Dianic Wicca emerged in the USA from the feminist consciousness movement. One of the first feminist covens was formed in Dallas, Texas by Morgan McFarland and Mark Roberts in the late 1960s, though it only later came to be called after Diana, one of the principle names for the Goddess in Witchcraft. The Dianic movement was continued by other leaders, most notable Zsuzsanna Budapest and Starhawk. An increasing number of feminists joined Dianic covens, and by the 1980s feminist witchcraft was the fastest growing segment of the Craft in the U.S.. The Dianic Tradition has spread to Europe, but covens are presently far less numerous and tend not to be as militant as their American counterparts, allowing men an equal role in worship, and worshipping both the Goddess and the Horned God as her consort. Faery Wicca was developed by Americans Victor and Cora Anderson and Gwyddion Pendderwen in the 1970s, as an oral Tradition based on the ancient myth of a race of people skilled in magic, healing and crafts, who arrived in Ireland bringing with them a Great Mother Goddess called Dana. They became known as the Tuatha De Danaan, the Tribe of Dana, who eventually retreated into the Otherworld, the World of Faery. The tradition was originally very small and secretive, but many of the fundamentals of the tradition have become widespread through the writings of Starhawk, who is an initiate of Faery Wicca. Dianic Tradition - A feminine based craft movement, which rejects the concept of the Male God, concentrating on the worship of the Goddess. Named after Diana, virgin goddess of the hunt; a stem of the Old Religion which has all-female members. The Old Dianic Tradition. This a particular English tradition of Witchcraft honoring the Goddess Diana. It is a structured tradition and fairly similar to Gardnerian Wicca. Morgan McFarland, Mark Roberts, and Sybil Leek brought this tradition from England. It is called the Old Dianic tradition as opposed to the New Dianic tradition started by Z. Budapest. The New Dianic Tradition is a particular tradition founded by Z. Budapest and other modern feminists. It has a loose ritual structure, a small core of feminist teachings, and encourages spontaneity among its members. Most covens accept women only, some accept only lesbians, a few accept women and men.   . 1. The first Dianic coven in the U.S. was formed in the late '60s by Morgan McFarland and Mark Roberts, in Dallas, Texas. This branch gives primacy to the Goddess in its theology, but honors the Horned God as Her beloved Consort. Covens include both women and men. This branch is sometimes called 'Old Dianic,' and there are still covens of this tradition specially in Texas. Other coven, similar in theology but not directly descended from the McFarland/Roberts line are sprinkled around the country. 2. The other branch, Feminist Dianic Witchcraft, focuses exclusively on the Goddess and consists of women-only covens, often with a strong lesbian presence. These tend to be loosely structured and non-hierarchical, using consensus decision making and simple, creative, experimental ritual. They are politically feminist groups, usually very supportive, personal and emotionally intimate. The major network is Re-formed Congregation of the Goddess. Z Budapest founded the Susan B. Anthony Coven in 1971, declaring Dianic Witchcraft to be "Women's Religion". The Women's Spirituality Forum was Founded by Z Budapest in 1986, and is dedicated to bringing Goddess consciousness to the mainstream of feminist consciousness through lectures and, retreats, classes, cable TV shows, and rituals in the effort to achieve spiritual and social liberation. Dianic Wicca *The Dianic Craft includes two distinct branches: *1. One branch, founded in Texas by Morgan McFarland and Mark Roberts, gives primacy to the Goddess in its thealogy, but honors the Horned God as Her Beloved Consort. Covens are mixed, including both womyn and men. This branch is sometimes called 'Old Dianic', and there are still covens of this tradition, especially in Texas. Other covens, similar in thealogy but not directly descended from the McFarland/ Roberts line, are sprinkled around the country.McFarland/ Roberts line, are sprinkled around the country. *2. The other branch, sometimes called Feminist Dianic Witchcraft, focus exclusively on the Goddess and consists of womyn-only covens and groups. These tend to be loosely structured and non-hierarchical, using consensus- decision- making and simple, creative, experimental ritual. They are politically feminist groups, usually very supportive, personal and emotionally intimate. There is a strong lesbian presence in the movement, though most covens are open to womyn of all orientations. The major network is Re-Formed Congregation of the Goddess, which publishes "Of a Like Mind" newspaper and sponsors conferences on Dianic Craft. [* Amber K] * Dianic: The term was "coined" by Margaret Murray in reference to all paths that honour only the Goddess or at the very least give primacy to her and see the God only as her consort. Depending on the particular tradition Dianic covens will either be women only or mixed with both men and women. * Feminist Dianic Witchcraft: This tradition headed by Z. Budapest focuses exclusively on the Goddess and consists of women-only covens and groups. These tend to be loosely structured and non-hierarchical, using consensus- decision- making and simple, creative, experimental ritual. They are politically feminist groups, usually very supportive, personal and emotionally intimate. There is a strong lesbian presence in the movement, though most covens are open to women of all orientations. The major network is Re-Formed Congregation of the Goddess, which publishes "Of a Like Mind" newspaper and sponsors conferences on Dianic Craft. * McFarland Dianic: Founded in Texas by Mark Roberts and Morgan McFarland, this tradition gives primacy to the Goddess in its theology, but honors the Horned God as Her Beloved Consort. Covens are mixed, including both women and men   Note*on February 22, 1999 the Dianics broke from Mark Roberts and became the "McFarland Dianics". * Faerie: Also referred to as fae, fey, faery, fairy, fairie... tradition based on faerie lore and beliefs. Consists of a mixture of "green" Wicca, Celtic and Druidic practices, and modern witchcraft. In November 1997, Karen told Imre that Mark really got into Gardneriansim when he got back to the States so he incorporated a lot of it with the info he got from Europe. The measuring of the cingulum is from Gardner (although the use of the cord is not), the pentagram in the circle is from Alexanders (he started using it because it looks good when you take a picture of a circle that has a pentagram of white flour or chalk in it - for the pictures in his books), the athame is Gardnerian, the altar being off-center to the north is Gardnerian, the pentagram at initiation is Gardnerian, etc. In June 1998, Mark put Selket (Renda) in touch with Linda. She said she was the "first born" of Mark and Morgan in 1973, and was originally known as Taranis. In July 1998, Selket told Linda that when Mark and Morgan first shared the teachings in Dallas in the early 70s, it was actually a written down version of an oral family tradition from his first wife's family in England. In 1977 he trained and created his first Faerie Faith Queen, Connie Blake, who knew nothing of the Dianic tradition the others had. "It was several years later, after Mark was preparing to move to Georgia in 1980, that we were given the Faerie Faith rituals and history. It was then that I learned about Connie. In the early 80s we formed a Council of High Preistesses and began to share the Dianic and the Faerie Faith rituals. They are very similar and certainly have the same roots somewhere in past centuries." (Selket thinks it was Connie who performed the handfasting between Mark and Epona in Dallas; Judy said it was Connie Navario.) In July 1998, Kalisha wrote Linda, and said, in reference to the question of the place of the 4 elements, "Much of what Mark past down is based on the works of T.C. Lethbridge, Margaret Murrey and Gerald Gardner. He used the elemental correspondences of Gardner as based on western occultism and Kabbalah. I personally believe this is because it's all he knew." In July 1998, Kalisha wrote Linda, and said "The water sharing ritual is also a direct link to Board, Boyne and Her walk around what is now County Meath, the Boyne River becoming the source of all knowledge with a link to Sinnann, ( Shannon) and the visit to the well of Connla." Kalisha wrote in July 1998 with a list of students of Mark and Morgan. 1st Generation: Selket, Gail, Laura, Connie, Carol, Osmara and some others. 2nd Gen.: Karen, Vickie, Sharon, Peggy, Kalisha, Ann, Pat, Pat, Terry, Mimmie, Monica and others. 3rd: Mary, Dee, Taranua, Joy. There are many others not listed. This is the Original letter from the McFarland Dianic : February 22, 1999 The Council P.O. Box 140168 Dallas, Texas 75214 Warmest Greetings, Most of you are aware that in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area there has been a Council Of High Priestesses since 1980. This council is dedicated to preserving our tradition and establishing ethical guidelines. With that in mind and after much consideration, we feel it is necessary to change the name of our tradition. Mark Roberts, who we recognize as the first High Priest of the Mother Coven of our Americanized tradition, has branched off to establish a "pure" Faerie Faith Tradition. Therefore, it is no longer appropriate for us to use the term "Dianic Faerie Faith" to describe our tradition. Years ago, Mark shared the Faerie Faith mysteries with our tradition as an adjunct to our Dianic rituals. Many High Priestesses incorporated into their rituals what Mark now refers to as "the first layer" of the Faerie Faith mysteries. At this time, to continue identifying ourselves as Dianic Faerie Faith would be a source of confusion for the community. Since the word "Dianic" encompasses any and all traditions that are Goddess oriented, it does not in itself set us apart from the many other Dianic traditions. Therefore, after due consideration, and with the permission and support of our Matriarch, Morgan McFarland, we have decided to identify ourselves as The McFarland Dianics. This change is effective immediately. Those of us who have Faerie Faith rituals may elect to continue to utilize them or not. Each High Priestess is autonomous. The Faith in the Fey is in no way diminished by Mark Roberts' recent interpretations or teachings. Any High Priestess who does not wish to identify herself as a McFarland Dianic, but would rather create a new tradition, has our blessing. The solidarity of the majority, those who proudly claim the name McFarland Dianic, is truly awesome. We are after all, matrilineal and wish only to separate ourselves from Mark Roberts in a proper and ethical fashion. Although many of our High Priestesses have already voiced overwhelming support for this move, we would welcome questions or comments. A special email address has been set up just for this purpose: mcfdianic@aol.com. Or, you can write to The Council, P.O. Box 140168, Dallas, Texas 75214. May the Goddess Continue to Smile Upon Your Path! The Council of High Priestesses McFarland Dianics