Traditional and Hereditary covens are generally run by the High Priest rather than the High Priestess, and they tend to work robed rather than skyclad, preferring a black hooded cloak or robe. The emphasis is on rediscovering and reclaiming female power and divinity, and consciousness raising. The tradition provides for self initiation as well as for initiation by and into a coven, and each coven is entirely autonomous.and has only one degree of rank rather than three. Both the High Priest and the male deity are regarded as equal in importance to the High Priestess and the female deity. Non-initiates are allowed to attend circles as guests on the agreement of the whole coven.
Emphasis is placed upon pragmatic magic, self development and theurgy.
It is an initiatory tradition, and thus some material is kept secret though much is taught openly and has been published. Witches keep a Book of Shadows in which to write invocations, rituals and other information and lore. They copy this book from the coven into which they are initiated, but often add to it as they gain in experience, so that no two books are exactly alike. The path of the solitary witch, also known as hedgewitchcraft, follows the traditions of the village wise woman or cunning man, the folk healer, and the shaman. These were the wise people of the village, to whom local people would turn for healing, midwifery, fertility spells for both humans, animals and crops, for blessings and for curses.