Witchcraft Today

Slightly worn used copy, but still great value. I can't wait to get stuck into one of the principal texts of the modern craft. Blessed Be.

Don't need to say anymore as previous reviewer, Brighid, nailed it.

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Fast delivery and excellent market price for a fairly expensive book.

Gerald is such a fascinating man and he writes very well - the book is easy to digest and you feel as though he's speaking directly to you. The only thing I want to criticise is the fact that there are no footnotes so he could really just be saying anything at some points, especially when he's telling us about other countries' traditions and rituals. But still, this is a brilliant slice of history and well worth buying.

cant wait to read this book, been waiting for ages for something like this, the next best thing is pagan ways which i read over and over again.

The significance of this book is not in its content as such - nowadays there are thousands of 'how to' books on the subject of Wicca. The books of Gerald Gardner (Witchcraft Today and The Meaning of Witchcraft) were the first on the subject and the start of the modern Pagan tradition. You need to remember that the Witchcraft Act had only recently been repealed when this was published. What Gerald Gardner did in introducing this subject was brave and controversial, but by doing it, he essentially gave birth to modern Paganism as we know it in the UK. Wicca is now a recognised religion which has spread internationally over the last 70 years, and it started here. I found this an utterly fascinating read, which captivated and inspired me to research more.

Although some of what was written by Gardner has been discredited, this is still a worthwhile book to have in your collection. It is interesting to see how Gardners ideas have shaped modern Wiccan thinking and practice and how it has changed from his time. His style of writting is easy to understand and quite conversational in some places, so it's not a heavy read.I felt that this book was a good one to have from a historical Wiccan point of view as it is at least one definite point which can be identified as where modern practises began. A better book for a correct and well researched history of Witchcraft, Wicca and Paganism in general would be Proff. Ronald Huttons "Triumph of the Moon"

No es más que un libro que explica la historia de la wicca moderna. Esperaba otra cosa. Me lo quedo por saber cómo piensa G.G.

Old hard to find occult classic. Very interesting document for anyone just a tad curious about older religions. Must buy.

ok

Whether you love the book or hate the book (or the author), there's no denying that this book paved the way for modern Wicca and Witchcraft. It's one of the most well-known books published in the 20th century regarding Wicca and the Craft as we know it today. Without its publication, who knows where Wicca would stand today as it aided in drawing out those who practiced the Old Ways out of the shadows and into, well, let's be honest and just say a less intense shadow. It can't be a true Mystery Tradition without some shroud of mystery to it!Regardless of one's feelings about the author, the book was enjoyable to read. Personally, I'm a little biased when it comes to reading about history and this book is certainly peppered with history about the Knights Templar, the Salem Witch Trials, the Burning Times, and most anything related to occultism. Granted, this book is not a history book, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about some of Gardner's research into occultist history.In addition to historical information, Gardner inserted his perceptions and views into Witchcraft by either referencing his personal experience from an initiate point of view or his experience as being an observer. As you read, you may become slightly frustrated with how little information is actually given about his experiences within the Craft. He gives just enough information to draw you in. Almost like having an appetizer but skipping the main course. This is most likely due to his intense and utmost dedication to staying true to his Oath of Secrecy that he took when he was initiated into his tradition. He makes it clear throughout the book that he is trying to reach out to others of a like mind but inviting witches to write to him, to describe their rituals or what they are willing to reveal about their traditions, to commune with him on a personal level. I have heard that after this book was written there was an outpouring of just that!I believe this book has earned its place on every witch's bookshelf. It is a cornerstone to our community whether you identify as Wiccan, Pagan, or a Witch. It is an important part to our history and understanding the development of Wicca and the Craft today.

For anyone involved in or interested in the modern Wiccan revival, this is necessary reading. Wicca without Gardner is like pea soup without the ham bone.If you choose to follow this path in earnest, you will find that when you re-read this book from time to time along your way, you will uncover new riches each time that you did not notice before.The first time through, do not be distracted or unduly annoyed by Gardner's dated and sometimes inaccurate amateur speculations on history and anthropology. Just pay close attention to everything he says about the Witches he actually knew, and what they said and did.

Gerald Gardner is said to be "The Father of modern Wicca." Whether you agree or not his books are "must" reading for anyone wanting to learn Wicca.

What if witches have really been around all along?To me, that's the main theory proposed by Gardner, and, if true, would require the rewriting of a great many textbooks.When one hears the word "witch", one usually thinks of Europe.Although the vast majority of the book deals with Europe, Gardner offers up possible bits and pieces of evidence from Africa and the Middle East. While all these are of varying quality, it is nice to see that someone took the time to offer a broader picture.Gardner quotes numerous passages from his various sources to further strengthen his theory, but even with all this there is much to be desired.For one, much of Gardner's research is, like it or not, hearsay. He supposedly got in touch with some witches, but alas, they can't give him all the details. The irony is that if those witches had made an exception and broke their silence, perhaps Gardner's theory might have become reality.I found it shocking too that even this supposed group of witches didn't know the answers to "the real meaning of the Sabbath" (pg. 147) and "do not know the origin of their cult" (pg. 43).To Gardner's credit, he doesn't try and pass his theory as proof. There are literally dozens of times where he says "possibly", "perhaps", "maybe", "presumably" and other words common when the topic is in a hypothetical stage.However, there are some times where his "facts" are skewed or not very well documented.On page 33 he mentions the Biblical "Huldah the Sorceress" of 2 Kings 22:14 and 2 Chronicles 34:22.However, there is no Bible that I'm aware of that translates her occupation as such. In the New International Version (US and UK), King James, New King James, New American Standard and even the Luther 1545 Bible, all translate it as "prophetess"--a very different occupation.The next thing that struck me was his claim on page 151 (and elsewhere) that "about nine million people died by torture in one way or another during the persecution."I find this number hard to believe, for a couple of reasons. First of all, even allowing that the "Burning Times" were from 1300 to 1700 (a generous span of 400 years), a figure of 9 million would mean that every year 22,500 people were caught, tried and tortured/hanged/burned, or that for 400 years 61 people died daily as a result of the persecutions/inquisitions.Secondly, Gardner simply offers no documentation of these numbers.While definitely interesting, there is too much speculation and not enough hard evidence, making Gardner's idea of an old religion a witch's concoction that is hard to swallow.

I am not a pagan but this is something I think every wiccan should read. It turns alot of what "wicca" today thinks is part of the belief system and throws it out the door. I love it.

Great witchy fun! A fantastic book to read. Feels like being right there with Gardner while questing and immersed in direct encounters with the various tribes and cultures. Blessed be !

I'm not going to speak ill of Mr Gardener, I know better. At a time when coming out of the broom closet was social suicide he went and wrote the primer for paganism. I don't agree with everything he writes, but the book is one all pagans/wiccans should read, if only to be familiar with his work. I should also mention it's easy to read, and at times hard to put down.

the best!

Everything OK, exactly as described

An informational approach to a misunderstood religion.

I would highly recommend this for anyone looking to get inside the writings a bit more of G.B.G

While I think that people should read this book, since it was the first of its kind and the basis of modern Wicca/Witchcraft, it's no "How to" book. It's not even a very good "History" book. It reads more like a journal than anything and often tends to venture down tangents and focus (what seemed to me) excess attention on topics that only seemed to be loosely associated with the Craft. Thought/concept organization was fair to poor, but if you're patient and stick it out, it will get you thinking and will give you a glimpse into the mind and thought processes of the Wiccan "movement" at the time and one man's role within it.