OWoD Mage:

The Traditions of Magic meaning that Mages are allowed a tradition that embraces their concept.
Each group had an understanding of magic that was specific to them...
Akashic Brotherhood: Magic as Martial Arts
Virtual Adepts: Magic as computer program
Sons of Ether: Magic as Mad Science
Euthanatos: Magic as an Agent of Death/Change
Verbena: Wicca-like Blood Magic
Order of Hermes: High Hermetic Magic
Dreamspeaker: Magic as Shamanism
Celestial Chorister: Magic as Divine Power
Cult of Ecstacy: Magic through Sensation
And then, the un-group:
Hollow Ones: "Goth Magic"



NWoD Mage?
The principal focus has gone to hermetic magic. (But not the "High Hermetic Magic" from above.)
The Paths are much too broad while still managing to be limiting.
Anyone who has any talent for Fate magic is some "happy hippie" nutjob. (Acanthus)

Anyone who has a talent for Alchemy is a Morbid Necromancer. (Moros)

Any talent for Mind magic means that one has a perceived connection with "hell". (Mastigos)

Any talent for Prime magic results in being perceived as "HOLY". (Obrimos)

Any talent for Life magic results in a guy who also has a penchant for talking to objects as if they were alive. (Thyrsus)

It goes DOWNHILL from there....
++++++++++++++++++
Skel: "Ever seen a drunk Lich before?"
Nort: "An drunken undead wizard? How's he get drunk?"
Skel: "It ain't friggin easy, le'me tellya.
Now pass me another beer or spend the rest of your life as a frog!"