What is SWOM?

The Society of Witchcraft and Old Magick is a private occult training order headquartered in north central CT. The teachings and ritual style of this group comprise what is known as the Wardwell tradition of American witchcraft. The tradition was named as such to honor Samuel Wardwell, the direct descendant of leader and founder Nikki Wardwell Sleath, who was hanged for witchcraft in the Salem trials. The order will officially be ten years old as of 1/1/25 and is going strong.

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What is involved in membership?

To gain membership in the order, new applicants undergo a traditional year of neophyte training where they take weekly classes and attend the moon and sabbat rituals of the year to achieve initiation. Class topics are diverse yet foundational, covering history, correspondences, ceremonial ritual magick techniques, multiple divination techniques including runes and tarot, spell crafting and herbal usage, all kinds of spirit knowledge and communication, dream work, astrology, tree of life, seals and sigilry, just to name a sampling. Students pay $20 for each ninety minute weekly class, paying as they go, with no up front costs. New students must be able to attend the first class in person as well as their initiation a year later, but all of the teaching through the year between those dates may be done via zoom if the new member wishes or does not live local to the CT area.

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The Society of Witchcraft is currently a large community of active 21+ members including new students plus adept members who have stayed engaged with the order through the years. The order also offers optional Mage Adept and Priesthood levels of training for students who wish to deepen their practices or levels of service, and because of this, the community has lots of wisdom and members of various skill levels available. In addition to training and spiritual ceremonies, members of the Society of Witchcraft engage in lots of inspiring optional magickal extracurricular activities together such as trips to Salem, an annual All Hallows retreat, book club, optional depth class opportunities for initiates and much more.

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​How do I join?

If you are interested in hearing more, please email Nikki at nsleath@gmail.com in order to be invited to the next zoom informational session for new class group planning. This is the mandatory first step in the membership application process. Blessed Be!