Her Hidden Children: The Rise of Wicca and Paganism in America

by Chas S. Clifton

The history of any religious movement can get murky. But the history of American Paganism--with so many invented lineages, so many solitary practitioners, so much resistance to staid definition, so much hiddenness--is especially hard to decipher. But here in Her Hidden Children Chas Clifton tells many never-before-told stories of the origins of Paganism and Wicca in the United States. The people, publications, and organizations that allowed Paganism and Wicca to set roots down in American soil and become 'nature religion' are revealed in delicious detail. With a timeline, glossary, and photos of important figures,Her Hidden Children is compelling and important for any student of Paganism or American Religion.

Genres: Paganism, Nonfiction, History, Wicca, Religion, Witchcraft, Spirituality

206 pages, Hardcover

First published August 28, 2006

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up because, quite frankly, I don't read enough Pagan scholarship. I'm still looking for that perfect book that can describe my beliefs and not make me sound like a nutcase to my scientifically minded friends, but alas, in this, Prof. Clifton cannot provide me.

However, there is a lot worth considering here, especially in relation to American Paganism. I don't think I had ever truly considered that Atlantic divide prior to this book. Divide is probably a strong word, but at any rate, Clifton provides a measured analysis of how we gradually came to appropriate the label "nature religion" by tapping into something hidden in the American psyche.

Toward the end, the book tapered if only because our story isn't finished yet. As he notes, American Paganism really needs to be investigated more thoroughly. I especially enjoyed the anecdotes, stories that are getting lost in our history as we age. And they're important stories because we have to keep our sense of history. Screw all these arguments over how "old" Wic(c)a is. I feel like it's become pretty clear to anyone with a brain that there is no substantiating evidence that contemporary Paganism is linked to a "surviving Craft of the Wise" or whatever other nonsense we might conjure up. We have to learn to be happy with what we are and remember where we've really come from. I applaud Clifton's efforts to collect these disappearing threads of history.

... Or so I think. I hope to read more books like this about Paganism as we continue to evolve.

[Sophon · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I read through this book, I have been unable to put it down as it recounts the history of modern Neo-Paganism in America. Clifton does a wonderful job at cutting through the camouflage that has long surrounded the Pagan community. Between false histories, poor scholarship, and an engaging mythic history, the Pagan community has grown and evolved. The "older" traditions that are lineage based often have only some semblance to the modern revival that has been immensely successful at meeting the needs of modern spiritual seekers. The jury is still out whether the mystery tradition will simply merge with the modern revival and simply adopt all aspects of modern practice. Despite what some may think, newer traditions (post 1980) differ from their predecessors (pre-1970) in their ideologies and emphasis. There was little mention of nature or types of nature worship, as there was an emphasis on an "unbroken" line descending from Stone Age fertility cults. Clifton does a wonderful job at documenting this as well as the nuances that guide the various Pagan traditions and their growth in America.

This is an invaluable read for anyone who is interested in the growth of Paganism in America over the past century.

[Sarah (TheLibrarysKeeper) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned so much from this book. I used it for a summer class, but I'm glad my teacher selected it, because it covers many of the categories of Paganism, and it is very detailed on history. A interesting, informative read.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this a while ago but I liked it. It’s well written and the author keeps a million strands of thought organized while drilling down into complex histories of pagan thought and origin stories of different and overlapping pagan traditions. Easy to read also!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read- does exactly what it says it will, in terms of giving an overview of the spread of paganism and Wicca in the US. Not necessarily a lot of depth on specific individuals of groups due to the amount of material being covered, but that’s fine.

[Steve Wiggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good introduction to modern Wicca, by an author who has personal experience in the movement. Witches aren't always what they seem to be, and that includes being proponents of nature worship. Clifton provides useful information for anyone wanting to know more about this movement. Further remarks about it may be found on my blog: Sects and Violence in the Ancient World.