Loxley Abbey Church - About the Wickanyte Path

The Wickanyte Path is a balanced blend of modern spirituality and medieval Christianity. The Wickanyte way of life was gathered and transcribed from various sources by like-minded Villagers who wanted a path which was more in line with the practices of our ancestors.

We are medieval in spirit! The primary Wickanyte dress is peasant attire. We are modern spiritual people walking a typical medieval peasant’s path. We are not "Wiccans," or witches. As Wickanytes, we celebrate the medieval/Old English holidays of England. Although we do incorporate certain techniques of a more modern origin, such as our craft projects, the basic Wickanyte yearly cycle and ritual structure are founded on likely practices of the 12th- to 14th-century English and Saxon peasant farmers as well as Old English customs. Many of which are still being practiced today in various parts of England.

Wickanytes use a special symbol to distinguish ourselves from others. It is an ancient solar cross adorned with stag antlers and a crescent moon nestled between them. New Villagers receive a token of this symbol upon joining Loxley Abbey.


Teachings on Sexuality	We encourage members to abstain from sexual activity until they grow into a loving, committed relationship. We encourage others to join in sharing this message. Also, because of our concern for all members’ physical & mental health, we commit ourselves to: 1) current education on all sexual matters; 2) encourage communication among all members on issues of sexuality; & 3) urge the use of means of protection. Although many of our practices are concerned with fertility, we often use symbolic methods to achieve our goals. We do not discriminate against one's sexual preference. The same respectful conduct is expected from all our members.
Belief in the Spirituality of Life	Effort to instill a sense of awe & reverence for nature; true teachings of a humble coexistence with, rather than an arrogant attitude toward, living things; commitment to serve & empower others; respect for the harmony of mind, body & spirit.
The Value of Simplicity	Respect for the fact that the simple is often very complex; reliance on your own creative resources when possible; resolve to speak your words plainly, clearly & honestly; wariness of the slick & shallow; awareness of the differences between the necessary & the frivolous; knowledge that your talents are gifts to be shared; & a commitment to create a community & learning structure that is loyal & devoid of structural strife.
The Power of Silence	This is a willingness to listen & respond to the still small voice within; belief that answers will come when you are ready to understand; spend a little tyme each day in silence; find the awareness & significance of shared silence; learn the discipline that is needed for a deeper understanding; desire to hold dear profound listening; recognition of the distinction between quiet & Silence.
Seek Peace with Yourself & Others	One must have a knowledge of yourself so as to genuinely be with others. "Seeking peace" is an effort to nurture relationships founded on trust; a commitment to a life of nonviolence among kin & clan; a belief that peace is not the absence of conflict, but the peaceful resolution of conflict; and the acceptance of the fact that resolution of personal or other conflicts is a life-long task.
Commitment to Each Person's Uniqueness	This is a commitment to hire, apprentice, and otherwise accept for members of Loxley Abbey Church, gentles of all diverse backgrounds. This also is demonstrated in a commitment to provide the outside community with opportunities to learn about our Path and our Church, provide teachings that enable each person to give of their unique talents, and an acceptance of being responsible for your own learning of our teachings. Respect for each person's uniqueness also includes a commitment to lessen the divisions between generations, both within our Villages & without.
Right Livelihood	This is a belief that the work we do should provide personal fulfillment & satisfaction as well as financial returns. It is important that work provides for our needs, but amassing wealth is never to be our primary goal. Our work needs to make use of our special skills & talents, and be in accord with the values by which we live. It should be a creative, meaningful endeavor which is of benefit to our kinship, Villagers & our planet. It should be work that we love. Work should be a sacred act.
Law of Exchange	Wickanytes are expected to make a manifest commitment to help support the organization from which they themselves benefit spiritually and emotionally. The "Law of Exchange" states: If you want something, you must make a contribution for it. To receive something, you must be prepared to give something in return. This commitment can be met through both labor for the Church & monetary contribution to our Village events and community activities.

The following list represents some of the beliefs and ideals that Wickanytes ascribe to and follow as guidelines for richer fulfillment in our spiritual and material lives.

Love	Love is one of the cornerstones of our beliefs. Primarily love for the god & goddess; secondly, love between ourselves as Wickanyte's; & finally, love for the earth & all living things.
Loyalty	Loyalty is one of the noblest of human virtues. Members are to remain loyal to the Domina & Dominus (leaders) & their kin within the Wickanyte's. This loyalty is the bond that holds us together as a family.
Equality	Although each individual has their own unique talents & capabilities, we believe that all talents are gifts & therefore equal.
Freedom	Our ancestors valued freedom. For the peasants of the feudal system, freedom was sought through hard work & payment. You are not free if you are a slave to an addiction, ignorance, cowardliness, control by another or anything that holds you back from being all that you can be -- showing your honour is being a free person. As such, if you are emotional dependent on another, you are un-free. We valve our freedom & to have it is to have worth & be able to swear a valid oath.
Bravery	Physical bravery is important but bravery extends beyond that. We require the bravery it takes to risk everything for what you know & believe to be right; to face ugly truths about the ones you love as well as yourself. To deal with these truths boldly & to overcome the fears that you harbor within. When you struggle with social pressures or battle to overcome financial difficulties, you will call upon your bravery. Whether your acts of bravery be known to others or not, your spirit & being are strengthened each tyme.
Truthfulness	To truly honour others & yourself you must maintain a steadfast willingness to stand by your words & not to falsify them. This especially holds true when you have sworn an oath. To be an oath breaker by untruths is a most dishonouring act. Your true word is a word that is more binding on the speaker than any legal contract; the worth of your truth is the worth of your soul & all your acts would be that of truthfulness.

The Wickanyte holidays and festivals are Partly Anglo-Saxon & Old English Folk holidays & old festivals that were celebrated throughout England in ancient tymes.

Loxley Abbey uses adaptations of the original celebrations from ancient England. Due to a climate difference between medieval and modern tymes and the current climate difference between England and the southern U.S., we have scheduled the celebrations at more seasonal tymes.

For the Potluck Feasts we ask that everyone brings one meal-type dish, rather than potato chips or donuts.

The Abbey also generally provides a meat dish, often cooked over our open fire pit! We will building a second open fire pit for cooking soon, so request to use in advance.

We do have electric outlets for crock pots & 1 charcoal grill that you can request the use of in advance. Feel free to bring a small charcoal or LP gas stove if you need to cook or heat up.

We do have some tables, but you are strongly encouraged to bring your own foldable chairs for your comfort.

Villagers must also bring their own "feasting gear" (place settings), including: plate, bowl, drinking cup, spoon-knife-fork, napkin & family trash bag to carry home your dirties & trash. (As stewards of the earth we all want to save our Mother Earth from the added trash of paper & plastic eating products, so Loxley Abbey promotes this method of "Bring your own & Take your own" as our part in helping Mother Earth.