WICCA Magickal Beginnings: A Study of the Possible Origins of This Tradition of Modern Pagan Witchcraft and Magick (2nd edition)
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Description
The origins of the Wiccan Tradition have long been a subject of debate amongst practitioners and scholars alike. Did Gerald Gardner invent the tradition? Is Wicca a survival of a British folk magick system? Could it be a continuation of a European tradition of Pagan Witchcraft? Might it be that it evolved from Victorian ceremonial magick, or perhaps it is the modern manifestation of the medieval Grimoire Tradition?
In this book the authors explore the possible beginnings of the tradition by examining the practices in the context of magickal and spiritual thought spanning thousands of years. Through setting aside the endless debates about initiatory lineages, they look beyond the personalities of the people and instead focus on what they consider to be at the heart of the tradition - the practices. Evidence from many previously uncredited and unconsidered sources is examined. This clearly shows how all the significant component parts of Wiccan ritual and practice have roots reaching back, in some instances thousands of years, before its public emergence at the hands of Gerald Gardner in 1950's England. They explore the sometimes surprising antecedents for key practices such as initiation, magick circles, ritual tools, the invocation of the Guardians of the Watchtowers, Drawing Down the Moon and The Great Rite. The precedents for the Book of Shadows, Wiccan Rede and Charge of the Goddess are also considered as part of this groundbreaking work.
Wicca Magickal Beginnings may well answer as many questions as it creates about the true origins and nature of what is probably the most influential of the Western Esoteric Traditions today. Through combining scholarly research with practical knowledge, the authors clearly illustrate that the future of the tradition lies in utilising the rich diversity of its past, through the appreciation of its magickal origins and the untapped potential inherent in it.
This book will be invaluable to anyone with an interest in the history, practices and beliefs of the Wiccan Tradition - and its links to Paganism, Witchcraft, the British Folk Traditions and Ceremonial Magick.
About the Author
More Details
- Contributor: Sorita D'Este
- Imprint: Avalonia
- ISBN13: 9781905297153
- Number of Pages: 282
- Packaged Dimensions: 140x216x16mm
- Packaged Weight: 364
- Format: Paperback
- Publisher: Avalonia
- Release Date: 2008-05-01
- Binding: Paperback / softback
- Biography: "Bring it to Life, Bring it to Light, Bring it to Love, Bring it to Truth" . Sorita d'Este is an author, researcher and publisher who manifests her knowledge and passion for the Mysteries through her work.Her research and writing pushes at the boundaries of Western Esoterica and beyond, often questioning and challenging the status quo and inspiring others towards experiential mysticism with firm foundations build on lessons learned from history, standing positively in today and looking with enthusiasm towards the future. She passionately believes that it is possible to manifest creativity, positivity, love and enchantment through the creation of independent, free-thinking and more spiritual communities, with firm foundations in truth, natural balance and generosity. She is the author of more than 20 published books, including Hekate Liminal Rites, Artemis Virgin Goddess of the Sun and Moon, Visions of the Cailleach and The Isles of the Many Gods. She has also edited 6 anthologies, including Hekate Her Sacred Fires, Priestesses Pythonesses and Sybils and Horns of Power. Her work has also been published in numerous books, magazines, journals and part-works. For a more complete list of her published work, see Bibliography in the Books section.When she is not writing herself, nor walking the liminal boundaries in the gaps between civilisation and the wilderness, she works as a publisher, bringing the work of others into print. She is the founder and owner of Avalonia, a small independent publisher of books on magic, myth and folklore. Avalonia's mission is to expand the esoteric horizons by publishing books which pushes at the boundaries, presenting fresh and new research on a wide range of subjects, authors published by Avalonia include David Rankine, Jan Fries, Paul Harry Barron, Katie Gerrard, Kim Huggens, Christopher Alan Smith, Jim Baker, Marion Pearce and Georgi Mishev. You can find out more by visiting www.avaloniabooks.co.uk
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