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contain outdated or speculative material, and some of the texts here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
Books of Gerald Gardner
The
Gardnerian Book of Shadows
The Book of Shadows is a Wiccan text which is maintained by the
initiated in manuscript form. A Book of Shadows 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.
The
works of Margaret Murray
An essay by J.B. Hare.
The
Witch-Cult in Western Europe
by Margaret Murray [1921]
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]
A massive study of the mythological cycle of the Godesses' lover, the
solar God who dies and is reborn. The Golden Bough 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]
Stregheria is 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]
Leland investigates another traditional system of magic, that of the
Rom, or Gypsies.
Letters
on Demonology and Witchcraft
by Sir Walter Scott [1885].
Scott covers much of the same evidence for the Witch cult as Murry
(albeit in a more popular style). Scott draws few conclusions other
than that our ancestors were extremely superstitous.
The
Sorceress
by Jules Michelet, tr. by Alfred Richard Allinson [1939]
The story of witchcraft from the medieval to the 17th century, as a
covert women's rebellion which led to modern science and medicine.
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]
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 documents 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].
A scholarly perspective on the Druids in Ireland. Bonwick 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
A typical example of the romantic and misconcieved mid-19th Century
literature about Druidry. We now know that the construction of
Stonehenge preceded the historical Celts by many centuries.
The
Religion of the Ancient Celts
by J. A. MacCulloch [1911]
An authoritative and factual 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]
Iolo Morganwg 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 of Goddess worship,
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 John D. Seymore [1913].
This is a fascinating study of the witch-persecutions in Ireland,
along with accounts of paranormal activity.
Pagan
Prayers
by Marah Ellis Ryan [1913]
Traditional spirituality from around the world.
