What do you think?
Rate this book
High Magic's Aid
The standard work on Wicca, Witchcraft and Paganism by "The Father of Wicca" Gerald B. Gardner is available again! Set in mediaeval times and told as an exciting adventure story in the manner of "The Lord of the Rings", "High Magic's Aid" takes the reader on a quest to uncover the ancient, lost and forbidden secrets of Magic and Witchcraft. The word "wicca" comes from the Old English "wise". Gerald Gardner's main achievement was the revival of the rituals and magical beliefs of Ancient Britain. With his in-depth knowledge of traditional folk-lore and magical rituals given to him by a Master Adept, Gardner revived a vital branch of the western magical tradition. Join the quest and discover the most arcane high secrets of High Magic's Aid!
236 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1975
57 people are currently reading
731 people want to read
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".
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 17, 2021
Gerald B. Gardner, High Magic’s Aid. I found out about this book from reading Doreen Valiente’s book Rebirth of Witchcraft. This was a suggested book, for learning the foundation of Geralds Gardener's original thoughts and believes. This book was written in 1949 as a fiction adventure story about witchcraft practices, because he could not write in non-fiction, as the Witchcraft act was still in force and not repealed until 1951. Gardener used the pen name Scire which he considered his magical name, and most likely to protect himself from possible repercussions. This Fiction story was a guise for writing Gardeners actual knowledge of witchcraft practices. An Adventure story a bit with Lord of the Rings genre about a quest of 2 brothers.
Doreen wrote that after she requested initiation into Gerald Coven sometime in early 1950’s. Gerald gave Doreen this book, Gerald usually gave this book to new recruits and told them to read very carefully, so they knew beforehand just what they were getting into to be initiated into his coven as it involved nudity and ritual flagellation, this is described in High Magic’s Aid.
I decided to read this source to know the original thoughts and believes of Gerald Gardner, from his own writing, before other influences such as Aleister Crowley. My understanding is he constructed his believes at first from his joining the New Forest Coven in England and adding some freemasonry practices. The workings of King Solomon from “The Key of Solomon was also an influence. In this book he wrote of Thur the village leech who was really so much more, a high priest wizard of the old ways. Thur is asked by two brothers Olaf and Jan to aid in taking back a castle seized from their grandfather from Norman Fitz-Urse. Story begins with ceremony in which Olaf is a medium for seeking help from spirts as to how they should go about reclaiming their grandfathers castle. Olaf receives a message from spirit to seek the Witch of Wanda, thus the adventure begins.
The story speaks of consecrated tools used such as swords, Athames, there is no mention of a Book of Shadows, there is mention of parchments which give instruction.
I enjoyed this book may read again, I did struggle with some vocabulary and terms for medieval types references and terms. I looked up some as I read and some, I just used my deduction to keep on reading.
I found this book very helpful to have a better understanding of Gerald Gardner and a great adventure story
Doreen wrote that after she requested initiation into Gerald Coven sometime in early 1950’s. Gerald gave Doreen this book, Gerald usually gave this book to new recruits and told them to read very carefully, so they knew beforehand just what they were getting into to be initiated into his coven as it involved nudity and ritual flagellation, this is described in High Magic’s Aid.
I decided to read this source to know the original thoughts and believes of Gerald Gardner, from his own writing, before other influences such as Aleister Crowley. My understanding is he constructed his believes at first from his joining the New Forest Coven in England and adding some freemasonry practices. The workings of King Solomon from “The Key of Solomon was also an influence. In this book he wrote of Thur the village leech who was really so much more, a high priest wizard of the old ways. Thur is asked by two brothers Olaf and Jan to aid in taking back a castle seized from their grandfather from Norman Fitz-Urse. Story begins with ceremony in which Olaf is a medium for seeking help from spirts as to how they should go about reclaiming their grandfathers castle. Olaf receives a message from spirit to seek the Witch of Wanda, thus the adventure begins.
The story speaks of consecrated tools used such as swords, Athames, there is no mention of a Book of Shadows, there is mention of parchments which give instruction.
I enjoyed this book may read again, I did struggle with some vocabulary and terms for medieval types references and terms. I looked up some as I read and some, I just used my deduction to keep on reading.
I found this book very helpful to have a better understanding of Gerald Gardner and a great adventure story
July 28, 2011
Ham-fistedly told story that is only interesting for it's role in the development of Wicca.
September 10, 2013
A great piece of history. I find that reading this book again at different points in my life makes it more meaningful.
August 19, 2020
The books this reminds me of are the ones witten by the Pullein-Thompson clan. They (the 4 Authors) wrote endless books about Ponies. In those books the reader is given a thorough overview of Pony Welfare and Management then a story sprinkled over the top to make it into a childrens book.
This is the same. It's basically an overview of Wicca as devised by Gardner heavily based on the Witch-Cult in Wester Europe by Margaret Murray which contained the now discredited theory that there was a massive cult of witches destroyed by the Christians.
He then sprinkled a story on top of it so it could be published as a work of fiction. Which like the Pony books makes it a rubbish read.
If you seriously interested in Wicca like myself read the 1954 non-fiction book, Witchcraft Today written by him.
This is the same. It's basically an overview of Wicca as devised by Gardner heavily based on the Witch-Cult in Wester Europe by Margaret Murray which contained the now discredited theory that there was a massive cult of witches destroyed by the Christians.
He then sprinkled a story on top of it so it could be published as a work of fiction. Which like the Pony books makes it a rubbish read.
If you seriously interested in Wicca like myself read the 1954 non-fiction book, Witchcraft Today written by him.
January 3, 2024
"Z pomocą wysokiej magii" to nietypowa powieść o trójce przyjaciół, którzy udają się na poszukiwania wiedźmy, by z jej pomocą uzyskać odpowiedzi i magiczne wsparcie w odzyskaniu utraconego przez przodków dziedzictwa. A jest nietypowa z tego względu, że oprócz rozrywki, autor przemyca w niej wiele informacji związanych z czarostwem, magią ceremonialną i wicca.
Niezwykłą ciekawostką o tej książce jest również to, że była zalecana do przeczytania kandydatom, którzy chcieli przystąpić do inicjacji w kowenie. Na podstawie reakcji kandydata na treść tej powieści, określano wstępnie na ile pasuje on do tego środowiska.
W powieści występuje wiele nawiązań do magii, dokładne opisy rytuałów oraz inwokacji, a także jest sporo wstawek dotyczących filozofii i podejścia do życia oraz magii jakie przejawiają członkowie wiccańskich kowenów. To czyni tę książkę naprawdę wyjątkową.
Sama historia jest bardzo fajnie poprowadzona, angażuje czytelnika, dostarcza mu rozrywki oraz emocji, ale przekazuje też między wierszami o wiele więcej. Całość ma naprawdę niezwykły i bardzo "wiedźmowy" klimat, który moim zdaniem podkreśla też to, że książka ma już swoje lata bądź to, że jest stylizowana na dawne czasy. Porusza też wątek polowań na czarownice oraz gnuśności kościoła.
Bardzo spodobała mi się ta książka, wielokrotnie czułam się nią zachwycona i z pewnością będę do niej wracać. Polecam ją wszystkim zainteresowanym, jest w niej coś wyjątkowego i prawdziwie magicznego. Mam wrażenie, że rzuciła na mnie swój czar, pod którego wpływem jeszcze trochę pozostanę.
Jedyny minus jaki mogę wskazać to dość dużą ilość błędów oraz literówek w tekście, które mogą trochę wytrącać z rytmu podczas czytania, jednak sama treść jest moim zdaniem ciekawa i niezwykła. Ogromnie żałuję, że dopiero teraz wpadła mi w ręce. Gorąco polecam ✨
Niezwykłą ciekawostką o tej książce jest również to, że była zalecana do przeczytania kandydatom, którzy chcieli przystąpić do inicjacji w kowenie. Na podstawie reakcji kandydata na treść tej powieści, określano wstępnie na ile pasuje on do tego środowiska.
W powieści występuje wiele nawiązań do magii, dokładne opisy rytuałów oraz inwokacji, a także jest sporo wstawek dotyczących filozofii i podejścia do życia oraz magii jakie przejawiają członkowie wiccańskich kowenów. To czyni tę książkę naprawdę wyjątkową.
Sama historia jest bardzo fajnie poprowadzona, angażuje czytelnika, dostarcza mu rozrywki oraz emocji, ale przekazuje też między wierszami o wiele więcej. Całość ma naprawdę niezwykły i bardzo "wiedźmowy" klimat, który moim zdaniem podkreśla też to, że książka ma już swoje lata bądź to, że jest stylizowana na dawne czasy. Porusza też wątek polowań na czarownice oraz gnuśności kościoła.
Bardzo spodobała mi się ta książka, wielokrotnie czułam się nią zachwycona i z pewnością będę do niej wracać. Polecam ją wszystkim zainteresowanym, jest w niej coś wyjątkowego i prawdziwie magicznego. Mam wrażenie, że rzuciła na mnie swój czar, pod którego wpływem jeszcze trochę pozostanę.
Jedyny minus jaki mogę wskazać to dość dużą ilość błędów oraz literówek w tekście, które mogą trochę wytrącać z rytmu podczas czytania, jednak sama treść jest moim zdaniem ciekawa i niezwykła. Ogromnie żałuję, że dopiero teraz wpadła mi w ręce. Gorąco polecam ✨
August 13, 2025
Nie wiem, w jaki sposób najlepiej patrzeć na tę książkę — i który z nich podoba mi się bardziej. Z jednej strony to opowieść o młodym, angielskim szlachcicu, który stara się odzyskać utracone włości. Z drugiej — to zaproszenie do odkrywania przed czytelnikiem bogatego świata współczesnego czarownictwa i sabatów wiedźm.
Oba te wątki splatają się w całość, która sprawia, że Z pomocą wysokiej magii jest lekturą wyjątkowo przyjemną (akcja toczy się w średniowieczu) i intrygującą, bo uchyla rąbka tajemnicy Rzemiosła. Opisane rytuały, zaczerpnięte z Klucza Salomona, tworzą wiarygodny i sugestywny obraz dawnych praktyk.
Choć główny bohater — zgodnie z tytułem powieści — przywołuje demona, by osiągnąć swój cel, magia przedstawiona w książce należy raczej do tej „białej”. Autor wyjaśnia wiele, choć nie wszystko, i robi to z wyraźną przestrogą: nawet białe „czary” nie są dla osób przypadkowych, które tylko sądzą, że są do nich stworzone lub po prostu interesują się tematem.
Bez względu na to, czy ktoś w to wierzy, czy nie, czyta się tę książkę naprawdę przyjemnie i szybko. Nie nudzi ani przez chwilę, choć przyznam, że początek nie od razu mnie przekonał. Z czasem jednak lektura całkowicie mnie wciągnęła i zostawiła po sobie bardzo dobre wrażenie.
Ci, którzy mnie obserwują, wiedzą, że tematyka tej książki jest mi bliska i dodatkowo zachęca mnie do zgłębiania związanych z nią zagadnień. Polecam ją zarówno amatorom takim jak ja, jak i wszystkim miłośnikom średniowiecza. Bardzo dobra rzecz!
Oba te wątki splatają się w całość, która sprawia, że Z pomocą wysokiej magii jest lekturą wyjątkowo przyjemną (akcja toczy się w średniowieczu) i intrygującą, bo uchyla rąbka tajemnicy Rzemiosła. Opisane rytuały, zaczerpnięte z Klucza Salomona, tworzą wiarygodny i sugestywny obraz dawnych praktyk.
Choć główny bohater — zgodnie z tytułem powieści — przywołuje demona, by osiągnąć swój cel, magia przedstawiona w książce należy raczej do tej „białej”. Autor wyjaśnia wiele, choć nie wszystko, i robi to z wyraźną przestrogą: nawet białe „czary” nie są dla osób przypadkowych, które tylko sądzą, że są do nich stworzone lub po prostu interesują się tematem.
Bez względu na to, czy ktoś w to wierzy, czy nie, czyta się tę książkę naprawdę przyjemnie i szybko. Nie nudzi ani przez chwilę, choć przyznam, że początek nie od razu mnie przekonał. Z czasem jednak lektura całkowicie mnie wciągnęła i zostawiła po sobie bardzo dobre wrażenie.
Ci, którzy mnie obserwują, wiedzą, że tematyka tej książki jest mi bliska i dodatkowo zachęca mnie do zgłębiania związanych z nią zagadnień. Polecam ją zarówno amatorom takim jak ja, jak i wszystkim miłośnikom średniowiecza. Bardzo dobra rzecz!
September 1, 2017
A cunning tale indeed, all while revealing, high magic, witch craft and some pagan practices too. Not something to be entered lightly for sure! Gerald Gardner spins a tale seeming so real and historical in nature. Originally published as fiction in a time when magic and the craft were against the law in England. But to those in the know, this book is a guide for the seekers of knowledge to the lost art of magic and a very entertaining read for all!
April 2, 2018
I bought this book after hearing about it in a documentary on witchcraft.
Gerald Gardiner wrote this as a fictional story of occult teachings as witchcraft was still illegal at the time.
The story is weak and poorly written. I expected a more historical documentation.
Gerald Gardiner wrote this as a fictional story of occult teachings as witchcraft was still illegal at the time.
The story is weak and poorly written. I expected a more historical documentation.
May 12, 2021
An interesting approach to fictionalized folklore!
December 23, 2024
One of the fantastic works on witchcraft.
March 19, 2012
Gerald Gardner was the founder of Modern Wicca. Prior to his releasing the knowledge of Wicca he wrote a book under the pseudonym "Scire" which was supposedly his magical name or craft name. The book convers primarily Ceremonial or Solomonic ritual in a fictional context. It may not be the highest form of literature but it was a quick entertaining read which I found inspiring and pleasurable.
THe story starts off with Olaf Bonder bound in a triangle just outside a circle. Since he is a virgin he is more able to recieve signals from the spirits. The spirits tell him to find a certain Witch, The Witch of Were. Olaf is Jan's younger brother, and Jan is the one who want top reclaim his grandfather's estate and become a lord again. Thur their mentor is the town leech and a magician of sorts.
Together they group off to find the witch of were who is infact a priestes of the old religion. When they find her in a malnourished state they are somewhat disappointed, especially Jan. THe group barely escape with their life. THey travel into London and wonder at the marvels their.
Jan is slow to convince, Olaf sems preconvinced. Thur and Morwen work together casting spells, charging sigils and seals all with the effort of helping Jan retake his stolen inheritance. Along the way they are doged by church officials and a very controlling mother.
The reader is treated to front row seat of several rituals of both witch craft and high magical workings. THe book is a product of it's time and deals more with Ceremonial magic. The Old religion is mentioned but the Goddes so central to Wicca is hardly mentioned. Janicot the God is mentioned plenty. For those who are into Gerald Gardner and Wicca I reccomend this book to you. THose who like this genre should get teh book as well.
THe story starts off with Olaf Bonder bound in a triangle just outside a circle. Since he is a virgin he is more able to recieve signals from the spirits. The spirits tell him to find a certain Witch, The Witch of Were. Olaf is Jan's younger brother, and Jan is the one who want top reclaim his grandfather's estate and become a lord again. Thur their mentor is the town leech and a magician of sorts.
Together they group off to find the witch of were who is infact a priestes of the old religion. When they find her in a malnourished state they are somewhat disappointed, especially Jan. THe group barely escape with their life. THey travel into London and wonder at the marvels their.
Jan is slow to convince, Olaf sems preconvinced. Thur and Morwen work together casting spells, charging sigils and seals all with the effort of helping Jan retake his stolen inheritance. Along the way they are doged by church officials and a very controlling mother.
The reader is treated to front row seat of several rituals of both witch craft and high magical workings. THe book is a product of it's time and deals more with Ceremonial magic. The Old religion is mentioned but the Goddes so central to Wicca is hardly mentioned. Janicot the God is mentioned plenty. For those who are into Gerald Gardner and Wicca I reccomend this book to you. THose who like this genre should get teh book as well.
May 17, 2012
A fairly interesting piece of historical fiction with some interesting views at witchcraft and ceremonial magick that are reasonably accurate.
September 5, 2014
Interesting to anyone that would like to know more about what kind of person Gardner was.
Not the best novel but not that bad
Not the best novel but not that bad
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews