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Witchcraft Today
An expanded edition of the quintessential Wiccan classic written by the father of the pagan renaissance.First published in 1954, this landmark exploration of Wicca inspired a passionate revival of interest in indigenous British religion and led to the rebirth of a way of life. Encompassing an explanation of Wiccan rituals and tenents, as well as a comprehensive study of occult practices worldwide and throughout the ages, Witchcraft Today is a book that “belongs on the bookshelf of every Witch and every person . . . interested in the whole vast field of the occult” (Raymond Buckland, author of Wicca for Life ).This special expanded edition of the historic volume, reissued in celebration of its 50th anniversary, includes the original introduction written for the book by Dr. Margaret Murray, former president of the British Folklore Society and the author of influential books on Witchcraft. It also includes new material by contemporary practitioners and · Judy Harrow, author of Wicca Covens and Devoted to You, discusses the context of Gardner’s life and work and gives an analysis of his published sources as well as which later books carry on the major themes.· Ronald Hutton, eminent historian and author of Triumph of the Moon, looks at Gardner’s life and times.· Wren Walker, coproducer of the Witches’ Voice website, shares her observations about Wicca today.· Graduate student Tara Nelson looks into the religion’s possible future.This audacious work is a must-read for anyone fascinated by the ancient practice of Witchcraft, or by its growing influence on contemporary culture, including references to the practice of Wicca on TV and in movies, and courses that teaches its principles in mainstream academic institutions. Combining an exploration of the often-secret past of Witches with a look at its current practice, Witchcraft Today is an essential tool to be used for study, reflection, inspiration, and transformative ideas.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1949
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About the author
Gerald B. Gardner
23 books126 followersGerald Brousseau Gardner was an influential English Wiccan, as well as an amateur anthropologist and archaeologist, writer, weaponry expert and occultist. He was instrumental in bringing the Neopagan religion of Wicca to public attention in Britain and wrote some of its definitive religious texts. He himself typically referred to the faith as "witchcraft" or "the witch-cult", its adherents "the Wica", and he claimed that it was the survival of a pre-Christian pagan Witch cult that he had been initiated into by a New Forest coven in 1939.
Gardner spent much of his life abroad in southern and south-eastern Asia, where he developed an interest in many of the native peoples, and wrote about some of their magical practices. It was after his retirement and return to England that he was initiated into Wicca by the New Forest coven. Subsequently fearing that this religion, which he apparently believed to be a genuine continuance of ancient beliefs, would die out, he set about propagating it through initiating others, mainly through the Bricket Wood coven, and introduced a string of notable High Priestesses into Wicca, including Doreen Valiente, Lois Bourne, Patricia Crowther and Eleanor Bone.
He also published two books on the subject of Wicca, Witchcraft Today (1954) and The Meaning of Witchcraft (1959), along with a couple of novels, and ran the Museum of Magic and Witchcraft on the Isle of Man, which was devoted to the subject. For this, he has left an enduring legacy on the modern Wiccan and Neopagan movement, and is frequently referred to as "the Father of Wicca".
Gardner spent much of his life abroad in southern and south-eastern Asia, where he developed an interest in many of the native peoples, and wrote about some of their magical practices. It was after his retirement and return to England that he was initiated into Wicca by the New Forest coven. Subsequently fearing that this religion, which he apparently believed to be a genuine continuance of ancient beliefs, would die out, he set about propagating it through initiating others, mainly through the Bricket Wood coven, and introduced a string of notable High Priestesses into Wicca, including Doreen Valiente, Lois Bourne, Patricia Crowther and Eleanor Bone.
He also published two books on the subject of Wicca, Witchcraft Today (1954) and The Meaning of Witchcraft (1959), along with a couple of novels, and ran the Museum of Magic and Witchcraft on the Isle of Man, which was devoted to the subject. For this, he has left an enduring legacy on the modern Wiccan and Neopagan movement, and is frequently referred to as "the Father of Wicca".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
June 30, 2025
In this world, we have a banquet of higher educational possibilities, including earning doctorates in a variety of degrees. I personally don’t care what flavor you choose, but if you either “purchase” so-called credentials like Gerald B. Gardner or are gifted “honorary” degrees like Maya Angelou and you insist on improperly calling yourself “doctor,” then you will perpetually receive outright scathing or worse, eye-rolling patronization, long after your death. And you’ll deserve it.
I don’t want to call Gardener a liar…but. On his very first page of text in “Witchcraft Today,” Gardner claims, “…Now I am an anthropologist…”—an assertion that he repeats on the final page of his text.
NEWS FLASH! He was not, even though Margaret Murray falsely called him “Dr Gardner.” In many respects, people thought (and continue to think) that if they lie about their credentials and make a religion seem ancient, then by rights, that religion should be respected.
Does Wicca utilize ancient goddess worship? Yes! But the religion that he was practicing (Gardnerian Wicca) was **not** “ancient.” Regardless, the fact that he engaged in a modern religion based on his interpretation of ancient god/goddess worship doesn’t make Gardnerian Wicca any less valid than Judaism, Mormonism, or any other religion.
At times, Gardner’s language demeans women (e.g., see pages 24 and 28). However, the book was first published in 1954 when Gardener was 70-years-old, so he talked about women in a way that was deemed socially acceptable to men of his era and age group.
I could go on and on because there are numerous problems with this book. So, why did I even finish reading this book? Because Gardner’s book itself—with all of its flaws—became part of Wiccan history (or herstory!). In my academic career, I’ve read a LOT of books and papers—far too many to list! After I earned my doctorate, I spent most of my time reading everything that had been published within the preceding five years. However, while I was IN graduate school, I spent an inordinate amount of time doing “catch up”—reading nearly everything that I could get my hands on that dealt with my field. These readings included not just the classic monographs, but even—dare I say—crap, including everything that had already been debunked. Why? To understand the field better.
You don’t have to like this book. And you definitely don’t have to enjoy spending $9.99 on Gardner’s “magnum opus” (I certainly didn’t) but if you’re interested in either Wicca or the academic study of Wiccan history, I encourage you to read this book. In doing so, one can see how Gardnerian Wicca is inextricably linked with earlier Neo-Pagan practices and, consequently, with modern Pagan practices as well.
I don’t want to call Gardener a liar…but. On his very first page of text in “Witchcraft Today,” Gardner claims, “…Now I am an anthropologist…”—an assertion that he repeats on the final page of his text.
NEWS FLASH! He was not, even though Margaret Murray falsely called him “Dr Gardner.” In many respects, people thought (and continue to think) that if they lie about their credentials and make a religion seem ancient, then by rights, that religion should be respected.
Does Wicca utilize ancient goddess worship? Yes! But the religion that he was practicing (Gardnerian Wicca) was **not** “ancient.” Regardless, the fact that he engaged in a modern religion based on his interpretation of ancient god/goddess worship doesn’t make Gardnerian Wicca any less valid than Judaism, Mormonism, or any other religion.
At times, Gardner’s language demeans women (e.g., see pages 24 and 28). However, the book was first published in 1954 when Gardener was 70-years-old, so he talked about women in a way that was deemed socially acceptable to men of his era and age group.
I could go on and on because there are numerous problems with this book. So, why did I even finish reading this book? Because Gardner’s book itself—with all of its flaws—became part of Wiccan history (or herstory!). In my academic career, I’ve read a LOT of books and papers—far too many to list! After I earned my doctorate, I spent most of my time reading everything that had been published within the preceding five years. However, while I was IN graduate school, I spent an inordinate amount of time doing “catch up”—reading nearly everything that I could get my hands on that dealt with my field. These readings included not just the classic monographs, but even—dare I say—crap, including everything that had already been debunked. Why? To understand the field better.
You don’t have to like this book. And you definitely don’t have to enjoy spending $9.99 on Gardner’s “magnum opus” (I certainly didn’t) but if you’re interested in either Wicca or the academic study of Wiccan history, I encourage you to read this book. In doing so, one can see how Gardnerian Wicca is inextricably linked with earlier Neo-Pagan practices and, consequently, with modern Pagan practices as well.
October 15, 2007
I'm still reading this one also (it helps my adult ADD to read more than one at at time, I guess) and so far it's quite informative. I know that Gardner was an anthropologist who studied the "witch cult" as he calls it and then became involved on a more personal level. Because of this, I'm reading with a grain of salt...(?)
Basically, I've done some studying myself on the "origins" of witchcraft as it is today, and what most scientific authors say on the issue is that Gardner invented it based on his personal, non-objective interpretations of what he learned from his mysterios "sources" and historical texts.
It is nice to get the viewpoint of the person who heavily contributed to if not personally authored Paganism/Wicca as we know it.
Basically, I've done some studying myself on the "origins" of witchcraft as it is today, and what most scientific authors say on the issue is that Gardner invented it based on his personal, non-objective interpretations of what he learned from his mysterios "sources" and historical texts.
It is nice to get the viewpoint of the person who heavily contributed to if not personally authored Paganism/Wicca as we know it.
April 2, 2020
An old book and topics jump around a lot. Loved first chapter and last chapter but everything inbetween i had to be patient as I read through.
As one of the first books written publically about the truth of witches and the magick they work and religion they believe, Gardner starts a new era and if he were alive today would likely be astounded by how many Gardnerian Wiccas there claim to be. A historical read for those interested in modern witchcraft and occult of the modern age.
As one of the first books written publically about the truth of witches and the magick they work and religion they believe, Gardner starts a new era and if he were alive today would likely be astounded by how many Gardnerian Wiccas there claim to be. A historical read for those interested in modern witchcraft and occult of the modern age.
February 20, 2025
a whirlwind of a book, with rambling, non-chronological conjectures (templars then greco-roman mysteries – whatever works, in whatever order!) of the history channel type — some discredited, some insultingly stupid, some intriguing, some poetically pleasing, all of them maximalist
the far-fetchedness works to wonderfully entertaining effect in some theories — a pygmy pre-saxon race came to be known as the fairies; there's a picts and pixies/hidden people connection; medieval chivalric view of woman is proof nobles dabbled in the old cult because the society as a whole was misogynist thanks to the church (!) — but the book definitely bears all the marks of its time with insistent pseudoscientific explanations of witchcraft phenomena, and ultimately i'm not sure if the shoddiness and the ridiculously selective evidence manage to outweigh the camp effect or not
the far-fetchedness works to wonderfully entertaining effect in some theories — a pygmy pre-saxon race came to be known as the fairies; there's a picts and pixies/hidden people connection; medieval chivalric view of woman is proof nobles dabbled in the old cult because the society as a whole was misogynist thanks to the church (!) — but the book definitely bears all the marks of its time with insistent pseudoscientific explanations of witchcraft phenomena, and ultimately i'm not sure if the shoddiness and the ridiculously selective evidence manage to outweigh the camp effect or not
December 1, 2018
I couldn't finish this book. Much of the information given in the first 100 pages is outdated, full of questionable connections or plainly wrong. "Historical research" is rarely well documented and the book is more of a ramble about different ethnical cults than an actual source of information on witchcraft practices during Gardners' time. As a follower of the fairy faith, I finally had to quit this book after the chapter about the little folk - he equates the fairies with the picts and tries to humanize them, thus making a weird attempt to rationalize magical beliefs while writing a book on the subject and depriving paganism of one of its integral parts.
April 23, 2007
This book is a simplified antrhopological study of the history of wicca and how it exists today. However, the author becomes a member of some of the occult groups that he studies, and by becoming an initiate he compromises himself as an observer. The result is a conflict between the academic attempting to comment on a tradition, and the insider attempting to protect and honor sacred beliefs. By trying to walk this fine line, Gardner in the end accomplishes neither task. The reader is left with only a cursory understanding of wicca as a movement in society and an even less satisfying peek at the practice. However, this book does contain a detailed bibliography on all topics of the occult and could thus be a valuable resource.
November 7, 2021
Really only read this to get some insight on Gerald Gardner himself, and it’s really only good for that purpose (otherwise it would be one star). The majority of the book is pseudo-history from an amateur in the field. He draws a lot of wild conclusions, which can be entertaining if not taken too seriously. Of course, Gardner is a product of his time as well, so there are some red flags whenever he mentions anything about Africa. Definitely don’t take this book with any grain of seriousness.
November 16, 2015
A well known 'classic' of the occult.
March 16, 2016
It was trash.
April 21, 2018
The origins of modern witchcraft. The first voice to speak up as a witch. Obviously, it makes an interesting reading.
And drawing from the book, you can see how much research was put into modern media (obviously, of course, but for me it always a revelation to find possible sources where one gets inspiration from). Blood magic from Dragon Age games for invocations - here you go, described as a possibility in the book. The sorceresses having power in political affairs and diplomacy, as in the Witcher world - check, described by Dr. Murray.
It is an immensely interesting area of study, largely misunderstood and mostly unknown. Learning more about witchcraft of the old and of today is learning about ourselves.
It is, however, important to note that much of what Gardner says might not be completely correct. He stresses the importance of covens and complete couples, while many witches practice alone. He makes a clear stress on witchcraft being a religion, while it is not necessarily so.
Concepts change over time and it's normal. It is still the origin, though. History, which helps understand the path that led us to where we are now.
And drawing from the book, you can see how much research was put into modern media (obviously, of course, but for me it always a revelation to find possible sources where one gets inspiration from). Blood magic from Dragon Age games for invocations - here you go, described as a possibility in the book. The sorceresses having power in political affairs and diplomacy, as in the Witcher world - check, described by Dr. Murray.
It is an immensely interesting area of study, largely misunderstood and mostly unknown. Learning more about witchcraft of the old and of today is learning about ourselves.
It is, however, important to note that much of what Gardner says might not be completely correct. He stresses the importance of covens and complete couples, while many witches practice alone. He makes a clear stress on witchcraft being a religion, while it is not necessarily so.
Concepts change over time and it's normal. It is still the origin, though. History, which helps understand the path that led us to where we are now.
November 30, 2020
Given its historical context (early 1950s) and its impact afterwards, this book deserves to still be read today, although our today is by no means the "today" from the title (something missed by reviewers here on Goodreads? Like, seriously, were you expecting state-of-the-art historical treatment and basic spells?).
It's interesting to see how the Murray hypothesis is so very present in the book, even though it's been debunked today.
I do think that Gardner's (and not "Gardiner" like some 1-star reviews here say) The Meaning of Witchcraft is the better, or at least more interesting book; probably because Witchraft Today got the ball rolling.
I rather like how tentative it feels: Gardner hedges his statements all the time, giving the impression that he is trying to prove a thesis ("yo witches are here today") but is keenly aware that much of it rests on speculation, and as debate has shown afterwards, cognitive bias. Certainly not a perfect book, but still an important one.
It's interesting to see how the Murray hypothesis is so very present in the book, even though it's been debunked today.
I do think that Gardner's (and not "Gardiner" like some 1-star reviews here say) The Meaning of Witchcraft is the better, or at least more interesting book; probably because Witchraft Today got the ball rolling.
I rather like how tentative it feels: Gardner hedges his statements all the time, giving the impression that he is trying to prove a thesis ("yo witches are here today") but is keenly aware that much of it rests on speculation, and as debate has shown afterwards, cognitive bias. Certainly not a perfect book, but still an important one.
September 3, 2017
Post Ronald Hutton's Triumph of the Moon, this sort of text is almost impossible to review. Gardiner was many things - rubber plantation manager, colonial customs officer, amateur anthropologist and much else. One approach is to take Witchcraft Today as the fascinating reminiscences and speculations of a very interesting man, an example of a now vanished species. He undoubtedly spent much time sympathetically engaging with the Dyaks and other indigenous peoples, though his book doesn't suggest that he ever transcended his own Western frame of reference (particularly telling is his speculation that African Witchdoctors might have acquired their frame of reference through contact with European refugees from with trials). Perhaps best seen through two distinct perspectives - that of foundation myth for one stream of Wicca and (important this) through remembering that Gardiner constantly reminds us that witches are dreadful leg pullers.
January 16, 2017
I've read this book at first because it was written by the father of the Wicca and, unfortunately, it disappointed my expectation.
Of course it is a good book that illustrates and shows the history of the witchcraft, from the past until the ages of past century. Very clear about who are witches, from where derives the cult and the craft by the opinion of Gardner and so on.
Honestly I expected many informations going deeply inside the cult of witches and the witchcraft. Information and knowledge that I did not find in this book that gives you few, basically things that most books give.
Maybe in past years this book was a very simple milestone of witchcraft, but today is quite overcome. The "Today" of the title is just not our today, but the today of Gardner ages.
Despite this it remains a must-to-read book for everyone is interested in occultism and witchcraft.
Of course it is a good book that illustrates and shows the history of the witchcraft, from the past until the ages of past century. Very clear about who are witches, from where derives the cult and the craft by the opinion of Gardner and so on.
Honestly I expected many informations going deeply inside the cult of witches and the witchcraft. Information and knowledge that I did not find in this book that gives you few, basically things that most books give.
Maybe in past years this book was a very simple milestone of witchcraft, but today is quite overcome. The "Today" of the title is just not our today, but the today of Gardner ages.
Despite this it remains a must-to-read book for everyone is interested in occultism and witchcraft.
July 24, 2020
It’s hard to review this book in 2020, after reading so many other pagan authors who have extrapolated on his ideas. I appreciate that he brought together ideas in a nonfiction capacity that had never been taken seriously before. I love that about this book. But it is a little rambling and not very practical if you want to know more about how to practice magic. It’s mostly sociological guesswork of possible witch history.
This book is outdated, with outdated treatment of people of color, women, and even medical comparisons that make it hard to process in a nonjudgmental way. The book gets to its points by the end of chapter 4, and most of the rest of the book is repetition of earlier themes, with a bit more conjecture, “and if that could happen, it’s possible this happened next...” sort of thing. It’s very much like you’re on a porch with Gardner in his old age and he’s rambling his thoughts at you, you can’t get a word in edgewise, and you think you’ll get some deep, valuable information but it just gets awkward after a while. I really gave this my all but I didn’t really love it.
This book is outdated, with outdated treatment of people of color, women, and even medical comparisons that make it hard to process in a nonjudgmental way. The book gets to its points by the end of chapter 4, and most of the rest of the book is repetition of earlier themes, with a bit more conjecture, “and if that could happen, it’s possible this happened next...” sort of thing. It’s very much like you’re on a porch with Gardner in his old age and he’s rambling his thoughts at you, you can’t get a word in edgewise, and you think you’ll get some deep, valuable information but it just gets awkward after a while. I really gave this my all but I didn’t really love it.
December 1, 2018
I couldn't finish this book. Much of the information given in the first 100 pages is outdated, full of questionable connections or plainly wrong. "Historical research" is rarely well documented and the book is more of a ramble about different ethnical cults than an actual source of information on witchcraft practices during Gardners' time. As a follower of the fairy faith, I finally had to quit this book after the chapter about the little folk - he equates the fairies with the picts and tries to humanize them, thus making a weird attempt to rationalize magical beliefs while writing a book on the subject and depriving paganism of one of its integral parts.
April 14, 2024
Bad writing and a lot of imagination.
People do give less credit than he deserves. He didn't fabricate it all. He put together his knowledge on other religions, ceremonial magick and freemasonry; along with several folk tales and practices.
He created a new system of magic based on a mix of many existing ones, while giving his own spit of imagination in it.
Many of the ideas in this book remain prevalent in Witchcraft and neo-paganism, but many people insist on saying otherwise.
People do give less credit than he deserves. He didn't fabricate it all. He put together his knowledge on other religions, ceremonial magick and freemasonry; along with several folk tales and practices.
He created a new system of magic based on a mix of many existing ones, while giving his own spit of imagination in it.
Many of the ideas in this book remain prevalent in Witchcraft and neo-paganism, but many people insist on saying otherwise.
January 12, 2021
Honestly, the book is really a 3 star book but because of its importance at the time of publishing, I give it one more star. I thank the gods that witch and author Doreen Valiente existed to elevate the work of Gerald Gardner to something worth remembering and studying. Her books are far superior and are much more important in every way.
March 16, 2020
Anything by Gerald B. Gardner is a must-read as he revived Witchcraft for the modern practitioner. Can be quite difficult for those who do not read lots due to the style of writing and words used. But neither the less a great read we all need to undertake.
April 17, 2024
Gardner the grandfather of Wicca. Gardner stresses that he is bound from revealing all of Wicca’s secrets. Gardner share his personal insights and covered various interesting topics. If you are interested in TBW I would recommend reading this book.
December 30, 2019
I didn't get a whole lot out of this but as a historical/cultural artifact it's fascinating and Gardner seems like an entertaining fellow to know, even if I don't get his obsession with Templars.
September 16, 2022
It’s a good book to get history on, though it is dry and difficult to read if you aren’t familiar with how people spoke in the 1950’s.
November 3, 2024
Um livro interessante com uma importância cultural e religiosa.
paused
September 28, 2025Around 1/3rd
January 3, 2026
Lettura obbligatoria per ogni Wiccan.
September 17, 2011
Witchcraft Today
Gerald Gardner, Citadel
2004
Consider that the book was written back in 1956 when the subject of witchcraft was relegated to the shadow and laws against witchcraft had recently been repealed. Gardner had been initiated into the coven in the 1930's. He writes as though he were a disinterested anthropologist yet he was a practitioner. What may have been an appropriate introduction back then is just a cursory view today. Gardner was the founder of Wicca or modern Wicca, so from that stand point the book has some value.
If one wants a more thorough view of Wicca and the Witchcraft "Revival" one would do well to read books by Raymond Buckland, Doreen Valiente and others.
Gerald Gardner writes his book to inform us that witches, though belonging to a dying cult, are still around. They have been around through the centuries and the worship of theancient God and Goddess has never died. Witches used to be rather influential and powerful often times they being the ones running things behind the scens and always for the benefit of mankind. The God and Goddess wanted only the best and though they were not all powerful they could use our help so they could in turn help us.
Witches have been toruted relentlesy by the Catholic Church so that now their meeting are held quietly in someones home. They met in groups of thirteen and they keptr their knowledge of each other secret. The Church spread all soprts of rumor that they were Satanic and their rituals made mockery of the Catholic services. All is lies.
Witches bliweve that it is wrong to harm other anhd so animal sacrifice is out of the question. Blood is not used in rituals despite it's extra power boost. Ceremonial magicians use their own blood. Sometimes Soecerer used the services of witches. The power of withc craft and psycghic abilities are al drawn from power generated with in. The dancing in the circle raises energy and to get results you need to whip your self up into a frenzy.
Gardner seems to believe that the religion is inherited from the pygmies that used to inhabit the British isles before the invaders came. These pygmies were the fairies and they were armed with poisoned darts and magical powers. After a while they inter bred with the invader and became normal sized. Their powers faded as well.
It is believed that the religion has Eastern origin possibly from Egypt. From Egypt part of the religion went into Europe and the other into West Africa. The book was designed it seems as a defense of Witchcraft. There are no spell or ritualsd denoted as that is all oathbound. TH books only value is that it is written by the father of Modern Day Witch Craft.
Enjoy the blog
June 18, 2021
Witchcraft Today is in fact, outdated, considering the original publication date is from 1954 by Rider and Company. It was reprinted in 2004 by Citadel and includes an introduction by Dr. Margaret Murray, who passed away in 1963, proving that it hasn’t been updated in quite some time. Much has changed since the 1950’s, however, if a reader is expecting information from that time period they’ll be greatly disappointed, as it provides primarily shoddy information from pre-Gerald Gardner eras.
While it was a quick and interesting read, the constant references to the author’s own opinions (I think, I believe, etc.) makes any tidbit of information within questionable. It seems as though instead of fact-checking historical events or customs he half-heartedly assumes that what he’s heard through the grapevine is the end-all-be-all. Perhaps this was the case though, since there weren’t many books about witchcraft available in the United States at that time.
However, the fascination with this book within the Pagan & Wiccan communities today is astounding considering that Gerald Gardner provides no basis for any of his ‘factual’ claims. He provides no bibliography (again, perhaps understandable) or index, and is vague at best when explaining where information was obtained. In regards to format, the chapter subheadings are often confusing, at least in the copy that was reviewed, where the first ‘paragraph’ was a breakdown of what would be discussed in each chapter in half-sentences. Basically, this book seemed more like a breakdown of what Gardner thought about topics and less about what is factually known today about those topics.
An updated book with footnotes of where his thoughts could be either proven or dis-proven, complete with index, bibliography, and recommendations for further reading on topics that are glossed over would be a nice idea for the next reprint that is sure to happen.
While it was a quick and interesting read, the constant references to the author’s own opinions (I think, I believe, etc.) makes any tidbit of information within questionable. It seems as though instead of fact-checking historical events or customs he half-heartedly assumes that what he’s heard through the grapevine is the end-all-be-all. Perhaps this was the case though, since there weren’t many books about witchcraft available in the United States at that time.
However, the fascination with this book within the Pagan & Wiccan communities today is astounding considering that Gerald Gardner provides no basis for any of his ‘factual’ claims. He provides no bibliography (again, perhaps understandable) or index, and is vague at best when explaining where information was obtained. In regards to format, the chapter subheadings are often confusing, at least in the copy that was reviewed, where the first ‘paragraph’ was a breakdown of what would be discussed in each chapter in half-sentences. Basically, this book seemed more like a breakdown of what Gardner thought about topics and less about what is factually known today about those topics.
An updated book with footnotes of where his thoughts could be either proven or dis-proven, complete with index, bibliography, and recommendations for further reading on topics that are glossed over would be a nice idea for the next reprint that is sure to happen.
May 14, 2012
Witchcraft "Today" this book is NOT (even from the standpoint of the time it was written) It is an Anthropological "study" on the history of the craft which was pretty much all over the place. Perhaps it is because Gardner is hailed as the man who brought Witchcraft back to the masses, that I was so excited to find this book at my local used book store. But it, for me, really was a let down. It barely touches on any sort of philosophy, or, practice, there are no exercises, meditations, poetry, nothing really, but historical conjecture and anthropological anecdotes. Gardner just tended to ramble (as admittedly I am doing now) and within a single chapter would whisk the reader away through the Templars then half a page later to ancient Egypt and 3 pages further into Celtic Britania by way of pagan Rome/Greece with no real rhyme, reason, and most importantly rhythm. He spoke of historical figures as though the reader should know who they were when in fact the majority were obscure references that I found myself wondering what or who he was even talking about and how they related to the topic at hand. I just don't see how this book has been held up to the high standard that it has received from other authors in the Pagan community. Due to its historical value I can't bring myself to give it a single star though in all honesty it just barely makes it to two. Just before I read this I had finished off "What Witches Do" by Stewart Farrar which in my humble opinion was a MUCH better book on the early writings of the Craft.
May 13, 2014
Such an interesting read! Gardner, who is often called "The Grandfather of Wicca" explains the historical meaning of superstitions and myths surrounding witchcraft. I was especially surprised when reading this to realize that Gardner himself was never the High Priest of a Wiccan coven. I believe that since he's so famed for bringing knowledge of the occult and Wicca into the mainstream, I assumed he was a High Priest at some point in his life, but now I can't find any sources to back that up.
Of course, Gardner was an anthropologist, which makes him an ideal candidate for cataloguing the craft. I really like his historical insights, like the possibility that what we've come to know today as mythological faeries were at one time pre-celtic pygmy people who were eventually bred out of existence by marrying into the line of people from the heaths (heathens). I also like his take on "magic" as what we now know as "science." Makes perfect sense!
Of course, Gardner was an anthropologist, which makes him an ideal candidate for cataloguing the craft. I really like his historical insights, like the possibility that what we've come to know today as mythological faeries were at one time pre-celtic pygmy people who were eventually bred out of existence by marrying into the line of people from the heaths (heathens). I also like his take on "magic" as what we now know as "science." Makes perfect sense!
January 17, 2016
In all honesty, there is a huge amount of speculation from Gardner as to the origins of English witchcraft, but he provides no sources and in some cases, provides no specifics. He claims that Voodoo and Wicca have similar practices and must therefor have a common origin, but he doesn't name which practices he's talking about. He also claims that the West African origins of voodoo were descended from Egyptian practices, but he provides no source for this, either. At one point he describes the practices of "a Mexican cult", but doesn't tell us where in Mexico this cult is or if it has ties to any indigenous peoples. The only time anything is sourced is when he is talking about the torture of witches in England.
Highly disappointing, not factual... I think this book is only good if you are interested in the origins of Wicca and believe this book to be it rather than an actual explanation of it.
Highly disappointing, not factual... I think this book is only good if you are interested in the origins of Wicca and believe this book to be it rather than an actual explanation of it.
March 23, 2016
Important as an historical (but not necessarily historically accurate) text. Very important to seekers and practitioners of Traditional Wicca, though the initiates know more than what Gardner talks about here.
Each time I read it, I come away with something new, whether that's an epiphany, idea for my practice or some symbolic association that I managed to overlook previously. Yes, Gardner was a product of his times, and he was an upper class white man with all the social connotations inherent to that position.
I think anyone who claims Wicca as their religion should read this book, because it will further their understanding of why witches perform certain rites and just where their inspirational roots lie.
Each time I read it, I come away with something new, whether that's an epiphany, idea for my practice or some symbolic association that I managed to overlook previously. Yes, Gardner was a product of his times, and he was an upper class white man with all the social connotations inherent to that position.
I think anyone who claims Wicca as their religion should read this book, because it will further their understanding of why witches perform certain rites and just where their inspirational roots lie.
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