The Meaning of Witchcraft
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The Meaning of Witchcraft
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The Meaning of Witchcraft
Often called the father of modern witchcraft, Gerald Gardner's life and works were ground-breaking in opening the door for the modern revival of Wicca and neo-paganism. The Meaning of Witchcraft (originally published in 1959) was the first sympathetic book written from the point of view of a practising witch.
"The foundation of magical beliefs," Gardner wrote, "of which witchcraft is a form, is that unseen Powers exist, and that by performing the right sort of ritual, these Powers can be contacted and either forced or persuaded to assist one in some way. People believed this in the Stone Age, and they believe it, consciously or not, today. It is now well known that most superstition is, in fact, broken-down ritual. The meaning of witchcraft is to be found not in strange religious theories about God and Satan but in the deepest levels of the human mind, the collective unconscious, and the earliest developments of human society."
The Meaning of Witchcraft is an enduring and invaluable source book for witches today. This Weiser Classics edition includes a new foreword by Pam Grossman, author of Waking the Witch. In it, Grossman revisits the historical role and mixed legacy that Gardner has played in the revival of witchcraft and magic in modern times.
"Those of us who use the word witch with all of the pride and fortification that it offers us do so thanks to Gardner's lucid, liberating vision." - Pam Grossman, author of Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power
"If it weren't for Gerald Gardner, contemporary Wicca would not exist. If you haven't read The Meaning of Witchcraft, it still stands up as basic Wiccan text, and if you are reading this book again after a long hiatus - several decades perhaps - you will be surprised how well it stands the test of time." - Margot Adler, author of Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America
"Gardner's Meaning of Witchcraft will introduce you to the ancient practices and beliefs of the Old Religion, with fascinating details of history, myth, and legends. This is one of my favorite reference books." - Raymond Buckland, author of Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft
Series: Weiser Classics Series
View allBook Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Gerald Gardner's The Meaning of Witchcraft is praised for its comprehensive exploration of ancient practices and beliefs, which significantly contribute to the understanding of the Old Religion. It is considered a foundational text in the study of Wicca, praised for both its historical content and enduring relevance. Readers find it a valuable reference for exploring the themes of history, myth, and the evolution of modern witchcraft.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781578637898
Publisher: Red Wheel/Weiser
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 21 October 2022
Country: United States
Imprint: Weiser Books
Contributors:
- Foreword by Pam Grossman
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 146.0mm
Height: 229.0mm
Weight: 0g
Pages: 336
About the Author
Gerald Brosseau Gardner (18841964), was instrumental in bringing the contemporary Pagan religion of Wicca to public attention, writing some of its definitive religious texts. He introduced a string of High Priestesses into the religion, including Doreen Valiente, Lois Bourne, Patricia Crowther, and Eleanor Bone, from whom the Gardnerian community spread throughout Britain and subsequently into Australia and the United States in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
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