Y Tylwyth Teg chooses to work with a Welsh or Celtic pantheon of Goddesses and Gods as well as the corresponding mythos, legend and history. We are redefining YTT as a tradition aligned with the Old Religion's tenets, laws, and practices of love-knowledge-power. We are not lineal descendants of historical Welsh aristocracy nor royalty. We are descendants of European ancestors. But more than that, we are, by choice, students and practitioners of the Welsh Old Way.

Folklore scholar, Harold C. Bayley (1881-1943), in his essay Archaic England (1912) wrote:

"The oldest relics of man yet discovered have occurred in the pleasant valleys of England … along the banks of the Seine. The fact is now generally accepted as proven by both anthropologists and archaeologists, that the most ancient records of the human race exist … in Europe. It has been claimed for the Welsh that they possess the oldest literature in the oldest language in Europe. Cambrensis, speaking of the Welsh Bards, mentions their possession of certain ancient and authentic books … in the twelfth century … [re] traces of the prehistoric Faith. Matthew Arnold observes in Celtic Literature:

     There is evidently mixed here, … something far older; and the secret of Wales and its genius … instead of being called recent because it is found in contact with what is recent, is disengaged, and made to tell its own story. We have … the most weighty and explicit testimony - Strabo, Caesar, Lucan - that this race once possessed a special, profound, spiritual discipline, that they were 'Wiser than their neighbours' -- 'ye bards … to you only is given the knowledge or ignorance (whichever it be) of the gods and the powers of heaven …' ."

We are positive that each human being has a story to tell, lessons to learn. We believe in cognitive knowing. We believe in reincarnation. We believe our lives are enhanced through the Old Religion, the Old Ways.

We believe that defining a spiritual pathway is personal. Many interpretations of the Old Religion exist today; the practice of which is evolving to draw one closer to the Gods. Y Tylwyth Teg is only one path among many attempting to reconnect with the Divine.

The Church of Y Tylwyth Teg was incorporated as a non-profit religious organization in the State of Georgia in 1967. YTT subsidiaries are Association of Cymry Wicca and Camelot Press, Ltd. Our e-newsletter is the Sword of Dyrnwyn (currently not published). Members participate in either the inner or outer grove circle. The outer circle is comprised of members studying for initiation, and the inner circle is comprised of initiates. E-Study lessons are available via the Church's website. Please note: no one is initiated solely on e-study lessons. To become an initiated member, e-study student must personally discuss and request initiation with the e-study coordinator, as well as attend YTT's annual festival event, CymryCon.

Y Tylwyth Teg members desiring to become a priestess/priest and advance to form her/his own coven, work through the training requirements of our nine levels or stages of instruction. Completion of each level is commemorated through an initiation ceremony specific to that level. The nine levels are grouped into three circles, with each circle being more advanced and complex than the previous.

Circle 1 / Levels 1, 2, 3

Students work on healing and divinatory skills; study sacred sites, trees, animals and plants. This circle takes you on a journey of introduction to the tradition, religion, lifestyle and practices. Each level requires minimum study of 1 year and 1 day.

Circle 2 / Levels 4, 5, 6

This circle sets forth the advanced concepts of witchcraft and expounds upon a pathway that can be taught in the modern world, bringing a greater sense of connection with all of nature, and with the ancient heritage of the Celtic wisdom/tradition. The initiate learns to teach and lead. Each level requires minimum study of 2 years and 1 day.

Circle 3 / Levels 7, 8, 9

This circle comprises the most advanced teachings and verbal knowledge instructions. Initiates attaining Level 7 are high priestesses or high priests. Each level requires minimum study of 3 years and 3 days. The initiate can be nominated to participate in the Council of Elders.

Leadership

Y Tylwyth Teg has a President, Board of Directors and Council of Elders which oversee the workings of the Church and its subsidiaries.

YTT was priest-led (by Rhuddlwm Gawr) until February 2003, when the leadership mantle was passed to Lady Cerridwen, its high priestess. Concerns as to the historical accuracy of the Tradition resulted in division of YTT from its (purported) European parent, Dynion Mwyn. In-depth research and Welsh native familial genealogy records contradict many of the claims of YTT's former priest leadership.