Sacred Texts: Wicca and Neo-Paganism

Home African Age of Reason Alchemy Americana Ancient Near East Asia Atlantis Australia Basque Baha'i Bible Book of Shadows Buddhism Celtic Christianity Classics Confucianism DNA Earth Mysteries Egyptian England Esoteric/Occult Evil Fortean Freemasonry Gothic Gnosticism Grimoires Hinduism I Ching Islam Icelandic Jainism Journals Judaism Legends/Sagas LGBT Miscellaneous Mormonism Native American Neopaganism/Wicca Nostradamus Oahspe Pacific Paleolithic Philosophy Piri Re'is Map Prophecy Roma Sacred Books of the East Sacred Sexuality Shakespeare Shamanism Shinto Sikhism Sub Rosa Sky Lore Tantra Taoism Tarot Thelema Theosophy Time Tolkien UFOs Utopia Women Zoroastrianism | Internet Book of Shadows Grimoires Esoteric and Occult Legends and Sagas Shamanism Classical Paganism Women Tarot Sacred Sexuality OCRT: Neo-Pagan Religious Traditions OCRT: Asatru (Norse Paganism) Buy CD-ROM Buy Books on Neopaganism and Wicca Neopaganism covers a wide range of belief systems which have emerged in the past 50 years, primarily in the UK, Europe, and the United States. This includes the better known Wicca, which is a synthesis of traditions from the British Isles, as well as many less visible groups which draw inspiration from other parts of the world. Based on folk-lore, traditional spiritual practices, anthropology, and a synthesis of esoteric systems, Neopaganism does not have any sacred texts of the same vintage as other religions, although unverifiable claims have been made in a couple of cases (e.g. Aradia, and The Gardnerian Book of Shadows). Rather, the books presented here are source texts of Neopaganism, and other books which deal with related topics. Many of these books contain outdated or speculative material, and some of the texts here are the product of the Renaissance witch hunters. As a whole, the books here are of historical importance rather than a roadmap to modern pagan practice, and shouldn't be construed as such. As always, we encourage readers to think critically. Descriptions of contemporary Neopagan practice and beliefs can be found in the Internet Book of Shadows section of this site. The Gardnerian Book of Shadows The Book of Shadows is a Wiccan text which is maintained by the initiated in manuscript form, and contains description of rituals, spells, and other knowledge. This tradition was carried on by Gerald Gardner, who (depending on the account) either synthesized Wicca, or took it public, during the 1950s. The White Goddess. Robert Graves' primary contribution to modern Neopaganism is his White Goddess. The works of Margaret Murray. The Witch-Cult in Western Europe [1921] God of the Witches [1933] Were there ever real witches? If not, what were all the witch trials about? And how about those fairies? Murray tries to answer these and other questions objectively with plenty of documentary evidence. She is often cited as a primary source for Gerald Gardners' ideology. The Golden Bough by Sir James Frazer [1922] This massive study of the mythological cycle of the Godesses' lover, the solar God who dies and is reborn, had a huge influence on Margaret Murray, Robert Graves and Gardner. Aradia, Gospel of the Witches by Charles G. Leland [1899] Etruscan Roman Remains in Popular Tradition by Charles G. Leland [1893] These books describe Stregheria, or Italian traditional witchcraft. These are considered historical source documents of the Wicca movement. Some contemporary scholars have questioned the authenticity of Lelands' scholarship. Recent publications by Raven Grimassi have also added a great deal of depth to the subject of Italian witchcraft. See www.stregheria.com [external site] for more information. Gypsy Sorcery and Fortune Telling by Charles G. Leland [1891] The above book by Leland discusses another traditional system of magic, that of the Rom, or Gypsies. Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft by Sir Walter Scott [1885]. This book by the 19th Century novelist covers much of the same evidence as Murry (albeit in a more popular style). Scott draws few conclusions other than that our ancestors were extremely superstitous. From the 14th to the 17th Century a hysteria spread across Europe which involved torturing and executing people based on accusations that they were witches. Whether any actual practicioners of a pre-Christian pagan tradition were persecuted as the result of a witch trial is up for debate. These books and texts are period documents which illustrate the methods, rationale (such as it was) and history of this persecution. They shouldn't be taken as illustrative of Neopaganism, but as a warning about religious tolerance and the fragile nature of justice. The Malleus Maleficarum [1486], translated by Montague Summers [1928] This is the best known witch-hunt manual, a primary source of information on this chilling subject. Dæmonology by King James the First. [1597] With Newes from Scotland [1591] Two texts, one an essay on demons and other denizens of the night, the second a broadside with an account of a famous witch trial from the same period. The Witch-Persecutions, Edited by George L. Burr [1896]. A short collection of translations of historical descriptions of the witch craze. Although little is actually known about the Druids, that didn't stop 18th and 19th century intellectuals from building a romantic mythology around them. This was closely associated with the rebirth of Celtic nationalism, as well as the Romantic and Gothic movements. This body of fact and speculation later became a central source of modern Wicca and Neo-Pagan belief and practice. Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions by James Bonwick [1894]. This book reflects a scholarly perspective on the Druids. It ties together many strands of mythology and anthroplogy to shed light on Irish Paganism. The Veil of Isis or Mysteries of the Druids By W. Winwood Reade [1861]. 277,613 bytes This book is fairly typical of the mid-19th Century literature about Druidry, which had some romantic misconceptions about the Druids. For instance, we now know that the builders of Stonehenge preceded the historical Celts by many centuries. The Religion of the Ancient Celts by J. A. MacCulloch [1911] This is an authoritative study of ancient Celtic religion, including extensive material on what is actually known about the Druids. The Barddas of Iolo Morganwg, Vol. I [1862] The Barddas of Iolo Morganwg, Vol. II [1874] The author of these books was one of the first to revive Druidry in the 18th century; however, it is questionable whether these texts are as old as they claim to be. These are nevertheless considered primary source material for the modern Druid revivial. The Syrian Goddess translated by Herbert A. Strong [1913] Lucian of Samosata's late classical account, referenced by Robert Graves and other writers as a primary source of information on worship of the Ancient Near Eastern Goddess. The Book of Hallowe'en by Ruth Edna Kelley [1919] Learn about Halloween and its pagan roots. Irish Witchcraft and Demonology by St. John D. Seymore [1913]. This is a fascinating study of the witch-persecutions in Ireland, along with accounts of paranormal activity. | | | | Image © Copyright J.B. Hare 1999, All Rights Reserved | Wicca and Neo-Paganism | | search powered by Sponsored Links | | | This is a quiet place in cyberspace devoted to religious tolerance and scholarship Non-public domain contents of this site not otherwise copyrighted are © copyright 2006, John Bruno Hare, All Rights Reserved. See Site copyrights, Terms of Service for more information. Index | FAQ | Contact | Search | CD-ROM Open Source for the Human Soul