Featured Academic Review
`Wiccan Roots: Gerald Gardner and the Modern Witchcraft Revival' by Philip Heselton, (Capall Bann Publishing, 2003) ISBN 186163110-3
There are so few secondary sources for the academic study of Wicca, that each contribution must be viewed as groundbreaking. Philip Heselton's research, given in `Wiccan Roots', genuinely presents new and vital evidence regarding the origin of modern Wicca.
Heselton builds upon the work of Doreen Valiente, in investigating and proving the existence of the New Forest coven, alluded to by Gardnerian sources. In an appendix to the Farrar's `The Witches' Way', Valiente had established not only that `Old Dorothy' was Dorothy St Quintin Fordham (nee Clutterbuck), but also that she did exist in the time and location that Gardner had placed her. She provided birth, marriage and death certificates, and also independent anecdotal evidence that confirmed details, such as her habitual wearing of a pearl necklace.
Heselton's research adds a vast wealth of further information about Dorothy Clutterbuck, painstakingly collating the most minutiae of primary sources. His sources include the deeds to her house, her diaries or `calendars', a photograph, the oral evidence of those who had known or been related to her, and his own narrative based on a visit to her home. However this constitutes only a single chapter in a book which affords a similar treatment to many other contemporary associates of Gardner, including an investigation into the nature of the societies which he joined in the New Forest.
His final contribution is an attempt to uncover the true identities of those witches referred to, by Gardner, only by their craft names. He provides evidence that Edith Woodford-Grimes was the identity behind `Dafo', the High Priestess who initiated Gardner and remained in contact with him after the publication of his books on witchcraft. Mabel Beasant-Scott is revealed to be `Mabs', the lady whom the coven followed into the New Forest; while members of Southampton's Mason family are believed to form the core of the coven itself. Heselton finally suggests a couple of candidates as those who died during the magical Battle of Britain performed to thwart Operation Sealion.
The emphasis throughout is on what Gardner actually said or wrote, rather than on the mythology or assumptions that have sprung up in the fifty years since `Witchcraft Today' was published. Heselton's methodology is sometimes unconventional and not acceptable by academic standards, for example, mediumship, trust in intuition and memory of past lives. However, he never states as absolutely factual the evidence provided by these methods and, where possible, he attempts to verify these in a more conventional fashion. He clearly illustrates what is speculation and what is proven fact; also highlighting where more research is necessary before the issue in question might be considered proved.
Heselton's sources are many and varied, relying almost solely on primary sources. This is also a case of necessity, as there are very few secondary sources to utilize, though, where research has previously been done, he has addressed the arguments and incorporated the evidence. This deficiency in secondary sources is an issue which he acknowledges,
`The main reason for writing this book was that there was nothing published that covered the subject matter in the level of detail that I desired.' (pg 324)
His main literary sources are therefore Gardner's own books and those written by those he initiated, primarily Doreen Valiente, Patricia Crowther and Lois Bourne, or those claiming contemporary witchcraft independently of Gardner, mainly Sybil Leek; and the academic studies conducted by Prof Ronald Hutton and Dr Aidan Kelly. Further written evidence is provided from the columns of the earliest pagan quarterlies, in particular Michael Howard's `The Cauldron' and from works in progress, like Gareth Medway's `The Origins of Wicca'. Original evidence is provided from a trawl through issues of the `Christchurch Times', the local newspaper in Gardner's home village of Highcliffe. Heselton does warn about reading any of the primary sources uncritically. (pg 324)
`Wiccan Roots' is a valuable contribution to the historical study of modern Wicca. It is fully referenced and delivered in an enjoyable, easily read 308 pages. Highly recommended.
Reviewer: Mab
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