Wicca's Origins and the False Testimony of the Old Religion

[Witchwolf]

You might try a book called "Drawing down the moon." its a look at paganism in the late 70's to early 80's and how it came into the usa and how they delt with in the times of civel rights and also how much of the main branchs started up and from who.  

[Miss Lune Soleil]

I had heard of Crowley being a major influence on Wicca when Gardner was first laying it out, and later Valiente convinced Gardner to take some out. I'll have to read up on that though, see what Hutton says on it.

I've now updated it somewhat, and I've added the bulk of Wicca's Origins, but there are still some gaps I have yet to full, as well as the sources for that section which I will do eventually (as well as other additions to the Old Religion article).

If anyone has any corrections, additions or extra sources I could check out, it'd be a great help biggrin (I wrote a lot of the Origins article from memory lol)  

[godhi]

Witchwolf

You might try a book called "Drawing down the moon." its a look at paganism in the late 70's to early 80's and how it came into the usa and how they delt with in the times of civel rights and also how much of the main branchs started up and from who.

"Drawing Down the Moon" is an excellent resource work, and although a bit dated (it was last revised about 1991) it's one of the best discussions of the Pagan Revival in America during the late 20th century.
By the way, some scholars have noted that in certain sections of Gardner's "Book of Shadows" there are almost word-for-word quotes from some of the writings of Aleister Crowley, suggesting that Gardner might have copied or even plagiarized some of his work. Although Alex Saunders, the founder of Alexandrian Wicca attempted to purge the influences of Aleister Crowley from the religion during the 1960's, Crowley had a strong influence on Wicca during its early period and his influences can be found in both the writings of Gardner and later authors.  

[Molly Mollusca]

godhi

By the way, some scholars have noted that in certain sections of Gardner's "Book of Shadows" there are almost word-for-word quotes from some of the writings of Aleister Crowley, suggesting that Gardner might have copied or even plagiarized some of his work. Although Alex Saunders, the founder of Alexandrian Wicca attempted to purge the influences of Aleister Crowley from the religion during the 1960's, Crowley had a strong influence on Wicca during its early period and his influences can be found in both the writings of Gardner and later authors.

Doreen Valiente writes in her book "Witchcraft for tomorrow" that Crowley and Gardner met to compare notes. Crowley apperantly claimed to be initiated into a coven too at young age, but was kicked out, because he could not stand the highprietess, and this sparked Gardners interest in the man.
And that Gardner indeed asked Crowley to write some parts, for although he was not big on the Crowley, he did feel that Crowley was a great poet. Want me to quote it? ( if yes, then you'll have to wait till tommorow. )