Celebrating Gerald Gardner
Updated: Apr 13, 2021
Today I am celebrating Gerald Brosseau Gardner (June 13, 1884 – February 12, 1964). Gerald is considered the father of the Witchcraft Revival by many, he is responsible for the proliferation of what is today known as Wicca/Wica. Gardnerians today still recite their Witch lineage back to him.
GERALD'S LIFE
Here is an attempt at a simple timeline. It is possible some of these dates are approximations and I tried to make note of that where applicable.
1884, June 13: Born in Blundellsands, Lancashire
1900: Moved to Ceylon
1911: Moved to Malaya
1927, August 16: Married Dorothea Frances Rosedale, known as Donna
1936: Gerald published his first book "Keris and Other Malay Weapons"
1938-39: Involvement with the Rosicrucian Order
1939: Gerald joined the Folk-Lore Society
1939: Gerald published his second book "A Goddess Arrives"
1938-44: Involvement with the New Forest Coven
1945: Moved to London
1946 (approx): Gerald founded the Bricket Wood Coven
1947: Introduced to Aleister Crowley, the ceremonial magician who founded Thelema, and was elevated to the IV degree of the Ordo Templi Orientis as well as issued with an O.T.O. Charter
1949: Gerald published his third book "High Magic's Aid"
1953: Initiation of Doreen Valiente
1954: Gerald was the owner of the "The Museum of Magic and Witchcraft" on the Isle of Man after buying it from Cecil Williamson
1954: Gerald published his fourth book "Witchcraft Today"
1959: Gerald published his fifth and final book "the Meaning of Witchcraft"
1960: Gardner's official biography, entitled "Gerald Gardner: Witch" was published, written by Idres Shah