Gerald Gardner was an eccentric, and some of his beliefs and practices such as naked, sexual ritual in the name of pagan witchcraft caused amusement in the fifties, when he introduced the religion to the public, but the main Wiccan focus on promoting oneness with nature and the divine touched many then and continues to attract new followers worldwide, in large numbers. He wanted to use Wicca for peace, and to bring harmony, and for it to be inclusive; he knew the power of magic, and of group spiritual practice, and despite much ridicule persevered to make his religion acceptable.
It was no coincidence that he became linked to the occultist Aleister Crowley through their shared interest in esoteric matters and through his step-father being Crowley’s close friend. Their paths came together even when he was a boy, and he is likely to have been influenced strongly by the older man who, indeed, wished Gardner to continue his work after his death. Crowley, however, had become a black magician in his later years, using his knowledge of spells and magic in the service of his “dark master”, for wealth and power, working secretly with hidden followers; Gardner wanted to work openly and for good purposes only, and refused the request.
The story of both men is extraordinary, but true, and whatever you may think of spells, magic, ritual and dark masters, it teaches us much about choice and intent that it serves us to know. Life is all about choice, and the choices we make in every moment take us into the light, or overshadow our soul, however small the choice may be. Crowley began his work with high spiritual purpose but chose to deploy his gifts for personal gain at whatever cost to others, dying a lonely, discredited but still arrogant man. Gerald Gardner’s belief in nature and oneness, and finding the divine within and without, was his driving force and his desire to help the world overcame strong shyness and sensitivity; he suffered much, but he would be happy to see the results of his efforts today.
Each man showed the other light and dark, and gave his friend the opportunity to change. Their tale is unusual in its polarisation, but the principles behind it apply to us all, and they give us much food for thought.
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