history and traditions

By Marty Mullenax-Bull & Thorn In the early internet days, when Netscape ruled and chatrooms were the map for anyone traveling the web, a quiet revolution began: in 1997 Wren Walker and Fritz Jung launched The Witches’ Voice  — better known to generations of Pagans simply as WitchVox . For twenty-two years it functioned as a global meeting place, an informal university, a bulletin board, and a record-keeping hearth for Pagan, Wiccan, and witchcraft communities everywhere. Wik

By Marty Mullenax- Bull & Thorn Alexandrian Wicca, often referred to as Alexandrian Witchcraft, is a prominent tradition within the Wiccan community. Founded in the 1960s by Alex Sanders and his wife Maxine Sanders in the United Kingdom, it is recognized as one of the major branches of British Traditional Wicca. Wikipedia Alex Sanders, known as the "King of the Witches," was initiated into witchcraft in the early 1930s and later became a member of a Gardnerian coven. Influenc

By Marty Mullenax-Bull & Thorn The Dianic Religion, as articulated by Hearth Moon Rising, offers a profound and empowering spiritual path that centers on the divine feminine. Rooted in feminist principles and the reverence of the Goddess, this tradition provides a sanctuary for women to reconnect with their bodies, cycles, and inherent power. At the heart of the Dianic Religion is the worship of the Great Mother, the embodiment of all gods and goddesses. This perspective sees

Stregheria: Italian Witchcraft, Folk Magic & Aradia Tradition By Marty Mullenax - Bull & Thorn Stregheria—often called the “Old Religion” of Italy—is a fascinating blend of folklore, spirituality, and magical practice. Rooted in Italian and Sicilian folk traditions, Stregheria has evolved into a modern Pagan path that honors ancient deities, family heritage, and the wisdom of the strega (witch). Beneath the mystical name lies a story of cultural identity, survival, and adapta

By Marty Mullenax | Bull & Thorn Modern Wicca, as we know it today, owes much to one man — Gerald Brosseau Gardner , a British occultist and folklorist who brought the ancient art of witchcraft into the modern age. His creation, Gardnerian Wicca , became one of the first organized forms of contemporary witchcraft and remains one of the most influential magical traditions in the world. Gardner’s vision merged folklore, ritual magic, and reverence for nature into a spiritual sy

By Marty Mullenax | Bull & Thorn Blog Hidden among the mist-shrouded ridges and winding hollers of the Appalachian Mountains lives a magic older than America itself — a magic born of necessity, faith, and deep respect for the land. Known by many names — Granny Magic, Hillfolk Conjure, or Appalachian Folk Magic  — this living tradition carries the heartbeat of a people who blended the Old World and the New into something entirely their own. Appalachian Folk Magic is a true mel

By Marty Mullenax | Bull & Thorn Blog As the last harvest fades and autumn’s chill deepens, Pagans around the world turn their hearts toward Samhain , the sacred festival that marks the end of the agricultural year. Traditionally celebrated from October 31st to November 1st , Samhain is far more than the “witches’ new year” — it is a time of honoring our ancestors, remembering our roots, and reflecting on the cycles of death and rebirth  that shape all life. In many tradition

By Marty Mullenax | Bull & Thorn Wicca, one of the most influential modern Pagan religions, has blossomed from a small initiatory mystery tradition in mid-20th-century England into a global spiritual movement with diverse sects, practices, and lineages. From the early teachings of Gerald Gardner  to the modern innovations of Correllian Wicca , the systems of Wicca reflect humanity’s evolving relationship with magic, nature, and the divine. 🌿 The Founding of Modern Wicca Foun