Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches (Kindle Edition)

by Charles G. Leland (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

For anyone interested in Wicca this is the book of choice. It provides some information about magic but this is primarily the book about "La Vecchia Religione", The Old Religion that wicca is based on. This book is a main textbook in many wicca courses and justly so. -- Aaron Blumberg, Book Reviewer, Lulu.com, December 15, 2007

Product Description

This classic of neo-Paganism is one of the few books which purports to be an actual sacred text of traditional witchcraft, in particular that of the Tuscan region of Italy. Charles Leland was an American expatriate journalist, folklorist, and author. He based this book on material which he received from a woman named Maddelena, who had assisted him in collecting regional Italian folklore. On New Years day, 1897 she handed over to him a document in her own handwriting, the Vangel, which is the core of this book. Maddelena then reportedly went missing, and never contacted Leland again.

The authenticity of Aradia has always been in question. Ronald Hutton, in his scholarly study of the roots of neo-Paganism, The Triumph of the Moon (Oxford University Press, 1999), presents three divergent theories about Aradia: first, that is a genuine text of an underground Italian Goddess religion, second, that Maddelena wrote it based on her family tradition, or third, that Charles Leland forged it based on his extensive knowledge of folklore. Each of these theories has pros and cons: it may be that the second and third are closest to the truth.

Whatever the source of this material, it has had a profound impact on the emergence of neo-Paganism, and is required reading for anyone interested in the subject.--J.B. Hare

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 95 KB
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Evinity Publishing Inc; 1.0 edition (March 12, 2009)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001VH8HW4
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #149,952 in Kindle Store (See Bestsellers in Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Waste of Time, December 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Aradia or the Gospel of the Witches (Paperback)

Unfortunately, I must agree with most of the reviewers and say that this book has very little to offer. Leland's Aradia book is already widely available by the orignal author. Drew basically offers a reprint of what is already widely available elsewhere, but adds his name to the work. The only difference between the original is that Drew includes his comments, which actually contribute very little to the book as a whole. He does not seem to possess more than a knodding acquaintance with the material, and so his additions seem to serve little usefulness for the reader.

The promotional blurbs for this book purports it to be something new, informative, and refreshing for those already familiar with Leland's material. Sadly, the author provides nothing to substantiate the hype for this book. It is instead a lackluster presentation of some rather mediocre musings on the part of the author. As someone interested in Leland's Aradia, I was very disappointed with the book.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, September 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Aradia or the Gospel of the Witches (Paperback)

This book was really, really, disappointing. There wasn't much to it at all, and certainly nothing new. After reading it I had to wonder why it was presented as "Aradia as you've never seen it before!" When that is said, isn't it supposed to mean that the reader will receive something new and enlightening? I really hate the "bait and switch" game.

Mostly the author offered small tid bits, in a 101 style, about general Greek and Roman myths that were sort of related to the material. But it doesn't seem like the author had much to really say on his own. So basically, it's really just a reprint of Leland's widely available book with some common bits and pieces tossed in. Nothing here for the collector of Leland's work (unless you don't already have a copy of his Aradia) and nothing here of interest for the folklorist or reader interested in Italian Witchcraft.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the money, but the publisher needs spanked., November 15, 2003

By	SetIaM (Cyberville) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aradia or the Gospel of the Witches (Paperback)

If you do not already have one of the two dozen versions of Aradia already available, purchase this one. There is not much new in Aradia because it was written over 100 years ago. But if it is not already on your shelf and you do not want to spend forty bucks for the long winded much expounded upon version, this is the one that should be there. I found the new commentary very refreshing but too short. Fortunately, there was enough to bring Aradia up with the times. Prior to the new commentary, this book was an easy target for people who would use it to prove Wiccans worship Satan. Now there is a copy of Aradia that explains references within the book to Lucifer, the Devil, and other scary figures. However, the publisher is a bit misleading. Claiming the book has new material does not generally refer to commentary by a new author. I like the book, I like the new commentary, but it looses a star with me because I think the publisher tried to pull the wool over my eyes by implying there was more to the 100 year old publication than was previously published.