THE TRUE HISTORY OF MODERN
WITCHCRAFT
WITCHCRAFT
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English Hereditary Traditions
Aleister Crowley
Gerald Gardner
Gerald Gardner
The Saracen Influence
OLD GEORGE......... On September 17th, 1813, Charles Pickingill, laborer of Hockley, was married to Susannah
Cudner of Hockley. Their first child, George, was baptized on May 26th, 1816. He came to be known as “Old
George”, and was believed to have died in Canewdon 1909, but the records of his death are inconclusive, as the
only entry of resemblance was that of a George Pettingale on April 14th 1909. This man, according to the late Vicar
Hardy of that parish, claimed to be 103 years old at the time of his death, but who was later discovered to have
been 78. This would place the date of birth for George Pettingale in the year 1831, when Old George Pickingill
would have been around fifteen or sixteen years old. The only known surviving photograph of Old George was
published by Eric Maple in his “Witchcraft the Story of Man’s Quest for Supernatural Power”, Octopus Books. The
photo was supposedly taken in Canewdon, and the caption under the photo reads, “George Pickingale (sic), a farm
labourer of Canewdon, Essex, the leader of the village’s seven witches back in the 1890’s. He is here portrayed at
the age of 105; he died in 1909. His strange powers included setting imps to bring in the harvest: it was even said
that they could clear a field in half an hour while he smoked a pipe.” The picture that emerges of Old George was
that of an old man that was not well liked, and even feared as it was said that he terrorized the villagers for money
and beer. In his hey-day George Pickingill became more infamous than Aleister Crowley did in his time. George was
touted as having “incredible Satanic powers” in “Prediction” magazine several years ago. And Hereditary Crafters
looked with horror upon this “renegade” Magister who was widely acknowledged as the worlds foremost authority
on Witchcraft, Satanism, and Black Magick. Occultists of all creeds and traditions, including Master Free Masons,
consulted Old George from the 1850’s and on. Hargrove Jennings even consulted with Pickingill in developing and
writing the Rites and Rituals of the Rosecrutions. George Pickingill became widely known, and people came from all
over England, Europe, and the United States to see him. Pickingill constantly antagonized the English Witches by
publicly calling for and working toward the over-throw of the Christian religion, and the restoration of the Old
Religion. It has been said in some of the now defunct British publications, that he was the most vociferous
proponent of the Horned God since the Middle Ages. George devoted his life to the destruction of Christianity, and
freely imparted his magickal expertise to Witches, Satanists, Rosicrucian’s, Ceremonial Magicians, and many others
of the occult field. He didn’t hesitate to collaborate with Satanists, because he believed that by promoting Satanism,
he was helping to ensure the destruction of the Christian church. The Pickingill covens incorporated the central
feature of both Scandinavian and French Witchcraft, in that a beautiful young Priestess conducted the rites to
honor the Horned God. The Satanists adopted this concept with enthusiasm, and so Old George was charged with
perpetuating “Satanic covens” and rituals. Old George Pickingill traced his lineage back to Julia Pickingill, the
“Wicce of Brandon”. Julia was hired in 1071 by a Lord Hereward the Wake to chant magickal encouragement to his
men and curses and confusion upon the Norman invaders. During the battles, Julia was to be seen in a wooden
tower overlooking the two opposing armies, where her chants could be heard. Whatever she was doing seemed to
be working, until the Normans managed to set fire to the dry reeds around her tower. Julia Pickingill died in the
flames. Each subsequent generation of the Pickingill family served as Priests and Priestesses of the Old Religion.
The Pickingills were renowned for their allegiance to the Horned God and they perpetuated many ancient Craft
practices that were not observed by other parts of England. The rites adopted by the Pickingill tradition were a
unique blend of French and Scandinavian Craft practices. This was due in part by the influx of French and Flemish
weavers into East Anglia, who introduced elements of the Cathar faith, and the Old Religion as observed in France
during the Middle Ages. During his long life, George Pickingill organized nine covens, over a period of sixty years,
which were located in Norfolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Sussex, and Hampshire. The leaders of these covens had to
meet George’s exact standards, in that each leader had to substantiate “Witch Blood”, and be associated with a
reputable, meaning “Hereditary” coven. Though Pickingill freely shared his magickal expertise, he absolutely
refused to pass his power to anything less than a suitable candidate. In the organization of the nine covens,
George used a basic format, but he was always re-writing, re-wording, revising, and introducing new concepts, thus
each of the nine covens though similar, had their differences. The Hereditary covens, up until the time of Old
George were an oral tradition, passing down knowledge and rituals that were instilled upon the members by
memory and practice. This method ingrained in the minds of the Witches that there was only ONE “CORRECT”
WAY of doing things, leading to rigidity. George on the other hand was innovative, willing to change, adapt and
evolve, and it was Old George Pickingill who first began the tradition of keeping a Book of Shadows. Old George’s
legacy lives on in several occult fields. The collaboration with Jennings mentioned above gave rise to the Golden
Dawn system, which was written by S.L. Macgregor Mathers after he studied the Craft rites, which were compiled
jointly by Jennings and Pickingill. Later Aleister Crowley drew heavily upon the magickal rites written by Old George
when he compiled his own O.T.O. rites.
Cudner of Hockley. Their first child, George, was baptized on May 26th, 1816. He came to be known as “Old
George”, and was believed to have died in Canewdon 1909, but the records of his death are inconclusive, as the
only entry of resemblance was that of a George Pettingale on April 14th 1909. This man, according to the late Vicar
Hardy of that parish, claimed to be 103 years old at the time of his death, but who was later discovered to have
been 78. This would place the date of birth for George Pettingale in the year 1831, when Old George Pickingill
would have been around fifteen or sixteen years old. The only known surviving photograph of Old George was
published by Eric Maple in his “Witchcraft the Story of Man’s Quest for Supernatural Power”, Octopus Books. The
photo was supposedly taken in Canewdon, and the caption under the photo reads, “George Pickingale (sic), a farm
labourer of Canewdon, Essex, the leader of the village’s seven witches back in the 1890’s. He is here portrayed at
the age of 105; he died in 1909. His strange powers included setting imps to bring in the harvest: it was even said
that they could clear a field in half an hour while he smoked a pipe.” The picture that emerges of Old George was
that of an old man that was not well liked, and even feared as it was said that he terrorized the villagers for money
and beer. In his hey-day George Pickingill became more infamous than Aleister Crowley did in his time. George was
touted as having “incredible Satanic powers” in “Prediction” magazine several years ago. And Hereditary Crafters
looked with horror upon this “renegade” Magister who was widely acknowledged as the worlds foremost authority
on Witchcraft, Satanism, and Black Magick. Occultists of all creeds and traditions, including Master Free Masons,
consulted Old George from the 1850’s and on. Hargrove Jennings even consulted with Pickingill in developing and
writing the Rites and Rituals of the Rosecrutions. George Pickingill became widely known, and people came from all
over England, Europe, and the United States to see him. Pickingill constantly antagonized the English Witches by
publicly calling for and working toward the over-throw of the Christian religion, and the restoration of the Old
Religion. It has been said in some of the now defunct British publications, that he was the most vociferous
proponent of the Horned God since the Middle Ages. George devoted his life to the destruction of Christianity, and
freely imparted his magickal expertise to Witches, Satanists, Rosicrucian’s, Ceremonial Magicians, and many others
of the occult field. He didn’t hesitate to collaborate with Satanists, because he believed that by promoting Satanism,
he was helping to ensure the destruction of the Christian church. The Pickingill covens incorporated the central
feature of both Scandinavian and French Witchcraft, in that a beautiful young Priestess conducted the rites to
honor the Horned God. The Satanists adopted this concept with enthusiasm, and so Old George was charged with
perpetuating “Satanic covens” and rituals. Old George Pickingill traced his lineage back to Julia Pickingill, the
“Wicce of Brandon”. Julia was hired in 1071 by a Lord Hereward the Wake to chant magickal encouragement to his
men and curses and confusion upon the Norman invaders. During the battles, Julia was to be seen in a wooden
tower overlooking the two opposing armies, where her chants could be heard. Whatever she was doing seemed to
be working, until the Normans managed to set fire to the dry reeds around her tower. Julia Pickingill died in the
flames. Each subsequent generation of the Pickingill family served as Priests and Priestesses of the Old Religion.
The Pickingills were renowned for their allegiance to the Horned God and they perpetuated many ancient Craft
practices that were not observed by other parts of England. The rites adopted by the Pickingill tradition were a
unique blend of French and Scandinavian Craft practices. This was due in part by the influx of French and Flemish
weavers into East Anglia, who introduced elements of the Cathar faith, and the Old Religion as observed in France
during the Middle Ages. During his long life, George Pickingill organized nine covens, over a period of sixty years,
which were located in Norfolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Sussex, and Hampshire. The leaders of these covens had to
meet George’s exact standards, in that each leader had to substantiate “Witch Blood”, and be associated with a
reputable, meaning “Hereditary” coven. Though Pickingill freely shared his magickal expertise, he absolutely
refused to pass his power to anything less than a suitable candidate. In the organization of the nine covens,
George used a basic format, but he was always re-writing, re-wording, revising, and introducing new concepts, thus
each of the nine covens though similar, had their differences. The Hereditary covens, up until the time of Old
George were an oral tradition, passing down knowledge and rituals that were instilled upon the members by
memory and practice. This method ingrained in the minds of the Witches that there was only ONE “CORRECT”
WAY of doing things, leading to rigidity. George on the other hand was innovative, willing to change, adapt and
evolve, and it was Old George Pickingill who first began the tradition of keeping a Book of Shadows. Old George’s
legacy lives on in several occult fields. The collaboration with Jennings mentioned above gave rise to the Golden
Dawn system, which was written by S.L. Macgregor Mathers after he studied the Craft rites, which were compiled
jointly by Jennings and Pickingill. Later Aleister Crowley drew heavily upon the magickal rites written by Old George
when he compiled his own O.T.O. rites.
PRE-GARDNERIAN CRAFT........... The hallmark of the Pickingill tradition that eventually reshaped English
Witchcraft was that all rites were conducted solely by the High Priestess. As previously mentioned, Pickingill covens
were staunch proponents of the Horned God, who in the Scandinavian traditions was always served and honored
by women. Conversely, the Mother Goddess in the Scandinavian traditions could only be served and honored by
men. During the Iron Age, at the spring festivals, only women were sacrificed to the God and only men were
sacrificed to the Goddess. This was because in the Scandinavian fertility religions, it was thought that the High
Priestess was the wife and consort of the God, and it was only she who could call upon the God to descend into the
body of the man chosen as His earthly representative (calling down the Sun). And only a High Priest, consort, and
husband of the Goddess, could call upon Her to descend into the body of the woman chosen as Her earthly
representative (calling down the Moon). It quickly becomes apparent that is where the idea of “only a man can
initiate a woman and only a woman can initiate a man” comes from. And it takes on new meaning when one
considers that a woman initiated by a man embodying the essence and power of the God, or a man initiated by a
woman who is embodying the essence and power of the Goddess, would receive maximum power. The initiator IS
the vehicle, and BECOMES God/Goddess incarnate in the flesh of the Priest or Priestess, so the new initiate would
receive the divine energy, or power directly from the God or Goddess. In Traditional English Witchcraft, the covens
were always headed by a Magister, or Master. The rites were always conducted by him and the Lady, or High
Priestess working together. The Magister always “brought in” the female recruits, and the Lady always “brought in”
the male recruits. So the concept of a woman conducting the rites by herself was abhorrent to them. The English
Covens also recognized only two levels. The first level was the “Rite of induction” where the candidate was first
“brought in”. This rite of induction into the Craft required an act of ritual copulation with a member of the opposite
sex, which “passed the power to the Brethren.” The First Rite did not confer Craft status to “The Entered Brethren”,
and “Entered Brethren” could only pass the power along ONCE in their life, and then only to a member of the
opposite sex again through an act of ritual copulation. The second rite, the Rite of Initiation, conferred formal
admission into “The Brotherhood.” In order to become of The Brotherhood, Entered Brethren were required to
demonstrate specific skills within a stipulated period of probation, which was usually a year and a day. Upon
satisfying the requirements, the Entered Brethren was then inducted into the Brotherhood where he or she
received full Craft Authority. ONLY the Magister could pass Craft Authority along to BOTH sexes. For they believed
that only the male body could “transmit” the Authority of The Brotherhood. This Authority then empowered the
Crafter to initiate in the Name of The Brotherhood, and to found Covens. This second rite then, conferred the
status of Full Crafter onto the initiate. Towards the end of the seventeenth century, this began to change. Many
scholars and intellectuals became attracted to the Craft because they believed that it contained several elements of
Druidism. This new breed of Crafter viewed sexual induction as a barbaric and much out-dated practice. So
gradually, during the Craft reforms of the eighteenth century, sexual inductions all but disappeared. The majority of
the English Covens, by dropping the rite of sexual induction, began observing only one induction ceremony in
which the Magister conferred both power and authority on to the candidates of both sexes. Some covens still
remembered there being two rites, but the traditional rites were confused with actual initiations, with the second
initiation being performed for outstanding individuals, and coven leaders. The French traditions always observed
three rites. The first rite was as in the English Covens, the rite of sexual induction. The second rite was the first
initiation, which conferred the status of full Crafter. The third Rite was the second initiation, and it was only
preformed for exceptional individuals, who were deemed worthy of forming covens. This is where the modern three-
degree system originates. ENGLISH HEREDITARY TRADITIONS English Hereditary Craft is made up of several
disparate groups and individuals who seldom wish to recognize each other. So it is very difficult to substantiate any
of their claims. However, there are a few fairly standard criteria that may be used to recognize an authentic
“Hereditary Coven.” #1. The Rite of Sexual Induction – In Hereditary traditions, a Witches’ power, psychic gifts, spirit
guides, and elemental spirits are passed to the spiritual heir through an act of ritual copulation with a member of
the opposite sex. Even children born into Craft families are not considered to be Witches until they too have been
sexually inducted. Hereditary covens consider this mandatory induction as the First Rite. Most English Hereditary
covens observe only one additional rite, though some from East Anglia, and Scotland have adopted the French
tradition of three rites. #2. Metallic implements – Metals in any form are not used by Hereditary covens. This is
because they tend to meet on Ley-lines (lines of magnetic force) and both metal and blood (which contains iron)
negate Ley energy, and as they claim, actually pollute the Ley Center. Hereditary covens consider themselves as
custodians of the more powerful Ley Centers, and go to great lengths to maintain the purity of their sacred space.
The energy used in fertility rites flows upward from the earth, and the energies are magnified at the Ley Centers.
And as the Hereditaries feel that the mere touch of metal impedes the flow of this energy, they shun the use of
metals in their workings. Generally, they will mark the boundaries of the square with wooden agricultural
implements, then either imply (most common) or describe the circle within the square. Those who describe the
circle do so using a wooden staff, or a tool made from horn or stone. More recently, some claiming to have
Hereditary status, though not traditional, have adopted the use of a flint knife for this purpose. No Hereditary coven
would ever consider “desecrating the earth” with a metal weapon. #3. The Book of Shadows – a standard feature in
Modern Craft, was unknown to the old Hereditary covens. Concept of historically “keeping a book in your own hand
of write” evidently originated from Alex Sanders who founded the Alexandrian Tradition. The first Book of Shadows
was actually compiled by Old George Pickingill, which as stated earlier was modified over a period of at least sixty
years. Some Hereditary covens DID however keep a coven rulebook, which was always held in safe keeping by the
Magister or his male deputy, who would have been in line as his successor. No woman was ever permitted to read
it, much less hold it for safekeeping. This may have been due to the opinion that a woman would reveal the location
of the book if her children were tortured in front of her whereas a man probably would not. Also in Hereditary
covens, the successful transfer of the power and Authority vested in the Magister was considered to be of primary
importance. So the Magister’s focus was in raising the levels of consciousness of the members of the coven, rather
than insisting upon any set wording or responses. Therefore, though all Hereditary rituals may follow a basic
format, or set pattern, the actual wording differs widely.
Witchcraft was that all rites were conducted solely by the High Priestess. As previously mentioned, Pickingill covens
were staunch proponents of the Horned God, who in the Scandinavian traditions was always served and honored
by women. Conversely, the Mother Goddess in the Scandinavian traditions could only be served and honored by
men. During the Iron Age, at the spring festivals, only women were sacrificed to the God and only men were
sacrificed to the Goddess. This was because in the Scandinavian fertility religions, it was thought that the High
Priestess was the wife and consort of the God, and it was only she who could call upon the God to descend into the
body of the man chosen as His earthly representative (calling down the Sun). And only a High Priest, consort, and
husband of the Goddess, could call upon Her to descend into the body of the woman chosen as Her earthly
representative (calling down the Moon). It quickly becomes apparent that is where the idea of “only a man can
initiate a woman and only a woman can initiate a man” comes from. And it takes on new meaning when one
considers that a woman initiated by a man embodying the essence and power of the God, or a man initiated by a
woman who is embodying the essence and power of the Goddess, would receive maximum power. The initiator IS
the vehicle, and BECOMES God/Goddess incarnate in the flesh of the Priest or Priestess, so the new initiate would
receive the divine energy, or power directly from the God or Goddess. In Traditional English Witchcraft, the covens
were always headed by a Magister, or Master. The rites were always conducted by him and the Lady, or High
Priestess working together. The Magister always “brought in” the female recruits, and the Lady always “brought in”
the male recruits. So the concept of a woman conducting the rites by herself was abhorrent to them. The English
Covens also recognized only two levels. The first level was the “Rite of induction” where the candidate was first
“brought in”. This rite of induction into the Craft required an act of ritual copulation with a member of the opposite
sex, which “passed the power to the Brethren.” The First Rite did not confer Craft status to “The Entered Brethren”,
and “Entered Brethren” could only pass the power along ONCE in their life, and then only to a member of the
opposite sex again through an act of ritual copulation. The second rite, the Rite of Initiation, conferred formal
admission into “The Brotherhood.” In order to become of The Brotherhood, Entered Brethren were required to
demonstrate specific skills within a stipulated period of probation, which was usually a year and a day. Upon
satisfying the requirements, the Entered Brethren was then inducted into the Brotherhood where he or she
received full Craft Authority. ONLY the Magister could pass Craft Authority along to BOTH sexes. For they believed
that only the male body could “transmit” the Authority of The Brotherhood. This Authority then empowered the
Crafter to initiate in the Name of The Brotherhood, and to found Covens. This second rite then, conferred the
status of Full Crafter onto the initiate. Towards the end of the seventeenth century, this began to change. Many
scholars and intellectuals became attracted to the Craft because they believed that it contained several elements of
Druidism. This new breed of Crafter viewed sexual induction as a barbaric and much out-dated practice. So
gradually, during the Craft reforms of the eighteenth century, sexual inductions all but disappeared. The majority of
the English Covens, by dropping the rite of sexual induction, began observing only one induction ceremony in
which the Magister conferred both power and authority on to the candidates of both sexes. Some covens still
remembered there being two rites, but the traditional rites were confused with actual initiations, with the second
initiation being performed for outstanding individuals, and coven leaders. The French traditions always observed
three rites. The first rite was as in the English Covens, the rite of sexual induction. The second rite was the first
initiation, which conferred the status of full Crafter. The third Rite was the second initiation, and it was only
preformed for exceptional individuals, who were deemed worthy of forming covens. This is where the modern three-
degree system originates. ENGLISH HEREDITARY TRADITIONS English Hereditary Craft is made up of several
disparate groups and individuals who seldom wish to recognize each other. So it is very difficult to substantiate any
of their claims. However, there are a few fairly standard criteria that may be used to recognize an authentic
“Hereditary Coven.” #1. The Rite of Sexual Induction – In Hereditary traditions, a Witches’ power, psychic gifts, spirit
guides, and elemental spirits are passed to the spiritual heir through an act of ritual copulation with a member of
the opposite sex. Even children born into Craft families are not considered to be Witches until they too have been
sexually inducted. Hereditary covens consider this mandatory induction as the First Rite. Most English Hereditary
covens observe only one additional rite, though some from East Anglia, and Scotland have adopted the French
tradition of three rites. #2. Metallic implements – Metals in any form are not used by Hereditary covens. This is
because they tend to meet on Ley-lines (lines of magnetic force) and both metal and blood (which contains iron)
negate Ley energy, and as they claim, actually pollute the Ley Center. Hereditary covens consider themselves as
custodians of the more powerful Ley Centers, and go to great lengths to maintain the purity of their sacred space.
The energy used in fertility rites flows upward from the earth, and the energies are magnified at the Ley Centers.
And as the Hereditaries feel that the mere touch of metal impedes the flow of this energy, they shun the use of
metals in their workings. Generally, they will mark the boundaries of the square with wooden agricultural
implements, then either imply (most common) or describe the circle within the square. Those who describe the
circle do so using a wooden staff, or a tool made from horn or stone. More recently, some claiming to have
Hereditary status, though not traditional, have adopted the use of a flint knife for this purpose. No Hereditary coven
would ever consider “desecrating the earth” with a metal weapon. #3. The Book of Shadows – a standard feature in
Modern Craft, was unknown to the old Hereditary covens. Concept of historically “keeping a book in your own hand
of write” evidently originated from Alex Sanders who founded the Alexandrian Tradition. The first Book of Shadows
was actually compiled by Old George Pickingill, which as stated earlier was modified over a period of at least sixty
years. Some Hereditary covens DID however keep a coven rulebook, which was always held in safe keeping by the
Magister or his male deputy, who would have been in line as his successor. No woman was ever permitted to read
it, much less hold it for safekeeping. This may have been due to the opinion that a woman would reveal the location
of the book if her children were tortured in front of her whereas a man probably would not. Also in Hereditary
covens, the successful transfer of the power and Authority vested in the Magister was considered to be of primary
importance. So the Magister’s focus was in raising the levels of consciousness of the members of the coven, rather
than insisting upon any set wording or responses. Therefore, though all Hereditary rituals may follow a basic
format, or set pattern, the actual wording differs widely.
ALEISTER CROWLEY......... In the late 1800’s, Alan Bennett was Aleister Crowley’s magickal instructor in the
Golden Dawn. Bennett also knew George Pickingill, it was even rumored at the time that Bennett was Old George’s
star pupil, and it was claimed that he held the third rite of Hereditary persuasion. It was Bennett who introduced
Crowley to Old George, and in either 1899 or 1900, Aleister Crowley was admitted into one of Pickingills’ nine
covens. Crowley’s thirst for magickal knowledge lead him to seek several meetings with Old George, and during
one of these meetings there was said to have been a photograph taken of Pickingill, Bennett, and young Crowley,
though I myself have never seen it published anywhere. Crowley apparently attained to the second rite of
induction, but was booted out not long afterwards, allegedly because, #1. He would not convene regularly, #2. He
was only interested in self-advancement, and #3. He was a pervert. On page 23 of John Symonds book entitled
“The Great Beast” is found in reference to Crowley; “As he grew older, he found that any description of torture or
blood aroused his feelings tremendously. He even liked to imagine himself in agony and in particular, degraded by,
and suffering at the hands of, a woman whom he described as ‘wicked, independent, courageous, ambitious’. He
never outgrew these fantasies of being hurt, and especially of being degraded by a woman of a certain type.”
Crowley himself claimed that he was introduced to a coven of Witches as a young man but either refused to join, or
left because he could not bear to be bossed around by women. This statement was evidently prompted by his
shame of being expelled, as it was recorded by the members who would know, that Crowley actually enjoyed being
punished by the High Priestess of the coven. She herself denounced Crowley as; “That dirty-minded, evilly-
disposed, vicious little monster.” Crowley had been out of the Craft for over forty years when he met Gerald
Gardner in either 1945 or 1946. Both men were delighted to learn that they were both brothers of the same Craft
tradition, and Crowley was interested in Gerald’s efforts to restore the Old Religion and revive the worship of the
ancient gods. So in the capacity of Magickal advisor, Aleister agreed to assist Gerald in his project of reviving the
Old Craft. Crowley’s original Book of Shadows had been lost or destroyed, though he did retain several draft
sheets of many of the old rites and rituals. So using his notes, and magickal recall, Crowley was able to re-write his
old Book of Shadows and give a copy of it to Gerald. Crowley and Gardner apparently had several
correspondences during this period as several of Gerald’s letters were found by Crowley’s literary executors, Louis
Wilkinson, and John Symonds after Crowley’s death in 1947. Francis King, a friend of Louis Wilkinson, noticed in
one of the letters that Gerald inquired how Crowley was coming along with the book, and incorrectly jumped to the
conclusion that Aleister Crowley wrote the Gardnerian Book of Shadows.
Golden Dawn. Bennett also knew George Pickingill, it was even rumored at the time that Bennett was Old George’s
star pupil, and it was claimed that he held the third rite of Hereditary persuasion. It was Bennett who introduced
Crowley to Old George, and in either 1899 or 1900, Aleister Crowley was admitted into one of Pickingills’ nine
covens. Crowley’s thirst for magickal knowledge lead him to seek several meetings with Old George, and during
one of these meetings there was said to have been a photograph taken of Pickingill, Bennett, and young Crowley,
though I myself have never seen it published anywhere. Crowley apparently attained to the second rite of
induction, but was booted out not long afterwards, allegedly because, #1. He would not convene regularly, #2. He
was only interested in self-advancement, and #3. He was a pervert. On page 23 of John Symonds book entitled
“The Great Beast” is found in reference to Crowley; “As he grew older, he found that any description of torture or
blood aroused his feelings tremendously. He even liked to imagine himself in agony and in particular, degraded by,
and suffering at the hands of, a woman whom he described as ‘wicked, independent, courageous, ambitious’. He
never outgrew these fantasies of being hurt, and especially of being degraded by a woman of a certain type.”
Crowley himself claimed that he was introduced to a coven of Witches as a young man but either refused to join, or
left because he could not bear to be bossed around by women. This statement was evidently prompted by his
shame of being expelled, as it was recorded by the members who would know, that Crowley actually enjoyed being
punished by the High Priestess of the coven. She herself denounced Crowley as; “That dirty-minded, evilly-
disposed, vicious little monster.” Crowley had been out of the Craft for over forty years when he met Gerald
Gardner in either 1945 or 1946. Both men were delighted to learn that they were both brothers of the same Craft
tradition, and Crowley was interested in Gerald’s efforts to restore the Old Religion and revive the worship of the
ancient gods. So in the capacity of Magickal advisor, Aleister agreed to assist Gerald in his project of reviving the
Old Craft. Crowley’s original Book of Shadows had been lost or destroyed, though he did retain several draft
sheets of many of the old rites and rituals. So using his notes, and magickal recall, Crowley was able to re-write his
old Book of Shadows and give a copy of it to Gerald. Crowley and Gardner apparently had several
correspondences during this period as several of Gerald’s letters were found by Crowley’s literary executors, Louis
Wilkinson, and John Symonds after Crowley’s death in 1947. Francis King, a friend of Louis Wilkinson, noticed in
one of the letters that Gerald inquired how Crowley was coming along with the book, and incorrectly jumped to the
conclusion that Aleister Crowley wrote the Gardnerian Book of Shadows.
GERALD GARDNER........ Gerald Gardner was initiated into one of George Pickingills’ original nine covens in
1939.That same year he wrote a Craft-oriented fiction novel “A Goddess Arrives”. In 1949, he wrote another Craft-
oriented fiction novel, “High Magic’s Aid”. Then after the “crime” of Witchcraft was removed from the law statutes, in
1951, Gerald wrote two more non-fiction books, “Witchcraft Today” in 1954, and “The Meaning of Witchcraft” in
1959. During his life, Gerald founded several covens, and established a Museum of Witchcraft on The Isle of Man.
As is common to a well-educated man in the East, he was sometimes referred to as “Dr. Gardner” though he
himself never claimed to have achieved a doctorate degree. Gerald spent much of his life in the service of the
British government in India. While there, he studied the different occult traditions, including Tantric practices. He
also was admitted at some point into the Sufi schools, so when he returned to England, he had already acquired
quite a bit of Occult knowledge and lore. Gerald, unlike Pickingill, had no association with “the left-hand path”,
choosing instead to “white-wash” the Craft, but he did continue with the public revival of the religion of Witchcraft
which was began by Old George. Gerald was able to become an initiate of two of the original nine Pickingill covens,
and so was able to acquire a book of shadows from each of those covens. When Gerald met Crowley in either
1945 or 1946, and discovered that Crowley had been an initiate in yet another of the nine original covens, he was
delighted, for here was a third source of information that he could use to compile his own Book of Shadows.
Crowley, by using his notes and magickal recall was able to re-compile his original Book of Shadows and give a
copy of it to Gerald. Taking these three different Books, and relying upon the knowledge he gained from other
traditions that he studied, including Leland’s “Gospel of Aradia”, Ceremonial Magick and The Key of Solomon,
Gerald Gardner put together the revised Craft Tradition that has since become known as Gardnerian Wicca. And it
was Gerald Gardner, not Aleister Crowley who wrote the Gardnerian Book of Shadows. Somewhere along the line
Alex Sanders was able to obtain the Gardnerian Book of Shadows, and from that, developed his own off-shoot
tradition, which has come to be known as Alexandrian Wicca. At one time there was a lot of ill feelings between the
two new traditions, and charges of thievery, fraud, ect ad-nasium, which have thankfully passed, and either
tradition has now been around long enough to establish it’s own legitimacy. For those who wish to learn more of
this aspect, you may find it in Patricia Crowther’s “High Priestess” Phoenix Books. Patricia knew both men, and it
was her husband Arnold who introduced Gerald Gardner to Aleister Crowley. Gerald Gardner died at the age of
80, in 1964 while on a cruise. I do not recall where he was buried, but I am thinking either Cairo, or Cyprus.
1939.That same year he wrote a Craft-oriented fiction novel “A Goddess Arrives”. In 1949, he wrote another Craft-
oriented fiction novel, “High Magic’s Aid”. Then after the “crime” of Witchcraft was removed from the law statutes, in
1951, Gerald wrote two more non-fiction books, “Witchcraft Today” in 1954, and “The Meaning of Witchcraft” in
1959. During his life, Gerald founded several covens, and established a Museum of Witchcraft on The Isle of Man.
As is common to a well-educated man in the East, he was sometimes referred to as “Dr. Gardner” though he
himself never claimed to have achieved a doctorate degree. Gerald spent much of his life in the service of the
British government in India. While there, he studied the different occult traditions, including Tantric practices. He
also was admitted at some point into the Sufi schools, so when he returned to England, he had already acquired
quite a bit of Occult knowledge and lore. Gerald, unlike Pickingill, had no association with “the left-hand path”,
choosing instead to “white-wash” the Craft, but he did continue with the public revival of the religion of Witchcraft
which was began by Old George. Gerald was able to become an initiate of two of the original nine Pickingill covens,
and so was able to acquire a book of shadows from each of those covens. When Gerald met Crowley in either
1945 or 1946, and discovered that Crowley had been an initiate in yet another of the nine original covens, he was
delighted, for here was a third source of information that he could use to compile his own Book of Shadows.
Crowley, by using his notes and magickal recall was able to re-compile his original Book of Shadows and give a
copy of it to Gerald. Taking these three different Books, and relying upon the knowledge he gained from other
traditions that he studied, including Leland’s “Gospel of Aradia”, Ceremonial Magick and The Key of Solomon,
Gerald Gardner put together the revised Craft Tradition that has since become known as Gardnerian Wicca. And it
was Gerald Gardner, not Aleister Crowley who wrote the Gardnerian Book of Shadows. Somewhere along the line
Alex Sanders was able to obtain the Gardnerian Book of Shadows, and from that, developed his own off-shoot
tradition, which has come to be known as Alexandrian Wicca. At one time there was a lot of ill feelings between the
two new traditions, and charges of thievery, fraud, ect ad-nasium, which have thankfully passed, and either
tradition has now been around long enough to establish it’s own legitimacy. For those who wish to learn more of
this aspect, you may find it in Patricia Crowther’s “High Priestess” Phoenix Books. Patricia knew both men, and it
was her husband Arnold who introduced Gerald Gardner to Aleister Crowley. Gerald Gardner died at the age of
80, in 1964 while on a cruise. I do not recall where he was buried, but I am thinking either Cairo, or Cyprus.
In "Witchcraft Today," by Gerald B. Gardner, published in 1954 and 1955, Gerald went to great
lengths to explore Witchcraft from an anthropological standpoint, citing many references that are of
historical record, which prove that Witchcraft existed long before he was born. Gerald also made
repeated references to how many elements of Witchcraft were very similar to the practices of people who
lived during the stone age. On page 102 of this book (1955 harback edition) I provide the following quote:
"Mr. Huges says: ' Witchcraft proper only exists where the powers called upon are consciously felt to be
evil ones, and those concerned in the operation are seeking aid from some force exterior to accepted
conditions and beliefs.' If this is true, then the Witches of whom I have been speaking are not Witches at
all. What are they then? They are people who call themselves the Wica, the "wise people", who practice
the age-old rites and who have, along with much superstition and herbal knowledge, preserved an occult
teaching and working processes which they themselves think to be magic or Witchcraft. They are the
type of people who were burned alive for possessing this knowledge, often giving their lives to turn
suspicion away from others. At Castletown we have a memorial to the nine million people who died by
torture in one way or another for Witchcraft. These Wica generally work for good purposes and help
those to the best of their ability. Of course whatever you do in this world you tread on someone's toes; if a
Witch raised a good crop of corn in the old days, people complained she was deflating the prices. I think
it unwise to lay down the law without knowing the subject."
lengths to explore Witchcraft from an anthropological standpoint, citing many references that are of
historical record, which prove that Witchcraft existed long before he was born. Gerald also made
repeated references to how many elements of Witchcraft were very similar to the practices of people who
lived during the stone age. On page 102 of this book (1955 harback edition) I provide the following quote:
"Mr. Huges says: ' Witchcraft proper only exists where the powers called upon are consciously felt to be
evil ones, and those concerned in the operation are seeking aid from some force exterior to accepted
conditions and beliefs.' If this is true, then the Witches of whom I have been speaking are not Witches at
all. What are they then? They are people who call themselves the Wica, the "wise people", who practice
the age-old rites and who have, along with much superstition and herbal knowledge, preserved an occult
teaching and working processes which they themselves think to be magic or Witchcraft. They are the
type of people who were burned alive for possessing this knowledge, often giving their lives to turn
suspicion away from others. At Castletown we have a memorial to the nine million people who died by
torture in one way or another for Witchcraft. These Wica generally work for good purposes and help
those to the best of their ability. Of course whatever you do in this world you tread on someone's toes; if a
Witch raised a good crop of corn in the old days, people complained she was deflating the prices. I think
it unwise to lay down the law without knowing the subject."
THE SARACEN INFLUENCE........... There is no way to discover exactly when or how the Saracen
Mysteriesfirst began filtering into European Witchcraft. But the influence was certainly there in the Medieval
period. first began filtering into European Witchcraft. But the influence was certainly there in the Medieval period.
Arab invaders at one time had conquered most of Spain and Southern France. With them came the Saracen
Mystery Schools. The Berber mystery school located in Aragon reportedly taught both Basque, and Cathar
dissidents in its time. The Navarre Witches also absorbed a great deal of the Saracen Culture. Berengaria of
Navarre, who became the bride of King Richard the 1rst, was said to have brought some of the Navarre Witches
to England with her. And it was from those Navarre Witches that the Saracen Mystery traditions entered English
Witchcraft. Another theory was advanced concerning the Norman, English, French and German Knights who
fought for the kingdom of Sicily. It was speculated that these knights may have learned the Saracen Mysteries
and then brought them back to their respective homelands. For several sons of English Kings were made Kings
of Sicily. The Craft techniques that were derived from the Saracen schools are; the use of cords; the concept of
the second temple; the “five-fold” kiss; and certain specific sexual techniques, which included “the Temple Made
not by Hands”. This last one will be understood by advanced Crafters. There have been several books written
that include information on cord magick. The understanding of the Second Temple has all but become lost. And
the knowledge of the last two mysteries has been greatly perverted due to the lack of comprehension. All three of
these practices can be highly effective when used properly, and within the right context. The proper
administration of the five-fold kiss activates the various energy centers, and can be used to help develop
Clairvoyance. It was also used in conjunction with building the second temple. The knowledge of these last three
are reserved for the higher grades, so I cannot give them out as general knowledge, though I will comment upon
them. There is also a danger in the incorrect application of the magickal breath, in that if improperly used, the
memories can be regressed to a pre-human state of consciousness. Some of the symbolism that has come to us
from the Saracen Mystery schools are the Triangle, the Pentagram, the Circle, the Diamond Lozenge and the
Square. The upright triangle delineates the God, and in a triad arrangement, the representative of the God would
be in the north. The inverted Triangle would represent the Goddess. This is also commonly called the “Delta of
Venus” which refers to the pubic patch. The Pentagram and the Circle have a very rich and varied symbolism.
However the use of the Circle and the Square is all but forgotten by modern Crafters. The Square itself is
delineated with the Northern part open. This is because the North is the realm of the God and He cannot be
limited, bound, or qualified. The Square represents the LIFE aspect, and is ascribed to the God. The Circle within
the Square represents the aspect of FORM, and is ascribed to the Goddess. The initiate “squares the circle” by
balancing the male and female aspects of his/her whole being. Becoming the self-conscious, self-perfected God.
The Diamond Lozenge, inverted triangle and Circle have all been associated with Scandinavian Fertility
Goddesses for thousands of years. The Diamond Lozenge represents the yoni, or vaginal opening, and can be
divided into both an upright and an inverted triangle. This arrangement suggests the sexual polarity, which be
divided into both an upright and an inverted triangle. This arrangement suggests the sexual polarity, which was
observed by the French Craft. In Circle, a male always opposed a female, and a female was always opposite a
male. This emphasized that the power must pass from male to female to male, and that one must strive for
balance within oneself. In the Medieval French Traditions, the Magister stood at full power in the East
representing the rising Sun. The Lady stood at full power in the West to represent the Moon. The Red Priest, or
Magister’s deputy took up a position in the South to represent the sun at its meridian. In covens that Priest, or
Magister’s deputy took up a position in the South to represent the sun at its meridian. In covens that were god-
oriented, the Lady would wear a combination of red and green. Red was a color attributed to the God, and Green
to the Goddess. The female members wore blue to signify the Goddess, the males usually wore red, but
sometimes the Magister wore Black signifying the God in his underworld aspect. Later during the times of Witch
persecutions, all Witches took to wearing black cloaks in order to better hide themselves in the shadows of the
night. Finally, to wrap things up, the indwelling spirit, or God-dess within, denotes the incarceration of Divinity into
carnal flesh. This indwelling God-dess constantly seeks to return to its’ original pristine glory. This is the “Temple
Not Built by Hands”, which was said to have existed before it was created. The so-called First Temple was
understood to be man’s pristine innocence. This temple was destroyed when man fell into sexual degeneration,
supposedly during the Lemurian Era. The second temple is the self-conscious, self-perfected Human. It is the
balancing of both Life and Form, the male and female, or God/Goddess within, which brings forth the self-
conscious, self-perfected God through the conscious control of a specific energy. If the pent-up energy is not
released properly, it can lead to psychosis, and fanaticism rather than “Oneness” with the Divine. The second
method is the one adhered to by Witches. We consider this method to be much more healthy.this method to be
much more healthy.
Mysteriesfirst began filtering into European Witchcraft. But the influence was certainly there in the Medieval
period. first began filtering into European Witchcraft. But the influence was certainly there in the Medieval period.
Arab invaders at one time had conquered most of Spain and Southern France. With them came the Saracen
Mystery Schools. The Berber mystery school located in Aragon reportedly taught both Basque, and Cathar
dissidents in its time. The Navarre Witches also absorbed a great deal of the Saracen Culture. Berengaria of
Navarre, who became the bride of King Richard the 1rst, was said to have brought some of the Navarre Witches
to England with her. And it was from those Navarre Witches that the Saracen Mystery traditions entered English
Witchcraft. Another theory was advanced concerning the Norman, English, French and German Knights who
fought for the kingdom of Sicily. It was speculated that these knights may have learned the Saracen Mysteries
and then brought them back to their respective homelands. For several sons of English Kings were made Kings
of Sicily. The Craft techniques that were derived from the Saracen schools are; the use of cords; the concept of
the second temple; the “five-fold” kiss; and certain specific sexual techniques, which included “the Temple Made
not by Hands”. This last one will be understood by advanced Crafters. There have been several books written
that include information on cord magick. The understanding of the Second Temple has all but become lost. And
the knowledge of the last two mysteries has been greatly perverted due to the lack of comprehension. All three of
these practices can be highly effective when used properly, and within the right context. The proper
administration of the five-fold kiss activates the various energy centers, and can be used to help develop
Clairvoyance. It was also used in conjunction with building the second temple. The knowledge of these last three
are reserved for the higher grades, so I cannot give them out as general knowledge, though I will comment upon
them. There is also a danger in the incorrect application of the magickal breath, in that if improperly used, the
memories can be regressed to a pre-human state of consciousness. Some of the symbolism that has come to us
from the Saracen Mystery schools are the Triangle, the Pentagram, the Circle, the Diamond Lozenge and the
Square. The upright triangle delineates the God, and in a triad arrangement, the representative of the God would
be in the north. The inverted Triangle would represent the Goddess. This is also commonly called the “Delta of
Venus” which refers to the pubic patch. The Pentagram and the Circle have a very rich and varied symbolism.
However the use of the Circle and the Square is all but forgotten by modern Crafters. The Square itself is
delineated with the Northern part open. This is because the North is the realm of the God and He cannot be
limited, bound, or qualified. The Square represents the LIFE aspect, and is ascribed to the God. The Circle within
the Square represents the aspect of FORM, and is ascribed to the Goddess. The initiate “squares the circle” by
balancing the male and female aspects of his/her whole being. Becoming the self-conscious, self-perfected God.
The Diamond Lozenge, inverted triangle and Circle have all been associated with Scandinavian Fertility
Goddesses for thousands of years. The Diamond Lozenge represents the yoni, or vaginal opening, and can be
divided into both an upright and an inverted triangle. This arrangement suggests the sexual polarity, which be
divided into both an upright and an inverted triangle. This arrangement suggests the sexual polarity, which was
observed by the French Craft. In Circle, a male always opposed a female, and a female was always opposite a
male. This emphasized that the power must pass from male to female to male, and that one must strive for
balance within oneself. In the Medieval French Traditions, the Magister stood at full power in the East
representing the rising Sun. The Lady stood at full power in the West to represent the Moon. The Red Priest, or
Magister’s deputy took up a position in the South to represent the sun at its meridian. In covens that Priest, or
Magister’s deputy took up a position in the South to represent the sun at its meridian. In covens that were god-
oriented, the Lady would wear a combination of red and green. Red was a color attributed to the God, and Green
to the Goddess. The female members wore blue to signify the Goddess, the males usually wore red, but
sometimes the Magister wore Black signifying the God in his underworld aspect. Later during the times of Witch
persecutions, all Witches took to wearing black cloaks in order to better hide themselves in the shadows of the
night. Finally, to wrap things up, the indwelling spirit, or God-dess within, denotes the incarceration of Divinity into
carnal flesh. This indwelling God-dess constantly seeks to return to its’ original pristine glory. This is the “Temple
Not Built by Hands”, which was said to have existed before it was created. The so-called First Temple was
understood to be man’s pristine innocence. This temple was destroyed when man fell into sexual degeneration,
supposedly during the Lemurian Era. The second temple is the self-conscious, self-perfected Human. It is the
balancing of both Life and Form, the male and female, or God/Goddess within, which brings forth the self-
conscious, self-perfected God through the conscious control of a specific energy. If the pent-up energy is not
released properly, it can lead to psychosis, and fanaticism rather than “Oneness” with the Divine. The second
method is the one adhered to by Witches. We consider this method to be much more healthy.this method to be
much more healthy.
Comments, suggestions, lesson information, student artwork/writings submissions?
Email: temple@ladyishtar.org
Email: temple@ladyishtar.org
THE TRUE HISTORY OF MODERN WITCHCRAFT Copyright April 22, 2003 Kevin
Gardner Temple of Ishtar
The Popular Rumors claim that Gerald Gardner invented Witchcraft. And although this
is untrue, these rumors are unfortunately still believed by many modern Wiccans in
deference to Gardner's own books. The factual evidence and records are rare and
getting more so everyday, as old publications are lost and the historical facts become
obscured. Additionally, many websites created by those too lazy to actually research
the factual history, and now with more references citing otherwise, and with the
“Oldsters" who know the historical truth now entering the Summerland, it just becomes
easier to say the same things that everyone else is saying, and not bother to dig into
the historical facts for oneself. This lecture hopes to dispel some of the misinformation,
and to keep some of the truth alive.
CONTENTS
Gardner Temple of Ishtar
The Popular Rumors claim that Gerald Gardner invented Witchcraft. And although this
is untrue, these rumors are unfortunately still believed by many modern Wiccans in
deference to Gardner's own books. The factual evidence and records are rare and
getting more so everyday, as old publications are lost and the historical facts become
obscured. Additionally, many websites created by those too lazy to actually research
the factual history, and now with more references citing otherwise, and with the
“Oldsters" who know the historical truth now entering the Summerland, it just becomes
easier to say the same things that everyone else is saying, and not bother to dig into
the historical facts for oneself. This lecture hopes to dispel some of the misinformation,
and to keep some of the truth alive.
CONTENTS
Pre-Gardnerian Craft