Category: Our History

Solitary Witchcraft c. 2015

Solitary Witchcraft

There are many reasons for performing witchcraft alone: your personal circumstances or the location of your home may mean that you cannot travel to a group, or you may live in an area where there are few others who share your interests. Many witches like myself choose to practise alone, drawing in my family and close friends to celebrate with me on the festival days. Most solitary witches initiate themselves, though some traditions, such as the Saxon Seat Wicca founded by Raymond Buckland in the USA, do admit solitary witches.

Indeed, solitary practitioners are said by some to have been witches in seven previous lifetimes and to possess within them all they need to know about the Craft. Truth or myth, no one should underestimate the number of private practitioners who do work alone, some coming together occasionally in small, informal groups.

Solitary witches can use ceremonial magick very successfully, but many do follow the less formal folk magick, linked to the land and the seasons, that was practised by our ancestors in their homes. For this reason, some call themselves hedge-witches, from the times when a hedge, often of hawthorn, bounded the witch’s home, and it is sometimes said that they are walking on the hedge between two worlds. Such a witch may be in the tradition of the village wise women who knew about herbs and about the cycles of nature and used the implements of their kitchens rather than ceremonial tools.

She may also be gifted in divination, in spell-casting and in astral projection. Usually a woman, but occasionally a man, the solitary witch practises eclectic magick drawn from a variety of traditions.

Those expert in brews and potions are also called kitchen witches. Indeed, many of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers who possessed a remarkable intuition, read the tea leaves and made herbal concoctions, were jokingly called witches by their own families – and were just that!

You have your choice of groves, stone circles, the ocean shore, your garden or balcony, where you can connect with the powers of nature and work unobtrusively. Whether you are working alone, or in a group, or coven, you will share the same aims and will need much the same equipment.

Source: A Practical Guide to Witchcraft and Magic Spells By Cassandra Eason

A JOURNEY INTO WITCHCRAFT BELIEFS (One Person’s View)

The history of witchcraft is complex, and often raises more questions than it answers. Where did witches come from? And did they always arrive on broomsticks? We asked Professor Diane Purkiss to take us inside the minds of ordinary people and intellectuals in medieval and early modern England to reveal how the figure of the witch was born.

Travel with us from the pre-Christian world to the burial mounds of the English landscape, where an underworld of elves, demons and familiars came alive in the popular imagination. Out of these murky beginnings, we discover how the witch became the subject of the chilling persecutions of the 16th and 17th centuries.

Most people think that witches are a Christian invention. But the idea of the witch who flies in the night and draws power from dark cosmic forces to work her ill will on others pre-dates Christianity, probably by many centuries. 

In Homer’s Odyssey (c.800 BC), Circe – who turns men into animals – is described as a witch, and Plutarch refers to witchcraft in his treatise On Superstition (c.AD 100). Illicit magic features heavily in Roman law statutes, some of which are passed down to the Christian world. However, many of those early laws were really laws against sorcery, which unlike witchcraft can be beneficial, and which requires special skills, tools and words.

Archaeologists have found hundreds of ancient Greek curse tablets, which the Greeks called katares, ‘curses that bind tight’, and they appear to have invented them, with a great number focused on sporting competitions or legal contests. The inscribed tablets were left in graves, wells or fountains, where the dead could better work their magic.

How did the figure of the witch emerge? Click here to read this rest of this article

The Rise and Persecution of Witchcraft Through History

Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has mostly believed in a polytheistic belief systems, worshipping a variety of gods and spirits. Christianity, however, sought to dismantle these long-standing traditions by promoting a monotheistic framework, a shift that clashed with the deeply ingrained cultural and spiritual practices of the time. As the Church worked to solidify its authority, the persistence of these ancient beliefs led to a feeling of threat within Christian ranks. This friction between old traditions and the rise of Christianity birthed a long history of witch persecutions.

The Evolution of Witchcraft and Its Persecution

Witchcraft persecution evolved alongside the expansion of Christianity. Although conversion spread across Europe, many individuals, particularly in rural areas, continued to honor the old ways. Beliefs in the Mother Goddess, who gave birth to a Divine Child that later became her husband and the master of harvests, remained strong. This seasonal cycle of death and rebirth persisted in folk traditions, with peasants and nobles alike venerating ancient deities. Witchcraft practices were often seen as a means of improving life’s hardships, leading to continued secret rituals.

As Christianity’s influence grew, the Church viewed these ancient customs as a direct challenge to its authority, labeling them the “Devil’s cult.” This led to a brutal campaign against those suspected of witchcraft, resulting in the deaths of over 200,000 people. Over time, the number of executions soared, with an estimated eight million people losing their lives as a result of witchcraft accusations during the peak of the Church’s fanaticism, particularly between the 12th and 18th centuries.

The Phases of Witch Persecution

The Influence of the Malleus Maleficarum

Witchcraft Across Continents

The Salem Witch Trials

The Famed Salem Witch Trials

Witchcraft in the Modern Era

Conclusion

Witchcraft, in its many forms, has been both a source of fear and fascination throughout history. From the brutal witch hunts of Europe to the enduring practices of modern-day witches, the persecution of those deemed to hold magical power reflects society’s ongoing struggle with the unknown. Today, witchcraft has diversified and evolved, but its historical legacy serves as a reminder of the dangers of intolerance and the enduring allure of ancient spiritual traditions.

Click here to read the rest of this article about: The Rise and Persecution of Witchcraft Through History

Hedge Witchcraft c. 2016

The History Of Witches: How Christianity And Misogyny Turned Revered Healers Into Wicked Pariahs

From powerful priestesses to demonic masters of the occult, the history of witches is a story of the dangers of being a woman in a male dominated world.

A fearsome being of fairytale and myth, the witch has carved out a home in nearly every culture across the world and time. Indeed, the witch represents the dark side of the female presence: she has power that cannot be controlled.

While the witch often conjures depictions of aging, ugly, hook-nosed women hunched over their cauldrons and inflicting toil and trouble on the masses, history tells us that the witch’s origins are far less sinister. In fact, those whom we consider to be witches were once healers and hallowed members of their communities.

The History Of Witches Dates Back To Biblical Times

Christianity Transforms The Witch Into A Figure Of Evil

Witch Hunts Become An Instrument Of Misogyny

Witch Hunts Sweep America

Witchery Is Revived By Wicca

Click here to read the rest of this about: The History Of Witches: How Christianity And Misogyny Turned Revered Healers Into Wicked Pariahs

The Rise and Persecution of Witchcraft Through History

Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has mostly believed in a polytheistic belief systems, worshipping a variety of gods and spirits. Christianity, however, sought to dismantle these long-standing traditions by promoting a monotheistic framework, a shift that clashed with the deeply ingrained cultural and spiritual practices of the time. As the Church worked to solidify its authority, the persistence of these ancient beliefs led to a feeling of threat within Christian ranks. This friction between old traditions and the rise of Christianity birthed a long history of witch persecutions.

The Evolution of Witchcraft and Its Persecution

Witchcraft persecution evolved alongside the expansion of Christianity. Although conversion spread across Europe, many individuals, particularly in rural areas, continued to honor the old ways. Beliefs in the Mother Goddess, who gave birth to a Divine Child that later became her husband and the master of harvests, remained strong. This seasonal cycle of death and rebirth persisted in folk traditions, with peasants and nobles alike venerating ancient deities. Witchcraft practices were often seen as a means of improving life’s hardships, leading to continued secret rituals.

As Christianity’s influence grew, the Church viewed these ancient customs as a direct challenge to its authority, labeling them the “Devil’s cult.” This led to a brutal campaign against those suspected of witchcraft, resulting in the deaths of over 200,000 people. Over time, the number of executions soared, with an estimated eight million people losing their lives as a result of witchcraft accusations during the peak of the Church’s fanaticism, particularly between the 12th and 18th centuries.

The Phases of Witch Persecution…

The Influence of the Malleus Maleficarum…

Witchcraft Across Continents…

The Salem Witch Trials…

The Famed Salem Witch Trials…

Witchcraft in the Modern Era…

Conclusion

Witchcraft, in its many forms, has been both a source of fear and fascination throughout history. From the brutal witch hunts of Europe to the enduring practices of modern-day witches, the persecution of those deemed to hold magical power reflects society’s ongoing struggle with the unknown. Today, witchcraft has diversified and evolved, but its historical legacy serves as a reminder of the dangers of intolerance and the enduring allure of ancient spiritual traditions.

Click here to read this rest of this article Source: ancient-origins.net

Most Common Witchcraft Traditions c. 2016

Let’s Talk Witch – Making Wicca/Witchcraft a Part of Your Life c.2015

Making Wicca/Witchcraft a Part of Your Life

Keep in mind that you spent a year and a day studying and preparing to get to the point of becoming a Wiccan. Do not let that effort go to waste by not incorporating Wicca into your daily life. In Wicca, complicated Wiccan rituals are usually required only during Sabbats. In everyday life, being a Wiccan requires little but consistent effort. A good Wiccan tries to find a magical application to every routine thing they do. Wicca is a path of simultaneous empowerment and humility.

You are empowered as a Wiccan because you believe that many things in your life are under your control. You have the power to change them if you like. You can use your magic, spells and rituals to bring happiness into your life. You can also regularly perform protection spells to keep yourself from harm or healing spells on sick days.

However, remember that though you may have a lot of textbook and working Wiccan knowledge, you do not know everything. Do not stop learning about Wicca and growing spiritually. Keep an open mind to receive as much knowledge from the universe as you can. Wiccans can become set in their own comfort zone if they do not learn to accept new knowledge.

In your ordinary routine, stay mindful of the Rede and the threefold law. Remember, everything you do or say should have no intent of causing yourself or another being harm. Moreover, all your actions have consequences and as a Wiccan, you are fully responsible for them. Each act, good or bad, will find its way back to you three times over.

If you are planning to get married after you become a Wiccan, why not plan your wedding ceremony accordingly as a Wiccan rite of passage? Perform a Wiccan wedding or ‘handfasting’ with your coven family. Also, if you have a baby, have a wiccaning ceremony to put him under the protection of the God and Goddess. Observing rites of passage allows you to feel like part of a community greater than yourself.

As a Wiccan, respecting Nature becomes a part of your own innate nature. Recycling and low energy consumption, if they are not already, should become part of your routine as a Wiccan. Hobbies such as gardening and bird watching also are a good way of learning about the Natural world and connecting with it. Going on hiking trips or spending some time outdoors will help you immerse yourself in Nature. Remember, everything in the universe is a manifestation of the Divine.

The cyclical lunar patterns hold great significance in Wicca. Try to determine what effect lunar phases have on your life and work accordingly. Moreover, remember that each day and night is a gift from the God and Goddess. Try to consciously thank them and the elements every day.

The more you try to incorporate Wicca into your life, the more it will help you accomplish your goals. However, the catch is that you cannot be selfish. Remember, Wicca and Witchcraft are religions geared towards positivity in all respects. It may seem overwhelming at first, but the more regularly you practice it, the simpler it will get.

Source: Wicca Made Easy: Simple Spells for Love, Money, Luck, Success, Weight Loss & More!
Sarah M. Lancaster

American Witchcraft Laws c.2015

American Witchcraft Laws

A reader writes in, “I notice that there are a lot of references made to the English Witchcraft Laws, but what about law in America? Didn’t the Salem witches in Massachusetts get burned at the stake because of laws against witchcraft?”

The Salem witch trials were indeed held in Massachusetts. However, in 1692, when these trials took place, Massachusetts was not “American” at all. It was a British colony, and therefore fell under British rule and law.

In other words, the Salem Colony was not American in 1692, because “America” didn’t exist. In fact, it didn’t exist until about eighty years later. Also, no one has ever been burned at the stake for witchcraft in America. In Salem, a number of people were hanged, and one was pressed to death. It is unlikely that any of those people were actually practicing any sort of witchcraft (except possibly Tituba), and more likely that they were all just unfortunate victims of mass hysteria.

Now, that having been said, in some states, there are laws against fortunetelling, Tarot card reading, and other divinatory practices. These are not outlawed because of an injunction against witchcraft, but because of municipal leaders trying to protect gullible residents from being swindled by con artists. These ordinances are passed on local levels and are typically part of zoning regulations, but they’re not anti-witchcraft laws – they’re anti-fraud laws.

In addition, there have been cases in the United States where specific religious practices have been challenged in court.

In 2009, Jose Merced sued the city of Euless, Texas, when they told him he could no longer perform animal sacrifices as part of his religious practice. The city told him that “animal sacrifices jeopardize public health and violate its slaughterhouse and animal cruelty ordinances.” The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans said the Euless ordinance “placed a substantial burden on Merced’s free exercise of religion without advancing a compelling governmental interest.”

Again, this was not a specific injunction against witchcraft or religion. Because it was a specific religious practice, and the city couldn’t provide enough evidence to support their claim of it being a health issue, the court ruled in favor of Merced and his right to practice animal sacrifice.

In the 1980s, the District Court of Virginia court recognized witchcraft as a valid and legitimate religion, in the case of Dettmer v Landon, and this was upheld later on by a Federal court, determining that people who practice witchcraft as a religion are entitled to the same Constitutional protections as those who follow other belief systems.

Believe it or not, Pagans – and other practitioners of earth-based faiths – have the same rights as everyone else in this country. Learn about your rights as a parent, as an employee, and even as a member of the United States military:

  • Protect Your Legal Rights: Learn what you can do to reduce the chance that you’ll be a victim of religious discrimination.
  • Your Rights as a Pagan Parent: In the United States, we have the same rights as parents of any other religion. Learn how you can avoid discrimination in schools, simply by opening up the lines of communication.
  • Rights of Pagans in the Workplace: What rights do Pagans and Wiccans have in the workplace? Can your employer treat you differently just because you’re not part of a mainstream religious group?
  • Rights of Pagans in the Military: If you or someone you love is an active duty member of the military, you need to be aware of your rights as a Pagan or Wiccan soldier.

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English Witchcraft Laws c.2015

English Witchcraft Laws

Definition:

Until 1951, England had laws strictly prohibiting the practice of witchcraft. When the last act was repealed, Gerald Gardner began to publish his work, and brought witchcraft back into the public eye without threat of prosecution. Put into effect on June 1, 1653, the Witchcraft Laws mandated the outlawing of any kind of witchcraft-related activities. The 1951 repeal made it easier for modern Wiccans — Gardner was able to go public just a few years later, when he published Witchcraft Today in 1954.

It’s important to note that the 1653 Witchcraft Laws were not the first to appear in the English judicial system. In 1541, King Henry VIII passed a piece of legislation that made witchcraft a felony, punishable by death. In 1562, Henry’s daughter, Queen Elizabeth I, passed a new law that said witchcraft would only be punished with death if harm had been caused – if no physical harm was done to the alleged victim, then the accused only faced imprisonment.

Examples: Prior to the repeal of the English Witchcraft Laws, British pagans had to practice in secret to avoid prosecution.

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Website: Article found on & owned by About.com

The Trials Of The Pendle Witches (Witchcraft Documentary) | Timeline Video

While the witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts, are well known to us in the USA we need to remember the started long before that all across Europe. This is just one example of what was happening in the 17th century before the witch trials here in the USA.

The Trials Of The Pendle Witches (Witchcraft Documentary) | Timeline Video

Here is a general search to read more about the Pendle witch trials in England in 1612

A Look At The Various Path of the Craft – Faery Witchcraft c. 2018

 

What is a Faery Witch?

Galadriel in Lord of the Rings is a typical Faery Witch. The swan is a common totem for us as well. Here Galadriel is like the Lady of the Lake in the Arthurian Mythos.

 

Characteristics of the Fledgling Faery Witch

*A Faery witch is one who has a special affinity to the Faeries, especially those who are the spectres of the ancestors and the Old Gods.

*Unlike Witches initiated into Wiccan traditions such as the Gardnerian and Alexandrian paths, the Faery Witch is one whose talent comes from deep communion with nature alone. There is no necessity to connect to a line of initiates to become a channel for power. The connection is through the Fay who work through the land and the imagination.

*I believe the Faery Witch is one who has traveled between the Faery and Mortal realms for many lifetimes. Therefore, she or he has a natural ability to ‘see’ spirits in the wilds, is drawn trees, rocks, hills, the turning of the seasons, the moon, and the waters. One such as this will have an innate desire to return ‘home’ in dreams and waking reveries, and maybe even to try to bridge the worlds so that the Faeries can access the Mortal Plane.

Do you want to train your Second Sight?

*Wiccans use many branches of Magic to forge their consciousness and work their enchantments. They often begin with woodland pantheons and expand into other occult traditions and ceremonial magic . As I am not initiated into the Wiccan traditions, I cannot say more. The Faery Witch more often defaults back into communing with the Fay.

*The Faery Witch may be content to walk across the land with intent and heightened consciousness to feel the workings of magic. The relationship between the Witch and the Fay is the magic.

* Animals trust Faery Witches and will communicate with us telepathically.

*Faery Witches are usually drawn to the Arthurian and Holy Grail Mythos. This is because one of main branches of Faery, the Tuathaa de Danaan are Grail Keepers. Many of the stories and myths that came to comprise Arthurian Romance were drawn from the visions of Faery Seers, or Bardic Poets.

*Faery Witches often have poetic talents. Visionary language comes naturally to them.

* Faery Witches do not like iron! Therefore swords are not part of our Magical Regalia.

* Young Faery Witches love Faeries. They also understand what Faeries are at deeper levels than those who may like Faeries but are not Faery Witches.

*Faery Witches are not afraid of disturbing psychic images and undercurrents. We are drawn to the mystery.

 

Faery Glamour

I like to think that Faery Witches have a special glamor of beauty and youth, a quality of stillness and mystery.

*This comes from reading Grimm’s Fairy tales about beautiful Enchantresses and Princesses, the ethereal Faery Queens of Arthurian Romance, legends and folk lore. We must never let ourselves go, or the glamor will be lost. Once the glamor is lost, our power can go with it. For what is glamor but the creation and maintenance of our Magical Self?

* Even as she ages, the Faery Witch exudes the quality of beauty, sexuality, and charm.

* Sometimes alliance with the Faery can take over one’s life. This may cause isolation and loneliness as most others are put off for some reason.It is difficult to inhabit many worlds at the same time.

*We must always guard against psychic attack, for we seem fragile even when we are very strong. This quality disrupts the assumptions of those who would overpower us, inciting their drive to engage in battle.

*The ability of the Faery Witch to see  and communicate with the Unseen endows him or her with the ability to heal others. Alliances with the Fay increase the effectiveness of Faery Healing.

 

Can Faery Witchcraft be Learned?

Joanne Sanow

Can studying Faery Witchcraft cause any harm?

*No. The mind will absorb the lessons in its own measure. Even if one does not develope psychic powers, exposure to the Faery Realm inspires the heart and is a well of creativity that anyone can drawn upon. You can be as you were meant to be and still wear the Glamor of a Faery Witch.

*Psychic Protection is part of the training. Harmless Psychic Self Defense is valuable to everyone.

How old do you have to be to become a Faery Witch?

Old enough to read and carry out exercises. Young people are much closer to Faery than jaded, stressed out adults. Early tuition in Faery Magic can help one cope with life as one ages with a constant sense of curiosity and wonder. There are endless subjects to explore. For this reason, the Faeryland is called the Summer Land, or Land of Eternal Youth.

Source:

Winterspells

Faery Wicca

 

Faery Wicca is also known as Fairy Wicca and it is basically a broad term that consists of all the Wiccan traditions that stresses importance on the Fey (such as sprites, faeries, elves, gnomes, etc), the relation of the Fey with the natural world and also their teachings. Originally written about by the author, Kisma Stepanich. Believers of this tradition are of the opinion that this type of Wicca has originated from the Tuatha De Danaan traditions. </ahref=”view_category.asp?cat=30″>

The Tuatha De Danaan is considered to be the mythological predecessor of the Celts to many although, there are some who are not of the same opinion.

Faery Wicca is a belief that has taken some elements from the Irish mythology, from different non-Celtic sources and also from the interpretation of the history of the Celts by Kisma Stepanich. This belief has also been influenced by the author’s imagination of the Celts as well as the Celtic legend and pseudo history. There are some people who often confuse this with Feri Wicca, a tradition started by Victor Anderson.

Faery Wicca has been inspired by the customs and practices of the modern Celts as well as the ancient Celts. This tradition has more similarities with other modern Wiccan traditions and non-Wiccan traditions. It does not share that many similarities with ‘Fairy Faith’ that it is commonly referred to as in the conventional Gaelic cultures. The followers of the Faery Wicca worship a number of deities and the chief Goddess is none other than the androgynous Star Goddess. The other deities that are worshiped are the various aspects of the primary Goddess and these deities are:

  • The Crone.
  • The Winter King.
  • The Blue God.
  • The Great Mother.
  • The Harvest Lord.
  • The Corn Maiden.

This belief is said to have seven guardians and they are generally called upon at the time of casting the circle. The guardians of the North and West are believed to be female where as the guardians of the South and East are believed to be male. Nobody knows their real names but each of them have a public name which are as follows:

  • Guardian of the Gates.
  • Star Finder.
  • Fire in the Earth.
  • Shining Flame.
  • Heaven Shiner.
  • Black Mother.
  • Water Maker.

There is no doubt that there are few similarities between the Faery Wicca and other Wiccan traditions like appreciation of creativeness, love for beauty and respect for nature. While it maintains some similarities, there a number of customs that differ from the traditional Wiccan Spellcastings.

One of the many differences between this tradition and others is that with Faery Wicca it encourages risking to a greater extent as compared to the other Wiccan customs. It is often said that they follow a different set of rules, then other followers of traditional Wicca. The practitioners of this form of Wicca view themselves as Fey and this means that they are neither black nor white.

You may not know this but possession is practiced in this form of Wicca. The followers believe that Gods are real and the morality system that the Gods have are quite dissimilar from the one that human beings have. Faery tradition can be considered as the mystery tradition that has direct contact with the heavenly and it is also a tradition of ecstasy, power and danger.

Last but not the least, I would like to say that while this tradition is exciting and beautiful, not everyone can be what it takes to be a practitioner of this Wicca and it most certainly is not for the faint-hearted.

Reference

Tatianna Pereslavl-Svyatoslavich
Collaborator, 7Witches Coven

Faery Wicca

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Faery Wicca, or Fairy Wicca, is any tradition of modern Wicca that places an emphasis on the Fey (goblins, elves, faeries, sprites, etc.), their lore, and their relation to the natural world.

“Faery Wicca” may also refer to a specific tradition of Wicca, recently founded by author Kisma Stepanich. Adherents of Stepanich’s Faery Wicca claim that it recovers the traditions of the Tuatha De Danaan, the mythological precursors to the Celtic people; however, this is disputed by those familiar with ancient Celtic polytheism and mythology. Stepanich’s Faery Wicca draws liberally on some degree of Irish mythology, from the author’s interpretation of Celtic history, legend, pseudohistory, imagination, and a variety of non-Celtic sources.

Faery Wicca is not related to the late Victor Anderson’s Feri Tradition of witchcraft, which is sometimes also spelled Faery or Fairy, nor is it directly related to the gay men’s group, the Radical Faeries. Though Faery Wicca may draw inspiration from some of the customs practiced among the ancient and modern Celts, it shares more with other modern Wiccan traditions than with the “Fairy Faith” as it is known in traditional Gaelic culture

Kitchen Witchcraft c. 2016

Eclectic/Faery Witchcraft c. 2016

The Nature of White Witchcraft c.2016

Wicca and Neo-Paganism

Neopaganism covers a wide range of belief systems which have emerged in the past 50 years, primarily in the UK, Europe, and the United States. This includes the better known Wicca, which is a synthesis of traditions from the British Isles, as well as many less visible groups which draw inspiration from other parts of the world. Based on folk-lore, traditional spiritual practices, anthropology, and a synthesis of esoteric systems, Neopaganism does not have any sacred texts of the same vintage as other religions, although unverifiable claims have been made in a couple of cases (e.g. Aradia, and The Gardnerian Book of Shadows).

Rather, the books presented here are source texts of Neopaganism, and other books which deal with related topics. Many of these books contain outdated or speculative material, and some of the texts here are the product of the Renaissance witch hunters. As a whole, the books here are of historical importance rather than a roadmap to modern pagan practice, and shouldn’t be construed as such. As always, we encourage readers to think critically.

Descriptions of contemporary Neopagan practice and beliefs can be found in the Internet Book of Shadows section of this site.

Twentieth Century

The Books of Gerald Gardner

The Gardnerian Book of Shadows
The Book of Shadows is a Wiccan text which is maintained by the initiated in manuscript form. A Book of Shadows contains description of rituals, spells, and other knowledge. This tradition was carried on by Gerald Gardner, who (depending on the account) either synthesized Wicca, or took it public, during the 1950s.

The White Goddess
Robert Graves’ primary contribution to modern Neopaganism.

The works of Margaret Murray
An essay by J.B. Hare.

The Witch-Cult in Western Europe
by Margaret Murray [1921]
Were there ever REAL witches? If not, what were all the witch trials about? And how about those fairies? Murray tries to answer these and other questions objectively with plenty of documentary evidence. She is often cited as a primary source for Gerald Gardners’ ideology.

The Golden Bough
by Sir James Frazer [1922]
A massive study of the mythological cycle of the Godesses’ lover, the solar God who dies and is reborn. The Golden Bough had a huge influence on Margaret Murray, Robert Graves and Gardner.

Victorian

Aradia, Gospel of the Witches
by Charles G. Leland [1899]
Evidence of a surviving underground Italian pagan religion?
Etruscan Roman Remains in Popular Tradition
by Charles G. Leland [1893]
Stregheria is Italian traditional witchcraft. These are considered historical source documents of the Wicca movement. Some contemporary scholars have questioned the authenticity of Lelands’ scholarship. Recent publications by Raven Grimassi have also added a great deal of depth to the subject of Italian witchcraft. See www.stregheria.com [external site] for more information.
 Gypsy Sorcery and Fortune Telling
by Charles G. Leland [1891]
Leland investigates another traditional system of magic, that of the Rom, or Gypsies.

Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft
by Sir Walter Scott [1885].
Scott covers much of the same evidence for the Witch cult as Murry (albeit in a more popular style). Scott draws few conclusions other than that our ancestors were extremely superstitous.

The Sorceress
by Jules Michelet, tr. by Alfred Richard Allinson [1939]
The story of witchcraft from the medieval to the 17th century, as a covert women’s rebellion which led to modern science and medicine.

The Burning Times

From the 14th to the 17th Century a hysteria spread across Europe which involved torturing and executing people based on accusations that they were witches. Whether any actual practicioners of a pre-Christian pagan tradition were persecuted as the result of a witch trial is up for debate. These books and texts are period documents which illustrate the methods, rationale (such as it was) and history of this persecution. They shouldn’t be taken as illustrative of Neopaganism, but as a warning about religious tolerance and the fragile nature of justice.

The Malleus Maleficarum
[1486], translated by Montague Summers [1928]
The best known witch-hunt manual, a primary source of information on this chilling subject.

Dæmonology
by King James the First. [1597] With Newes from Scotland [1591]
Two texts, one an essay on demons and other denizens of the night, the second a broadside with an account of a famous witch trial from the same period.

The Witch-Persecutions
Edited by George L. Burr [1896].
A short collection of translations of historical documents of the witch craze.

Druids

Although little is actually known about the Druids, that didn’t stop 18th and 19th century intellectuals from building a romantic mythology around them. This was closely associated with the rebirth of Celtic nationalism, as well as the Romantic and Gothic movements. This body of fact and speculation later became a central source of modern Wicca and Neo-Pagan belief and practice.

Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions
by James Bonwick [1894].
A scholarly perspective on the Druids in Ireland, weaving together strands of mythology and anthropology to build a picture of ancient Irish paganism.

The Veil of Isis or Mysteries of the Druids
By W. Winwood Reade [1861]. 277,613 bytes
A typical example of the romantic and misconcieved mid-19th Century literature about Druidry. We now know that the construction of Stonehenge preceded the historical Celts by many centuries.

The Religion of the Ancient Celts
by J. A. MacCulloch [1911]
An authoritative and factual study of ancient Celtic religion, including extensive material on what is actually known about the Druids.

The Barddas of Iolo Morganwg, Vol. I [1862]
The Barddas of Iolo Morganwg, Vol. II [1874]
Iolo Morganwg was one of the first to revive Druidry in the 18th century; however, it is questionable whether these texts are as old as they claim to be. These are nevertheless considered primary source material for the modern Druid revivial.

Antiquity

The Syrian Goddess
translated by Herbert A. Strong [1913]
Lucian of Samosata’s late classical account of Goddess worship, referenced by Robert Graves and other writers as a primary source of information on worship of the Ancient Near Eastern Goddess.

Miscellaneous

The Book of Hallowe’en
by Ruth Edna Kelley [1919]
Learn about Halloween and its pagan roots.

Irish Witchcraft and Demonology
by St. John D. Seymour [1913].
This is a fascinating study of the witch-persecutions in Ireland, along with accounts of paranormal activity.

 Pagan Prayers
by Marah Ellis Ryan [1913]
Traditional spirituality from around the world.

Click on hyperlinks for more detailed information

Printable Witchcraft Book for Charms, Spells and Herbs

Charms, Spells, and Herbs PDF from witchcraftsecretmanual.com

I found a few interesting things I want to try in this Witchcraft book that is free to save and/or print. I think it will be a nice addition to my Grimoire.

Most Common Witchcraft Traditions c.2016

Green Witchcraft c.2018

Hereditary/Solitary Witchcraft c. 2016