Queen of All Witcheries: A Biography of the Goddess

by Jack Chanek

Discover historical writings and hands-on rituals that show how the Goddess became such an important component in today's Pagan, Witchcraft, and Wiccan practices. Jack Chanek explores the development of her mythology using nine well-known texts written between the 1800s and the 1970s by famous practitioners and historians. He offers insights on The Golden Bough by Sir James George Frazer, The Book of the Law by Aleister Crowley, The White Goddess by Robert Graves, Witchcraft Today by Gerald Brosseau Gardner, and others. By presenting these titles alongside each other, Jack shows how the Goddess movement progressed with each text building upon previous ones, leading to the core themes we recognize today. Every chapter of Queen of All Witcheries includes a solitary ritual, a group ritual, and an exercise to provide you with a richer devotional experience.

PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

Genres: Witchcraft, Nonfiction, Paganism, Occult, Spirituality, History

Audible Audio

Published June 8, 2023

Reviews

[Justin Robles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intellectual and Inspirational

I must admit going into this book I was unsure of what to expect from a “Biography of the Goddess”. Thankfully I was not disappointed. Jack does an immaculate job laying out the history of Goddess spirituality and pointing out the key players that were involved in Her influence on the world. Jack does not shy away from pointing out the historical inaccuracies of which there are many. Yet looking at how those ideas helped inspire others to build a better tomorrow for the Goddess and her devotees. Some of my favorite moments throughout the book were the personal touches Jack would add about his own experiences with The Goddess and reading his story helped myself reflect upon my own experiences. This is definitely a must read for all who are looking to have a better understanding of The Goddess in their own lives.

[Yvonne Aburrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Queen of All Witcheries: A Biography of the Goddess” is an excellent book which explains complex ideas in an accessible way. It’s also beautifully written.

Each chapter is a reflection on one of the influential writers and thinkers who shaped the modern view of the Great Goddess: JJ Bachofen, JG Frazer, CG Leland, Margaret Murray, Dion Fortune, Aleister Crowley, Robert Graves, Gerald Gardner and Doreen Valiente, and modern Goddess feminists such as Carol Christ, Starhawk, and Lasara Firefox Allen. He also points out areas where these ideas are now problematic, such as when people subscribe to an overly biologically essentialist view of the Triple Goddess, or where Crowley’s views were colonialist.

Chanek demonstrates how each of the writers examined contributed to our contemporary view of the Goddess, draws out the key themes from each one, and offers a ritual for exploring the themes associated with that author and era, first in a group format and then in a solitary format.

I will be adding this book to my recommended reading list. An excellent complementary resource to “Dreams of Witches” by Christina Oakley-Harrington and “Triumph of the Moon” by Ronald Hutton.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book.

If I have one gripe with it, it's that it's too short. Basically it ends in the 1970s but like, what with the following 50 years. Sure, there are some paragraphs on that but they really should have been their own chapters.

What I *immensely* appreciated were the insights into Chanek's life at the opening of each chapter. Insightful and relatable. The naming ritual was my favorite.

If I have to give a critique it's that the author's background as a philosopher shines through in the way he treats definitions, which are of a very necessary and sufficient conditional slant and which I don't agree with. This is perhaps remarkable, as the whole book is built around a dynamic view of the Goddess, with features that change in salience as the book (and time) progresses.

Would/will read again.

[Jessica Nightshade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Queen of All Witcheries by Jack Chanek is an insightful deep dive into the history and evolution of the Goddess, perfect for anyone wanting to strengthen their connection to divine feminine energy. What stood out to me is how Chanek weaves together the works of key figures like Leland, Murray, and Gardner, giving context to how the modern Goddess movement was shaped. I especially loved the blend of historical analysis with hands-on rituals. Each chapter not only teaches you about the Goddess’s mythology but also gives you practical ways to connect with her, from creating flying ointment to performing esbat rituals. Chanek’s personal insights make this feel like a journey you’re taking together. If you want to explore the Goddess through both study and practice, this book is a must-have.

[Elhoim Leafar · Rating 5 out of 5]

"An outstanding book about the history and transformation of the Mother Goddess. A literary journey to take you through the myths―and books―historically used to build and shape the face of the goddess cult, but it does not end there. Jack Chanek takes the assignment of analyzing and deconstructing the sources of these cults, leading the reader to understand their origin and the deep connection between them. Jack gives you everything you need to know in a very well-researched book filled with stories, folklore, and marvelous rituals."
― Elhoim Leafar, author of "The Magical Art of Crafting Charm Bags" and "Dream Witchery".

[Jennifer Cornish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this twice now, and will likely do so again.

The writing style makes this complex subject easy to approach. Using a conversational tone, the narrator is thoughtful, balanced, well-versed in his subject, and considerate to readers. He's also a lot of fun to read! Each chapter contains a group ritual and a solo ritual, so there's plenty of value here.

This book is now on my list of 'most recommended reading' for anyone interested in goddess-based spirituality and/or modern pagan witchcraft.

[Lisa Eirene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comprehensive history. I enjoyed the chapter on Thelema. It was interesting to read some of the history and to brush up on the stuff I'd forgotten about.

[Ashleigh Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tedious at times, but overall interesting. I'm not certain that Jack really got the pinit of what he was encountering.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book