Our History
The Origins of the Tradition
The Celtic Traditionalist Gwyddonaid (CTG) is a tradition which stems from the hereditary family lore of Lady Gwen (Gwynne) Thompson (1928-1986) and subsequent research and writings of Edmund M. Buczynski (Lord Gwydion) (1947-1989), founder of the Brooklyn Heights Coven with Lady Vivienne. The Celtic Traditionalist Gwyddonaid is based upon two textual sources. The first source is the Book of Shadows and other teachings of the New York Welsh Traditionalist Gwyddonaid (NYWTG or "Welsh Tradition"), as founded by Lord Gwydion.The Welsh Tradition was not and is not acknowledged as a member of the New England Covens of Traditionalist Witches (NECTW) family of traditions. The essential form or outline of the CTG Book of Shadows is that which derived from the reorganization of the Welsh Tradition materials by Lord Taliesin. By 1986, Taliesin had, with the help of Welsh Tradition Elders in the New York City area, reorganized the Welsh Tradition book into its current, widely disseminated form. As is traditional, no materials were removed from the book as received by Taliesin; rather, an attempt was made to logically organize the material to better suit both teacher and student.
The second source is the Book of Shadows and other teachings of the Welsh Rite Traditionalist Gwyddonaid (WRTG), as founded by Lord Gwion. Lord Gwion commingled the Welsh Tradition materials (as received from both Lady Vivienne and Taliesin) and the NECTW materials, the latter which were made made available to him susbequent to his initiation and elevation in that line. This commingling led to the founding of the WRTG. The WRTG line is accepted by the NECTW family of Traditions.
These two sources, and our beloved ancestors of the blood, Lady Gwen and Lord Gwydion, are the cherished life's blood of the CTG, for it is by the Goddess' and God's hands we are guided and continue to thrive. Guided by the Gods, we have brought the bloodlines fully together. We vow to ever reveal the mysteries, but we also remember that those who cannot put the Gods before their own prejudices are but the onceborn masquerading as the wise. Learn and teach of true love and compassion and laughter; learn and teach too of darkness and death and rebirth, for it is only through this balance that we may serve the path of light truly.
The Founding of the Tradition
The Celtic Traditionalist Gwyddonaid (CTG) was born on December 8, 2001 by Lady Gwyndra, Lady Ennwydhen, and Lord Taliesin. These three Elders met in love and light to found the CTG due to ethical and philosophical differences with the Welsh Rite Traditionalist Gwyddonaid (WRTG), of which they were initiates. On that night, at Boston, Massachusetts Lady Astarte Gwyndra, Lady Ennwydhen Achren, and Lord Taliesin Fflamdwyn came together in perfect love and perfect trust, not out of hubris, but for the benefit of generations to come, to found the Celtic Traditionalist Gwyddonaid.Upon the founding of the CTG, Lady Gwyndra and Lady Ennwydhen formally resigned from the WRTG, notifying the chief elder of the WRTG (Lord Tuan) and the chief historian of the NECTW (Lord Theitic) via email, both of whom responded and recognized the receipt of said communication and their resignations. Lord Taliesin, who remains honored by the gift received from Lady Gwyndra and Lady Ennwydhen, retains his status as a High Priest in the WRTG.