Author Topic: Scott Cunningham's lineage (Read 1490 times)

Kaio · « **on:** January 28, 2018, 02:03:00 pm »

Is Scott Cunningham's lineage publicly known? Can it be traced back up to Gardner?

Jenett · « **Reply #1 on:** January 28, 2018, 02:29:06 pm »

Quote from: Kaio on January 28, 2018, 02:03:00 pm

Is Scott Cunningham's lineage publicly known? Can it be traced back up to Gardner?

I've seen discussions (in my case, on the AmberandJet mailing list, which isn't publically linkable) that he had initiations in two small BTW traditions: the Majestic Order (Central Valley Wicca) and Gwyddonic. (That comes from a well-respected moderator and poster on that list who shares one of those traditions, if I'm remembering his background right.) The things I've seen indicate that that may not have been to a degree level where he was able to pass on the tradition even if he'd chosen to do so, but again, hard to pin down from the outside.

The connections to Gardnerian practice are a little more complicated, and not a thing people outside those traditions are likely to sort out (because the details would rely on access to oathbound materials.) this Wikipedia article summarises what I've seen in other places about it, namely that it might be something that shares the same roots as Gardnerian practice, or might be an early offshoot, but it's near impossible to tell which.

There's a biography of him, Whispers of the Moon: Life and Work of Scott Cunningham, Philosopher, Magician, and Modern-day Pagan which may have more, but I haven't read it. (It's based on his unfinished autobiography, with additional material from people who knew him.)

Darkhawk · « **Reply #2 on:** January 28, 2018, 02:36:27 pm »

Quote from: Jenett on January 28, 2018, 02:29:06 pm

I've seen discussions (in my case, on the AmberandJet mailing list, which isn't publically linkable) that he had initiations in two small BTW traditions: the Majestic Order (Central Valley Wicca) and Gwyddonic. (That comes from a well-respected moderator and poster on that list who shares one of those traditions, if I'm remembering his background right.) The things I've seen indicate that that may not have been to a degree level where he was able to pass on the tradition even if he'd chosen to do so, but again, hard to pin down from the outside.

My own research has the Majestic initiation and heavy personal (non-initiatory, most likely) influence from Buckland and Grimassi, but not the Gwyddonic connection. Trying to figure out revisions to my charts.