Witchcraft From The Inside Witchcraft From The Inside: Origins Of The Fastest Growing Religious Movement In Americaorigins Of The Fastest Growing Reli

The word Witchcraft has been misunderstood for centuries. In the past 500 years, millions of people have faced persecution, torture, and even death after being accused of practicing Witchcraft.

For many people the word Witch still conjures up images of secret spells and diabolical midnight rituals. So what exactly is Witchcraft (also called Wica or Wicca), and how did it evolve into one of today's fastest-growing religions?

Witchcraft From the Inside presents the history of Witchcraft -- from its roots in ancient fertility religions, to the madness of the Malleus Maleficarum and the European Witch trials, to the growth of modern Wicca in Britain and the United States. Essays contributed by leading Wiccan authorities explore the present state of Wicca and provide a glimpse into the future of this peaceful nature religion.

Author Raymond Buckland, Ph.D. studied Witchcraft under Gerald Gardner, the man largely credited for the revival of Witchcraft and the establishment of Wicca as a modern religion. Dr. Buckland was instrumental in bringing Gardnerian Witchcraft from England to the United States and is considered to be one of the leading American authorities on Witchcraft.

In this revised edition, respected authority Ray Buckland gives you the insider's view of historical and modern Witchcraft--how covens are formed and structured, the various branches of Wicca, rituals, sabbats and esbats and magic. Includes new material on teens and Wicca, feminist Wicca plus never-before-published photos of Gerald Gardner.