Gerald Gardner And the Cauldron of Inspiration: An Investigation into the Sources of Gardnerian Witchcraft Paperback – January 1, 2003

The book  Gerald Gardner And the Cauldron of Inspiration: An Investigation into the Sources of Gardnerian Witchcraft  is a very in depth but easy to read sourcebook for anyone who wishes to understand and explore the roots of Garnarerian Witchcraft. He has done the research as an anthropologist, and a geneologist to show the true roots of the formation of modern Wicca.His investigative ability and clear and concise writing style includes direct quotes from people as Doreen Valiente, Patricia Crowther, and others who actually were witnesses and participants in Gardner's search for the Roots of the Witch Cult, or Wicca.He records and discusses the roots of  High Magic's Aid , A Goddess Arrives , Witchcraft Today , and  The Meaning of Witchcraft , including the true evolution, from fiction to non-fiction over the years of Gerald Gardner's Life.Mr. Heselton debunks many of the myths surrounding this rather colorful man, (Gerald Gardner), and includes all the investigative notes to justify his opinions.He includes research information and validation of Gardner's work with the original museum of witchcraft, and his relationship, (or lack of one), with Aleister Crowley The Confessions of Aleister Crowley : An Autobiography .Some other interesting books on this fascinating subject are listed below. The Rebirth of Witchcraft What Witches Do Covensense Once again, a fantastic read, I give it 5 stars.Alfred Willowhawk[...].

Philip Heselton's book is a fantastic read that will enlighten even those that have been on a Wican path for decades. The book goes into much new information that has been gotten from research and the aid of newly released papers. The book is an engrossing read as well as informative. It does drag a little near the end but that's a small complaint as well as a compliment to the first 2/3 of the book. Well worth the price. It's from a small publisher so this is likely the only way to get it state side.

Arrived on time in perfect condition. The book is very interesting and well written.

Philip Heselton is certainly one of the finest Gardnerian scholars (if not the best) and, fortunately, I was able to help him in this text with the chapter on old Gerald and the OTO. The details of my being handed , on request, the Gardner OTO lineage (not utilized by himself) is related in a footnote in this book. What is not spelled out is the fact that , in 1985, because of Yankee megalomania and greed I was forced to drop the OTO tag and my M.A.A.T. Lodge (as outlined in my 1983 work Knights of the Solar Cross) was - unknown to all but its members - continued in my Wiccan Order (in homage to Gardner) of which I was Magus and High Priest. At the close of the twentieth century , the Wiccan Order (formerly the Gardnerian OTO) became defunct and M.A.A.T. Lodge became what it always been intended to be : a part of the Argenteum Astrum of which I took the oath of a Magister Templi at the same time as the Wiccan Order dissolved. Gardnerian High Priestess Patricia Crowther was never a part of the OTO-originated Wiccan Order. Readers of Heselton's excellent and thorough work (one of several on Gardner) can now slot these new disclosures into Gardnerian/Wiccan history, Wicca per se being not so much a traditional witchcraft movement as a late ' 40's/'5O's invention of the bogus 'Dr'. Dr G,33,97,8-3.

Interesting

Really interesting and insightful book. It will help me no end studying my PhD. Although it is not an academic book, the conclusions, referencing and sheer scale of the research is commendable. Good delivery time and good condition for ex library stock.