Wicca, a modern pagan witchcraft religion, was established in the mid-20th century. It was developed in England by Gerald Gardner, a retired British civil servant, who publicly introduced it in the 1950s. Gardner claimed that he learned about a surviving witchcraft tradition from a New Forest coven and incorporated it into the framework of a new religion called Wicca. He also drew inspiration from freemasonry, ceremonial magic, and other occult beliefs. Gardner's publication of "Witchcraft Today" in 1954 and "The Meaning of Witchcraft" in 1959 helped popularize Wicca and attract followers. After Gardner's death in 1964, the religion continued to grow and evolve through the efforts of other prominent figures such as Doreen Valiente and Raymond Buckland.
The very first and perhaps most famous Wiccan was Gerald Gardner, a British occultist born in 1884. In 1934, he joined the New Forest Coven, a group of Witches who practiced their own Magick in a way diverged slightly from Paganism. Gardner went on to work with the teachings of Aleister Crowley — another British occultist who dabbled in Witchcraft — to found the modern religion Wicca. His practice began to spread from Britain into Australia and the United States in the 1950s and 1960s.
At the beginning of the book, Doyle White indicates that he would like to offer students, researchers, and curious readers an academic guide to Wicca he completely won his bet by making this book a must-have resource for anyone interested in Wicca. Passionate about esotericism, Gardner shaped his own magico-religious system 5 by combining several pseudo-historic, cosmological, and ritual elements, including the theory of a Palaeolithic fertility cult that had remained clandestine throughout history; Aleister Crowley s ceremonial magic; and Freemasonry, Spiritualism, and the teachings of the Theosophical Society.
After Gardner's death in 1964, the religion continued to grow and evolve through the efforts of other prominent figures such as Doreen Valiente and Raymond Buckland. In the 1970s and 1980s, Wicca began to spread to other parts of Europe and North America, aided by the publication of popular books on the subject. Wicca is a religion that focuses on nature worship, witchcraft, and ritual practices.
Wicca
It emphasizes the worship of a goddess and a god, often associated with the moon and the sun respectively. Wiccans celebrate the cycles of the seasons and the phases of the moon, and perform rituals and spells to connect with spiritual energies and manifest their desires. Wicca also promotes ethical principles such as the "Wiccan Rede" which advises practitioners to harm none, and the belief in karma and the threefold law. Today, Wicca is recognized as one of the fastest-growing religions in the Western world. It has become more diverse and inclusive, with various traditions and interpretations within the broader umbrella of Wiccan spirituality. Wiccan practices and beliefs have also influenced other forms of modern witchcraft and pagan spirituality..
Reviews for "A Historical Analysis: The Establishment of Wicca"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars
I was very disappointed with "When was Wicca Established". While I was looking forward to learning more about the history of Wicca, this book completely missed the mark. The information provided was shallow and lacked depth. The author seemed to rely on assumptions rather than conducting thorough research. I was left with more questions than answers after reading this book. Overall, this was a missed opportunity to educate readers on the origins of Wicca.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars
I found "When was Wicca Established" to be highly misleading. The title suggests that it will provide a precise answer to the question, but it fails to deliver. The book is filled with speculations and conflicting theories without providing any concrete evidence. It felt like a waste of time and money. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is genuinely interested in the history of Wicca.
3. Emily - 3/5 stars
I had mixed feelings about "When was Wicca Established". On one hand, I appreciated the author's attempt to delve into the topic. However, the book lacked structure and coherence. The information was scattered, and it was difficult to follow the author's argument. While I did learn a few interesting facts, I was left wanting more. The book could benefit from a more systematic approach, providing clearer explanations and evidence to support the claims made.
4. David - 2/5 stars
"When was Wicca Established" was a disappointment for me. The writing style was convoluted, making it difficult to understand the author's main points. Additionally, there were numerous grammatical errors throughout the book, which detracted from the reading experience. The author seemed more interested in showcasing their own beliefs rather than providing an objective analysis of the origins of Wicca. I was left unsatisfied and frustrated by this book.