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Branches of Feri


The Feri Tradition
(also known as Faery or Faerie) is like a tree with many branches or lines, all ultimately tracing to Victor and Cora Anderson. While not a complete summary, the following may provide some idea of the various lines of Feri. They include some groups and individuals who are teaching today.
(Click on links for descriptions.)

Initiation is necessary before one can fully participate in the Feri Tradition. Groups influenced by Feri but not requiring Feri initiation are listed separately as related traditions.

RELATED TRADITIONS

While we have tried to be as accurate as possible, we cannot vouch for the veracity of all information provided to us. Please note that the listings do not necessarily constitute an endorsement by Lilith's Lantern.

* If you would like to submit a brief description of your own line of Feri for consideration, please contact us HERE for guidelines.

VICTOR and CORA ANDERSON
The first publicly known sources of the Feri Tradition. Victor and Cora taught Feri from the 1950s until Victor's death in 2001, initiating approximately 25-30 people. The Andersons taught using the apprenticeship model and did not charge for Feri training.

GWYDION PENDDERWEN
An early initiate of the Andersons, Gwydion went on to initiate many others. His lineage tends to emphasize the Celtic elements of Feri. He is particularly known for his poetry and music, including songs created from Victor Anderson's poetry. (Gwydion's music is available through Serpentine Music and Nemeton.) Gwydion Pendderwen's accidental death in 1982 was a great loss to the Pagan community.

ALISON HARLOW
Alison Harlow was initiated by Gwydion Pendderwen in 1970 and trained by Victor and Gwydion. She founded Wings of Vanthi Coven in 1975, co-creating her own line of Feri. She left the coven in 1989, and worked with J'té Argent, her initiate. Alison assisted J'té in hosting invitational Sabbats, combined with occasional Feri teaching. J'te calls her line Firedrake Feri.

Alison passed from this life on June 13, 2004. To visit her memorial, click HERE.

SILVER WHEEL
Coven founded by several students of the Andersons, including Eldri Littlewolf, Steven Hewell, and Gabriel Carillo (Caradoc). Gabriel was instrumental in the formation of the BloodRose branch of Feri.

VANTHE COVEN
Wings of Vanthi was formed as a Faerie coven in the late 70's by Alison Harlow and Roz Tognoli (now deceased). The coven grew and worked together until 1989, when it was dissolved. A new Vanthe coven was formed shortly afterwards by some of the members of the old coven and continues to this day.

BLOODROSE
Founded by Gabriel Carillo (Caradoc), an initiate of the Andersons. Primarily used a body of teaching materials initially co-written by Gabriel and Steven Hewell and further developed by Gabriel over the years. Probably the most prolific Feri branch and the first to teach Feri in a paid class setting. Gabriel experimented with large-scale teaching via the Internet and E-mail. Some members of the Feri community have questioned the ethics of his sexual behavior toward students.

Gabriel passed over on January 1, 2007.

STEVE HEWELL
Initiated in 1976, founding member of Silver Wheel Coven. Teaches both privately one-on-one, and in groups. Rigorous concentration on Feri core practices with an emphasis on the Southern folk magic elements. Atlanta, Georgia, and surrounding areas.
WEST BAY FERI GROUP
A loose affiliation of Feri initiates and students in the mid-San Francisco Peninsula. The West Bay group meets primarily for Sabbats and for occasional other workings. The members of the group primarily trace their lineages through the Sacred Wheel and Bloodrose lines. The group engages in much experimentation and on-going study within the Feri tradition. (Not currently accepting students.)
BLACKHEART
Highly personalized Intensive and Distance training. BlackHeart is a path to Feri initiation, although such may not be part of every student's experience. Taught by Karina, a Feri initiate and teacher. New England area. Web site at www.blackheartferi.com

T. THORN COYLE
A Reclaiming-Feri initiate, Thorn offers paid classes internationally, including a variety of workshops and a two-year, long-distance Feri training program (not leading to initiation).

ANAAR
Long-time student and initiate of the Andersons, also had some early training with Bloodrose. Named a Feri Grandmaster by Cora Anderson in August 2003. Artist and owner of Tombo Studio. Author of The White Wand. Emphasis on the creative arts as a gateway to Feri. San Francisco Bay Area.

GOLDEN THREAD
Begun by Valerie Walker, former High Priestess of Compost (see below). Originally initiated by Starhawk, she was later also adopted into a Feri lineage descending from Sacred Wheel. Teaches a blend of Compost and Feri material in a not-for-profit class setting. San Francisco area.

STORM FAERYWOLF
Artist, poet, author of The Stars Within the Earth and editor of Witch Eye. Trained in the Bloodrose/Sacred Wheel branch, he has studied other forms of Feri to round-out his practice. A Witch for over 20 years, and Feri for more than half that time, he focuses mainly on shamanic practice, sorcery, queer mysteries, and personal communication with the Divine. Teaches privately using both the class and apprenticeship models.

MANDORLA
A group founded by students and initiates of the Andersons. Works with a core body of lore, rituals, liturgy, and practices taught by Victor and Cora to their direct initiates during the 1980s and 90s. Places a high value on oral tradition, creativity, and magical and psychic arts. Trains privately using the apprenticeship model in a coven setting. Members have reclaimed the name Vicia to describe their style, lineage, and practices. Oregon and Southern California areas.

Related Traditions

Offshoots of Feri, listed in approximate chronological order.

COMPOST
Founded by a group of people including Starhawk, an initiate of the Andersons and author of The Spiral Dance. Compost combined Feri with other sources and added substantial amounts of their own original material. Feri initiation was not required, but was passed to some of the members. San Francisco area.

RECLAIMING
Offshoot of Compost. Founded by Starhawk and others as a magical group focusing on political activism. Initiation is not necessary to fully participate in the Reclaiming tradition. However, it does offer several types of initiation--including Feri. Teaches some Feri material in class settings, primarily the Iron and Pearl Pentacles. Began in the San Francisco area and now exists internationally.

DRACONIAN PICTISH-ELVEN WITCHCRAFT
Founded by Brian Dragon, a Feri initiate of the Bloodrose line. Focuses on Pictish magic and also finds inspiration in the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien. Teaches some Feri material.

THE THIRD ROAD®
Founded by Francesca De Grandis (formerly Francesca Dubie), student of the Andersons and author of Be A Goddess and Goddess Initiation. Blends Feri teachings with Wicca and Celtic shamanism. Does not offer Feri initiation. Teaches through books, classes, and tele-seminars. San Francisco area.

COVENANT OF RHIANNON
The Covenant of Rhiannon (COR) is a confluence of Feri teachings and original teachings passed down from Sybil Leek. The teachings place an emphasis on knowledge (gnosis-vidya), and the application of that knowledge through development of the arts of the Craft. COR teaches  privately in a traditional coven environment. Located in Cape May, NJ. Initiation is offered but not required.

 

Unless otherwise attributed, all material on this site is
© Copyright Mandorla.