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An ABC of witchcraft past & present
Now in paperback, an alphabetical handbook which looks at both the history of witchcraft and how it is practised today. First published in 1973.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published April 12, 1973
44 people are currently reading
1991 people want to read
About the author
Doreen Valiente
14 books193 followersDoreen Edith Dominy Valiente was an influential English Wiccan who was involved in a number of different early traditions, including Gardnerian Wicca, Cochrane's Craft and the Coven of Atho. Responsible for writing much of the early Gardnerian religious liturgy, in later years she also helped to play a big part in bringing the Neopagan religion of Wicca to wider public attention through the publication of a string of books on the subject.
Having been born in south London, she first became involved in the Craft after being initiated into the Gardnerian tradition in 1953 in a ceremony performed by Gerald Gardner.
Subsequently becoming the High Priestess of his Bricket Wood coven, she helped him to produce many important scriptural texts for Wicca, such as “The Witches Rune” and the “Charge of the Goddess”, which were incorporated into the early Gardnerian Book of Shadows.
Splitting off to form her own coven in 1957, she went on to work with Robert Cochrane in his coven, the Clan of Tubal Cain, till the mid 1960s when she began working as a solitary practitioner. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s she penned a number of books on the subject of Wicca - which she always called "witchcraft" – including “An ABC of Witchcraft” (1973) and “Witchcraft for Tomorrow” (1978), as well as being an early proponent of self-initiation into the Craft.
Having had a significant influence in the history of Wicca, she has been referred to as "the mother of modern Witchcraft" and is today is widely revered in the Wiccan and wider Neopagan community.
Having been born in south London, she first became involved in the Craft after being initiated into the Gardnerian tradition in 1953 in a ceremony performed by Gerald Gardner.
Subsequently becoming the High Priestess of his Bricket Wood coven, she helped him to produce many important scriptural texts for Wicca, such as “The Witches Rune” and the “Charge of the Goddess”, which were incorporated into the early Gardnerian Book of Shadows.
Splitting off to form her own coven in 1957, she went on to work with Robert Cochrane in his coven, the Clan of Tubal Cain, till the mid 1960s when she began working as a solitary practitioner. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s she penned a number of books on the subject of Wicca - which she always called "witchcraft" – including “An ABC of Witchcraft” (1973) and “Witchcraft for Tomorrow” (1978), as well as being an early proponent of self-initiation into the Craft.
Having had a significant influence in the history of Wicca, she has been referred to as "the mother of modern Witchcraft" and is today is widely revered in the Wiccan and wider Neopagan community.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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August 11, 2008A "dictionary of witchcraft" that doesn't give enough information to be all that worthwhile to anyone. However, it is one of your earlier examples of such. For the Wiccan book collector, Doreen's name will likely draw you in despite its shortcomings. Looking back on it, I'm not sure whether the "brief nudity" on the cover was supposed to be an eye catcher or not.
February 10, 2017
I have a first 1973 edition printing of this book with the original paper jacket (which does not have any nude lady on it by the way lol it's a photo of an altar)!!! The 1970s was a great time of emerging Pagan authors who would make valuable contributions to Paganism. Despite the jibber jabber of negative reviews from present day witches, keep in mind the era and social climate this book was written. This book is a priceless addition to any magickal library. Take what you can from it and leave what doesn't suit you.
April 12, 2011
In this book Doreen Valiente gives us a list of several concepts and ideas that are essential for study inside Witchcraft and Paganism. The explanations are very clear and simple and the way it is written is very interesting.
I would advice reading this book to anyone starting their path in Paganism and Witchcraft.
I would advice reading this book to anyone starting their path in Paganism and Witchcraft.
March 24, 2023
A DICTIONARY/MINI-ENCYCLOPEDIA OF A-TO-Z TOPICS
Author Doreen Valiente wrote in the Introduction to this 1973 book, “This book is on the side of the witches. The reason is that the writer is a witch herself… Today, the Craft of the Wise has to a certain extent come out into the open as a pagan faith in which those who practice it can find enjoyment and fulfillment. It has been argued by skeptics that witchcraft cannot possibly be a genuine religion, because it has no sacred book, no sacred liturgy, nor anything which identifies it with the other religions of mankind. The reason, however, why witchcraft has none of these things is that it is older than these things…. I became a witch many years ago. That is, I was initiated into one of the various branches of the witch cult in Britain today; and since that time I have made contact with other sections of the cult and been initiated into some of those also. I have danced at the witches’ Sabbat on many occasions, and found carefree enjoyment in it… I do not profess to tell all, because, unlike some writers on the subject, I do not profess to know all… I can only shed light on some aspects of it in a book like this.”
She suggests, “We may then speculate, on the evidence, that the witch-cult is of very ancient origin, and that in some remote period of antiquity there was some contact between its devotees in Europe and Central America. The means of that contact may have been the lost continent of Atlantis.” (Pg. 46)
She summarizes, “One of the witches’ most important basic beliefs … is the reality and possibility of magic… This involves the idea that the physical world is only part of reality, the part that we are able to apprehend with our five senses. Beyond are vaster realms; and in these the witch seeks to venture. This…involves a further belief, namely that human beings have more senses than the usual reckoning of five. By means of these innate psychic capacities, the realms beyond the physical are contacted. These powers, say the witch, are perfectly natural; but latent and inactive in the majority of people. They are powers that have become overlaid and hidden by the artificialities of civilization; but they can be awakened.” (Pg. 54)
She explains, “the Black Mass is not a witchcraft rite at all. The whole point of the Black Mass is to pervert and insult the highest Christian sacrament. Therefore, one has to accept the validity of the Mass as the highest Christian sacrament, and to believe in its efficacy, before one can pervert it; and people who believe this are Christians, not witches. They may be bad Christians, but they are certainly not pagans.” (Pg. 61)
She states, “The traditional number of persons to form a witches;’ coven is thirteen. Ideally, they should consist of six men, six women, and a leader. This does not mean, however, that a witches’ cult group cannot function unless it comprises thirteen persons. Less than this number can form a coven; but the members of a coven should not EXCEED thirteen. When the membership goes above this figure, it should divide itself, and form a new coven. Thus the Craft spreads and continues.” (Pg. 91)
She asserts, “Aleister Crowley earns a place in this book, not because he was a witch, but because he was not!... Crowley was a pagan, a poet, a mountaineer, a magician and a prophet. He was also …an all too daring explorer of the dangerous inner world of hallucinatory drugs. But the magic he practiced---or ‘Magick’ as he preferred to call it---was the Qabalistic magic taught by the Order of the Golden Dawn, the famous occult brotherhood… and it was not witchcraft of any description.” (Pg. 96-97)
She says, “To be able to put the Evil Eye upon a person is one of the main powers attributed to black witchcraft… The effects of the Evil Eye might be felt in two ways: either by physical or nervous illness or by a run of bad luck and unfortunate events.” (Pg. 138)
She says of Gerald Gardner, “Today, many persons inside the witch cult regard [him] as having done fare more harm than good by his publicizing of witchcraft… Such critics point to the undignified publicity in which some representatives of modern witchcraft seem to revel… and they add that this sort of thing was started by the deliberate break with the good old was that Gerald Gardner made. Frankly, this is a viewpoint with which the present writer feels considerable sympathy. In fact, I expressed my feelings on this matter to [Gardner] himself, very forcibly… as a result of which, he and I were not on speaking terms for terms for some while!” (Pg. 186)
She explains, "To witches… Halloween is a serious occasion, however merrily celebrated. It is the old Celtic Eve of Samhain (pronounced something like ‘sowen’). Samhain means ‘Summer’s End,’ when the winter half of the year begins on 1st November. This night and all the fit week of November once blazed with ritual bonfires…” (Pg. 197)
She states, “Magic is generally regarded as being of two kinds, designated as white or black.. it should not be assumed that the distinction between black and white magic has no validity.. Black magic is the wrongful use of occult powers; and it is generally coupled with the use of repulsive means, such as blood sacrifice, to attain one’s ends.” (Pg. 271)
She notes,, “The pentagram, or five-pointed star, is a favorite symbol of witches and magicians. It has been so widely used throughout the centuries that the word ‘pentacle’ … has come to designate any disc or plate of metal or wood, engraved with magical symbols, and used in magical rites… The reason why the pentagram is regarded as the symbol of magic is because its five points represent the Four Elements of Life, plus Spirit… the pentagram should be drawn with one point upwards, the point of Spirit presiding over the other four… Thye other way up, the pentagram is often regarded as a more sinister symbol… [Some] occultists have regarded [it]… as … the Goat of Mendes, with the two upward points representing the goat’s horns…” (Pg. 306-307)
She recounts, “The law making witchcraft a capital offense in England was repealed in 1735. For some years previously, enlightened judges had been thwarting any attempt to have wretched old creatures hanged as witches, in spite of the popular outcry against them. The more educated people of the nation had become sickened at the superstition and imposture connected with trials for witchcraft. The pendulum had swung completely the other way, so that many now completely disbelieved in witchcraft at all… [But] the less educated… still vehemently believed in witchcraft, both black and white, and moreover believed that witches who worked harm should die, or at any rate suffer severely. So when the law of the land was relaxed, lynch law sometimes took over.” (Pg. 307-308)
She explains, “There are eight Sabbats in the witches’ year, four Greater Sabbats and four Lesser Sabbats… Witches celebrated (and continue to celebrate) these old ritual occasions with dancing ad n enjoyment, drinking the health of the Old Gods, and generally holding high revel. In the olden times, they lit big bonfires outdoors in some lonely place, and several covens might gather together on Sabbat night… The word ‘Sabbat’ has caused much speculation as to its origin. Some think it is simply the witches’ ‘Sabbath night,’ as opposed to the Christian day of rest… However, the word, ‘Sabbat,’ has associations which are older than Christianity; and there is no reason whatever to connect the festival of the witches with the Jewish Sabbath.” (Pg. 336-337)
She states, “Were I to tell the full and detailed story of how the supposed followers of the Christian God of Love have smeared their bloodstained hands over the pages of human history, I would be accused of anti-Christian prejudice.” (Pg. 358)
Covering much more than just witchcraft (e.g., occult, metaphysics, UFOs), this book will interest those seeking one witch’s perspective on a wide variety of topics.
Author Doreen Valiente wrote in the Introduction to this 1973 book, “This book is on the side of the witches. The reason is that the writer is a witch herself… Today, the Craft of the Wise has to a certain extent come out into the open as a pagan faith in which those who practice it can find enjoyment and fulfillment. It has been argued by skeptics that witchcraft cannot possibly be a genuine religion, because it has no sacred book, no sacred liturgy, nor anything which identifies it with the other religions of mankind. The reason, however, why witchcraft has none of these things is that it is older than these things…. I became a witch many years ago. That is, I was initiated into one of the various branches of the witch cult in Britain today; and since that time I have made contact with other sections of the cult and been initiated into some of those also. I have danced at the witches’ Sabbat on many occasions, and found carefree enjoyment in it… I do not profess to tell all, because, unlike some writers on the subject, I do not profess to know all… I can only shed light on some aspects of it in a book like this.”
She suggests, “We may then speculate, on the evidence, that the witch-cult is of very ancient origin, and that in some remote period of antiquity there was some contact between its devotees in Europe and Central America. The means of that contact may have been the lost continent of Atlantis.” (Pg. 46)
She summarizes, “One of the witches’ most important basic beliefs … is the reality and possibility of magic… This involves the idea that the physical world is only part of reality, the part that we are able to apprehend with our five senses. Beyond are vaster realms; and in these the witch seeks to venture. This…involves a further belief, namely that human beings have more senses than the usual reckoning of five. By means of these innate psychic capacities, the realms beyond the physical are contacted. These powers, say the witch, are perfectly natural; but latent and inactive in the majority of people. They are powers that have become overlaid and hidden by the artificialities of civilization; but they can be awakened.” (Pg. 54)
She explains, “the Black Mass is not a witchcraft rite at all. The whole point of the Black Mass is to pervert and insult the highest Christian sacrament. Therefore, one has to accept the validity of the Mass as the highest Christian sacrament, and to believe in its efficacy, before one can pervert it; and people who believe this are Christians, not witches. They may be bad Christians, but they are certainly not pagans.” (Pg. 61)
She states, “The traditional number of persons to form a witches;’ coven is thirteen. Ideally, they should consist of six men, six women, and a leader. This does not mean, however, that a witches’ cult group cannot function unless it comprises thirteen persons. Less than this number can form a coven; but the members of a coven should not EXCEED thirteen. When the membership goes above this figure, it should divide itself, and form a new coven. Thus the Craft spreads and continues.” (Pg. 91)
She asserts, “Aleister Crowley earns a place in this book, not because he was a witch, but because he was not!... Crowley was a pagan, a poet, a mountaineer, a magician and a prophet. He was also …an all too daring explorer of the dangerous inner world of hallucinatory drugs. But the magic he practiced---or ‘Magick’ as he preferred to call it---was the Qabalistic magic taught by the Order of the Golden Dawn, the famous occult brotherhood… and it was not witchcraft of any description.” (Pg. 96-97)
She says, “To be able to put the Evil Eye upon a person is one of the main powers attributed to black witchcraft… The effects of the Evil Eye might be felt in two ways: either by physical or nervous illness or by a run of bad luck and unfortunate events.” (Pg. 138)
She says of Gerald Gardner, “Today, many persons inside the witch cult regard [him] as having done fare more harm than good by his publicizing of witchcraft… Such critics point to the undignified publicity in which some representatives of modern witchcraft seem to revel… and they add that this sort of thing was started by the deliberate break with the good old was that Gerald Gardner made. Frankly, this is a viewpoint with which the present writer feels considerable sympathy. In fact, I expressed my feelings on this matter to [Gardner] himself, very forcibly… as a result of which, he and I were not on speaking terms for terms for some while!” (Pg. 186)
She explains, "To witches… Halloween is a serious occasion, however merrily celebrated. It is the old Celtic Eve of Samhain (pronounced something like ‘sowen’). Samhain means ‘Summer’s End,’ when the winter half of the year begins on 1st November. This night and all the fit week of November once blazed with ritual bonfires…” (Pg. 197)
She states, “Magic is generally regarded as being of two kinds, designated as white or black.. it should not be assumed that the distinction between black and white magic has no validity.. Black magic is the wrongful use of occult powers; and it is generally coupled with the use of repulsive means, such as blood sacrifice, to attain one’s ends.” (Pg. 271)
She notes,, “The pentagram, or five-pointed star, is a favorite symbol of witches and magicians. It has been so widely used throughout the centuries that the word ‘pentacle’ … has come to designate any disc or plate of metal or wood, engraved with magical symbols, and used in magical rites… The reason why the pentagram is regarded as the symbol of magic is because its five points represent the Four Elements of Life, plus Spirit… the pentagram should be drawn with one point upwards, the point of Spirit presiding over the other four… Thye other way up, the pentagram is often regarded as a more sinister symbol… [Some] occultists have regarded [it]… as … the Goat of Mendes, with the two upward points representing the goat’s horns…” (Pg. 306-307)
She recounts, “The law making witchcraft a capital offense in England was repealed in 1735. For some years previously, enlightened judges had been thwarting any attempt to have wretched old creatures hanged as witches, in spite of the popular outcry against them. The more educated people of the nation had become sickened at the superstition and imposture connected with trials for witchcraft. The pendulum had swung completely the other way, so that many now completely disbelieved in witchcraft at all… [But] the less educated… still vehemently believed in witchcraft, both black and white, and moreover believed that witches who worked harm should die, or at any rate suffer severely. So when the law of the land was relaxed, lynch law sometimes took over.” (Pg. 307-308)
She explains, “There are eight Sabbats in the witches’ year, four Greater Sabbats and four Lesser Sabbats… Witches celebrated (and continue to celebrate) these old ritual occasions with dancing ad n enjoyment, drinking the health of the Old Gods, and generally holding high revel. In the olden times, they lit big bonfires outdoors in some lonely place, and several covens might gather together on Sabbat night… The word ‘Sabbat’ has caused much speculation as to its origin. Some think it is simply the witches’ ‘Sabbath night,’ as opposed to the Christian day of rest… However, the word, ‘Sabbat,’ has associations which are older than Christianity; and there is no reason whatever to connect the festival of the witches with the Jewish Sabbath.” (Pg. 336-337)
She states, “Were I to tell the full and detailed story of how the supposed followers of the Christian God of Love have smeared their bloodstained hands over the pages of human history, I would be accused of anti-Christian prejudice.” (Pg. 358)
Covering much more than just witchcraft (e.g., occult, metaphysics, UFOs), this book will interest those seeking one witch’s perspective on a wide variety of topics.
December 19, 2010
Great compendium of craft related terms. i learned a lot about the history of witchcraft that I didn't know. However, it is just a bit dated, written in the 60s/70s. It'd be cool for someone to update it and new stuff/theories/people.
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September 11, 2011Fantastic book -- the original edition is superior to the later revision.
October 12, 2015
great book with info about a lot of different subjects, from A-Z like it says. Not in depth about one particular topic but has lots of great information on a lot of topics. I recommend it.
January 30, 2014
The information in this book is very easy to undertand and very informative. Recommended for anyone wishing to learn more about witchcraft. The best author of all time on this subject.
June 12, 2019
This book is packed with extremely interesting history and information about witchcraft over the course of humanity's existence. Or what we have any surviving record of, as of the time of the book's original publish date, anyway.
The book does show its age in a few ways. Some of the places it mentions are much different now than they were when the book was written. Some ideas and attitudes are changed, too. Such is the nature of human evolution. Regardless of the book's age, it still holds up well, in my opinion.
The author's purpose seems to have been to tell the story of witchcraft in the lives of ancient cultures and how the common people worshipped Nature in the form of various gods. This isn't a book that tells you anything about how to cast spells or how to be a witch, but the history given is still very valuable to a serious pagan who wants to know all that can be known about this spiritual path.
Even if you are not a pagan, witch, or interested in being such, I still recommend this book. If you have an interest in religion and want to learn more about paganism in general, this book is good for that.
This is a heavy read, though. Unlike many books I've read that involve witchcraft or paganism, this book is DENSE. I've read through most books of this nature in a day or two. Not usually much more than that, but this one took me a couple weeks, even though I read past my bedtime some nights. Yes, I found it that interesting. I didn't want to put it down! If you want a fast read, this is definitely not it.
The book does show its age in a few ways. Some of the places it mentions are much different now than they were when the book was written. Some ideas and attitudes are changed, too. Such is the nature of human evolution. Regardless of the book's age, it still holds up well, in my opinion.
The author's purpose seems to have been to tell the story of witchcraft in the lives of ancient cultures and how the common people worshipped Nature in the form of various gods. This isn't a book that tells you anything about how to cast spells or how to be a witch, but the history given is still very valuable to a serious pagan who wants to know all that can be known about this spiritual path.
Even if you are not a pagan, witch, or interested in being such, I still recommend this book. If you have an interest in religion and want to learn more about paganism in general, this book is good for that.
This is a heavy read, though. Unlike many books I've read that involve witchcraft or paganism, this book is DENSE. I've read through most books of this nature in a day or two. Not usually much more than that, but this one took me a couple weeks, even though I read past my bedtime some nights. Yes, I found it that interesting. I didn't want to put it down! If you want a fast read, this is definitely not it.
February 23, 2024
Livro que li para o BookClub de Bruxaria do Círculo dos Cogumelos.
Um livro que adorei, uma enciclopédia sobre bruxaria, ricamente ilustrada, em que vamos do A ao Z com termos e conceitos que nos contam a história antiga e recente (até aos anos 70) do paganismo conforme o conhecemos.
A autora fala-nos de conceitos muito diversos, desde as religiões mais antigas, muito bem fundamentadas com bibliografia, até elementos mais recentes, como o massacre da família Manson e outros elementos curiosos que podem ser importantes para compreender a bruxaria nos nossos tempos.
Aprendi imenso, mas penso apenas que este livro está muito dirigido ao leitor anglófono, e por isso faltam definições que poderiam ser importantes (por exemplo, a palavra "bruxa" em oposição a "witch", que têm origens diferentes), para além de conceitos que são muitas vezes repetidos, nomeadamente a caça às bruxas que foi realmente muito patente nos países de língua inglesa mas menos frequentes noutros lugares.
Ainda assim, adorei esta leitura, e gostaria imenso de ter a versão física deste livro. Faço anos em Setembro! *wink wink*
Um livro que adorei, uma enciclopédia sobre bruxaria, ricamente ilustrada, em que vamos do A ao Z com termos e conceitos que nos contam a história antiga e recente (até aos anos 70) do paganismo conforme o conhecemos.
A autora fala-nos de conceitos muito diversos, desde as religiões mais antigas, muito bem fundamentadas com bibliografia, até elementos mais recentes, como o massacre da família Manson e outros elementos curiosos que podem ser importantes para compreender a bruxaria nos nossos tempos.
Aprendi imenso, mas penso apenas que este livro está muito dirigido ao leitor anglófono, e por isso faltam definições que poderiam ser importantes (por exemplo, a palavra "bruxa" em oposição a "witch", que têm origens diferentes), para além de conceitos que são muitas vezes repetidos, nomeadamente a caça às bruxas que foi realmente muito patente nos países de língua inglesa mas menos frequentes noutros lugares.
Ainda assim, adorei esta leitura, e gostaria imenso de ter a versão física deste livro. Faço anos em Setembro! *wink wink*
January 4, 2025
Livro de estudo, muito prático e bastante informativo. É interessante sobretudo as lendas!!
January 10, 2025
After reading her biography and learning what an absolute badass Doreen Valiente was, I'm reading every book she wrote, and I can't get enough.
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April 17, 2012Super informative, but dry. Read in bits and pieces.
May 1, 2013
a very helpful guide
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews