Gerald Gardner, the founder of Wicca, was born in 1884 in England. As a young man, he developed an interest in the occult and traveled extensively, exploring various esoteric practices and magical traditions. In the 1930s, Gardner encountered a group of witches in the New Forest region of southern England, which sparked his fascination with witchcraft. He became deeply involved in studying and documenting their rituals, beliefs, and traditions. Gardner's encounters with these witches ultimately led him to develop his own version of witchcraft, which he called Wicca. He combined the ancient pagan beliefs and practices he had learned with the modern occultism and ceremonial magic of his time to create a new, organized religion.
"Most of those who knew him found him fun but slightly unreliable when it came to witchcraft."
Gardner s story is a good illustration of the interweaving of various esoteric traditions in the creation of Wicca and other eclectic forms of Neo-Paganism. He also became involved with Druidry, esoteric Christianity, and the Society for Psychical Research; on a trip to America, he attempted to learn about Voodoo as well.
He combined the ancient pagan beliefs and practices he had learned with the modern occultism and ceremonial magic of his time to create a new, organized religion. In 1949, Gardner published his book "High Magic's Aid," which contained some of the rituals and concepts of his newly-formed Wicca. However, due to the witchcraft laws in England at the time, he had to be cautious about openly promoting his beliefs.
Wicca
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style Copy Citation Share Share Share to social media Give Feedback External Websites Feedback Thank you for your feedbackOur editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites- Christianity Today - Wicca's Charm
- Learn Religions - Basic Concepts of Wicca
- World Religions and Spirituality Project - Wicca
- Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University - Wicca
- Live Science - What's Witchcraft? 6 Misconceptions About Wiccans
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style Copy Citation Share Share Share to social media Feedback External Websites Feedback Thank you for your feedbackOur editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites- Christianity Today - Wicca's Charm
- Learn Religions - Basic Concepts of Wicca
- World Religions and Spirituality Project - Wicca
- Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University - Wicca
- Live Science - What's Witchcraft? 6 Misconceptions About Wiccans
Possessing a PhD in Medieval History and Archaeology from University College London, Ethan Doyle White writes on religion, folklore, history, and archaeology - with a particular focus on areas of cultural.
Ethan Doyle White Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaEncyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Oct 13, 2023 • Article History Table of Contents Wiccan high priestess celebrating a lunar ritual Category: History & SocietyWicca, the largest of the modern Pagan, or Neo-Pagan, religions. Its followers, who are called Wiccans, typically identify as witches and draw inspiration largely from the pre-Christian religions of Europe. Having publicly emerged in England during the 1950s, Wicca is now found primarily in Western countries, and the number of Wiccans is probably in the low hundreds of thousands. Followers often use the pentagram, or five-pointed star, as the main symbol of their religion.
It was not until the 1950s and 1960s that Gardner began publicly speaking about Wicca and initiating others into the tradition. He established covens, or small groups of practitioners, and developed a system of initiation and education within the Wiccan community. Gardner is often considered the founder and father of modern Wicca. His work was instrumental in popularizing the religion and making it accessible to a wider audience. Through his writings, teachings, and the establishment of the Wiccan tradition, Gardner laid the foundation for a thriving and diverse modern witchcraft movement. Although Gardner passed away in 1964, his legacy and influence continue to shape and inspire modern Wicca. His contributions to the religion cannot be overstated, as his efforts helped to bring witchcraft out of the shadows and into the mainstream, establishing it as a legitimate and respected spiritual path for many people around the world..
Reviews for "The Witch's Garden: Gerald Gardner's Connection to Herbalism and Nature"
1. Karen - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Founder of Wicca". The book claimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of Wicca and its origins, but it fell short in delivering that. The author seemed more interested in pushing their own agenda and personal beliefs rather than providing factual and unbiased information. There were also numerous typos and grammatical errors throughout the book, which made it difficult to read. Overall, I would not recommend this book to those looking for a genuine understanding of Wicca.
2. John - 2 stars - I was hoping to gain some insight into the origins of Wicca from "Founder of Wicca", but I found the book to be quite repetitive and lacking in depth. The author kept rehashing the same points without providing any new or interesting information. Additionally, I felt like the book lacked citations and references, which made it hard to trust the accuracy of the content. While it may be a good intro for absolute beginners, I was left wanting more substance.
3. Emily - 2 stars - "Founder of Wicca" did not meet my expectations. The writing style was dry and dull, making it difficult to stay engaged with the material. The author seemed to make a lot of assumptions without providing any evidence or supporting arguments. The lack of organization in the book also made it confusing to follow. Overall, I felt like there are better resources available for those interested in learning about the roots of Wicca.