The stories behind
the Craft.
A research-informed history of modern Wicca, the people who shaped it, and the traditions that continue to evolve.
A note on historical method. Modern Wicca took recognizable shape during the twentieth century, influenced by older folklore, esotericism, religious movements and ritual practices. Claims of an uninterrupted prehistoric Wiccan religion are not supported by the available historical evidence.
Doreen Valiente and the Written Craft
A poet, priestess, author and influential voice in modern Wiccan literature.
Gerald Gardner: Books and Public History
The writer and public advocate associated with the emergence of modern Wicca.
Margaret Murray and the Witch-Cult Theory
A historically influential hypothesis rejected by later scholarship.
Wicca and Historical Witch Trials
Why early modern prosecutions should not be treated as records of a hidden Wiccan church.
Wicca in America: Communities and Sources
American Wicca, local organizations, and the importance of preserving community archives.