers and have communion brought to their home from lectors.
It's a tired, 70+ year OLD argument. Catholics will never see Protestants as true Christians (and vice versa); Trads will never see Eclectics (and Solitaries) as true Wiccan. Time to take a page, move on and agree to disagree.
I encourage you, my readers, to go to the link, and read the responses, AND the comments (especially under "Kristen"). It's a good insight into both sides and get a first-hand look at the "conflict" in action.
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