The Origins of Gerald Gardner’s Views on Witchcraft

Abstract

Wicca is one of the most popular forms of Western esotericism and a fast-growing new religious movement, both in the West and in Russia. This popularity requires the careful study of Wicca’s original teachings and practices. In Russia the topic is understudied and sometimes ignored in religious studies. The article’s objective is to introduce recent researches on Wicca to Russian academic audience and to critically analyze them. The article includes a general overview of recent studies of the fundamental principles of the Wiccan doctrine. The author summarizes the early history of Wicca, the sources of Gerald Gardner’s ideas and his relationships to other esoteric groups.