Gardner - The Meaning of Witchcraft

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR THE MEANING OF WITCHCRAFT

This book is a wonderful complement to Gardner's groundbreaking Witchcraft Today. It draws you in and will introduce you to the ancient practices and beliefs of the Old Religion, with fascinating details of history, myth, and legends. The details of the forgeries of early Christian authoritative texts are eye-opening. The book underscores Gardner's knowledge and experience in the field of religiomagic. This is one of my favorite reference books.

Raymond Buckland, author of Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft, The Witch Book, and more

If it weren't for Gerald Gardner, contemporary Wicca would not exist. There would surely be Pagans and modern worshippers of goddesses and gods, but Wicca itself, if it existed at all, would have a far different form. Debates will continue for generations over whether Gerald B. Gardner revived Wicca, reformed it, or created and named a new and deeply important religion. Historians may rightly quibble with some of Gardner's scholarship, as well as some of his personal shortcomings, but the entire Wiccan movement owes Gardner an incredible debt. Although Wicca today has flowered into hundreds of different traditions, some of them arguably more beautiful, more intellectually interesting and some of them certainly more in keeping with today's spirit of democracy and egalitarianism, Gardner's creation and his innovations cannot be overemphasized. 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 hiatusseveral decades perhapsyou will be surprised how well it stands the test of time.

Margot Adler, author of Drawing Down the Moon

The Meaning of Witchcraft remains, even after almost 50 years, a classical work on the subject of witchcraft, being one of the first to come from a positive angle on the subject. It is responsible for inspiring many writers, such as ourselves, to write similar positive books on the subject. It would be ignorant not to recognize the importance of this book in the development of Wicca as it is today. For this reason, it remains an important book in the history of the craft and continues to be compulsory reading within many covens.

Janet Farrar (A Witches' Bible, The Witches' Goddess) and Gavin Bone, co-authors of The Healing Craft

Even current controversy is a testament to the tremendous importance of Gerald Gardner to contemporary Wicca and Witchcraft. The re-release of this seminal work is fascinating and required reading for all those interested in practicing, or merely interested in, this profound and life-altering spirituality, the fastest growing religion in the United States and United Kingdom. Regardless of controversy, Gerald Gardner was a seminal and significant influence on contemporary Wicca and Witchcraft.

Phyllis Curott, J.D., Priestess and author of the bestselling Book of Shadows and Witch Crafting

Gerald Gardner (now fondly acknowledged by many as the Grandfather of Wicca) bravely addressed all the negative stereotypes and misconceptions about Witchcraft when he published Meaning of Witchcraft in 1959. In doing so he not only made a huge leap in the process of dispelling the satanic and evil myths that tainted the true practice of the Craft but he also propelled Wicca into an exciting and potent phase of evolution, the effects of which are still resonating just as strongly now as they were nearly 50 years ago when this book was first published.

As such, The Meaning of Witchcraft is essential reading for any modern Witch, as sadly the persecution is not over (although great and positive inroads have been made) and Gardner's ability to confront the misconceptions with clarity and even a little humour can only assist modern day Witches in doing the same. The Meaning of Witchcraft is full of practical and esoteric observations that can help give a 21st century Witch a stronger sense of continuity and purposereassuring them that they are in fact a potent part of the evolution of one of the most exciting, passionate and possibly oldest expressions of the human spirit.

There is some argument about the authenticity of Gardner's observations and documentation of the existence and practice of Witchesbut I think this does not matter. Reading from cover to cover this book serves as inspiration for the modern practice of Witchcraft and in this sense it truly can be acknowledged as an essential cornerstone of the modern Wiccan movementcurrently the fastest growing spiritual path in the western world.

Fiona Horne, author of The Coven: Making Magick Together, Witch: A Magickal Journey, 7 Days to a Magickal New You, and Witchin'

We still have a lot to learn today from Gerald Gardner's works regarding Witchcraft. Gardner was one of the first readily recognizable names to publish his version of Witchcraftsomething he describes as a moon cult. Read, and enjoy, Gardner's works because they have spawned a thriving Witchcraft tradition as well as for their profound historical value.

This book is based primarily on firsthand experiences, on correspondence prompted by Witchcraft Today and High Magic's Aid, and on his time running a Witchcraft museum and a coven. It is a 1950s version of a frequently-asked-questions page. Gardner answers many rumors regarding England's Witches while trying not to give too much away; he also addresses issues such as a history of Witchcraft as he sees it; the relationship between Christians and Witches; and Jewish influence on Witchcraft. This is a highly interesting read for anyone interested in Witchcraft.

Nearly 50 years later, The Meaning of Witchcraft speaks clearly to the reader. Enjoy Gardner's transition into Witchcraft, first as an initiate and then as a teacher himself. He shows us all how Witchcraft served for centuries as harmless natural magic helping crops to grow and as a guide for under-educated peoples to understand death and other natural events. Gardner's works have something to offernot just to modern Witches, but to non-Witches as well, in his debunking of so many false ideas about Witchcraft.

Gavin and Yvonne Frost, co-founders of the Church and School of Wicca and authors of A Witch's Guide to Psychic Healing, Astral Travel, and Tantric Yoga

Gardner's writings are a wellspring of Wicca. You may wish to quibble with him about some things (and perhaps disagree passionately with him about others), but his books are well worth reading because they help us to know who we are, where we come from, and why we do what we do.

Eileen Holland, author of The Wicca Handbook and co-author of A Witch's Book of Answers

How splendid it is to read of the origins of the Craft in Gardner's own words! And to hear the many direct resonances of what we still find today in Wicca and neo-Paganism. No musty old volume this! Rather, reading it is like having a lively chat with a charming and informative old uncleone with unusual interests and ideas, which were very daring for his time. Thank you to Red Wheel/Weiser for keeping alive our tradition's history and heritage.

Francesca Ciancimino Howell, author of Making Magic with Gaia

First published in 2004 by
Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC
York Beach, ME
With offices at:
368 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
www.redwheelweiser.com

Originally published in the U.K. in 1959 by Aquarian, London.