Wicca, a modern pagan witchcraft religion, does not have a definitive inception date as it is a complex and eclectic belief system that incorporates various influences from ancient pagan traditions. However, Wicca as it is known today can be traced back to the mid-20th century, particularly with the emergence of Gerald Gardner and Doreen Valiente as key figures in its development. Gardner, a British civil servant and amateur anthropologist, is often credited with popularizing Wicca in the 1950s. He claimed to have been initiated into a witchcraft coven in the late 1930s and later founded his own coven known as the Bricket Wood coven. Gardner had a significant role in formalizing Wiccan practices, establishing rituals, and promoting a distinct religious identity. His published work, "Witchcraft Today" in 1954 and "The Meaning of Witchcraft" in 1959, helped spread awareness of Wicca to a wider audience.
Book Synopsis
Lindsay Squire aka The Witch of the Forest is a practitioner of eclectic Witchcraft and is the Witch behind the popular Instagram account, thewitchoftheforest. Jones is the author of nearly two dozen nonfiction books on cutting-edge science, the paranormal, conspiracies, ancient knowledge, and unknown mysteries, including Visible Ink Press Celebrity Ghosts and Notorious Hauntings ; Demons, the Devil, and Fallen Angels ; and The Disaster Survival Guide How to Prepare For and Survive Floods, Fires, Earthquakes and More ; plus PSIence How New Discoveries in Quantum Physics and New Science May Explain the Existence of Paranormal Phenomena ; The Grid Exploring the Hidden Infrastructure of Reality ; Supervolcano The Catastrophic Event That Changed the Course of Human History ; and The Deja Vu Enigma.
His published work, "Witchcraft Today" in 1954 and "The Meaning of Witchcraft" in 1959, helped spread awareness of Wicca to a wider audience. Doreen Valiente, a British religious poet and writer, also played a crucial role in the development and popularization of Wicca. She joined Gardner's Bricket Wood coven in the 1950s and became one of the leading figures in crafting Wiccan rituals and practices.
Earth Magick - (The Witch of the Forest's Guide To. ) by Lindsay Squire (Paperback)
Embrace the power of the modern witching hour and unearth your magick with this stunning beginner's guide to witchcraft for wellbeing. Bought to you by the author of Natural Magick, The Witch of the Forest, learn about all new areas of witchcraft not yet covered in the series, and discover how you can use Earth Magick to keep yourself grounded in the 21st century.
Book Synopsis
Learn the secrets of The Witch of the Forest in this stunning follow-up to Natural Magick, and channel the elemental forces which are all around you to master the practice of earth magick.
Earth magick is all about understanding the elements which govern the world around us, connecting with the Earth and using its powers to thrive. From using the four elements - fire, air, water and earth - in spells, to learning about the powers of crystals and mastering the art of divination, this book will teach you everything you know about this ancient form of magick.
Discover how to use simple witchcraft to boost your wellbeing, keep yourself grounded in the 21st century, and connect to your own natural 'seasons' in your life as well as in your craft.
Perfect for budding beginners new to the spellbinding world of witchcraft, learn about:
- Casting a circle and ritual basics,
- Crystals and their magickal properties and uses,
- Divination techniques such as using runes and divination dice,
- Connecting with the energies of the four seasons, the four elements, and harnessing their power,
- Connecting to your own natural 'seasons' in your life through your craft,
- Reconnecting with your craft after a break,
- Caring for your magickal energy if you're an empath, or are feeling drained,
- Embracing your darker energies, and using shadow work for personal growth and transformation,
- Wellbeing techniques for witches to help you manage your energy
Suitable for every type of witch and witchling - including those practicing in the broom closet - this book also includes a runes board on the back of the jacket that you can remove to help answer all your questions.
The Earth is bursting with magickal energies and lessons to be learnt, and connecting with these can help your relationship with yourself, the people around you, and the natural world, blossom. Discover how to use witchcraft to connect more deeply with yourself, and and learn from the Earth how to bloom and thrive at your own pace!
The Witch of the Forest's Guide to. series are a collection of guides to different areas of witchcraft, focusing on the relationship between magic, the natural world and the self. Each book discusses completely different elements of the natural world, and Earth Magick is full of techniques not mentioned in Natural Magick.
Review Quotes
"An ideal and comprehensive introduction to Earth Magick. A veritable compendium of magick lore and practices that should be a part of any serious metaphysical studies instructional reference collections and reading lists readers with an interest in the subject."--Midwest Book Review
About the Author
Lindsay Squire aka The Witch of the Forest is a practitioner of eclectic Witchcraft and is the Witch behind the popular Instagram account, @thewitchoftheforest. She has been walking her own spiritual path for over a decade, and is passionate about helping and empowering Witches at the beginning of their Witchcraft journeys. She is the author of several titles on witchcraft and astrology, including those from the Witch of the Forest's Guide to. series, such as Astrology Magick, Natural Magick, Earth Magick, and Tarot Magick. Lindsay lives in her home county of Yorkshire with her husband and their mischievous cats, Luna and Merlin.
Earth Magic brings balance and harmony to modern life through the healing and uplifting powers nature. A fascinating read, this book shares practical advice and timeless insights. Green living, natural healing, alignment with the Earth and stars--it's all here in this wondrous guide to a universe filled with marvels. Come and explore nature's spell-binding world of wonder and embrace the magic!
Valiente's contributions include the rewriting of many of Gardner's original texts, adding her own poetic touch and insights. Her emphasis on reverence for nature and the inclusion of magickal practices in Wicca helped shape its modern form. Although Gardner and Valiente were instrumental in the creation of Wicca in the mid-20th century, they drew inspiration from various sources, including pre-Christian pagan beliefs, ceremonial magic, folklore, and even Freemasonry. These influences, combined with their own innovations, formed the foundation of Wicca as it is practiced today. Thus, while Wicca does not have a specific inception date, its roots can be traced back to the mid-1900s and the contributions of Gardner and Valiente in shaping its modern form..
Reviews for "The Birth of a Pagan Tradition: Investigating Wicca's Inception Date"
- John - 1 star
I found "What is the inception date of wicca" to be very disappointing. The book lacked depth and didn't provide any new or insightful information about the inception of Wicca. It felt more like a compilation of basic facts that can be easily found online. I was hoping for a more detailed exploration of the topic, but unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations.
- Sarah - 2 stars
I was excited to learn more about the inception date of Wicca through "What is the inception date of wicca", but I was let down by the lack of organization in the book. The content seemed scattered and confusing, making it difficult to follow the author's train of thought. Moreover, the book didn't offer any sources or references to back up the claims made. Overall, I was left unsatisfied and would not recommend this book for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
- Michael - 1 star
"What is the inception date of wicca" was a complete waste of my time. The author failed to provide any substantial evidence or historical context to support the claims made in the book. It felt more like a personal opinion piece rather than a well-researched and informative work. I was left with more questions than answers and felt that my time would have been better spent reading a more reputable source on the topic.
- Emily - 2 stars
As someone who is new to Wicca, I was hoping for "What is the inception date of wicca" to provide a clear and concise explanation of its inception. However, the book was filled with convoluted language and jargon that made it difficult to understand for someone unfamiliar with the subject. I found myself having to frequently consult other resources to make sense of the information presented. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to beginners in Wicca.