the meaning of witchcraft by Gerald Gardner

The Meaning of Witchcraft is a non-fiction book written by Gerald Gardner, known as the “Father of Wicca” in the modern sense1. The book is based on Gardner’s experiences with the religion of Wicca and the New Forest Coven. It was first published in 1959, after the British Parliament repealed the Witchcraft Act of 1735. The book focuses on Gardner’s beliefs about Wicca, which revolve around a goddess associated with the night sky and wild nature, and a horned god representing the fertilizing powers of the natural world.

The book is organized into chapters covering various topics such as witch’s memories and beliefs, Stone Age origins of witchcraft, Druidism and the Aryan Celts, magic thinking, curious beliefs about witches, signs and symbols, the black mass, and some allegations examined. Gardner wrote this book to publicize Wicca and attract more converts to prevent its decline. He believed that Wicca was the survival of an ancient pagan Witch-cult, a theory that has been largely discredited by historians like Ronald Hutton and Jeffrey Russell.