Here is a book that brings witchcraft out of the shadows. The Triumph of the Moon is the first full-scale study of the only religion England has ev...
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Dec 17, 2009
Ruth
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The true history of modern Wicca. Deeply academic yet totally fascinating, Ronald Hutton here turns his considerable historical expertise to unraveling the roots of Britain's only home-grown religion. No, it's not 30,000 years old, and yes, Gerald Gardener did fudge a lot of things. But Hutton argues persuasively that Wicca's origins do go beyond Gardener, for he was influenced not only by Hinduism (he'd been a civil servant in India) but by a diverse collection of sources: Romantic literature,
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Jun 12, 2007
Ken
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I can't give a clear recommendation for this book.
It seems to be rather fixated on refuting an absolute connection from old pagan religion towards neopaganism. On the very narrow line the author follows that refutation can be justified, and for that I suppose it has some use.
On the other hand it tends to ignore broader connections that are the source of some of the revivification of older religions. Traditional dances, carnivals that have figures associated with pagan More...
It seems to be rather fixated on refuting an absolute connection from old pagan religion towards neopaganism. On the very narrow line the author follows that refutation can be justified, and for that I suppose it has some use.
On the other hand it tends to ignore broader connections that are the source of some of the revivification of older religions. Traditional dances, carnivals that have figures associated with pagan More...
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Dec 12, 2008
Cwn_annwn_13
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Hutton more or less aproached the book as an unbiased historian instead of going out of his way to critique Wicca. Although just stating the facts in itself makes wicca look silly. I'd recomend reading this book. As much as I dislike Wicca the history and evolution of it is interesting.
Wiccas roots are in freemasonry, crowleyish occult b.s and well meaning but flawed writers like Yeats, Frazer and Graves. Once you get past where its roots lie it gets even worse. Wicca has absolutely More...
Wiccas roots are in freemasonry, crowleyish occult b.s and well meaning but flawed writers like Yeats, Frazer and Graves. Once you get past where its roots lie it gets even worse. Wicca has absolutely More...
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Apr 20, 2008
Dfordoom
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Ronald Hutton’s The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft turned out to be a fascinating read. I found the first half especially interesting, where he traced the various strands – such as the revival of ritual magic, Theosophy, the increasing interest in ancient paganism, the survival of traditional magical practices like charms – emerged during the nineteenth century and then came together in the 20th to form what was effectively a new religion. The second half then traces
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Jul 28, 2011
If one wishes to practice the craft then it makes sense that one should learn the history of the craft. Wicca was introduced by Gerald Gardener in the mid to late 1950's shortly after Britain repealed their anti-witchcraft laws. Gardener claimed that he became initiated into a coven in North Forrest England. His claims are subject to dispute.
Prior to him introducing Wicca, Gerald Gardner was a member of the Mason and he was a member of Ordo Templis Orientales, Aleister Crowley's organization. Mr More...
Prior to him introducing Wicca, Gerald Gardner was a member of the Mason and he was a member of Ordo Templis Orientales, Aleister Crowley's organization. Mr More...
Apr 05, 2010
R.
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I loved this book. It took me quite awhile to get through it, but I thought the effort well worthwhile as an aid to any seeker inclined toward paganism or wicca. Even though the book focuses on paganism as practiced in Britain and northern Europe, its reasoning is universal in nature. Only the examples and history are specific.
However, this book is not for everybody. Hutton is an academician, a history professor to be exact, and his book is a study of paganism from a historical persp More...
However, this book is not for everybody. Hutton is an academician, a history professor to be exact, and his book is a study of paganism from a historical persp More...
Apr 25, 2011
Helena
rated it:
As a scholarly book written by a professional historian, I did not expect to ‘swallow this book whole’, but I was mistaken. The Triumph of the Moon exceeded its already lofty reputation for me as it wove a rich tapestry of the sociocultural context from which modern pagan witchcraft emerged. Hutton presents a detailed overview of historical movements and shifts in ideology, which set the precedence for the pagan revival of the 1950’s. He gently but firmly breaks down the myth that modern day Pag
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Jul 28, 2011
Sarah
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This is an awesome book. It gives the history of modern paganism, with a particular focus on Gardnerian and Alexandrian traditions, and the cultural forces that precursed them. For a scholarly text, is is extremely easy to read and Hutton puts his own wry wit into numerous examples. He is also extremely respectful of the beliefs of current Wiccans and Pagans, and never uses the historical fallacies or irregularities to discredit the religion. His final chapter, where he synthesizes his findin
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Feb 20, 2011
Ryver
rated it:
I think this is a book anyone getting into modern pagan witchcraft/Wicca should read. It certain dispells a lot of the misinformation floating about, connecting the changing cultural ideals of the late 19th/early 20th century to the formation of groups such as the Freemasons, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.) - all of which had some contribution to what later became known as Wicca.
I found this book also places a lot of common modern pagan tradi More...
I found this book also places a lot of common modern pagan tradi More...
Jul 28, 2011
Derek
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A proper history of paganism, wicca etc. Exposes all the wanky claims of wicca's timelessness - given that what most people call paganism was invented by Gerald Gardner et al in the last 100 years. None of which makes paganism invalid, or pagans frauds, but they need to be careful about some of their claims and all this skyclad dancing around in stone circles is a bit lame really and makes you want to punch them. Recommended to me by Sally: "Hi I'm Sally. I'm a witch" "Um, ok, nic
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Mar 18, 2011
Wishmaster
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The first half of the book is incredibly dry and hard to get into. Things liven up (comparitively anyway) in the second part and this is where it becomes very interesting.
I can understand why Ronald Hutton came under fire for his quite constricted presentation of the provenance of Wicca. There are hints of there being much more to the story, but without definitive evidence, he either sits on the fence and says maybe, or dismisses things that really deserved more attention.
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I can understand why Ronald Hutton came under fire for his quite constricted presentation of the provenance of Wicca. There are hints of there being much more to the story, but without definitive evidence, he either sits on the fence and says maybe, or dismisses things that really deserved more attention.
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Dec 22, 2010
Hermgirl
rated it: 
I liked this book, and didn't like it.
I like that the connections with antiquity are found in classic literature, such as Byron, Shelly, and Swinburne, rather than insisting on connection with some kind of lineage that goes back to ancients. I have a theory that while there was "a witchcraft" in pretty much every religion and culture throughout history, Wicca itself, and by extension most modern paganism, is a modern invention of many different things taken from different pl More...
I like that the connections with antiquity are found in classic literature, such as Byron, Shelly, and Swinburne, rather than insisting on connection with some kind of lineage that goes back to ancients. I have a theory that while there was "a witchcraft" in pretty much every religion and culture throughout history, Wicca itself, and by extension most modern paganism, is a modern invention of many different things taken from different pl More...
Dec 29, 2010
Adriane
rated it:
This is a wonderful and informative book, but it is incredibly dense, took me about 6 months to finish cause I had to keep re-reading passages to absorb everything. I think I need to read it again, because I don't remember it as well now, it's been a few years. Actually I got kicked out of an online club because I said Aleister Crowley is interesting due to the info in this book. That group was stupid anyway.
May 08, 2010
Gregory
rated it: 
This book comes across as a scholarly book, and therefor, trustworthy in its accuracy. However, this is not the case. Hutton makes a great many assertions that are just plain false, and easily proved so.
The underlying goal of this book seems to be to conduct a "character assassination" on an entire movement.
Fortunately, author Raven Grimassi has taken on Hutton's inaccuracies in several of his books.
The underlying goal of this book seems to be to conduct a "character assassination" on an entire movement.
Fortunately, author Raven Grimassi has taken on Hutton's inaccuracies in several of his books.
Feb 26, 2011
Christine
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Even after years of practicing the pagan religion, I found this book to be very useful in further understanding the history of the religion I follow. Hutton does an incredible job of delving into the past of a religion that is deeply hidden in shadow. Not only does he find details that have been previously hidden or misunderstood, but he collects them in a way that allows the reader to fully comprehend it all. I feel that I am walking away from this book with a far deeper knowledge of not only t
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Feb 16, 2010
Electric
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A really good book on the making of the wicca movement in England and the US writen by an english historian. A little dry at times but very well researched. If you want to know how religion in general is constructed, get this one.
Oct 31, 2011
Kari
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This book is itself a triumph! Extremely informative and interesting, Hutton presents to the reader a extremely detailed and thoroughly researched insight into a part of English history that had an impact that spread across the world. Modern paganism is one of the fastest growing religions in today's society and through Hutton's work it is possible to trace it back to it's origins and the role of the key figures that helped it take on the shape it has today. Dispelling the myths and showing the
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Jul 12, 2008
David
rated it:
Terribly interesting to read in it's own right, this book will level the head of any new neo-pagans and aspiring witches. Follow it up with "Drawing Down the Moon" and you'll have your spiritual cap screwed on tight enough to withstand the sea of occult books out there that seek to do little beyond part you with your money. I wish this book was around when I was a teen. This isn't to say I wish I hadn't become a pagan or that I regret any of my past. But a scholarly shot in the ar
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Oct 16, 2008
Heather
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This is the most important Witchcraft book ever. I mean, once you've read all the pretty pseudo-histories and herstories that this book turns into lovely fairy tales. Every single religious movement, occult organization, art trend, anthropologiist mistake and more that went into the Gerald Gardner creating Wicca is documented brilliantly! It's worth the read for non-Pagans just to learn about things such as the Freemasons. The writer is an English scholar, but it's a fun read while your brai
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Jan 11, 2011
Kerr
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Excellent history of the origins of modern Wicca. I highly recommend it!
Apr 12, 2009
Trunatrschild
rated it:
Well written, as historically accurate as the author could make it with his point of view and really, a tough read... good to read, but an ordeal.
Sep 09, 2007
Attrice
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A must-read for anyone interested in Wicca or Neo-Paganism. Somewhat dense and academic, but not a difficult read. Hutton explores the various elements that went into the creation of Wicca, from various guild rituals to theosophy and the Golden Dawn. He pretty easily strikes down the myth of an ancient unbroken lineage for Wicca, but still argues for its inclusion among legitimate and useful spiritual paths.
Dec 01, 2007
Joshua
rated it:
An interesting look at the neo-pagan revival movement's origins. Who knew that Romanticism would be the unintended half parent of what looks to be one of the fastest growing "religions" in America? Scholarly in tone (so occasionally dense) it can be a bear to get through. Fortunately, it is organized by chapters so you English freaks can skip to the chapters regarding romanticism and go from there.
