Today is the anniversary of the greater feast (death day) of Gerald B. Gardner. Gerald Gardner was the originator and synthesizer of initiatory Wicca. He was also a prominent Thelemite, and initiate of the OTO. Affectionately referred to as the grandfather of Wicca, no one has had a more significant influence on the Western esoteric tradition, and the face of Paganism as this man.
Occasionally I come across a self professed Wiccan who honestly doesnt know who Gerald Gardner was, and I realise the importance in acknowledging, celebrating and sharing our spiritual ancestors (as well as our hereditary ones).
For those interested in learning more about Gerald Gardner, his life and work, a two volume biography entitled Witchfather, written by Philip Heselton, has recently been released.
On this day I remember, and in the ancestral memory burn all those who have come before.
In the words of the freemasons (and adapted by Wicca),
Happy to meet, and sad to part, and merry to meet again.
Thank you for this post, honouring Gardner. :)
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