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Doreen Valiente Witch
A personal biographical account of the life of Doreen Valiente, described by Professor Ronald Hutton as "the greatest single female figure in the modern British history of witchcraft". Author Philip Heselton draws on first hand testimony and Doreen's own personal papers to reveal previously unknown details of her life with fascinating and sometimes startling insights. Adding to the still-emerging story of how an underground cult, described by some as Britain's only living indigenous religion, became a worldwide spiritual movement in the course of a few decades. While Gerald Brosseau Gardner is credited with breathing life into modern witchcraft, it was his High Priestess Doreen Valiente who made it truly accessible to the wider world.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 25, 2025
Philip Heselton’s biography “Doreen Valiente Witch” was really excellent. Valiente played a pivotal role in modern witchcraft and her story absolutely needed to be told. In many ways, her biography is more important than Gardner’s.
While Heselton did include brief summaries of all of Valiente’s publications, the real worth of this book comes from the fact that he utilized a vast number of resources in order to write this biography. Using unpublished manuscripts, private notebooks, and letters written to and by her that are found in her collection, the author also included his own personal correspondences with people who knew her and archival data.
As my grandmothers’ contemporary—she was born just a few years after my maternal grandmother and one year before my paternal grandmother—Valiente had many of the defining hallmarks of the women of that generation. However, it was what set her apart from others that ensured that witchcraft would grow and flourish. In fact, if it wasn’t for Valiente, witchcraft as we know it, and especially Wicca, would likely not exist.
This book is an excellent history of the Mother of Modern Witchcraft and I highly recommend it to all students of the Craft.
While Heselton did include brief summaries of all of Valiente’s publications, the real worth of this book comes from the fact that he utilized a vast number of resources in order to write this biography. Using unpublished manuscripts, private notebooks, and letters written to and by her that are found in her collection, the author also included his own personal correspondences with people who knew her and archival data.
As my grandmothers’ contemporary—she was born just a few years after my maternal grandmother and one year before my paternal grandmother—Valiente had many of the defining hallmarks of the women of that generation. However, it was what set her apart from others that ensured that witchcraft would grow and flourish. In fact, if it wasn’t for Valiente, witchcraft as we know it, and especially Wicca, would likely not exist.
This book is an excellent history of the Mother of Modern Witchcraft and I highly recommend it to all students of the Craft.
August 29, 2016
Without her the craft of the wise, or the Old Religion would not look the way it does now. Doreen Valiente would argue rather strongly against the term mother as she would not want to birth children into this cruel world. At an early age she was drawn int the world of the occult. Born Doreen Edith Dominy in Mitcham county England, she had a strong calling for the occult and mystical form a very early age.On her mother's side there were relatives who could see and speak with faeries or spirits. This ability seems to have passed on to Doreen. Many times she would see apparition that no one else could see. She also started working with sympathetic magic at an early age without even knowing it. One spell she cast, plagued a worker who was harassing her mother. A black crow would constantly follow this woman until she left the place of employment. Do what thou wilt but harm ye none.
Her father was a droughts an working in construction , never quite made it as a architect and the family seems to have gone through financially difficult times. As a student Doreen was very bright, this go her a scholarship into a convent or religious school , but it was not her. So she left. THe rest of her life is a whirl wind of adventure. She studied verses occult works and occultist such as Crowley, THeosophy and the Golden Dawn. Doreen also studied spiritism and seances. Later n armed with knowledge she would come into contact with Gerald Gardner.Gerald would both teach her and in turn be taught by her.She helped rewrite his entire book of shadows and his rituals, thus eliminating a wall the forgeries of Crowley. Later on she tire of Gerald Gardners publicity seeking antics and break away from him. Later on she went to join the Covenant of Athos. Once she became familiar with them she broke away. THey were trying to get information from her without giving her information in return. THEn she joined up with Robert Cochrane's < Clan of Tubal Caine.
Doreen lead an adventurous life.not only communing with the Ancient ones in the Hills at night. She was also a poet who wrote poetry for her rituals and to be published, although not until after her death. She also worked at Bletchely during World War II helping to decipher enemy communications. She work for the bureagh of Unempoyment doing desk work. Doreen also infiltrated the National Front, perhaps as a spine or perhaps as someone's seriously considering joining a racist white wing British group. In her life she had three loves. THe first husband Nicolo Vlachmous died at sea. Casemiro her second husband stayed with her until he died. He was an atheist but did not object to Doreen's practice of witch craft. Finally she ended up with her soul mate Ron Cooke. She died in 1999 having authored several books and collaborated with several well known witches. Great book! Well researched by Philip Heselton with input from Janet Farrar, Patricia Crowther and Ronald Hutton.
Her father was a droughts an working in construction , never quite made it as a architect and the family seems to have gone through financially difficult times. As a student Doreen was very bright, this go her a scholarship into a convent or religious school , but it was not her. So she left. THe rest of her life is a whirl wind of adventure. She studied verses occult works and occultist such as Crowley, THeosophy and the Golden Dawn. Doreen also studied spiritism and seances. Later n armed with knowledge she would come into contact with Gerald Gardner.Gerald would both teach her and in turn be taught by her.She helped rewrite his entire book of shadows and his rituals, thus eliminating a wall the forgeries of Crowley. Later on she tire of Gerald Gardners publicity seeking antics and break away from him. Later on she went to join the Covenant of Athos. Once she became familiar with them she broke away. THey were trying to get information from her without giving her information in return. THEn she joined up with Robert Cochrane's < Clan of Tubal Caine.
Doreen lead an adventurous life.not only communing with the Ancient ones in the Hills at night. She was also a poet who wrote poetry for her rituals and to be published, although not until after her death. She also worked at Bletchely during World War II helping to decipher enemy communications. She work for the bureagh of Unempoyment doing desk work. Doreen also infiltrated the National Front, perhaps as a spine or perhaps as someone's seriously considering joining a racist white wing British group. In her life she had three loves. THe first husband Nicolo Vlachmous died at sea. Casemiro her second husband stayed with her until he died. He was an atheist but did not object to Doreen's practice of witch craft. Finally she ended up with her soul mate Ron Cooke. She died in 1999 having authored several books and collaborated with several well known witches. Great book! Well researched by Philip Heselton with input from Janet Farrar, Patricia Crowther and Ronald Hutton.
September 3, 2020
The reluctant "Mother of Modern Witchcraft," Doreen Valiente, is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating figures of the mid-20th Century. Regardless of what anyone thinks of Wicca, Doreen's involvement at ground zero has had a broad, global influence on the spiritual awakening of the '60s through to the Goddess movement of the 80s, 90s films like The Craft, and up to the present day with the explosion of "witch aesthetic" social media influencers. Here, there, and everywhere, Doreen's legacy is felt throughout the Anglophone world. That she was also an early and fervent supporter of women's liberation and gay rights makes her an even more delightful character.
Philip Heselton's book Doreen Valiente Witch purports to be the definitive biography of Doreen and her contributions to the revival of witchcraft. It's a fun and accessible book, that Heselton clearly put a great deal of research into - and it will likely prove invaluable to future historians. Unfortunately, the book is significantly hampered by Heselton's tendency to speculate based on little or no evidence. An addendum is added at the front of the book acknowledging that the entire chapter on Doreen's activities during the war is complete speculation based on only a single, unsubstantiated source. This is a problem that repeats throughout the book, as Heselton frequently decides she "must have" done something for which there is no evidence. As a community-based historian myself, I understand the desire to fill in the gaps, as it were, but it's a significant detriment to the book. Often these speculations add nothing and I think could easily have been cut without losing any of the great essence of Doreen that Heselton does so admirably capture otherwise.
Heselton's exploration of the more problematic aspects of Doreen's life - in particular, her brief affiliation with far-right extremist groups - is particularly laudable. It would have been easy to skip over this unpleasant period of her life, and I think Heselton has done history a service by carefully laying out what happened, a fair understanding of how she ended up involved, and delivering up the full text of her resignation and repudiation of the National Front. (Again, hampered only by his speculations that she may have been working as a spy for the government, which stretch credulity to the breaking point.)
In all, a fine tribute to a fascinating woman and hopefully a good first step in securing her legacy as one of the people responsible for shaping the spiritual side of the great cultural shift of the 60s and 70s.
Philip Heselton's book Doreen Valiente Witch purports to be the definitive biography of Doreen and her contributions to the revival of witchcraft. It's a fun and accessible book, that Heselton clearly put a great deal of research into - and it will likely prove invaluable to future historians. Unfortunately, the book is significantly hampered by Heselton's tendency to speculate based on little or no evidence. An addendum is added at the front of the book acknowledging that the entire chapter on Doreen's activities during the war is complete speculation based on only a single, unsubstantiated source. This is a problem that repeats throughout the book, as Heselton frequently decides she "must have" done something for which there is no evidence. As a community-based historian myself, I understand the desire to fill in the gaps, as it were, but it's a significant detriment to the book. Often these speculations add nothing and I think could easily have been cut without losing any of the great essence of Doreen that Heselton does so admirably capture otherwise.
Heselton's exploration of the more problematic aspects of Doreen's life - in particular, her brief affiliation with far-right extremist groups - is particularly laudable. It would have been easy to skip over this unpleasant period of her life, and I think Heselton has done history a service by carefully laying out what happened, a fair understanding of how she ended up involved, and delivering up the full text of her resignation and repudiation of the National Front. (Again, hampered only by his speculations that she may have been working as a spy for the government, which stretch credulity to the breaking point.)
In all, a fine tribute to a fascinating woman and hopefully a good first step in securing her legacy as one of the people responsible for shaping the spiritual side of the great cultural shift of the 60s and 70s.
November 2, 2017
Doreen Valiente has been a role model for me since I was 11/12 years old and had first learned about Witchcraft. She is, to this day, an inspiration. Reading her biography, learning more about her from personal possessions and correspondences is just... surreal. This book is amazing and it became one my favorites. It has lots of unpublished material and information, letters, reviews, personal notes and opinions and even testimonials from people who were close to her.
I loved this book so much, it's hard to put into words. I recommend it to anyone who loves Wicca, the History of Wicca and, above all, loves Doreen.
I loved this book so much, it's hard to put into words. I recommend it to anyone who loves Wicca, the History of Wicca and, above all, loves Doreen.
October 22, 2018
This book was so moving! I felt right at home with it, enjoyed my time out to read it, looking forward to it every time I picked it up to read more.
As an initiated Wiccan, I felt many of my own values matched Doreen's. It felt as if she was close to me, like she was here when I was reading it. It feels like I knew her, and I regret not seeking her out in the UK when I was there and she was still alive. I feel like I've missed a whole generation of the Craft if only I was born a long time ago. Maybe I have an old soul. It was easy to feel a connection to Doreen as I read this. A lot of what she says about the Craft is what I agree with. No need to hate the other witches, paths or traditions, love and respect all of it. No need to bicker about the true path, or who is better than who, no need to be 'famous' and garner respect that way. Just be.
As I said before, I felt right at home reading this. It's been my life for half of my time on this earth - the Craft, rituals in the woods, all familiar and exciting. I've explored the South Downs, but 7 years after she died, too late to go to meet her. I was fascinated with Chanctonbury Ring years ago - I read 'Witchcraft for Tomorrow' years before I went to the South Downs, and felt some affinity with it. I had dreamed about Chanctonbury Ring twice, so felt I had to go see it. I don't know why it called to me. But I got to see it in 2006 along with Cissbury Ring, which Doreen would have visited too. She's certainly in those hills, walking the paths.
I had to hold back tears twice in this book - the bit where she passed on when John was with her, and the bit where John talked to Hob and was sorry that Doreen was gone, but offering Hob a home where he would be loved and appreciated! That was sweet! I'm glad Hob is happy with Janet and Gavin.
I'm looking forward to reading more of Philip's book and meeting him one day like my friends have.
As an initiated Wiccan, I felt many of my own values matched Doreen's. It felt as if she was close to me, like she was here when I was reading it. It feels like I knew her, and I regret not seeking her out in the UK when I was there and she was still alive. I feel like I've missed a whole generation of the Craft if only I was born a long time ago. Maybe I have an old soul. It was easy to feel a connection to Doreen as I read this. A lot of what she says about the Craft is what I agree with. No need to hate the other witches, paths or traditions, love and respect all of it. No need to bicker about the true path, or who is better than who, no need to be 'famous' and garner respect that way. Just be.
As I said before, I felt right at home reading this. It's been my life for half of my time on this earth - the Craft, rituals in the woods, all familiar and exciting. I've explored the South Downs, but 7 years after she died, too late to go to meet her. I was fascinated with Chanctonbury Ring years ago - I read 'Witchcraft for Tomorrow' years before I went to the South Downs, and felt some affinity with it. I had dreamed about Chanctonbury Ring twice, so felt I had to go see it. I don't know why it called to me. But I got to see it in 2006 along with Cissbury Ring, which Doreen would have visited too. She's certainly in those hills, walking the paths.
I had to hold back tears twice in this book - the bit where she passed on when John was with her, and the bit where John talked to Hob and was sorry that Doreen was gone, but offering Hob a home where he would be loved and appreciated! That was sweet! I'm glad Hob is happy with Janet and Gavin.
I'm looking forward to reading more of Philip's book and meeting him one day like my friends have.
April 14, 2016
Doreen’s life was an extraordinary one; it is no wonder that she has gone on to be, maybe not one of the best known but certainly the most influential contributor to Paganism and Witchcraft, dare I say – ever! A bold statement I know but in the days when Wicca was finding its feet and Witchcraft in its various forms was re-emerging, there is one name that keeps cropping up. It does not matter if you consider Crowley, Gardner, Farrar, Evans-Jones, Cochrane (the list could go on) … you will find a mention of Doreen in there somewhere.
Taken from my full review in my blog.
https://iambocere.wordpress.com/2016/...
Taken from my full review in my blog.
https://iambocere.wordpress.com/2016/...
August 12, 2016
Great work by Heselton. Easily the most complete bio of Doreen that's been done. Fascinating life, and information that makes you wonder about more. What all did she do while working at Bletchley Park? Did she do any government investigation later? And just what was her friendship with the Queen Mother?
October 4, 2020
A well-written and meticulously researched account of the life of Doreen Valiente, whose poetic vision hugely enriched the witchcraft revival. Engaging and entertaining to read.
March 29, 2018
Absolutely fascinating! What an amazing woman!
December 27, 2019
While I found fault with some of the writing (way too many exclamation marks!!!!) and some of the organization of the book, the actual quotes from letters and diaries of Doreen's are invaluable, along with quotes from others who knew her. The overall tone of the book feels more like you're sitting in a pub with the author and he's telling the story (not necessarily a bad thing), and he does indulge in a fair amount of speculation, guessing and imagining. While this may be poor technique for a serious biography, by the end I felt I had a pretty good sense of the type of person Doreen was, and her pure motives and love for the Old Religion. Unlike many who burst onto the burgeoning pagan scene in the early days (in the 1950s and 1960s) Doreen never sought fame or money for her involvement. I find her to be a great inspiration (something with which I'm sure she'd be rather uncomfortable, even if privately gratified) and a kindred spirit in the desire to honor nature and the old gods. Heselton shares some of her poetry, and a gifted poet she was. I will be looking up more of her writing.
August 8, 2025
“The feeling of not quite knowing Doreen is something her friends all shared and a theme much proved by the contents of this book”
John Belham-Payne nails it with this assessment in his personal reflections in the appendix to this book.
Philip Heselton makes a good effort to describe Doreen Valiente’s life, but somehow the real person, her emotions and what made her tick, remain elusive.
In part, this is because pretty much everyone Philip seems to have spoken to, knew her through witchcraft. There is way too little about her life outside the craft, to present a well rounded profile.
For example, one major question I still have is whether she worked in her profession until pension age, or whether she abandoned it at some point and lived off her unstable income as a writer and her husband’s job as a chef? It remains unclear.
However, this is the biography that we have and it is hugely fascinating and well worth reading.
John Belham-Payne nails it with this assessment in his personal reflections in the appendix to this book.
Philip Heselton makes a good effort to describe Doreen Valiente’s life, but somehow the real person, her emotions and what made her tick, remain elusive.
In part, this is because pretty much everyone Philip seems to have spoken to, knew her through witchcraft. There is way too little about her life outside the craft, to present a well rounded profile.
For example, one major question I still have is whether she worked in her profession until pension age, or whether she abandoned it at some point and lived off her unstable income as a writer and her husband’s job as a chef? It remains unclear.
However, this is the biography that we have and it is hugely fascinating and well worth reading.
January 5, 2020
This book was absolutely amazing. Doreen's life story is just fascinating, from her time in WWII to her adventures in the Craft as well as later in life. Now, there are still many mysteries that need to be cleared up, so it is probably not the definitive biography on her, and Heselton should have remained a bit more on the sideline to my liking (as he only met her once) — or otherwise give us more of him and his own experiences and how they relate to her life story — but it kept me captivated throughout. Fun fact, I randomly chose to read that book yesterday, and it turned out to be her birthday. So happy 98th birthday Doreen!
June 14, 2020
Heselton does a fantastic job of researching and exploring Mrs. Valiente's life and her legacy on the religion of Wicca. He doesn't shy away from what we don't know and casts illumination on how many things Mrs. Valiente had her hand in. She was a poetess, a witch, a mentor, and the patron of Wicca in a way that is to be honored. Great book for anyone interested in the historical side of the craft.
September 21, 2018
Wonderfully written, well-sourced, and it both made me fall in love with Doreen Valiente while enjoying all the juicy drama that took place between her and the other Wiccan founders. Loved it. Led me to seek out her works from the bottom of my wish list to read asap.
December 11, 2018
A wonderful book about a woman that I admire.
Read
August 28, 2021An excellent and thorough biography of an amazing lady. Well worth a read!
March 11, 2017
An excellent insight into Valiente.
Read
February 1, 2025Even more insightful the second time around
I read this book when it first came out. It left wishing I'd had the opportunity to have met Doreen in this life. in some way, upon further reflection I realized I had met at least glimmers of her through the pages of this book. This was even more true after reading it a second time.
I read this book when it first came out. It left wishing I'd had the opportunity to have met Doreen in this life. in some way, upon further reflection I realized I had met at least glimmers of her through the pages of this book. This was even more true after reading it a second time.
October 26, 2022
An absolute gem!
On the run to library to borrow books of Doreen ...
On the run to library to borrow books of Doreen ...
February 28, 2016
Review to follow within the week.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews