INVENTING WITCHCRAFT

THE BOOK THEY TRIED TO BAN

When the first edition of this book was released,
conservative Gardnerian Witches attempted to suppress
it, claiming that it discredited their religion. Even
though its first printing quickly sold out, the
original publisher, faced with death threats and
boycotts, agreed to abandon the project, and no other
publisher has dared to reprint it before now.

NOW READ THE TRUTH

Dr. Aidan A. Kelly has thoroughly investigated the
history, rituals, and documents behind the evolution
of modern Witchcraft, and has concluded that Gerald
Gardner invented Wicca as a new religion. Although
Wicca claims to be a persecuted pagan religion dating
from before the rise of Christianity, it draws upon
controversial historical sources, modern occult
practices, including those of Alistair Crowley and the
Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, 19th century
translations of medieval grimoires, and the poetry of
Gardner's priestess, Doreen Valiente.

Expanded Evidence

This extensively revised edition contains new research
which was unavailable at the time, as well as detailed
textual comparisons of Gerald Gardner's own
manuscripts, magical books, and rituals that could not
be included in the earlier edition. It includes
contributions from people who helped Gardner create
modern Witchcraft and looks at the sources of his
inspiration. Both liberal Wiccans and religious
scholars hailed the earlier book as a classic in the
new field of Pagan Studies. This revised edition is a
must-have for anyone interested in Witchcraft and
modern religious history.