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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I really need to be able to give this book two different ratings depending on the orientation of the reader. As a historical document regarding the history of Wicca in particular and Neopaganism in general, it should be on every bookshelf. As a source of insight into the actual practice, it is, by necessity, as others have pointed out, incomplete. I should mention that, as a Pagan, but not Wiccan, occultist with a keen amateur interest in the history of the Pagan and occult revivals, my own point of view partakes of both.
I found it fascinating to watch Gardner (GBG) alternate between the etic viewpoint of an anthropologist, describing the coven from an outsider's view, and the emic viewpoint of an initiate, the latter view often introduced by the phrase, "when I was inside." When he describes ritual, or places certain customs in context by reference to their effect on magick, he does not generally cite his own experience, but refers to "the Witches" as if he were not one. I suppose he is trying to project an image of objective scholarship, but it comes off more as coyness or ingenuousness to my eyes.
If you're an initiate of Trad Witchcraft, you already know much more than what GBG reveals here, and if you are not, you'll have to just respect the fact that he seems to have honored his oaths and not told any important secrets other than that the revived Craft existed (and, yes, according to the Ardanes, that is a protected secret), which I have to suppose was his intent, in which he succeeded, probably beyond his wildest imaginings.
My own current _theory_, based on extensive but by no means complete readings of the available material, is that GBG did indeed meet people who were practicing the Craft in what they thought was an ancient form, based on the available materials (which have since been cast into considerable doubt by scholars), and at some point he needed to decide between following and elaborating on Witchcraft or pursuing his previous project of reviving the O.T.O. in Britain. He obviously chose the former, and presided over the public launching of a creative and influential current in the Pagan and occult revivals.
I found it fascinating to watch Gardner (GBG) alternate between the etic viewpoint of an anthropologist, describing the coven from an outsider's view, and the emic viewpoint of an initiate, the latter view often introduced by the phrase, "when I was inside." When he describes ritual, or places certain customs in context by reference to their effect on magick, he does not generally cite his own experience, but refers to "the Witches" as if he were not one. I suppose he is trying to project an image of objective scholarship, but it comes off more as coyness or ingenuousness to my eyes.
If you're an initiate of Trad Witchcraft, you already know much more than what GBG reveals here, and if you are not, you'll have to just respect the fact that he seems to have honored his oaths and not told any important secrets other than that the revived Craft existed (and, yes, according to the Ardanes, that is a protected secret), which I have to suppose was his intent, in which he succeeded, probably beyond his wildest imaginings.
My own current _theory_, based on extensive but by no means complete readings of the available material, is that GBG did indeed meet people who were practicing the Craft in what they thought was an ancient form, based on the available materials (which have since been cast into considerable doubt by scholars), and at some point he needed to decide between following and elaborating on Witchcraft or pursuing his previous project of reviving the O.T.O. in Britain. He obviously chose the former, and presided over the public launching of a creative and influential current in the Pagan and occult revivals.
22 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
"Witchcraft Today" is Gardner's 4th book & his1st non-fiction book dealing specifically with Wicca. First publishedin 1953 it supports Margaret Murray's theory that witchcraft was a pre-Christian pagan religion in Britain. It then takes the theory one step farther as Gardner makes claim to having found & joined a coven of witches whom he believed to be the last remnants of this old religion. Sworn to secrecy, Gardner finds himself in the difficult position of wanting to explain the details without breaking his oath. The end result is rather disappointing. While this is indeed the 1st book on Wicca & has become the founding text for most Wiccans, the book actually contains very little Wiccan material. Those seeking actual Wiccan rituals described in detail must look elsewhere. Gardner omits any such step by step instructions & gives us only tantalizing hints, glimpses & references instead. Critics like Aidan Kelly often claim this is because Gardner was making up the material as he went & at this point much of the material had yet to be written. Other, more friendly, critics like Doreen Valiente say Gardener's vagueness comes from his vow of secrecy & is evidence that he truly did discover a pre-existing coven. They argue that if Gardner did fabricate the whole thing himself he would have publicized the material as much as possible & his hesitation shows that the material wasn't his to freely disperse. Either way, the book remains required reading to most Wiccans today & is an interesting study of pagan ideas through time & space. Like his predecessor, Margaret Murray, Gardner tries to show that "the old religion" is indeed old, possibly even an echo of pre-Christian druidic beliefs. He seeks for evidence of the cult in all time periods from the Neolithic to modern England. Not only does he scour the whole of time but he also circles the globe, pulling in hints & traces from nearly every continent in his desire to show that Wicca is a continuation of ancient pagan religious ideas. Whether or not you believe Gardner's claim, it's clear that "Witchcraft Today" is the catalyst that touched off the Wiccan movement that has grown to dominate the modern pagan community.
42 of 57 people found the following review helpful
By "shera345"
Format:Paperback
These days it seems the fashion to be a dabbler in the occult. People who are followers of the fashion, and not the religion, need not waste their money on anything by Gardner. If you want to don your "mystical" robe, flap your hands and recite "all-powerful" spells and incantations, *please* do NOT buy this book. There are too many serious students out there who need it more than you. You would do much better to buy a book of spells that has a really "cool" cover that your friends can Oooh and Ahhh over while you whisper that you're a *Witch*.
Meanwhile, if you are a serious student of the Craft, this book is for you. Many people say that it's a let-down because it doesn't spell out the how-to's of Wiccan ritual, or that its best quality is its historical importance. Yes, that's all true. It's also true that Gardner had a rather dry (if intriguing) writing style. However, better than giving the ABCs of writing a spell or ritual, GBG gives you an *understanding* of Witchcraft. This book makes you flex your gray matter and actually *think* about Witchcraft as more than just a Hollywood stereotype. There is a reason "Witchcraft Today" is on almost every recommended reading list for Groves and Covens: it is fundamental preparation for insights yet to come...
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome read
good history on witches and everything. I really enjoyed reading it. The history and where we are today with it is just awesome.
Published 2 months ago by Tammy
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting Read/Rambling and Convulted Content
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. Read more
Published 4 months ago by M Huston
5.0 out of 5 stars
So glad I found this
Enjoyed this book immensely - very informative of the history, misperceptions and how things evolved. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Cici256
3.0 out of 5 stars
Witch Crat circa 1954
Consider that the book was written back in 1956 when the subject of witchcraft was relegated to the shadow and laws against witchcraft had recently been repealed. Read more
Published 20 months ago by S. Cranow
5.0 out of 5 stars
book of enlightment
only read if you are of the old way. If so it will turn your world upside down.
Published on October 20, 2010 by dclonstr
3.0 out of 5 stars
INTERESTING BUT INCONCLUSIVE
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. Read more
To me, that's the main theory proposed by Gardner, and, if true, would require the rewriting of a great many textbooks. Read more
Published on June 6, 2009 by EMAN NEP
3.0 out of 5 stars
History buffs only
I bought this book because I wanted to see what Gardner said in his first book that sparked the resurgance in Wicca. I did not find it. Read more
Published on February 4, 2009 by NW Witch
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic for the pagan bookshelf
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. Read more
Published on September 7, 2008 by O. Long
4.0 out of 5 stars
Witchcraft Today
Gardner takes you into the present knowledge and dis-information that is attached to this type of knowledge. It is very informative and educational.
Published on June 19, 2008 by Robin R. Snyder
5.0 out of 5 stars
You can't call yourself Wiccan until you read Gardner.
If you want to know why you have been called a fluffy bunny, then read Gerald Gardner's books. If you want to know the differences between Wicca (what is often called today by some... Read more
Published on May 29, 2008 by Sandman
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