Gerald Gardner and the Creation of Wicca

John Callow (University of Suffolk)

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English

Cambridge University Press
30 October 2025

Witchcraft; Magic, spells & alchemy; Shamanism, paganism & druidry

Series: Elements in Magic

Gerald Gardner (1884–1964) provided the central inspiration for Wicca, as a modern, revived, form of Pagan witchcraft. As such, his cultural and religious significance has grown exponentially over the 60 years since his death. 'A Rough Magic' re-evaluates the sources of Gardner's inspiration, redefines his early life within the context of colonial Malaya and the opium trade, and emphasises his vision and ability in fashioning an entirely new synthesis of magical beliefs drawn from both Eastern and Western traditions. In so doing, he stripped away the demonic elements of witchcraft and emphasised Wicca as a creative, mutable and undogmatic nature religion, serving as both fertility cult and a unique source of personal empowerment, that was capable of transforming the world.

By: John Callow (University of Suffolk)
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Weight: 133g
ISBN: 9781108958387
ISBN 10: 1108958389
Series: Elements in Magic
Pages: 82
Publication Date: 30 October 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Further / Higher Education
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

1. The fool's journey: Gerald Gardner & the historians; 2. Temperance: the magic of the tribe; 3. The magician: studies in Praxis; 4. The Sun & the Moon: fashioning Wicca & writing witchcraft; 5. The tower: witchcraft on the Isle of man; 6. The high priestess: feminising the New 'Old' Religion; 7. The world: the achievement of modern paganism; Bibliography.