Where Witchcraft Lives

by Doreen Valiente

This classic little book should be treated as an historical document. Doreen Valiente, High Priestess and partner of Gerald Gardner presents many folklore and witchcraft practices hitherto consigned to a hidden world. Describing herself as a 'student of witchcraft' she never stopped investigating her own craft, and is now rightly known as the mother of modern witchcraft. The Centre For Pagan Studies releases this paper back edition with the help of Prof Ronald Hutton, Brighton Museum and Sussex Archaeological Society.

Genres: Witchcraft, Wicca, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Magic, Occult, Folklore

146 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Doreen Edith Dominy Valiente was an influential English Wiccan who was involved in a number of different early traditions, including Gardnerian Wicca, Cochrane's Craft and the Coven of Atho. Responsible for writing much of the early Gardnerian religious liturgy, in later years she also helped to play a big part in bringing the Neopagan religion of Wicca to wider public attention through the publication of a string of books on the subject.
Having been born in south London, she first became involved in the Craft after being initiated into the Gardnerian tradition in 1953 in a ceremony performed by Gerald Gardner.
Subsequently becoming the High Priestess of his Bricket Wood coven, she helped him to produce many important scriptural texts for Wicca, such as “The Witches Rune” and the “Charge of the Goddess”, which were incorporated into the early Gardnerian Book of Shadows.
Splitting off to form her own coven in 1957, she went on to work with Robert Cochrane in his coven, the Clan of Tubal Cain, till the mid 1960s when she began working as a solitary practitioner. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s she penned a number of books on the subject of Wicca - which she always called "witchcraft" – including “An ABC of Witchcraft” (1973) and “Witchcraft for Tomorrow” (1978), as well as being an early proponent of self-initiation into the Craft.
Having had a significant influence in the history of Wicca, she has been referred to as "the mother of modern Witchcraft" and is today is widely revered in the Wiccan and wider Neopagan community.

Reviews

[Matal “The Mischling Princess” Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doreen Valiente’s book, Where Witchcraft Lives, was first published in 1962 and has been in publication almost entirely since then. Using primary, secondary, and tertiary sources, this particular book’s focus centers on the folk customs and witchcraft in a singular county—County Sussex in England.

This book is well-written and provides insights into modern witchcraft in the mid-twentieth century. As such. This book is definitely a classic and recommended to anyone interested in Wiccan history and folk history in England.

[Steve Cran · Rating 5 out of 5]

During her younger years Doreen Valiente, considered by many to be the mother of modern witchcraft, did na investigation of Witchcraft practices in Sussex, England. She went in not as a witch but as a scholarly investigator. She identified herself as a student. This was done primarily as a ruse to save her mother from any potential embarrassment as her mother was a member of a prominent church. This book has garnered enough attention to cause Ronald Hutton, author of "Triumph of the Moon" to write a short introduction. Doreen's work was praised as scholarly and her techniques at finding information were very scholarly as well. The book in his opinion should have garnered even more attention and publicity as it was a valuable source of information. Doreen never attempted such work again. The book's impact was limited in part because Doreen embraced a theory put forward by Margaret Murray which stated that at one time the entire European continent worshiped the Goddess and her horned consort.

Witchcraft practices still survive or at least did when Doreen wrote this book. Bits and pieces survived in modern folk practices and cures. People still throw gifts to the rivers and wells in order to pray for good luck and fortune. Although they may call out to the saints back in the day it was to water spirits or deities. the Christian church did it's utmost to demonize witchcraft. Most witches were followers of Diana, Roman Moon goddess. There are depictions of her battling the saints and trying to set a ship on fire with her cursed oil. Of course a priest was able to abolish her plot. The horned god was turned into the devil. But even until quite recently the horned God was honored in folk dances and countryside revels.

Doreen Valiente also discussed witchcraft trials. It was always easy to say that someone blighted your crops or was haunting you in the night. Name the person and they would stand trial and most likely they would be found guilty. One story involved two families the Stroppers and the Bennets. Apparently four spirits revealed themselves at one of the women's bedside and told her where a treasure was. Mrs' Bennet a local witch told Mrs. Stroppers that if she found it she could have part of it as the treasure was really part of Mrs. Bennet's lost inheritance. Two ladies were questioned by the mayor and later condemned to death for cavorting with witches and spirits.

Witches are often associated with the moon. So are rabbits and so is water. Witches are said to be able to turn into different animals and one of those animals is a hare. The hare has associations with fertility and the moon. It is also associated with Artemis the moon hunter goddess who is by the way the Greek version of Diana. Witches it should be noticed have what is called a fetch or an astral body wich projects out when the witch is in a trance. The astral body leaves no shadow yet if it receives and injury so to will the witch. Hares are considered back luck for sailor. As the moon controls the oceans and is associated with the Witch Goddess so goes the Ocean is also equated with the witch. Witches are said to have some control over the ocean and water.

Three other areas that are discussed are White Witchcraft, Black magic and surviving rite and covens. White witchcraft can be used to cure, heal and help find love. Doreen gives a few examples of how a woman can get love or use divination on how to find who her future husband will be. Some remedies for warts are included in this as well. Black magic still survives. Doreen gives a couple of stories on how people come across public desecration of Christian holy places, secret altars and people who are abducted and forced to join in occult activities. Doreen is against harming other and black magic yet magic itself is a force that can be used for good or bad. Secret covens still exist their are circle dances in former pagan sights. Coven masters still conduct seances in back rooms. The persecution may have taken their toll but they cannot eradicate the followers of the Goddess and her horned consort.

[saturn daughter ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is quite interesting to know in what exactly the modern witchcraft movement believed around 60s and 70s. Doreen Valiente, unfortunately, believed in the 'Witch-cult' theory of Margaret Murray, therefore this book is filled with bad history content. Nevertheless, it is a classic book for those who are interested in knowing the origins of modern witchcraft beliefs.

Doreen also shows in this book stories from several citizens from Brighton or from Sussex region about the appearance of witches in their local area. Doreen doesn't mention who these people were, so we can't prove the veracity of their testimonies. However, it is still interesting to read them, one of these stories even shows the origin of the witches' farewell "merry meet, merry part".

Recommend for all those interested in Wicca and its history =).

[Runafuego · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doreen nos cuenta como fueron los comienzos de la brujería actual(Wicca) y como era su situación en Sussex.

[Ulvhud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Il libro ha senza dubbio un'importanza storica e collezionistica, più che essere apprezzabile per l'effettivo contenuto, che appare viziato da teorie in voga all'epoca in cui fu redatto ed oggi completamente smontate. Costruito a mo' di saggio, il testo non contiene riti o aspetti pratici. Di interesse il fatto che vengano riportati alcuni "riti" (letti in chiave folkloristica e antropologica) e credenze della zona presa in esame.

[Natasha Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doreen Valiente is a founder of modern Witchcraft, and this is one of her uncommon books. I'm very glad it has finally been republished. It is an interesting collection of folklore of all sorts, including magic, herbalism, old holidays, and interesting sites. Most of the material is from Britain, but she draws from all over Europe. Valiente wrote this in the 60's when scholarship was not up to the standard it is now, but she tries to present the material in a valid way. She provides sources for a lot of the material, such as books from the 17th-20th century. She also delves into transcripts of Witch trials. It would be interesting to find all these sources and read them more thoroughly. Valiente believes that there is a direct line between these ancient traditions and modern Witchcraft, a point which some scholars debate. My personal belief is that there's not an obvious recorded connection, but clearly Gardner and others looked towards these ancient bits of folklore and magic and helped continue them in a more structured way which became modern Wicca. Valiente doesn't really argue her position, but just gives the reader a plethora of ancient traditions and allows them to draw their own conclusions.

This book is NOT about Wicca. It is about folk traditions, and it would be interesting for anyone who is interested in British customs, regardless if they consider themselves a witch. I thought it was a fascinating read, and it made me want to go back and visit Britain's sacred sites.

[Daniel Expósito · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely a book that should be any witch's library! But also in the library of those interested in witchcraft or paganism, both contemporary or not. The book isn't just an approach to the witchcraft in Sussex, but a door to discover the common pattern of the witchcraft traditions, wherever you live, and specially across Europe! It's also a valuable account of the personal experiences of the mother of Modern Witchcraft.

[Dora · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were some chapters I found gave out the wrong impression, but all in all, I have to say that I respect Doreen Valiente and her opinions and that I enjoyed the way in which she intertwined stories and facts giving out vital pieces of information without the reader even realizing it sometimes. This is probably the best way in which facts are memorized.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give a million stars, I would. This is my favorite book of any kind of all times. I am fortunate to have bought one of the first published books years ago and have read it over and over a lot of times. HIGHLY recommended.