The Meaning of Witchcraft

by Gerald B. Gardner

Book Overview

"Those of us who use the word witch with all of the pride and fortification that it offers us do so thanks to Gardner's lucid, liberating vision."--Pam Grossman, author of Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power

Often called the father of modern witchcraft, Gerald Gardner's life and works were ground-breaking in opening the door for the modern revival of Wicca and neo-paganism. The...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1578637899
• ISBN13: 9781578637898
• Release Date: December 2022
• Publisher: Weiser Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

The Meaning of Witchcraft

This book is very informative, if a little on the dry side. (LOL) He goes very indepth starting with the paleolithic times o forward. I enjoy Gardner's view from the inside.

Gardner's Best Written Work

If you don't know of Gerald Gardner, he was one of Aleister Crowlkey's last henchmen and the founder of the religion of Wicca as we know it today. He was also a big feature in Patricia Crowther's autobiography. This I believe to be, while not his best and definately a cash in or cash grab on his fame or notoriety, is his best written book. Especially, it doesn't seem like a cheaply made reprint of a key figure in the modern Wiccan movement. This reissue seems more professional, like a clinical disertation on the history and cult movement of witchcraft. Other reissues of these classic text seemed cheaply made. This is devoid of many typos as seen in his fiction and not as tacky looking as his Witchcraft Today. Even though currently I am pursuing a renewed interest in more conventional Christian ethics, this is worth looking into as an alternative religion and lifestyle.

Excellent reading better than anticipated

I had never read any of Gerald Gardner's books before. Being more than a generation removed and being subjected to the formualted books on the subject I was suprised with the integrity of the subject matter. It was unknown to me that Mr. Gardner was somewhat of an accomplished anthropologist and folklorist. This should be required reading of anyone with a serious interest in Wicca. For those who haven't had the pleasure this work bears a resemblace to Star Hawks famously acclaimed The Spriral Dance,Sir James Frazier's The Golden Bough and Robert Graves The White Goddess. It's also good reading for students of Welsh, Celtic and European-Arayan folklore in general. I definitely intend to read all of his works.

A bit of a history lesson

Students of witchcraft are often advised to read the works of Gerald Gardener. It is true that he is the father of modern witchcraft and his writings are the core of modern practices. Upon reading this book it is clear that things have come a long way in the past 50 years.This book is not meant as an introduction for aspiring witches, but as a history lesson for those who might persecute witches. The book is filled with old practices and superstitions that formed the basis of modern witchcraft, as well as the origins of witch prosecutions.The Meaning of Witchcraft may certainly deserve some scrutiny as Gardner obviously has an agenda and occasionally leaps to a conclusion that supports his claims when the evidence does not offer as much support as he claims.The book is a heavy read that may take some effort to get through if you are used to lighter modern writing. Gardner is primarily concerned with the origins of witchcaft in Britain, and witchcraft's future in Britain. The book has many local anecdotes that may lose meaning over time and distance.The information I found most interesting was the history of the Christians moving into Britain, how they pushed out the native pagan beliefs, and how those pagans left traces of their beliefs.

The Serious Seeker's Must Have!

Gerald Brosseau Gardner found Witchcraft to be a beautiful, deep, and meaningful religious path. After his initiation into the New Forest coven in 1939, he dedicated his life and resources to preserving and promoting Witchcraft, which he feared was a religion on the verge of extinction.GBG, with the help of Doreen Valiente, gave structure and form to what he learned. His followers have come to be called "Gardnerians", and it's a name they are proud to claim. Many traditions abound in Wicca, and all of them have gleaned something from GBG's writings. These influential books are a must have for any serious student of the "Craft", but a bit deep for those who only play at being "Witches".It's only fair to warn you: Gardner's writing style can be dry and his organization a bit erratic. Sometimes it can be downright tedious reading his books. However, the information and opinions he gives are well worth the occasional headache! If you only want to play around and "cast spells" as a game, don't bother with his books. There are plenty of recipe-format spell books out there that will serve you just fine. If you are into the Religion of Wicca, then this book will find its way into your library ... one way or another. You might as well get it now! You'll thank yourself ... maybe not *while* you're reading it, but *after* you've (finally) finished!!!