Wiccan Witchcraft History

There is a common belies that modern witchcraft is the result of an unbroken tradition of passing secret magical knowledge down through the generations, either by blood or by initiation, and often by both. This belief, while appealing for obvious reasons, is, to put it politely, poppycock.

Were there self-professed Witches in the Western world prior to the Gardnerian coming out party in the middle of the century? Absolutely. Folklore was enjoying a boom, Frazer's The Golden Bough (three editions of various sizes from 1890 to 1915) was being widely devoured, and Theosophy, Spiritualism, the Society for Psychical Research, and dozens of esoteric societies and orders were thriving.

It's hard to imagine that in such a climate no one was embracing a form of Witchcraft. On top of that, the tradition of cunning men and women (often old-school Witches by any other name) was still hanging in there. There may well have been numerous examples of what would today be called Family Traditions (or Famtrads, if you go to far too many SF conventions), though there's regrettably little evidence for these.

What has not been established, though, is whether there was a Witchcraft movement, a network of Witches bound by a reasonably uniform collection of traditional practices and beliefs. Some authors, Gardner among them, have been deeply attached to the idea of such a network, but proportionately ineffectual at establishing its reality.

Advocates of this Murray-ish take on the Craft (such as those who credit the rather ill-reputed cunning man George Pickingill with everything from the rulership of nine Covens to being where Crowley nicked his best magical moves) still fly the flag, but since all attempts to substantiate such claims invariably lead to (a) impenetrable oaths of secrecy and (b) severe migraines, they have trouble getting anyone much to salute. Of course, a lack of proof is often accompanied by a lack of refutation, but all we have then are matters of faith.

The good news for the status of Witchcraft and Wicca, however, is that this couldn't really matter less. Darwin might have called the Biblical account of our origins into question, but he certainly didn't make a little girl's Bat Mitzvah any less meaningful or Salisbury Cathedral any less inspiring. Magic is not reliant on history but on the state of the spirit.

Protecting child 'witches' in Africa - The Guardian

UNICEF (press release)

Protecting child 'witches' in Africa The Guardian ... economic development and democratic political systems would sweep away traditional African beliefs. Instead, as the case of witchcraft accusations ... Battling child witchcraft accusationMyjoyonline.com Cases of children accused of 'witchcraft' rising in parts of West and Central ...UNICEF (press release) all 7 news articles »

DiManno: The cruel life of 'child witches' in Africa - Toronto Star

DiManno: The cruel life of 'child witches' in Africa Toronto Star There is a continuum between living and dying, a traditional sense of the spiritual and mystic as ever-present. The notion of witchcraft has become more ... and more »

Family faces eviction for witchcraft practices - Times of Swaziland

Family faces eviction for witchcraft practices Times of Swaziland The order stated that the Dlamini family had to try to solve the issue through traditional structures first before approaching the court in terms of Swazi ...

Witchcraft Accusations Hurt Vulnerable Children in West, Central Africa - Voice of America

Witchcraft Accusations Hurt Vulnerable Children in West, Central Africa Voice of America ... leaders abut also with traditional practitioners and providing a comprehensive package of support for children who have been accused of witchcraft. ... and more »

Kenya: Raila MPs Accused of Insulting Language - AllAfrica.com

Kenya: Raila MPs Accused of Insulting Language AllAfrica.com On July 11, at a Yes rally in Garissa, the report continues, organisers allowed a traditional dancing troupe to sing a song containing lyrics, ... and more »