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The term witchcraft (and witch) is a controversial one with a complicated history. Used with entirely different contexts, and within entirely different cultural references, it can take on distinct and often contradictory meanings. Each culture has its own particular body of concepts dealing with magic, religion, benevolent and harmful spirits, and ritual; and these ideas do not find obvious equivalents in other cultures.

Sometimes witchcraft is used to refer, broadly, to the practice of magic, and has a connotation similar to sorcery. Depending on the values of the community, witchcraft in this sense may be regarded with varying degrees of suspicion and hostility, or with ambivalence, being neither intrinsically good nor evil.

Witchcraft is also used to refer, narrowly, to the practice of magic in an exclusively inimical sense. If the community accepts magical practice in general, then there is typically a clear separation between witches (in this sense) and the terms used to describe legitimate practitioners. This use of the term is most often found in accusations against individuals who are suspected of causing harm in the community by way of supernatural means. Witch hunts and witch trials have been common among the indigenous populations of the world, including Africa and Asia.

Under the monotheistic religions of the Levant (primarily Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), witchcraft came to be associated with heresy, rising to a fever pitch among the Catholics, Protestants, and secular leadership of the European Late Medieval/Early Modern period. Throughout this time, the concept of witchcraft came increasingly to be interpreted as a form of Devil worship. Accusations of witchcraft were frequently combined with other charges of heresy against such groups as the Cathars and Waldensians.

In the modern West, witchcraft accusations have often accompanied the Satanic Ritual Abuse hysteria. Such accusations are a counterpart to blood libels of various kinds, which may be found throughout history across the globe.

Recently, witchcraft has taken on a distinctly positive connotation among Wiccans and other Neopagans as the ritual element of their religious beliefs.

A great deal of confusion and conflict has arisen from attempts by one group or another to canonize their particular definition of the term.

Distinguishing Witchcraft from other forms of magic

While witchcraft involves the use of magic, there are many other types of "paranormal" magic (not including stage magic / sleight of hand / illusions). Witchcraft can be distinguished from folk magic, religious magic, and ceremonial magic. Modern self-identified witches (especially practitioners of Wicca) are likely to use the term witchcraft to refer to folk magic. It is becoming increasingly less common to use the term to refer to the practice of religious magic in any religion other than one's own. The term is also commonly misapplied to refer to all forms of magic other than stage magic. In addition to this, many people deny the existence of witchcraft and consider everything described below to be either stage magic or religious magic.

Folk magic and witchcraft are not identical, but they are very similar. Both are concerned with the producing of effects beyond the natural powers of man by methods which (though arcane) are held to be reliable in themselves. In this way they differ from both prayer and religious magic, which depend upon the assistance of a deity or deities for success. Ceremonial magic almost always refers to hermetic magic being practiced in an ornate and precise manner.

Practices to which the 'witchcraft' label are applied are those which influence another person's body or property against his or her will, or which are believed to undermine the social or religious order (by the person doing the labeling). Some modern commentators, especially neopagan ones, consider the malefic nature of witchcraft to be a Christian projection. However, the concept of a magic-worker influencing another person's body or property against his or her will was present in many cultures before introduction of monotheism, as there are traditions in both folk magic and religious magic that have the purpose of countering witchcraft or identifying witches from those times. Many examples can be found in ancient texts, such as those from Egypt and Babylonia. Where witchcraft is believed to have the power to influence the body or possessions, witches become a credible cause for disease, sickness in animals, bad luck, sudden death, impotence and other such misfortunes. Folk magic of a more benign and socially acceptable sort may then be employed to turn the witchcraft aside, or identify the supposed witch so that punishment may be carried out.

Practices typically considered to be witchcraft

There are several magical practices that are associated with witchcraft, to such a degree that those who use them were given the label 'witch' by Westerners, irrespective of the culture in which they appear. The most immediately recognisable is the making of poppets or effigies. Witches were believed to create figures in clay, wax, or from rags, to represent people, and the actions performed upon these figures were believed to be transferred to the subject.

"To some others at these times he teacheth how to make pictures of wax or clay. That by the roasting thereof, the persons that they beare the name of, may be continually melted or die away by continually sickness."

The making of wax figures was also a means of countering witchcraft and turning the magic back on the caster.

Necromancy, the conjuring of the spirits of the dead, is also regarded as a typical witchcraft practice; the Biblical 'Witch' of Endor is supposed to have performed it, and it is among the witchcraft practices condemned by Aelfric.

"Yet fares witches to where roads meet, and to heathen burials with their phantom craft and call to them the devil, and he comes to them in the dead man's likeness, as if he from death arises, but she cannot cause that to happen, the dead to arise through her wizardry."

A host of other powers were said to be received through demonic compacts, such as those of riding through the air on a broomstick, assuming different shapes at will, and tormenting a witch's chosen victims. It was believed that an imp or "familiar spirit" was placed at the disposal of practitioners, able and willing to perform any service that might be needed to further their nefarious purposes. Supernatural aid is also invoked to compass the death of a particularly undesirable individual, to awaken the passion of love in those who are the objects of desire, to call up the dead, or to bring calamity or impotence upon enemies, rivals, and fancied oppressors. For this reason, "witchcraft" practices are typically forbidden by law where belief in them exists (as well as being hated and feared by the general populace) while "folk magic" is tolerated or even accepted wholesale by the people, even if the orthodox establishment objects to it.

Etymology

The origins of the term witch are highly disputed. That the word derives directly from the Old English wicca (male magician) and/or wicce (female magician) is hard to doubt, but the origins of the Old English words are more problematic. Contraction of witega ('wise man, prophet') is possible. Low German contains wicker (soothsayer). Other possible connections include the Old Enlgish wigle (divination), the Pre-germanic wikkjaz (necromancer), the Gothic weihs (holy), and the English words victim (in its original meaning for someone killed in a religious ritual) and wicked. Many neo-pagan sources assert that the because the root wik- is associated with words meaning "to bend", the original meaning of the word was "one who bends the natural order" (uses magic).

Colloquially, the term witch is applied almost exclusively to women, although in earlier English the term was applied to men too. Most people would call male witches sorcerers, wizards, or warlocks; however, modern self-identified witches and Wiccans continue to use the term witch for all who practice witchcraft.

European witchcraft

Main article: European witchcraft

The characterization of the witch in Europe is not derived from a single source. Popular neopagan beliefs suggest that witches were female shamans who were made into malicious figures by Christian propaganda. This is an erroneous oversimplification and presumes that a recognizable folklore figure must derive from a single historical precedent (a female, maligned magic-worker). The familiar witch of folklore and popular superstition is a combination of numerous influences.

The characterization of the witch, rather than being a caricature of a Pagan priestess, developed over time. The advent of Christianity suggests that potential Christians, comfortable with the use of magic as part of their daily lives, expected Christian clergy to work magic of a form superior to the old Pagan way. While Christianity competed with Pagan religion, this concern was paramount, only lessening in importance once Christianity was the dominant religion in most of Europe. In place of the old Pagan magic methodology, the Church placed a Christian methodology involving saints and divine relics — a short step from the old Pagan techniques of amulets and talismans.

Traditional European witchcraft beliefs, such as those typified in the confessions of the Pendle Witches, commonly involve a diabolical pact or at least an appeal to the intervention of the spirits of evil. The witches or wizards addicted to such practices were alleged to adjure Jesus and the sacraments, observe "the witches' sabbath" - performing infernal rites which often took the shape of a parody of the Mass or the offices of the Church - pay Divine honour to the Prince of Darkness, and in return receive from him preternatural powers.

The Church did not, however, invent the idea of witchcraft as a potentially harmful force whose practitioners should be put to death. This idea is commonplace in pre-Christian religions and is a logical consequence of belief in magic. According to the scholar Max Dashu, the concept of medieval witch contained many of its elements even before the emergence of Christianity. These can be found in Bacchanalias, especially in the time when they were led by priestess Paculla Annia (188-186).

In England, the provision of this curative magic was the job of a witch doctor, also known as a cunning man, white witch, or wise woman. The term "witch doctor" was in use in England before it came to be associated with Africa. Toad doctors were also credited with the ability to undo witchcraft. (Other folk magicians had their own purviews. Girdle-measurers specialised in diagnosing ailments caused by fairies, while magical cures for more mundane ailments, such as burns or toothache, could be had from charmers.)

"In the north of England, the superstition lingers to an almost inconceivable extent. Lancashire abounds with witch-doctors, a set of quacks, who pretend to cure diseases inflicted by the devil... The witch-doctor alluded to is better known by the name of the cunning man, and has a large practice in the counties of Lincoln and Nottingham."

Such "cunning-folk" often did not refer to themselves as witches and objected to the accusation that they were such. Records from the Middle Ages, however, make it appear that it was, quite often, not entirely clear to the populace whether a given practioner of magic was a witch or one of the cunning-folk. In addition, it appears that much of the populace was willing to approach either of these groups for healing magic and divination. When a person was known to be a witch, the populace would still seek to employ their healing skills; however, as was not the case with cunning-folk, members of the general population would also hire witches to curse their enemies. The important distinction is that there are records of the populace reporting alleged witches to the authorities as such, whereas cunning folk were not so incriminated; they were more commonly prosecuted for accusing the innocent or defrauding people of money.

The long-term result of this amalgamation of distinct types of magic-worker into one is the considerable present-day confusion as to what witches actually did, whether they harmed or healed, what role (if any) they had in the community, whether they can be identified with the "witches" of other cultures and even whether they existed as anything other than a projection. Present-day beliefs about the witches of history attribute to them elements of the folklore witch, the charmer, the cunning man or wise woman, the diviner and the astrologer.

Powers typically attributed to European witches include turning food poisonous or inedible, flying on broomsticks, casting spells, and creating fear and local chaos.

See for example:

• Malleus Maleficarum
• witchhunts
• witchcraft trials
• flying ointments

Middle Eastern witchcraft

Ancient Middle Eastern and Near Eastern beliefs

The belief in witchcraft and its practice seem to have been widespread in the past. Both in ancient Egypt and in Babylonia it played a conspicuous part, as existing records plainly show. It will be sufficient to quote a short section from the Code of Hammurabi (about 2000 B.C.). It is there prescribed,

If a man has laid a charge of witchcraft and has not justified it, he upon whom the witchcraft is laid shall go to the holy river; he shall plunge into the holy river and if the holy river overcome him, he who accused him shall take to himself his house.

Witchcraft in the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible, Old Testament)

In the Bible references to witchcraft are frequent, and the strong condemnations of such practices which we read there do not seem to be based so much upon the supposition of fraud as upon the "abomination" of the magic in itself. (See Deuteronomy 18:11-12; Exodus 22:18, "wizards thou shalt not suffer to live" - A.V. "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live".) The whole narrative of Saul's visit to the witch of En Dor (I Samuel 28) implies belief in the reality of the witch's evocation of the shade of Samuel; and from Leviticus 20:27: "A man or woman in whom there is a pythonical or divining spirit, dying let them die: they shall stone them: Their blood be upon them", we should naturally infer that the divining spirit was not believed to be a mere imposture.

Witchcraft in the New Testament

The prohibitions of sorcery in the New Testament leave the same impression (Galatians 5:20, compared with Revelations 21:8; 22:15; and Acts 8:9; 13:6). Supposing that the belief in witchcraft were held to be an idle superstition, it would be strange that the suggestion should nowhere be made that the evil of these practices only lay in the pretending to the possession of powers which did not really exist.

There is some debate, however, as to whether the word used in Galatians and Revelations, Pharmakeia, is properly translated as "sorcery," as the word was commonly used to describe malicious use of drugs as in poisons, contraceptives, and abortifacients.

Jewish views of witchcraft

Almost all modern day Jews view the practice of witchcraft as idolatry, a serious theological offense in Judaism. Jews believe that the practices associated with witchcraft and magic are in vain, as such magic and supernatural forces don't actually exist. The only supernatural belief Jews still maintain is the belief in God. It should be noted that a small number of Orthodox Jews who study Kabbalah (Jewish esoteric mysticism) do believe in magic; their practices use terminology that varies greatly from witchcraft, but the basic ideas (using supernatural forces to effect results in the physical world) are identical. Most Jews find such ideas ludicrous; since the Enlightenment, most Jewish people have abandoned a belief in the Kabbalah.

Some Neopagans study and practice forms of magery based on a syncretism between classical Jewish mysticism and modern witchcraft. A reference on this subject is Ellen Cannon Reed's book "The Witches Qabala: The Pagan Path and the Tree of Life".

See also: Christian views on witchcraft

African witchcraft

Unsurprisingly, Africans have a wide range of views of traditional religions. African Christians typically accept Christian dogma as their counterparts in Latin America and Asia. The term witch doctor, often attributed to African inyanga, has been misconstrued to mean "a healer who uses witchcraft" rather than its original meaning of "one who diagnoses and cures maladies caused by witches". Combining Roman Catholic beliefs and practices and traditional West African religious beliefs and practices are several syncretic religions in the Americas, including Voudun, Obeah, Candomblé, and Santería.

In Southern African traditions, there are three classifications of somebody who uses magic. The thakathi is usually translated into English as "witch", and is a spiteful person who operates in secret to harm others. The sangoma is a diviner, somewhere on a par with a fortune teller, and is employed in detecting illness, predicting a person's future (or advising them on which path to take), or identifying the guilty party in a crime. She also practices some degree of medicine. The inyanga is often translated as "witch doctor" (though many Southern Africans resent this implication, as it perpetuates the mistaken belief that a "witch doctor" is in some sense a practitioner of witchcraft). The inyanga's job is to heal illness and injury and provide customers with magical items for everyday use. Of these three categories the thakatha is almost exclusively female, the sangoma is usually female, and the inyanga is almost exclusively male.

Witches in modern culture

Today, few people believe in witches that can curse enemies, change shapes, or fly. However, since the emergence of the witchcraft-inspired religion of Wicca in the 1940s a growing number of people have called themselves witches. While most of western culture continues to assign negative connotations to the word, Wiccans do not consider it a derogatory term, nor do they associate it with Satanism. In fact, many Wiccans wish to claim the term "witch" and assign positive meanings to it.

In 1968, a group of radical politically active women formed a protest organization in the City of New York called W.I.T.C.H., standing for "Women's International Terrorist Conspiracy From Hell". This was a short-lived group that did not have any noticeable impact on the modern development of witchcraft, except possibly Dianic craft, but is often cited because of its colourful acronym.

Witches are iconically associated with Halloween, although Wiccans generally prefer to celebrate Samhain. Samhain takes place on November 1st, while Halloween is on the 31st of October. Both holidays are often seen as being metaphorically similar in meaning. This is not coincidence. Christianity had a basic contempt for the supernatural overtones of the festival. The association between "witches" and Halloween possibly came from vilification of practitioners of the Celtic celebration of the last harvest.

Witches have come into the mainstream in the last decade as well as common pop-culture figures. Teenage and young adult witches have been the focus or appeared in the movies "The Craft," "Practical Magic," and "Blair Witch Project 2" (the sequel to The Blair Witch Project), as well as the television programs "Bewitched," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Charmed," "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," and some episodes of "The X-Files." Such neo-Gothic portrayals bear little relationship to Wicca, or even a Christian view of witches. In almost all cases witches portrayed in movies and TV shows today are attractive women who have supernatural powers. In J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books, a witch is a female with magical powers.

Recent research does not, however, support the media's portrayal of witchcraft and Wicca. In Witchcraft out of the Shadows (2004), Leo Ruickbie presents findings that demonstrate that Wicca and other forms of modern Witchcraft religion are not exclusively female nor teenage.

Distinction of The Craft from Wicca

Though sometimes used interchangeably, "Wicca" and "The Craft" are not the same thing. The confusion comes, understandably, because both practitioners of Wicca and practitioners of The Craft call themselves witches. In addition, many, but not all, Wiccans practice witchcraft and likewise not all witches are Wiccans.

From a neopagan perspective, Wicca refers to the religion; the worship of the God (also known as the Consort) and the Goddess (or just Goddess), and the Sabbat and Esbat rituals. Witchcraft, on the other hand, is considered the craft of magic. Practicing The Craft involves the conscious manipulation of energy to manifest desired results. This practice can be learned and perfected seperate from any religious ideology, and thus requires no belief in specific gods or goddesses. It is a learned skill, not a spiritual path. There are other Pagan witches, "Christian witches," "Buddhist witches," etc. who also practice witchcraft.

The distinctions between neopaganism and witchcraft can not be clearly distinguished. There is crossover between the pagan/neopagan religions and witchcraft. For example, the mention of goddesses in spells and the performance of spells during Sabbat rituals are found in both. However, the differences mentioned above are the general distinctions made between the two terms.

It should be noted that The Craft as a descriptor for witchcraft is a wholly modern concept, introduced precisely in order to distinguish the religion of Wicca from other practices that involve magic. This is a result of the increasing diversity in modern neopaganism, which was previously dominated by Wicca.

Theories of Neopagan witchcraft

Some neopagans believe that witchcraft exists as a way of doing good, and eschew any evil usages (See the Wiccan Rede and the Rule of Three (Wiccan)). Their belief is sometimes very similar to the belief of Christians in prayer, that the Divine will acknowledge and grant answers to a ritual given in a Deity's name. More often, however, modern neopagans believe that the power of witchcraft comes about primarily in the way it acts upon the person, not due to any divine intervention. Many neopagans, though, also believe that witchcraft is a way of working directly with divine forces.

Many neopagans believe that people are comprised of three selves. The three selves are the Talking Self (the conscious mind), the Younger Self (the unconscious mind) and the Higher Self (the Soul, also called the Divine Self). It is believed that the unconscious (Younger Self) is not capable of speaking or of understanding speech, but understands and responds to symbolism.

This is similar to the Eastern Christian trichotomy of soma, psyche, and nous, wherein the soma is the living body, psyche is the "mind" as we normally use the term, and nous is the faculty capable of apprehending the Divine. It differs from the neopagan model in that it assigns a place for the physical body in and of itself as part of a "whole" human being's spiritual existence.

Therefore, to many neopagans the power of a ritual is in the way its symbolism speaks to the Younger Self. Psychology has shown that beliefs have an effect on one's perception of reality, such as the placebo effect. Some neopagans believe that witchcraft is a way of tapping into those forces.

People who call themselves Neopagans are more likely to take this view. People who go by the term Wiccan are more likely to believe in divine action. Also, not all people who practice witchcraft consider themselves Wiccan or Neopagan, and vice versa.

WHO'S WHO Leaders & Legends of the witchcraft,and Pagan community

Cairril Adaire Founder and national coordinator for the pagan educational network (PEN) founded in 1993.Anarcho-Celtic solitary witch and dedicated to educating others about Paganism.Publisher of Water , PEN's Newsletter. Board member of the Wiccan Community Fund.

Margot Adler Author of the popular book Drawing Down the Moon (1979, revised edition 1986).

Lady Amethyst: [Born: Founded Tradition Amythystian in 1968. Tradition is rooted in the Order of the Garter, Order of the Royal Oak. Traditional with lots of Hermetic beliefs. Dedicated to preserving old traditions while growing into a new generation of enlightened ones. Teaches by example in daily life, at home and at work, as well as when among our own. Known through work and deeds. Believes in a strict code of ethics exemplified by one's actions and lives by the Wiccan Rede.

Victor Anderson Cofounder of the Faery Tradition of Wicca. Author of the Thorns of the Blood Rose, a book of Poetry related to witchcraft.

Clyde Anthony: Magickal- Wiccan name: Rajj. Writer Poet

Charles Arnold Arnold was a key figure in the Wicca legal battle for the decriminalzation, and wicca as a religion in Canada.

Paul V. Beyerl Wiccan priest, author, and educator. Founder of the Rowan Tree Church, the Mystery Scholl (teaching the Tradition of Lothiorien), The Unicorn Newsletter, The Hermit's Grove, the Hermit's Lantern, and the Unicorn Ensemble of Minneanapolis. Author of numerous books on the Craft. The Holy Books of the Devas, (1980, revised 1993) The Master of Herbalism (1984) A Wiccan Bardo (1989) Painless Astrology (1993) A Wiccan Reeder(1994).

Elenor "Rae" Bone - Another extremely important figure in wicca who was left off the list. She is listed as having been initiated before the repeal of the witchcraft act - a brave woman indeed. This woman lives in Cumbria last I heard and recently opened the "Occultide" series of evening lectures. Patricia Crowther should be able to help you put together a bio if you can't get someone in her downline to do so as I believe they are contemporaries.

Isaac Bonewits Druid Priest and Founder of the Aquarian Anti-Defamation League, Schismatic Druids of North America, Established the Druid Chronicler in 1978. Editor of Gnostica for one and a half years. Author of Real Magic (1971), The Druid Chronicles (Evolved).

Goldie Brown Pittsburgh Pagan Alliance ( coordinator and scribe), Fellowship of Isis, The Witch'sAnti-Defamation Laugue, Member Tuatha de Danaan (Elder), Publisher of Wyrd: Poetry Quarterly, previously published Rose Runes and Owlet

Raymond Buckland Founder of the Seax-Wica Tradition of Witchcraft. Initiated by Lady Olwen, the late Gerald Gardner's High Priestess. Established the first Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in the United States, and the Seax-Wica Seminary in Virgina. Buckland holds a doctorate in anthropology from Brantridge Forest College in Sussex, England. Author of numerous books on the Craft. A Pocket Guide to the Supernatural (1969), Witchcraft Ancient and Modern (1970), Practical Candleburning Rituals (1970), Mu Revealed (1970), Witchcraft from the Inside (1971), Tree the Complete Book of Saxon Witchcraft Here is the Occult (1974), Amazing Secrets of the Psychic World (1975), Anatomy of the Occult (1977), The Magic of Chant-o-Matics (1978), The Magick of Chant-O-Matics Practical Color Magic (1983), Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft (1986), Practical Candleburning Rituals The Buckland Gypsy Fortunetelling Deck . Secrets of Gypsy Fortunetelling Secrets of Gypsy Love Magick (Llewellyn's New Age Series) Scottish Witchcraft : The History and Magick of the Picts (Llewellyn's Modern Witchcraft Series) Doors to Other Worlds : A Practical Guide to Communicating With Spirits Practical Color Magick (Llewellyn's Practical Magick Series) Ray Buckland's Magic Cauldon (1995). The Buckland Gypsies' Domino Divination Deck/Domino Cards Witchcraft from the Inside : Origins of the Fastest Growing Religious Movement in America (Llewellyn's World Religion and Magic) Advanced Candle Magick : More Spells and Rituals for Every Purpose (Practical Magick Series)

Z. Budapest (Zsuzanna Budapest: Founder of the Feminist Dianor Wicca, Served as High Priestess of the Susab B Anthony Coven, and the Laughing Goddess Coven. Author of The Holy Book of Women Mysteries

Pauline and Dan Campanelli: Solitary Wiccan artists and authors. Author of numerous books on the Craft. Wheel of the Year: Living the Magickal Life (1989), Ancient Ways: Reclaiming Pagan Traditions (1991), Circles, Groves, and Sancutaries (1992), Rites of Passage: The Pagan Wheel of Life (1994), and Halloween Collectables (1995)

Joseph Campbell: [ born New York City in 1904 American author best known for his work in the field of comparative mythology. His information has shed light on the Pagan community postivley, he is a authors who have helped add valueable information to Pagan community, giving him a place as a Leagues for this List. Campbell's theory that all myths and epics are linked in the human psyche.

The Hero With a Thousand Faces (Bollingen Series XVII). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1949. Flight of the Wild Gander: Explorations in the Mythological Dimension. New York: Viking Press, 1969. The Masks of God (4 volumes). New York: The Viking Press, 1959-1968. Volume 1: Primitive Mythology (1959). Volume 2: Oriental Mythology (1962). Volume 3: Occidental Mythology (1964). Volume 4: Creative Mythology (1968). Myths to Live By. New York: Viking Press, 1972. The Mythic Image (Bollingen C). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1974. A Skeleton Key to Finnegans Wake. With Henry Morton Robinson. New York: Harcourt Brace & Company, 1944. Last edition published in 1983 by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. Currently out of print. The Inner Reaches of Outer Space: Metaphor As Myth and As Religion. New York, NY: Alfred van der Mark Editions, 1982. Tarot Revelations. With Richard Roberts. San Francisco: Alchemy Books, 1979, 1982. Transformations of Myth through Time. New York: HarperCollins, 1990. Mythic Worlds, Modern Words: On the Art of James Joyce. Ed. Edmund L. Epstein. New York: HarperCollins, 1993. Baksheesh and Brahman: Indian Journal 1954 - 1955. eds. Robin & Stephen LArsen and Antony Van Couvering. NY: HarperCollins, 1995. Historical Atlas of World Mythology (2 volumes, 5 parts), 1983-1989. Two volumes of a projected four volume series were completed by Campbell before his death. Volume 1: The Way of the Animal Powers. New York: Alfred van der Marck Editions, 1983 (first edition).Also: New York: Harper & Row, 1998. Part 1, Mythologies of the Primitive Hunters and Gatherers. Part 2, Mythologies of the Great Hunt. Volume 2: The Way of the Seeded Earth. New York: Harper & Row, 1988. Part 1, The Sacrifice. Part 2, Mythologies of the Primitive Planters: The Northern Americas. Part 3, Mythologies of the Primitive Planters:

Phil Catalano: Parapsychologist, Solitary practitioner (Celtic, Shamanic, Wiccan)

Susann Cobb: Wiccan name: Peri Wyrrd,She has worked for leading metaphyical book publishers. She is a member of Earth Drum Council, E.S.C. (EarthSpirit Community), Moonfire Women's Spirituality Circles.

Aleister (Alexander Edward) Crowley: [Born:12, 1875 in Leamington Spa, England, died in 1947

Arnold Crowther: [Born: October 07, 1009 Died May 01,1974) Author of numerous books on the Craft. Let's Put on a Show Linda and the Lollipop Man Yorkshire Customs Hex Certificate The Secrets of Ancient Withcraft coauthor with Patricia Crowther: The Witches Speak coauthor with Patricia Crowther:

Patricia Crowther: [Born: 1927 Author of numerous books on the Craft. Witchcraft in Yorkshire Witch Blood! Lid Off the Cauldron The Secrets of Ancient Withcraft coauthor with Arnold Crowther: The Witches Speak coauthor with Arnold Crowther:

Faan Culter She was on the Board of Directors of the The Church of Wicca, as Vice-.President and Director, a post she held for six years She is the owner of the magical garden, one of the oldest pagan/occult shops, in Washington State. Magical Faan does not advertise so she goes missing with resource books are printed, but She has had this shop for 17 years. Faan is a Reiki Minister and teacher.. Coordinator and leader of several large Pagan rituals annually in her local area of Seattle and Tacoma.

Scott Cummingham: Author of numerous books on the Craft. Magical Herbalism (1982), Earth Power (1983), Earth, Air, Fire, and Water: More Techniques of Natual Magic Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs (Llewellyn's Sourcebook Series) (Paperback - May 1985) The Magic of Incense, Oils, and Brews (1987), The Magical Household (1987), Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal,Gem and Metal Magic (1987), The Truth About Witchcraft Today (1988), Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner (1988),

Living Wicca : A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner (Llewellyn's Practical Magick) (Paperback - December 1993)

A. J. Drew: he's fairly new on the book circuit, but certainly a teacher and community witch worthy of respect and inclusion.

Gerina Dunwich: Neo-Classical Witchcraft. She is the founder and director of The Wheel of Wisdom School. Author of numerous books on the Craft. Candlelight Spell The Magick of Candleburning The Concise Lexicon of the Occult Circle of Shadows Wicca Craft The Secrets of Love Magick Magick Potions : How to Prepare and Use Homemade Incense, Oils, Aphordisacs, and Much More -- [Paperback The Wicca Spellbook : A Witch's Collection of Wiccan Spells, Potions,and Recipes -- Paperback 1994 The Wicca book of Days The Wicca Garden Words of the Cosmic Winds The Wicca Source Book The Pagan Book of Halloween : A Complete Guide to the Magic, Incantations, Recipes, Spells, and Lore -- [ Paperback Candle Spells: The Modern Witch's Book Of Spellcasting, Feasting And Natural Healing Wicca A To Z: A Complete Guide To The Magickal World

Reed Morgan Dunwich: Writer, poet, her articles has appeared in many Craft Journals. and publisher of the Silver Pentagram, A Witchcraft journal. Founder of the Northern Star Coven. The Order of the Crystal Moon, and the Pagan Poets Society, Member of the Wiccan/Pagan Press Alliance,

Arthur Evans: Author of "Witchcraft and the Gay Counterculture". still in print after two decades. "The God of Ecstasy" c1988

Jenet Farrar: Coauthor of numerous books on the Craft with her husband Stewart Farrar

Stewart Farrar: [Born: 28 June 28, 1916, at 239 Winchester Road, Highams Park, Walthamstow, in what is now the London borough of Waltham Forest. Died: February 07, 2000] Eight Sabbats for Witches published in 1981. The Witches Way (1984). The Witches Goddess (1987) The Life and Times of a Modern Witch (1987); The Witches God (1989) Spells and How They Work (1990). The Pagan Path (1995) The Healing Craft (1999).

Ed Fitch: Wiccan/Pagan authors and teachers, founder of Pagan Way and author of books on Norse Religion, and the famous Grimoire of the Shadows and performs as the male leader of the coven. Author of numerous books on the Craft. Castle of Deception : A Novel of Sorcery and Swords and Other-Worldly Matters, With Seven Short Essays on the Reality of Matters Supernatural) The Outer Cout Book of Shadows and Magical Rites From the Crystal Well Magical Rites from the Crystal Well ~ The Rites of Odin (Llewellyn's Teutonic Magick Series) ~ A Grimoire of Shadows : Witchcraft, Paganism & Magic ~

Selena Fox: Psychotherapist, teacher, writer, and priestess. She is founder and co-executive director of Circle Sanctuary, an international Nature Spirituality resource center headquartered on a 200 acre Nature preserve in southwestern Wisconsin, USA. Wiccan Shamanism Tradition Founded by Selena Fox in the 1980's. Ecumenical and multicultural focus.Combination of Wicca, humanistic psychology and a variety of shamanistic practices from around the world. Emphasis on healing. Uses traditional shamanistic techniques to change consciousness, such as drumming and ecstatic dancing. author of Goddess Communion Rituals and Meditations and When Goddess is God

Carolyn Frances: Artist, Poet, Composer

Gavin Frost: Cofounder of the Church and School of Wicca Coauthor of numerous books on the Craft with his wife Yvonne.

Magic Power Of White Witchcraft: Revised For The Millennium"  Joint Author Frost, Yvonne
Revised Edition//Paperback  Publication Date: July 1999

Good Witch's Bible by Gavin Frost, Yvonne Frost (Paperback - December 1999) The Witch's Magical Handbook by Gavin Frost, Yvonne Frost (Paperback - October 2000) Astral Travel by Yvonne Frost (Contributor), Gavin Frost (Paperback - October 1986) The Magic Power of White Witchcraft: Enjoy a life of profound happiness, unbelievable riches, and long-lasting love with the secrets of white witchcraft. by Gavin Frost, et al (Paperback) Tantric Yoga : The Royal Path to Raising Kundalini Power by Gavin Frost, et al (Paperback - August 1990) Witch Words by Gavin Frost (Editor) (Paperback - June 1992) Meta-Psychometry : Key to Power & Abundance by Gavin Frost (Paperback - February 1993) Who Speaks for the Witch by Gavin Frost (Paperback - February 1992) Helping yourself with astromancy by Gavin Frost --Out of Print-- Meta-psychometry : key to power and abundance by Gavin Frost --Out of Print-- Power Secrets from a Sorcerer's Private Magnum Arcanum by Gavin. Frost --Out of Print-- The Prophet's Bible by Gavin Frost, Yvonne Frost -- Out of Print-- A witch's grimoire of ancient omens, portents, talismans, amulets, and charms by Gavin Frost --Out of Print-- The Mariner's Manual by S. Gavin Frost --Out of Print-- A Witch's Grimoire of Ancient Omens, Portents, Talismans, Amulets, and Charms by Gavin Frost, Y. Frost --Out of Print-- The witch's bible by Gavin Frost --Out of Print-- Astral travel by Gavin Frost --Out of Print--

Yvonne Frost: Cofounder of the Church and School of Wicca Coauthor of numerous books on the Craft with her husband Gavin.

Gerald Brosseau Gardner: [Born June 13, 1884 in Grear Crosby on Merseyside in northwest England. Died February 12, 1964, on a cruise ship the coast of North Africa. "Witch Laws" was finally repealed in England in 1951 Witchcraft Today, was published, shortly after the repeal of the law against Witchcraft.Gardner was the founder, of Gardnerian Wicca Traditions. During his retirement, Gardner was also the founder of the Museum of Magic and Witchcraft, formerly on the Isle of Man. author of Witchcraft Today "The Meaning of Witchcraft" Introduction by Dr. Leo Louis Martello

Judy Grahn: Author of "Another Mother Tongue

Ellen Evert Hopman: Magickal Name: Willow. master herbalist and lay homeopath who holds a master of education degree in mental health and counceling. She is a Bard of the Gorsedd of Caer Abiri in Avebury, England; vice-president of Keltria, the International Druid Fellowship; and a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild. Author of People of the Earth The New Pagans Speak Out Tree Medicine Tree Magic A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year Mailing Address: PO Box 219; Amherst, Massachusets 01004.

Ralph Harvey: - I don't know much about this person except he was close to Doreen Valiente and likely one of her original coven. He has done an extreme amount of research right back to the Pickingill 7 or 9 covens - one of which was the New Forest coven Gardner got in to. He is apparently quite well known in the UK craft community but being Canadian, I stand blissfully ignorant of his significance however by his attendance at the funeral of Doreen Valiente he is likely very important.

Harry Hay: Born April 7, 1912, in England, 1912 died on Thursday October 24, 2002 at 01:42 PM at age 90. He was one of the founding members of the Mattachine Society in 1948, the first gay rights organization in this United States, in the 1950s, and several years ago helped with the founding of another gay organization, the Radical Faeries in 1979. "Father of the Gay Rights Movement" This is one man who made it possible for millions to live in freedom and with self-respect. He launched the publication R.F.D. in 1974

Helen Duncan: British Spiritualist, in 1944 under the Witchcraft Act of 1735, Duncan was charged with witchcraft. Her case attrcting the attenion of Winston Churchill who was angered by the trial, Churchill call for a report, acting why was the Witchcraft Act of 1735, was used in a modern court of justice. The 1944 report to Winston Churchill, open the way for Parliament in 1951 to repealed Witchcraft Act of 1735.

Jade: Cofounder of the Re-formed Congregation og the Goddess Author of "To Know: A Guide to Women's Magic and Spirituality

Rik Johnson: Gardnerian Wiccan and High Priest of the Desert Henge Coven. First and Second Degree Gardnerian, Third Degree Tradional (done by an Alexandrian but not an Alexandrian Elevation); seeking Third Degree Gardnerian. Won civil rights victory by forcing the Air Force to list his religion as Wicca. Author of Theology of Witchcraft .

Anodea Judith: Founder and Director of Lifeways, charter member of Forever Forests, president of the Church of all Worlds. Author of Wheels of Life A User's Guide to the Chakras (1987)

G.M. Kelly: Author of Grimm Justice A Mythological Western Sin of the Flesh

Sybil Leek: [Born February 22, 1917 in Stoke-on Trent, England. Died October 26, 1982 in Melbourne, Florida. Her psychic predictions of the Kennedy assassinatons, and the election of Richard M. Nixon as president of the United States are documented. author of over 60 books on the Craft A Ring of Magic Islands by Sybil Leek, Stephen Leek (Hardcover - June 1976) Sybil Leek's Book of Curses -- Out of Print-- Tomorrow's Headlines Today. -- Out of Print-- Zodiac of Love. --Out of Print-- The tree that conquered the world by Sybil Leek --Out of Print-- The night voyagers : you and your dreams --Out of Print--

Esp--The Magic Within You.  --Out of Print--Limited Availability

Diary of a witch by Out of Print-- 1968 Astrological guide to the presidential candidates --Out of Print-- Star Speak : Your Body Language from the Stars --Out of Print--- Sybil Leek's Book of the curious and the occult -- Out of Print-- Inside Bellevue--Out of Print-- Sybil Leek's Book of Herbs Out of Print--Limited Availability Telepatia --Out of Print-- Your Homemade Greenhouse and How to Build It--Out of Print-- The Sybil Leek Book of Fortune Telling.-- Out of Print-- Driving Out the Devils--Out of Print--Limited Availability Numerology; The Magic of Numbers. Out of Print--Limited Availability Moon Signs--Out of Print-- The Story of Faith Healing.-- Out of Print-- My life in astrology-- Out of Print-- Astrology and Love--Out of Print-- The Assassination Chain-- Out of Print-- The astrological guide to financial success--Out of Print-- Sybil Leek's book of herbs-- Out of Print-- The Night Voyagers : You and Your Dreams -- Out of Print-- How to Be Your Own Astrologer --Out of Print-- Herbs : Medicine and Mysticism --Out of Print-- Complete Art of Witchcraft --Out of Print-- Phrenology. --Out of Print--Limited Availability Sybil Leek's astrological guide to successful everyday living --Out of Print-- The Sybil Leek book of fortunetelling -- Out of Print--Limited Availability Sybil Leek on exorcism : driving out the devils -- Out of Print--Limited Availability Telepathy : The Respectable Phenomenon -- Out of Print--Limited Availability The assassination chain--Out of Print-- Reincarnation : The Second Chance --Out of Print--Limited Availability Sybil Leeks Astrological Guide to Successful Everyday Living - Out of Print-- Bicycle: That Curious Invention by Sybil Leek, Stephen Leek --Out of Print-- Astrology and Love -- Out of Print-- Sybil Leek's Book of Herbs-- Out of Print--

Dr. Leo Louis Martello: Dr. Martello founded the "Witches Anti-Defamation League", later renamed the "Witches Anti-Discrimination Lobby" (WADL), as one of the first Witch and Pagan Civil Rights organizations in the USA. Dr. Martello was activist for both Pagan Civil Rights and the Gay Rights Civil Movement. Martello hold a doctor of divinity degree from the National Congress of Spiritual Consultants, is an ordined Minister (Spirtual Independants, nonsectarian), and served as pastor of the Temple of Spiritual Guidance from 1955 to 1960. He also held a "Witch-in" in New York's Central Park on Samhain 1970. author of numerous books on the Craft Witchcraft the Old Religion (Paperback - April 1987) Black Magic Satanism and Voodoo Understanding the Tarot It's Written in the Cards What it Means to Be a Witch Weird Ways of Witchcraft It's Written in the Stars Curses in Verses Witches' Liberation and Practical Guide to With Covens Your Pen Personality The Hidden World of Hypnotism Reading the Tarot (Paperback - May 1990)

Leila Moon: Writes horoscopes for craft periodical

Karin Muller: Licensed minister, licenced practical nurse, and ceromonialist-Shaman. Coordinator and leader of several large Pagan rituals annually in her local area. Founder of the Full Circle Center for Spiritual and Community Development. Publisher of Anamnesia serving the Pagan community of Massachusets and beyond.

John Opsopaus: [Born: Magical Name: Apolonius Sophistes. He maintains several Worldwide web sites devoted to Neo-Paganism, and the occult. Solitary Practitioner of the Hellenic Tradition. Member of the Church of all Worlds, Ar nDraiocht Fein, and OTO. Maintains Runs the Omphalos networking service for Neo-Pagans following Greek and Roman traditions.

Pete Pathfinder: [Born: Co-founder and Publisher of the journal Panegyria. In 1985 he served as public information officer for the Covenant of the Goddess. Originated Dial-a Pagan telephone information service (206-LA-PAGAN).Founder of both the Aquarian Tabernacle Church and the Center for Non-Traditional Religion.

John Bellham-Payne - Now living in Spain but I'm sure a bio with birth and death could be ferreted up. The person who was with Doreen Valiente at the end and who inherited all her witchy items and more. He has now undertaken the task with two other British Witches to create a museum and study hall of witchcraft which will house artifacts of Doreen Valiente and several other witches. He went through a heck of a lot of flak from pagans in the UK and elsewhere who felt it their right to challenge his inheritance and he soldiered through it all, still committed to creating this museum. His contribution continues as does his commitment.

Lee Prosser: Founder of the Oneness Center for Spiritual Living. Solitary practitioner of Shamanism and Vedanta legally- recognized Interfaith minister, member of the Pagan PoetsSociety.

Samuel Liddell Mathers founder of the Heretic Order of the Golden Dawn. In 1903 Mathers, initiated Aleister Crowly into the higher levels of the Heretic Order of the Golden Dawn, over the objections of the London officers.

Silver Ravenwolf: Clan Head of the Temple of the Morrighan Triskele (Third-degree initiates and elders Black Forrest Tradition, founded 1991), Director of International Wiccan/Pagan Press Alliance, Witches Anti-Discrimination League. author of numerous books on the Craft To Ride a Silver Broomstick: New Generation Witchcraft Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / May 1993 HexCraft: Dutch Country Magick / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / April 1995 Beneath a Mountain Moon Silver RavenWolf / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / June 1995 To Stir a Magick Cauldron: A Witch's Guide to Casting and Conjuring / Paperback / LlewellynPublications / January 1996 Angels: Companions in Magick / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / October 1996 The Rune Oracle Kit: The Runes' Inner Mysteries / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / October 1996 Wheels of Life: A User's Guide to the Chakra System Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / July 1987 Teen Witch: Wicca for a New Generation / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / September 1998 American Folk Magick: Charms, Spells and Herbals / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / December 1998 To Light a Sacred Flame: Practical Witchcraft for the Millennium / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / January 1999 Silver's Spells for Prosperity / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / May 1999 Witches Runes: Insights from the Old European Magickal Traditions / Llewellyn Publications / April 1999 Halloween: Spells, Recipes and Customs / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / September 1999 Witches' Night Out / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / May 2000 Silver's Spells for Protection / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / March 2000 Teen Witch Kit: Everything You Need to Make / Llewellyn Publications / August 2000 Murder at Witches' Bluff: A Novel of Suspense and Magick / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / October 2000 Hechizos Para la Prosperidad / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / December 2000 Silver's Spells for Love / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / January 2001 Witches' Night of Fear / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / February 2001 Witches' Key to Terror Silver RavenWolf / Mass Market Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / May 2001 Hechizos Para la Proteccion / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / May 2001 Llewellyn's 1994 Magical Almanac / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / August 1993 Llewellyn's 1995 Magical Almanac / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / August 1994 Llewellyn's 1996 Magical Almanac / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / August 1995 Llewellyn's 1997 Magical Almanac / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications / August 1996 Llewellyn's 1998 Magical Almanac / Paperback / Llewellyn Publications /August 1997

Alex Sanders: In the 1960 Alex Sanders rose to fame in the 1960, founding a major wiccan tradition bearing his name: the Alexandrian trdition. Sanders was a gifted psychic, that follow the left-hand path and use magic to bring him wealth and power. Like Aleister Crowley, Sander use ritual masturbation, and sexual ritual with both men and women

Deirdre Sargent: Co-Editor of Pagan Digest Solitary Wiccan and member of Wolf Head's Coven (formed 1993). First Officer Educational Society for Pagans, Elder-at-large Covenant of the Goddess (National Board).

Robert Owen Scott, Jr: Friends call him Wizard, He is a writer, poet, a gifted psychic, and activist for both, Pagan Civil Rights and the Gay Rights Civil Movement, he maintains several webpage's devoted to Neo-Paganism, occult gay spirituality, and a Gay Slang Dictionary. This was the first gay Dictionary to be posted to the Internet, earnings Mr. Scott a place in our history. On January 23, 1973 Scott was granted an doctor of divinity degree from the Universal Life Church, On April 26, 1976 theChurch of Universal Brotherhood, Honorary Doctor Divinity Degree. He founded The Church of Wicca on June 4, 1992 in the State of Washington. He also founded the Tradition "The Golden Faeries-- Sons and Daughter of the New Moon." {as known as wizards tradition, is a gay and lesbian tradition.} Coordinator and leader of several large Pagan rituals annually in his local area of Seattle and Tacoma . Under Tony Byers, Washington State director, of WARD Mr. Scott acted as the, for Witches Against Religious Discrimination, in the Seattle and Tacoma and the surrounding South Sound area.Witches Against Religious Discrimination In October of 1998, Christine Craft, Darla Kaye Wynne and Khristine Annwn Page formed the board of National Directors of Witches Against Religious Discrimination Inc. as a non-profit. Mr. Scott has done interviews on radio, television and news papers.

Lady Sheba: Famous "witch queen" and psychic. Born in to a family whose religious and magickal link to the Craft spanned seven generations. She was introduced to the Old Religion by her grandmother and initiated as a witch in the 1930's. Founder of the American Order of the Brotherhood of Wicca. Author of The Grimoire of Lady Sheba (Llewellyn, 1971) The Book of Shadows (1971). The Magick Grimoire (1974)

Herman Slater: [Born: ?????? Died: July 09,1992 Magickal name: Govannan. Wiccan High Priest and public advocate of the craft. Slater hosted a weekly cable television show called The Magickal Mystery Tour which aired in Manhattan in 1987. Author of Book Of Pagan Rituals / Publisher: Samuel Weiser Inc Publication Date: December 1978 The Magickal Formulary, Magickal Formulary II.

Diane Stein: one of the most recognized voices in the Women's Spirituality Movement. author of several books including The Natural Remedy Book for Women, Casting the Circle, The Goddess Book of Days (1988).

Ancient Healing Art / Paperback / Crossing Press, Inc., The / April 1995 Reliance on the Light: Psychic Protection with the Lords of Karma and the Goddess / Paperback / Crossing Press, Inc., The / March 2001 Healing with Gemstones and Crystals / Paperback / Crossing Press, Inc., The / November 1996 Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats/ Diane Stein,Amy Sibiga (Illustrator) /Paperback / Crossing Press, Inc., The /April 1993 Reiki Esencial / Paperback / Downtown Book Center, Inc. / August 1996 We Are the Angels: Healing from the Lords of Karma / Paperback / Crossing Press, Inc., The / September 1997

Essential Energy Balancing/ Paperback / Crossing Press, Inc., The / March 2000