Aradia Or The Gospel Of The Witches

Possibly the best edition of this book I’ve seen. The introduction and preface give the context needed and the footnotes are immeasurably useful. It could benefit from further analysis but the modern perspectives are so interesting! The formatting makes it easy to read too.

Never mock what you do not know,this opens your eyes,once you start you cannot put it down.Life years ago,was cruel.

So happy to own once again this classic and this revised version is simply wonderful to read. Get to the roots of Wicca's influence with Aradia The Gospel of the Witches. I have found much food for thought within these pages and inspiration for ritual. A classic that every Wiccan,Pagan and Occultist should own in my opinion.

ARADIA is considered the foundation text for modern witchcraft, especially British Traditional Wicca. It was from this book that Aleister Crowley “borrowed” the invocation of Diana and Aradia for his Thelemic text The Book of the Law, which Gerald Gardner paraphrased for his own original BOS that Doreen Valiente later rewrote into her liturgical masterpiece The Charge of The Goddess (versions 1 & 2).It amazes me the book's importance given its size. In many ways it reads like a children’s book on Italian folklore. Only in this case the folklore is about witches. The writing style certainly is easy and suitable for all reading levels. You can read Aradia in one sitting. The content, however, is anything but suitable for young readers or anybody who thinks witchcraft is all white light and pretty crystals.Aradia is hardcore. The person who authored this text (there is some debate whether Leland’s collaborator “Maddalena” ever actually existed) clearly had a deep seated hatred of aristocracy. Cursing, poisoning and controlling type love spells are all advocated as a means to exact revenge on economic oppressors (i.e. land holders). Liars and thieves are perceived in a rather favorable light as members of the lower classes forced into lives of crime for survival.Throughout recorded history witchcraft has been an illegal practice. It was illegal in pagan Rome and a crime punishable by death. Aradia reaffirms the status of the witch as a person who lives on the edge of society: the person you go to when you are powerless and have no one else to turn to for help or justice.I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars because the text fails somewhat in measuring up to book's religious significance. Still, it is a must read for any Craft leader if for no other reason than to say that you've read it. Of all the reprints available this one (illus. red cover) is the most attractive.

I must have misread the description or something, because the set up of this book is COMPLETELY poetic style. Just poem, after poem, after poem. Also i didn't agree with it's lore of the genesis of witches, but that's neither here nor there. It is also misleading in the sense most of the book was about Aradia's mother, the goddess. and Aradia was the first witch. If you are looking for a whimsical, poetic story of Aradia' and her mother, then yes nice read to do one night.But if someone was looking for actual witchcraft magick lore and rituals, then this is not the book for you.

Bought this book for my husband. He loves it, and counts it among 'required reading' for wiccans, regardless of any flaws it has. His words, not mine. I have not read it yet.

You must remember that when you read this story it is a metaphor. I'll let you figure that out.Arcadia...a wonderful Goddess!

This book is a decent read if you want to see how degenerate the old ways got under the influence of Christianity. I don't like magic that is developed out of fear and feelings of insecurity and lack, so I certainly wouldn't use this book as a textbook to inform my own spells. Read as history, though, and for understanding how oppression and fear cause the degeneration of the human psyche, it was interesting.

I bought this book as a gift for my mom. I have yet to read it, but she says that she loves it. She's happy, I'm happy! Shipping was right on time. Thanks!

if you want magickal skills this is not your book, it talks of things magickal but long ago. i didnt flunk it as history was interesting butnowhere near amagickal guide.

perfect condition. Thank you

Just as described

Gave alot of good information

This is a treasure.

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