Witchcraft is a practice that has existed throughout history, with various forms and traditions. In the present, one of the most well-known figures associated with modern witchcraft is Gerald Gardner. Gardner, who lived from 1884 to 1964, is often referred to as the "father of modern witchcraft" or "Wicca." Gerald Gardner was a British civil servant and amateur anthropologist who played a crucial role in the revival and popularization of witchcraft in the 20th century. In the 1950s, he publicly discussed his involvement in witchcraft and published books on the subject. His works, such as "Witchcraft Today" and "The Meaning of Witchcraft," introduced the world to contemporary pagan practices.
Well, disregarding my obsession with this 90s classic, everything this movie preaches about Wicca is wrong. You might have thought it was centuries upon centuries old, but guess what? Wrong! Believe it or not, this religion was born of a nudist colony in the 1930s with a small coven who named themselves New Forest. No, they weren’t praying to the mighty god named “Manon,” who controls the elements. They helped Wicca rapidly grow in just a span of 70 years.
Drawing on his decades of personal involvement with Wicca, Michael Howard offers an intimate portrait of Gerald Gardner s life and traces the history and development of modern neo-pagan Witchcraft. Through their writings and Gardner s own the Gardnerian community spread throughout Britain and subsequently into Australia and the United States in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
His works, such as "Witchcraft Today" and "The Meaning of Witchcraft," introduced the world to contemporary pagan practices. One of the key aspects of Gardner's teachings was the belief in a dual deity, a god and a goddess, which formed the basis of modern Wiccan belief systems. He emphasized the importance of ritual magic, the worship of nature, and the celebration of the cycles of the seasons.
The Meaning of Witchcraft.
First edition, first impression, of Gardner's final book, this copy in remarkably bright condition with the uncommon dust jacket.
Gerald Gardner (1884-1964), the influential rediscoverer, or inventor, of the "Old Religion" did much to influence the general public's perception of witchcraft and increase media interest in those practising. Gardner founded what became known as Gardnerian Wicca, combining aspects of a supposed pre-Christian witch cult found in the works of Margaret Murray with concepts found in ceremonial magic and the writings of Aleister Crowley, amongst others. Gardner's coven, the Bricket Wood coven, included a several high profile wiccans as High Priestesses, including Doreen Valiente, Patricia Crowther, and Eleanor Bone. Through their writings and Gardner's own the Gardnerian community spread throughout Britain and subsequently into Australia and the United States in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Description
Octavo. Original black boards, spine lettered in silver. With dust jacket.
Frontispiece portrait and 2 leaves of photographic reproductions.
Hint of foxing to half-title and book block edges, a near-fine copy in the like jacket, not price-clipped.
First edition, first impression, of Gardner's final book, this copy in remarkably bright condition with the uncommon dust jacket.
Gerald Gardner (1884-1964), the influential rediscoverer, or inventor, of the "Old Religion" did much to influence the general public's perception of witchcraft and increase media interest in those practising. Gardner founded what became known as Gardnerian Wicca, combining aspects of a supposed pre-Christian witch cult found in the works of Margaret Murray with concepts found in ceremonial magic and the writings of Aleister Crowley, amongst others. Gardner's coven, the Bricket Wood coven, included a several high profile wiccans as High Priestesses, including Doreen Valiente, Patricia Crowther, and Eleanor Bone. Through their writings and Gardner's own the Gardnerian community spread throughout Britain and subsequently into Australia and the United States in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Description
Octavo. Original black boards, spine lettered in silver. With dust jacket.
Illustrations
Frontispiece portrait and 2 leaves of photographic reproductions.
Condition
Hint of foxing to half-title and book block edges, a near-fine copy in the like jacket, not price-clipped.
Bibliography
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He knew this was the place and time where he could convince others that magic was real.
Gardner also promoted the concept of a coven, a group of individuals who would come together to practice witchcraft and perform rituals. Gardner's teachings and practices influenced many individuals who embraced witchcraft or Wicca in the latter half of the 20th century. His contributions to the modern witchcraft movement cannot be understated, as he played a significant role in bringing the practice out of the shadows and into mainstream consciousness. Today, there are numerous practitioners of witchcraft who follow Gardnerian or Wiccan traditions. The influence of Gerald Gardner can be seen in the rituals, beliefs, and practices of these individuals. However, it is important to note that witchcraft is a diverse and evolving practice, and not all modern witches adhere strictly to Gardner's teachings. In conclusion, witchcraft in the present has been greatly influenced by the work of Gerald Gardner. His writings and teachings have helped to shape modern witchcraft and bring it to the forefront of public awareness. While not all modern witches follow Gardner's traditions, his impact on the practice cannot be denied..
Reviews for "Witchcraft in the 21st Century: The Continuing Legacy of Gerald Gardner"
1. Lisa - 1 star
I found "Witchcraft in the Present Gerald Gardner" to be extremely disappointing. The book lacked depth and failed to provide any meaningful insight into the practice of witchcraft. I expected a comprehensive examination of Gardner's contributions to modern witchcraft, but instead, I was met with a shallow and repetitive narrative. The author seemed to rely on second-hand information and failed to present any original research. Overall, this book was a waste of time and money.
2. John - 2 stars
While "Witchcraft in the Present Gerald Gardner" had some interesting anecdotes, I was ultimately unsatisfied with its content. The book lacked a cohesive structure, jumping from topic to topic without delving deep into any of them. Additionally, the author's writing style was convoluted and difficult to follow. I was left with more questions than answers after reading this book. Overall, it was a missed opportunity to provide a comprehensive exploration of Gerald Gardner's influence on modern witchcraft.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I was quite disappointed with "Witchcraft in the Present Gerald Gardner". The author seemed more interested in storytelling rather than presenting factual information about witchcraft. The book lacked critical analysis and failed to delve into the complexities of Gardner's work. It felt more like a collection of anecdotes rather than a scholarly examination. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of modern witchcraft and Gardner's contributions to it.