The Secret History Of Modern Witchcraft

Book: The Secret History Of Modern Witchcraft by Allen Greenfield

This monograph has a long history. The earliest published draft appeared in a small, independent radical journal during my sojourn in Florida in the middle 1980s. I was at that time closely associated with the OTO, but was not then an initiate member. I had been in close contact with Wiccan and other Neopagan groups at that time for over a decade.

I had been a welcome guest in many Neopagan circles, from Northern California to Southern Florida, and was widely, although inaccurately, described as a "Neopagan writer" (as in Margot Adler's Drawing Down the Moon). I was frequently published in the journal of the Church of All Worlds, Green Egg. Several years later, a revised and updated version appeared in the first issue of LAShTAL, the journal of Eulis Lodge OTO, which by then I had joined.

Since that time, the essay has been repeatedly updated and revised. After I lost my bid for it, the copy of Ye Book of Ye Arte Magical in the Ripley Collection was sold to a private collector with pro Wiccan sympathies (or so I have heard) and has disappeared from view, though I understand each page has been photographed and will likely appear soon in facsimile, for all to judge for themselves. I got a VERY good look at it, and expect no serious surprises.

A bootleg edition of this essay appeared in Canada in 2003. This version has never before been published before, and was prepared especially for this anthology. It was one of the editor's selections—I claim no connection to, or responsibility for any of the other selections published here, any more than I do for the choice of titles of the volume itself. But this essay is a product of some nearly twenty years of research and revision on my part. There are conjectures that might be wrong, and certainly satirical points not intended to be taken at face value, but it is a carefully measured, honest appraisal of the origins of "the old religion" as it has called itself, or Wicca. It is not an attack on a system of beliefs.

My bottom line is that Wicca is not related historically in any way other than literary inspiration to any aboriginal pagan religion. It is, in fact, a product of the 1930s and '40s, hugely influenced by the rituals of Freemasonry, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO). It, in fact, is a errant direct descendent of an OTO encampment in London chartered by Aleister Crowley, then the OTO Grand Master General, and under direction of Crowley's student and would-be successor, Gerald Gardner. It is interesting to observe that Crowley's Acting Master of Agape Lodge OTO in America in the same period also wrote extensively a few years later on a "revival of witchcraft".

The present revision includes newer insights into the early claims concerning Gerald Gardner relative to his status in the OTO. Several letters published by Bill Heidrick, International Grand Treasurer General of the OTO, exchanged between Lady Frieda Harris and both Karl Germer and Frederic Mellinger, immediately after Aleister Crowley's death, add new insight. Br. Heidrick was kind enough to provide me with copies of these letters in my preparations for the previous revision of this essay. There is also an important letter by Gerald Gardner to Vernon Symmonds, written during the same period. A copy of the latter was kindly provided by Sabazius X°, the present U.S. Grand Master General of the OTO. I have also carefully examined the correspondence between Crowley and the Gnostic Bishop W.B. Crow, in which Crowley explicitly refers to Gardner's encampment, indicating it had a future as an OTO Lodge and urging Crow to work with it.

I have additionally had occasion to closely examine the aforementioned writings of John Whiteside Parsons on the subject of modern witchcraft, written during at the end of the same period. It is of more than passing interest that Ye Book of Ye Arte Magical, the OTO Charter granted to Gerald Gardner by Aleister Crowley, the writings by Parsons on witchcraft, the publication of High Magic's Aid and the public emergence of Wicca all date from the same period, circa 1945-1950.

Download Allen Greenfield's eBook: The Secret History Of Modern Witchcraft

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Allen Greenfield - The Secret History Of Modern Witchcraft

A Wiccan Bible

Book: A Wiccan Bible by Aj Drew

A Wiccan Bible: Exploring the Mysteries of the Craft from Birth to Summerland, by A. J. Drew New Page Books, 1564146669, 312 pp., 2003

This is the third book I have read by Mr. Drew (Wicca Spellcraft for Men and Wicca for Couples being the two previous ones). Even before I opened the covers I was sure that I would be challenged by what was inside. I knew I probably wouldn’t agree with all of it (I didn’t), but I knew I would find myself doing some serious thinking.

This book was abridged, at the request of editors, and will, it is hoped, eventually be enhanced by the publication of a second book. As such, there is a great deal which has been left out of this volume. I look forward to seeing the publication of that information which as left out because of considerations about the length.

I have found that Mr. Drew is not given to worrying about what is PC, or what others will think of his writings. At the end of his introduction he states “.I do not believe being Wiccan is a matter of birth or hereditary lineage, nor do I believe being Wiccan is a matter of being made or of coven initiation.” He leaves no doubt about his beliefs and feelings. Such honesty is refreshing.

As I noted in earlier reviews of Mr. Drew’s work, he is not afraid to state his convictions. While a great deal of what he says, even in the first chapter of this book, will strike the reader as unusual, allow yourself the time the think about it and let it marinate within your own mind. You may not agree with him, but you will find yourself examining many points of view, and thus enriching your own perceptions.

I expect that many people will disagree with a lot of what Mr. Drew has to say. My perception is that Mr. Drew expects the same. That is good. It shows that there are people who are, at least, open to listening to what others have to say. Mr. Drew’s purpose in this, as in all his writings I have read, is to stimulate thought, not necessarily to garner agreement.

There are minor typographical and editorial errors in this book (quite a few, in fact), but they do not, generally, affect the understanding of the material. They are mainly spelling errors (i.e., “censor” for “censer”) or an occasional dropped letter (”d” for “and”). Nothing to get upset about, but just enough to cause a slight jar when you read it.

He occasionally introduces “radical” concepts (my choice of words, not his). In fairness, he does give fair warning. In fact, at one point he even says “.you might want to move on to the next chapter.” He also shares his opinion that Gerald Gardner “.was divinely guided to make a boob of himself.” which won’t sit well with many Wiccans.

Mr. Drew’s opinions and views of Wicca are most definitely not those of mainstream Wicca. In this book, his longest to date, he is sure to alienate a large portion of the Wiccan population. His sheer unconventionality is, however, his strongest point in my opinion. It is sure to stir up disagreement, which should lead to discussion. That, in turn, should lead to people examining what they believe, and why they believe it. I doubt that the majority of people will alter their beliefs because of this book, but I hope they will take the time to look at where and why they are where they are.

His perceptions of the Wiccan religion are most definitely not similar to those of many. He incorporates deities, and philosophies, with which I (personally) am not very familiar. These deities and philosophies will, undoubtedly, open up new vistas for many of his readers. Having read this book, I am not rushing out to change my beliefs. But I am aware of beliefs which differ greatly from my own, and which I had never seen in print before.

I have often said that I prefer to deal with people who have chosen their religious beliefs because of a sincere search rather than with people who say, for instance, “I am .(fill in religion of choice). because my parents were.” I have very little use for Pagans and Wiccans who make a big production out of their “religion” on the Sabbats and Esbats, but continue to live their “mundane” lives the rest of the time. You don’t need to be out of the broom closet, but you do need to make conscious choices all the time, as Mr. Drew appears to. You need to be aware of your connections to the entirety of existence, not just to your co-religionists.

Throughout this book are lists of deities appropriate to various topics. Although the information in these lists is minimal, it is enough to show both the diversity, and universality, of various beliefs. They demonstrate the need for a sound understanding of mythology as a part of the study and practice of Wicca. He does recommend some sources for further research. In fact, his bibliography offers a wide view of the world.

Skipping ahead to the penultimate chapter (coming just before “A Final Word”) we find over 130 pages of mythological references. Several of the major deity entries include incense and oil recipes. Most of the entries are short, but there are enough long entries to make it a worthwhile addition to mythological resources.

There are almost 1200 entries in this section, which is many more than in the “average” book with mythological references. This section alone is worth at least half the cost of the book by itself. You will encounter all the usual deity forms, and many more which the “average Pagan” has never heard of.

I like his approach to the idea of Handfasting. There would probably be a lot fewer misunderstandings and broken hearts if it were widely adopted. His approach is both practical and romantic (a tough combination, by most thinking).

His interpretation of the holidays is sure to cause some confusion, especially among the newest members of the community. Although many of the more experienced members may recognize some of their own thoughts in this approach, it is not one which has been seen in print very often. Give yourself time to think his approach through, take the time to experience his point of view. You may be surprised by the results.

If there is one quote from this book which deserves to be emblazoned on the opening pages of your Book of Shadows; above the door of your house (or temple); and in every mind it is this: “Wicca is not a place to go, it is a journey to take.”1

At .99 this is probably not an impulse buy (I know it wouldn’t be for me), but it is well worth the price. Even if you only read it once (I’d be willing to wager against that, however), it will repay the investment of your time and money.

Buy Aj Drew's book: A Wiccan Bible

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Mary Mazzer - Witch Brew
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Aj Drew - A Wiccan Bible

Resolving Biblical Teachings About Witchcraft And Divination

Biblical teachings about Witchcraft

Many conservative Christians believe that the Bible contains many specific condemnations of Witchcraft. Further, some believe that these denunciations apply to Wicca today.

One frequently quoted verse from the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) is Exodus 22:18. The original Hebrew manuscript uses the word "m'khashepah" -- a woman who uses spoken spells to harm others typically by causing their death or loss of property. It is mistranslated:

* In the King James Version as "Thou shalt not allow a witch to live."
* In the Revised English Bible as: "You must not allow a witch to live."

Unfortunately, the word "Witch" has at least 19 different meanings -- some mutually exclusive. In North America, the term frequently refers to Wiccans -- the followers of the Wiccan religion. According to the Scofield Reference Bible this verse was written in the year 1491 BCE. This is some 650 years before the origin of the Celtic people from whom the oldest elements of Wicca were taken. So Exodus 22:18 can hardly be referring to Wiccans.

Unfortunately, the translators of the Revised English Bible did not appear to care about any potential injury that their translation might cause to Wiccans. They inserted many footnotes on the page where this verse appears, but none clarify the meaning of Exodus 22:18.

Other mistranslations include:

* The Good News Bible. It lets men off the hook by using the phrase "woman who practices magic."
* The New Century Version uses the phrase "evil magic"

These are also poor translations because of the ambiguity of the word "magic" in today's world.

Most modern translations use "sorceress" or "evil sorceress." But the King James Version remains in very common use by conservative Protestants and thus continues causes grief to some Wiccans.

Clearly, the term "evil sorceress" would be a good translation into today's English. It is found in most of the dozens of other English translations of the Bible not mentioned above.

Another verse in the Hebrew Scriptures that contains "m'khashepah" is Deuteronomy 18:10-11

Two similarly mistranslated passages from the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) are Galatians 5:19-20 and Revelation 21:8. The Greek word that is translated here as "witch" is unrelated to Wicca. It would be better translated as "one who concocts potions to kill people," or simply "poisoner." Such activity by Wiccans is, of course, clearly prohibited by their Wiccan Rede which does not allow believers to harm, manipulate, control or dominate other people. So the references to "witch" in some translations of the Christian Scriptions cannot refer to Wiccans.

Conclusion: It may be safely concluded that references to Witch and Witchcraft in some English translations of the Bible are unrelated to Wicca.

Downloadable books (free):

Allen Putnam - Mesmerism Spiritualism Witchcraft And Miracle
Bjarke Folner - Theoretical Foundations Of Witchcraft And Demonological Development
Summers Montague - The History Of Witchcraft And Demonology

Finding A Mentor Or Guide

As I have mentioned in a couple of other places on this site, there is and always has been a great deal of concern regarding Cults throughout the world. While Wicca, Paganism and Witchcraft are clearly Spiritual Belief systems and a way of life instead of "Cults," there are some out there who do seek power and desire to manipulate or control others for their own gain.

As is the case in all walks of life, there really isn't a way to block or keep these types from infiltrating the Pagan, Wicca and Witchcraft community. I suppose that in some way's we are even more prone to it than other groups because that type of person generally has a limited grasp on reality and probably believes that following the Old Way's will offer them the ability to master the outlandish and ridiculous skills and powers that Hollywood has led some to believe Witches posess.

When your comfort level with the concepts of the Pagan path have grown to the point where you are certain that this is the lifestyle you wish to follow, you will undoubtedly wish to share that fellowship and comradery with others of like mind and spirit. To avoid being drawn into a group where the intent is less than honorable, there are a couple of things that may assist you in avoiding contact with the nuts out there.

The first and most important thing is to listen to your Spirit Twin, Guide, Little Voice, Gut Feeling or whatever you choose to call it. Most of us have found that this inner voice is rarely wrong and you "WILL" know when something simply does not feel right. If you get that uneasy feeling about someone or a group, back or run away as quickly as possible.

When you initially make contact with someone, especially here on the internet, you have a great advantage in that you can limit your contact to relatively anonymous contact through e-mail. While this is not always fool proof, and there are some great deceivers out there. This does offer you some protection. Exchange mail withholding all personal information until you are absolutely certain there are no safety risks. If someone keeps pressuring you for personal information, break off all contact with them immediately. If they persist in bothering you after you politely tell them you no longer wish contact with them, contact your ISP and lodge a formal complaint giving this persons e-mail address and their host name. There are federal laws regarding electronic stalking and harassment, something of this nature would qualify for assistance from various federal agencies in getting that person to leave you alone.

Finally, Issac Bonewits developed a small questionnaire in 1979 (Advanced Bonewits Cult Danger Evaluation Frame) that you can use which will help your inner voice when determining if an individual or group poses above average risk. That questionnaire is provided here with his permission as well as a link to his web site for your further information and studies.

Be Well, Be Safe and Many Blessings!

Downloadable books (free):

Parker Ryan - Necronomicon Information And Research Guide
Order Of The Golden Dawn - The Invoking Pentagram Ritual Of Fire
Rabbi Michael Laitman - Attaining The Worlds Beyond
Sandra Ingerman - Shamanic Journeying A Beginner Guide

Basic Technologies Of Witchcraft

Book: Basic Technologies Of Witchcraft by Anonymous

This is the outline for a Collection of four semi-formal training sessions for people interested in Starting out in "The Craft" or Neopaganism. It is intended to give enough grounding to effectively participate in ritual, with the expectation that those that are really dedicated, skilled, and/or interested will undertake further study.

Since this is for beginners, there are no textbooks, no required reading, and the course only deals with such Material as can be taught in four 1-1/2 to 2 hour informal sessions.

Download Anonymous's eBook: Basic Technologies Of Witchcraft

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Anonymous - Basic Principles Of The Craft
Alexander Roberts - A Treatise Of Witchcraft
Anonymous - Basic Technologies Of Witchcraft

Candle Safety

Ok folks, I've heard a lot of interesting stories about candles. Let's face it, candles can be dangerous. We require them in our magickal lives, and this means that we need to take adequate precautions with them. Ok, I know a lot of you are saying "Wow, this stuff is for kids, I don't need to read this". It's not, and you should. Adults get careless. I've seen houses burned down, bad burn scars, and the list goes on...

This is by no means a complete course on fire safety, and should not be your only information on dealing with fire. I highly recommend that you talk with your local fire department about a fire safety course, especially if you have open flames in the home (Gas stove, candles, fireplace, etc.).

They told you so...
Almost all candles have a warning label or two on them. Read these labels! These labels are there because the candle companies don't want to get sued (some are may be required by law). Some candles have special burning limitations (usually a period of time). These are important! If they are not followed, the candle can get too hot, and the wax may not behave as desired. Novelty candles may have other limitations as well because of their shape or the type of wax used. Read the labels!

General candle safety tips

1. Never leave a burning candle unattended
2. Never place a burning candle near something that can catch fire
3. Keep burning candles out of the reach of children or pets
4. Keep candles away from drafts and vents
5. Trim wicks to 1/4" prior to each use
6. Normally don't burn candles more than four hours at a time
7. Extinguish taper or pillar candles when they get within 2" of their holders
8. Always use containers that have been made for candle usage
9. Discontinue use of a container candle when 1/2" of wax remains
10. Keep matches, wick trimmings and foreign objects out of the candle wax

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Tuesday Lobsang Rampa - Tibetan Sage
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Tuesday Lobsang Rampa - Candlelight

The Practical Pagan Commonsense Guidelines For Modern Practitioners

Book: The Practical Pagan Commonsense Guidelines For Modern Practitioners by Dana Eilers

Offers suggestions, hints, and down-to-earth help for seekers and believers of Paganism to understand and find their place in the community. Included are discussions about what it means to be Pagan, getting involved in the Pagan community, myths about Paganism, and coming out of the broom closet. The book also gives valuable Information about choosing a specific path, joining an organization and deciding to be a solitary practitioner. The book also contains common sense guidelines of conduct, Paganism and the family, love and Relationships and educating yourself about Paganism. This book encourages all seekers and followers to follow their own inclination and it will serve as a guide and a resource to those just starting out or those who are still seeking answers.

Finally, a book that deals with the realities of being pagan in a mundane world. Bravo to Ms. Eilers for taking the time and energy to put a lot of very valuable reference material together in one place and make it available to everyone. For those not familiar with Dana Eilers, she is a witch, she is a lawyer. She has worked for legal council for such groups as WARD, AREN and WADL. She has put in "years" of voluntary time to various Pagan/Witch/Wiccan groups as legal council as well as just time spent helping bring order to a chaotic situation.
Her book does the same thing. While we are all aware of our spiritual paths, we do encounter legal entanglements that may or may not be of our own making.

In those Things That we mess up for ourselves, Ms. Eilers offers advice and council as to how to unmake those messes and avoid them in the future. Much of it is common sense, hence the name of the book. In those cases where our problems may be because of the religious path we choose to follow and are being either discriminated against or denied our rights, Ms. Eilers has placed chapter and verse of the law at our fingertips, to enable us to understand, in plain English (my goodness, a lawyer who speaks plain English, how unique and so definitely Pagan!) what our options are, where to seek council and material to provide any legal representative we may choose to aid us.

There is way too much material in this book (another plus for Ms. Eilers, she didn't cheap out on the information) to even try to recap the book. Everything from definitions of key words to meeting and greeting other pagans to proper behavior with pagans and with the mundane world.

Yes, this is a must have on your library shelf!!!! I would love to have several copies I could give away to some of the people I meet everyday in the pagan world, just so I pass along the common sense some people don't use that the Goddess gave them.

If nothing else, give this book a serious read. Ask at your local libraries and make sure they get a copy and keep it in stock. It is a much needed book in our community and will prove to be a valuable tool to the community over the years.

Buy Dana Eilers's book: The Practical Pagan Commonsense Guidelines For Modern Practitioners

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Peter Carroll - The Magical Pact Of The Illuminnates Of Thanateros
Scott Cunningham - Living Wicca A Further Guide For The Solitary Practitioner
Nathan Johnston - The Devil And Demonism In Early Modern England
Scott Cunningham - Wicca A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner