Travis Simpkins

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Elias Ashmole. Antiquary, Alchemist and Freemason. Ashmolean Museum. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of

Elias Ashmole

( 1617 - 1692 )

Antiquary, Politician, Astrologer and Alchemist

First Recorded Speculative Freemason

at Warrington in Lancashire (1646)

Founder of the

Ashmolean Museum of Art & Archaeology

by Travis Simpkins

Elias Ashmole - Masonic Minute

For more info, please visit:

ashmolean.org

Elias Ashmole. Antiquary, Alchemist and Freemason. Ashmolean Museum. by Travis Simpkins

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

The Gardnerian Book of Shadows. Gerald Gardner. Wicca. Witchcraft

I've yet to find a nice hardbound version of Gerald Gardner's "Book of Shadows" (a bit surprising, considering it is an important Occult text), but this print on demand copy will suffice for study purposes.

The Gardnerian Book of Shadows contains Wicca rituals and pagan magical ceremonies; first published between 1948 and 1961, much of the contents herein constitutes a summation of Wiccan practice.

Paganism’s popularity blossomed in the mid-20th century, as more people curious of the rituals and ceremonies of religions and witches became involved in covens – clandestine groups of pagan practitioners. A standard set of instructions for rituals, celebrations and initiations was publicized, in order to ensure that groups disparate in location would correctly and authentically perform their duties as per tradition.

This book contains the complete Gardnerian texts, as compiled by Gerald E. Gardner, a leading practitioner of Wicca in England. Gardner’s writings are a suffusion of lore, drawing upon witchcraft rituals described in several books by authors such as Margaret Murray. An authoritative and thorough introduction to pagan ceremony; while no substitute for membership and participation in a coven, the reader may herein gain an impression of the witch-cult and its practices.