What is the historical basis of the Wicca religion (modern witchcraft)?
Dear Cecil: What is the origin of the Wiccan religion? Most Wiccans you talk to say the religion is an extension of ancient, matriarchal earth worship and will attempt to turn you into a frog if you disagree. Others point to a descendancy from medieval healers and claim close kinship with all those who were burnt at the stake for allegedly conjuring up spirits, riding on brooms (there’s that again), and otherwise hobnobbing with demons. However, some say Wicca as currently practiced is a modern invention and point to the works of a follower of Aleister Crowley, one Gerald Gardner, as the actual starting point of this religion. At least these people don’t attempt to magically mess with your personal space. To my mind, linking modern Wicca with ancient paganism is like trying to assert that modern Freemasonry got its start with the building of Solomon’s temple, but that’s just me. Maybe you can shed some light. Patrick Malone, via AOL — Dear Patrick: The nice thing about writing for the
