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    New England Covens of Traditionalist Witches
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About  US

Perpetuating the family traditions of Gwynne Thompson

N.E.C.T.W. (The New England Coven of Traditionalist Witches) was founded in 1972 by Lady Gwen Thompson, a hereditary witch from New Haven, Connecticut. Her family tradition blended with popular occultism and was handed down in its present form.

The N.E.C.T.W. is of Traditionalist origin. It is a place for men and women to be trained in the Craft as handed down by Adrianna Porter through her granddaughter, Gwen Thompson. Although formally named in 1972, this family tradition was brought into the public in the late 1960's.

The Craft requires a strong follower with a sincere heart willing to train and practice in order to understand the ways of the Wise.

In our Tradition we celebrate the Wheel of the Year, the cycles of Light and Darkness, and the phases of the Moon. Not only are the Sabbats and Esbats a time to celebrate the Universal energies without, it is a time to celebrate those energies we carry within.

Cauldron

Gwen's Family Heritage

Gwen Thompson’s surviving letters show that she possessed the New Englander’s characteristic interest in her old ancestors. She knew the names and the circumstances of the lives of many of them, and told her initiates stories about some of them.

Lady Gwynne

"The ingredients necessary for a successful magical operation are: interest, concentration of will, and emotion."

A brief history

During the early years of the 20th century Pagan Renaissance Lady Gwynne Thompson (1928 - 1986) — primary teacher of N.E.C.T.W. — was publicly engaged at a high level with the resurgence of witchcraft in the United States. She was a prolific correspondent with just about every figure in the fledgling Pagan movement and a frequent contributor to The Green Egg — a publication that was arguably the lifeline which bound the movement together during that early era.

Gwen ran a small Coven out of her North Haven, CT home from which she mentored initiates in the lore she had inherited from her family line. At the time only a few others identified their Craft heritage as “Traditional Witchcraft.”

In "Green Egg" #69, Lady Gwen (aka Lady Gwynne) Thompson shared our Tradition’s version of the Rede attributing it to Adriana Porter, her paternal grandmother, who crossed over into the Summerland in 1946.

Apples

The Wiccan Rede

Being known as the counsel of the Wise Ones:

  1. Bide the Wiccan Laws ye must In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.
  2. Live an’ let live - Fairly take an’ fairly give.
  3. Cast the Circle thrice about To keep all evil spirits out.
  4. To bind the spell every time - Let the spell be spake in rhyme.
  5. Soft of eye an’ light of touch - Speak little, listen much.
  6. Deosil go by the waxing Moon - Sing and dance the Wiccan rune.
  7. Widdershins go when the Moon doth wane, An’ the Werewolf howls by the dread Wolfsbane.
  8. When the Lady’s Moon is new, Kiss thy hand to Her times two.
  9. When the Moon rides at Her peak Then your heart’s desire seek.
  10. Heed the Northwind’s mighty gale - Lock the door and drop the sail.
  11. When the wind comes from the South, Love will kiss thee on the mouth.
  12. When the wind blows from the East, Expect the new and set the feast.
  13. When the West wind blows o’er thee, Departed spirits restless be.
  14. Nine woods in the Cauldron go - Burn them quick an’ burn them slow.
  15. Elder be ye Lady’s tree - Burn it not or cursed ye’ll be.
  16. When the Wheel begins to turn - Let the Beltane fires burn.
  17. When the Wheel has turned a Yule, Light the Log an’ let Pan rule.
  18. Heed ye flower bush an’ tree - By the Lady Blessèd Be.
  19. Where the rippling waters go Cast a stone an’ truth ye’ll know.
  20. When ye have need, Hearken not to others greed.
  21. With the fool no season spend Or be counted as his friend.
  22. Merry meet an’ merry part - Bright the cheeks an’ warm the heart.
  23. Mind the Threefold Law ye should - Three times bad an’ three times good.
  24. When misfortune is enow, Wear the Blue Star on thy brow.
  25. True in love ever be Unless thy lover’s false to thee.
  26. Eight words ye Wiccan Rede fulfill - An’ it harm none, Do what ye will.

This version of the Rede has appeared in many publications, on various sites and in many stores in a frame for purchase by those who follow Wiccan values. These printed versions come from The Green Egg where it was first published by Lady Gwynne. There have been only a few instances when the name of Lady Gwynne has been mentioned.

Lady Gwynne gave this rede to the universe and for this and everything else she gave us, we honor her and carry on her Tradition.

N.E.C.T.W. Covens

Coven of Minerva, RI – Megan & Theitic

Nemed Cuculatii, WA – Raven & Ash

Needfire Grove, MD – Brigid & Merlin

Coven of Athena, RI – Eowyn & Theitic

Coven of the Crossroads, RI – Sparrow & Theitic

Raven Eyrie Coven, MA – Raven Willow & Talonquill

Hearth of Brighid, South-Wales, UK – Breo & Theitic

Grove of the Phoenix, Banbury England, UK – Jera & Theitic

Coven of Brigandu, Montreal, Canada – Gwalchtan

Coven of the Midnight Sun, RI – Eowyn & Lucius

To contact one of these Covens email info@nectw.org