Gerald Gardner: Difference between revisions
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{{ | {{Short description|British Wiccan leader (1884–1964)}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}} | ||
{{Use British English|date=August 2012}} | {{Use British English|date=August 2012}} | ||
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===Return to Europe: 1936–1938=== | ===Return to Europe: 1936–1938=== | ||
In 1936, Gardner and Donna left Malaya and headed for Europe. She proceeded straight to London, renting them a flat at 26 Charing Cross Road.{{sfnm|Bracelin|1960|1p=152|Heselton|2012a|2p=150}} Gardner visited [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]], becoming involved in the archaeological excavations run by [[James Leslie Starkey|J.L. Starkey]] at [[Lachish]]. Here he grew particularly interested in a temple containing statues to both the male [[Abrahamic God|deity | In 1936, Gardner and Donna left Malaya and headed for Europe. She proceeded straight to London, renting them a flat at 26 Charing Cross Road.{{sfnm|Bracelin|1960|1p=152|Heselton|2012a|2p=150}} Gardner visited [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]], becoming involved in the archaeological excavations run by [[James Leslie Starkey|J.L. Starkey]] at [[Lachish]]. Here he grew particularly interested in a temple containing statues to both the male [[Abrahamic God|deity Yahweh]] and the pagan goddess [[Ashtoreth]].{{sfnm|Bracelin|1960|1p=149|Heselton|2012a|2pp=149–151}} | ||
From Palestine, Gardner went to Turkey, Greece, Hungary, and Germany. He eventually reached England, but soon went on a visit to Denmark to attend a conference on weaponry at the [[Christiansborg Palace]], [[Copenhagen]], during which he gave a talk on the ''kris''.{{sfnm|Bracelin|1960|1pp=150–152|Heselton|2012a|2pp=150–151}} | From Palestine, Gardner went to Turkey, Greece, Hungary, and Germany. He eventually reached England, but soon went on a visit to Denmark to attend a conference on weaponry at the [[Christiansborg Palace]], [[Copenhagen]], during which he gave a talk on the ''kris''.{{sfnm|Bracelin|1960|1pp=150–152|Heselton|2012a|2pp=150–151}} | ||
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===The Rosicrucian Order: 1938–1939=== | ===The Rosicrucian Order: 1938–1939=== | ||
{{main article|Rosicrucian Order Crotona Fellowship}} | {{main article|Rosicrucian Order Crotona Fellowship}} | ||
[[File: | [[File:Templeofrosycross_highres.png|right|thumb|upright|''The Temple of the Rose Cross'', [[Teophilus Schweighardt Constantiens]], 1618.]] | ||
In Highcliffe, Gardner came across a building describing itself as the "First Rosicrucian Theatre in England".{{Sfn|Heselton|2012a|pp=186–187}} Having an interest in [[Rosicrucianism]], a prominent magico-religious tradition within [[Western esotericism]], Gardner decided to attend one of the plays performed by the group; in August 1939, Gardner took his wife to a theatrical performance based on the life of [[Pythagoras]]. An amateur thespian, she hated the performance, thinking the quality of both actors and script terrible, and she refused to go again.{{sfnm|Bracelin|1960|1p=162|Heselton|2012a|2pp=187–188, 195–196}} | In Highcliffe, Gardner came across a building describing itself as the "First Rosicrucian Theatre in England".{{Sfn|Heselton|2012a|pp=186–187}} Having an interest in [[Rosicrucianism]], a prominent magico-religious tradition within [[Western esotericism]], Gardner decided to attend one of the plays performed by the group; in August 1939, Gardner took his wife to a theatrical performance based on the life of [[Pythagoras]]. An amateur thespian, she hated the performance, thinking the quality of both actors and script terrible, and she refused to go again.{{sfnm|Bracelin|1960|1p=162|Heselton|2012a|2pp=187–188, 195–196}} | ||
Unperturbed and hoping to learn more of Rosicrucianism, Gardner joined the group in charge of running the theatre, the [[Rosicrucian Order Crotona Fellowship]], and began attending meetings held in their local ''[[ashram]]''. Founded in 1920 by [[George Alexander Sullivan]], the Fellowship had been based upon a blend of Rosicrucianism, [[Theosophy (Boehmian)|Theosophy]], Freemasonry and his own personal innovation, and had moved to Christchurch in 1930.{{sfn|Heselton|2012a|pp=196–198}} | Unperturbed and hoping to learn more of Rosicrucianism, Gardner joined the group in charge of running the theatre, the [[Rosicrucian Order Crotona Fellowship]], and began attending meetings held in their local ''[[ashram]]''. Founded in 1920 by [[George Alexander Sullivan]], the Fellowship had been based upon a blend of Rosicrucianism, [[Theosophy (Boehmian)|Theosophy]], Freemasonry and his own personal innovation, and had moved to Christchurch in 1930.{{sfn|Heselton|2012a|pp=196–198}} | ||
As time went by, Gardner became critical of many of the Rosicrucian Order's practices; Sullivan's followers claimed that he was immortal, having formerly been the famous historical figures [[Pythagoras]], [[Cornelius Agrippa]] and [[Francis Bacon]]. Gardner facetiously asked if he was also the [[Wandering Jew]], much to the annoyance of Sullivan himself. Another belief held by the group that Gardner found amusing was that a lamp hanging from one of the ceilings was the disguised [[ | As time went by, Gardner became critical of many of the Rosicrucian Order's practices; Sullivan's followers claimed that he was immortal, having formerly been the famous historical figures [[Pythagoras]], [[Cornelius Agrippa]] and [[Francis Bacon]]. Gardner facetiously asked if he was also the [[Wandering Jew]], much to the annoyance of Sullivan himself. Another belief held by the group that Gardner found amusing was that a lamp hanging from one of the ceilings was the disguised [[Holy Grail]] of [[Arthurian legend]].{{sfnm|Bracelin|1960|1p=163|Heselton|2012a|2p=198}} | ||
Gardner's dissatisfaction with the group grew, particularly when in 1939, one of the group's leaders sent a letter out to all members in which she stated that war would not come. The very next day, [[World War II|Britain declared war on Germany]], greatly unimpressing the increasingly cynical Gardner.{{Sfn|Bracelin|1960|p=164}} | Gardner's dissatisfaction with the group grew, particularly when in 1939, one of the group's leaders sent a letter out to all members in which she stated that war would not come. The very next day, [[World War II|Britain declared war on Germany]], greatly unimpressing the increasingly cynical Gardner.{{Sfn|Bracelin|1960|p=164}} | ||
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Lois Bourne, one of the High Priestesses of the Bricket Wood Coven, accused Gardner of homophobia: | Lois Bourne, one of the High Priestesses of the Bricket Wood Coven, accused Gardner of homophobia: | ||
<blockquote>Gerald was homophobic. He had a deep hatred and detestation of homosexuality, which he regarded as a disgusting perversion and a flagrant transgression of natural law ... "There are no homosexual witches, and it is not possible to be a homosexual and a witch" Gerald almost shouted. No one argued with him.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bourne |first=Lois |title=Dancing with | <blockquote>Gerald was homophobic. He had a deep hatred and detestation of homosexuality, which he regarded as a disgusting perversion and a flagrant transgression of natural law ... "There are no homosexual witches, and it is not possible to be a homosexual and a witch" Gerald almost shouted. No one argued with him.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bourne |first=Lois |title=Dancing with Witches |publisher=Robert Hale |year=2006 |isbn=0-7090-8074-3 |location=London |pages=38}}</ref></blockquote> | ||
=== Misogyny === | |||
Gardner has weathered many accusations of misogyny as a result of his choice of rituals. Women are heavily sexualized, often naked, and their genitals included heavily within his worship. His work, The Gardnerian Book of Shadows, includes the following controversial lines:<blockquote>"As a man loveth a woman, by mastering her, so the Wicca should love the Gods, by being mastered by them."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Archive |first=Internet Sacred Text |title=Gardnerian Book of Shadows: The Old Laws {{!}} Sacred Texts Archive |url=https://sacred-texts.com/pag/gbos/gbos38.htm |access-date=2025-10-27 |website=Internet Sacred Text Archive |language=English}}</ref> | |||
"A woman may impersonate either the God or the Goddess, but a man may only impersonate the God."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Archive |first=Internet Sacred Text |title=Gardnerian Book of Shadows: The Priestess and the Sword {{!}} Sacred Texts Archive |url=https://sacred-texts.com/pag/gbos/gbos14.htm |access-date=2025-10-27 |website=Internet Sacred Text Archive |language=English}}</ref> | |||
"And the greatest virtue of a High Priestess is that she recognizes that youth is necessary to the representative of the Goddess, so that she will retire gracefully in favour of a younger woman, Should the Coven so decide in Council, For the true [30] High Priestess realizes that gracefully surrendering pride of place is one of the greatest of virtues, and that thereby she will return to that pride of place in another life, with greater power and beauty."<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>In [[Witchcraft Today]], published in 1954, he states, "The witches tell me: 'The law always has been that power must be passed from man to woman or from woman to man, the only exception being when a mother initiates her daughter or a father his son, because they are part of themselves.' (The reason is that great love is apt to occur between people who go through the rites together.) They go on to say: The Templars broke this age-old rule and passed the power from man to man: this led to sin and in so doing it brought about their downfall.'"<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gardner |first=Gerald Brosseau |url=http://archive.org/details/witchcrafttoday00gard |title=Witchcraft today |last2=Buckland |first2=Raymond |date=1982 |publisher=New York : Magickal Childe |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-939708-03-1}}</ref> While Gardner theorizes this may be a cover for the true reason behind the fall of the Order, he mirrors these ideas further in his writings. | |||
=== False educational claims === | === False educational claims === | ||
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* [[Ashrama Hall and Christchurch Garden Theatre]] | * [[Ashrama Hall and Christchurch Garden Theatre]] | ||
== | ==Notes== | ||
{{Notelist}} | {{Notelist}} | ||
==References | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist|25em}} | {{Reflist|25em}} | ||
== | ==Sources== | ||
{{refbegin|colwidth=30em|small=yes}} | {{refbegin|colwidth=30em|small=yes}} | ||
* {{Cite book |last=Bourne |first=Lois |author-link=Lois Bourne |title=Dancing with Witches |location=London |publisher=Robert Hale |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-7090-6223-3 }} | * {{Cite book |last=Bourne |first=Lois |author-link=Lois Bourne |title=Dancing with Witches |location=London |publisher=Robert Hale |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-7090-6223-3 }} | ||
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[[Category:Members of Ordo Templi Orientis]] | [[Category:Members of Ordo Templi Orientis]] | ||
[[Category:People from Crosby, Merseyside]] | [[Category:People from Crosby, Merseyside]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Owners of plantations in British Ceylon]] | ||
[[Category:Wiccan priests]] | [[Category:Wiccan priests]] | ||
[[Category:Writers from Liverpool]] | [[Category:Writers from Liverpool]] | ||
[[Category:People who died at sea]] | [[Category:People who died at sea]] | ||
[[Category:English anti-fascists]] | [[Category:English anti-fascists]] | ||