When was Wicca Established? Wicca, a modern pagan witchcraft religion, was established in the 20th century. The exact date of its establishment is a bit hazy, as it is influenced by ancient pagan and witchcraft practices. However, it is commonly believed that Wicca was officially established in the mid-20th century. One of the key figures in the establishment of Wicca is Gerald Gardner, a British civil servant turned occultist. Gardner is often referred to as the "Father of Wicca" as he played a crucial role in popularizing the religion. In the 1950s, Gardner claimed to have been initiated into a witchcraft coven in England and went on to form his own coven called the Bricket Wood Coven.
In the 1950s, Gardner claimed to have been initiated into a witchcraft coven in England and went on to form his own coven called the Bricket Wood Coven. Gardner wrote several books on witchcraft, including "Witchcraft Today" and "The Meaning of Witchcraft," which helped spread the teachings and practices of Wicca. He emphasized the duotheistic nature of the religion, worshiping a god and a goddess, and the importance of rituals and magic.
Wicca and modern witchcraft: a history
While it has often been used as an interchangeable term to describe any form of witchcraft in popular culture, Wicca is a specific religious belief system that firmly has its roots in 1940s England.
AdvertisementWicca is known for its worship of both a god and a goddess and its eight ‘sabbats’ (annual festivals) that celebrate the changing seasons and connection to the Earth. Although Wicca has often received negative press for supposed links to dark demonic magic and Satanism, the reality is very different. Wiccans today use their take on magic to conduct religious rituals, drawing on pre-Christian traditions and cultures, but always aligned with a code of “harm none and do as you will”.
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The story of Wicca begins in the New Forest, southern England, with a man named Gerald Gardner. Around the turn of the 20th century there had been a revival of interest in folklore, mythology and magic. This revival saw people such as archaeologist and Egyptologist Margaret Murray attempt to prove that witch-cults formed the major, ancient religions of western Europe, and that these witch-cults were still practising in secret in 1920s England. While these theories were largely dismissed in academic circles, it was heartily adopted by Gardner, who was fascinated by this unbroken line of witches, whose traditions claimed ancient Pagan origin. Gardner had long explored spiritualism and the occult, but in 1939 he claimed to have been initiated into an actual ‘Coven of the Old Religion’ as he wandered through the New Forest.
- Quiz | Would you have been accused of witchcraft?
Whether he was actually initiated into an ancient witchcraft coven or not (something that is still debated today), Gardner began to publicise his experience and eventually formed his own coven to ensure the survival of these rituals and traditions.
Out in the open
In 1951, two things happened that helped Gardner push his witchcraft into the public domain. Firstly, the 1736 Witchcraft Act was repealed, making the public aware, once again, of the idea of witchcraft in Britain. Secondly, a former filmmaker, Cecil Williamson, opened the Folklore Centre of Superstition and Witchcraft on the Isle of Man, where Gardner was designated ‘resident witch’. While public interest in witchcraft was increasing around this time, many were uneasy at the thought of magic being practised in what was still very much a Christian country. Williamson’s first attempt at launching a museum of witchcraft in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, was run out of town by locals unhappy at having occult ritual objects on their doorsteps. Gardner and Williamson eventually parted ways, supposedly disagreeing on how public the beliefs of witchcraft should be. In 1954 Gardner published Witchcraft Today, a book that shared the rituals and history of what we now call Wicca, and numerous Wiccan covens began to form across England. Big names in Wicca throughout the 1960s and 70s included Doreen Valiente, now known as the ‘Mother of Modern Witchcraft’, and Alex Sanders, who adapted Gardner’s traditions to create the more ceremonial Alexandrian Wicca.
Despite the best attempts of the press to link Wicca to devil worship, Wicca thrived and eventually found itself being practised on American shores with the formation of Raymond and Rosemary Buckland’s coven in 1962, and the opening of the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick on Long Island, New York, four years later. Wicca in the US thrived as its practices strongly connected with new counter-cultural movements of the time, such as feminism and environmentalism.
More like this
Today, Wicca is practised by many thousands of people across the world.
Temples, traditions and TikTok
Today’s witches come in all shapes and sizes, with many sharing their beliefs online
Although contemporary witches are connected by a belief in magic, what this magic looks like can vary hugely. While their craft typically draws upon folk traditions, mythology and pre-Christian beliefs from around the world, 21st-century witches span a variety of genders, cultures and religions. Some might adopt complex rules and rituals, while for others, simple acts of cooking and creating are powerful enough to be considered magic. Witches can be found in druid groves, heathen temples, Wiccan covens and even on TikTok, as young witches use modern technology to connect with other members of the global community.
Claire Slack is a folklorist who is currently studying for a doctorate in heritage with the University of Hertfordshire. Her research focuses on contemporary Pagan ritual at sacred historic sites across Britain
AdvertisementThis article was first published in the April 2022 issue of BBC History Revealed
By Emily Pinigis, Staff Writer | March 2, 2020
Another influential figure in the establishment of Wicca is Doreen Valiente, who collaborated with Gardner and helped refine and expand the religious practices and beliefs. Valiente contributed to the development of Wiccan rituals and helped solidify the spiritual framework of the religion. Since its establishment in the mid-20th century, Wicca has grown and evolved, with various traditions and offshoots emerging. Today, it is recognized as one of the fastest-growing religions, attracting followers from diverse backgrounds. In conclusion, Wicca was established in the 20th century, with Gerald Gardner and Doreen Valiente playing pivotal roles in its development and popularization. While its roots can be traced back to ancient pagan and witchcraft practices, its establishment as a modern religion is attributed to the mid-20th century..
Reviews for "The Timeline of Wicca's Establishment: Martyrs, Magicians, and Legends"
- Jane Smith - 1 star
I found "When was Wicca Established" to be extremely disappointing. The book lacked any substantial information and was written in a haphazard manner. The author failed to provide a clear timeline of the establishment of Wicca, and the few details provided were vague and contradictory. Additionally, the book did not provide any sources or references to back up the claims made. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for accurate and well-researched information on the establishment of Wicca.
- John Doe - 2 stars
I was very excited to read "When was Wicca Established" as I have a deep interest in the subject. However, I was left disappointed and unsatisfied by the lack of depth and analysis in this book. While the author touched upon the topic of Wicca's establishment, the information provided was minimal and lacked depth. Furthermore, the writing style was dry and did not engage the reader. It felt like the author was simply regurgitating basic facts without providing any unique insights or perspectives. Overall, I believe there are better resources available for those interested in learning about the establishment of Wicca.
- Emily Thompson - 2 stars
I was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the establishment of Wicca by reading this book, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The author's writing style was confusing and convoluted, making it difficult to follow the narrative. The book lacked a clear structure and organization, jumping from one topic to another without a logical flow. Additionally, there were several grammatical errors and typos throughout, which further detracted from the reading experience. Overall, I would recommend seeking out other resources that provide a more concise and coherent explanation of the establishment of Wicca.