A
Tribute to Doreen Valiente,
The Mother of Modern Witchcraft.
1922 - 1999
THE 1970s
Doreen entered a decade where her life was to change dramatically.
Her beloved husband Casimiro Valiente died in April 1972. Finding
herself alone she began to, in her own words, "concentrate on
writing books." Her books, An ABC of Witchcraft (1973), followed by
Natural Magic (1975), established her as an authority on magic and
Wicca.
An ABC of Witchcraft gave an alphabetical listing of concise occult
information dealing with a host of differing subjects, from ancient
mysticism such as the Kabbalah, to drug use by occultists.
Natural Magic, a much shorter work but none the less informative,
took a different approach and empathized with the knowledge seeker.
Basic questions and formative experiences are addressed here; which
plants to introduce into the home for a certain astrological
influence; which amulets and stones to wear which bring peace and
tranquility; herbal remedies and numerology. Perhaps the style and
material was designed to aid the Wiccan beginner but it also helped
those already on the path by providing another reference book full
of well researched facts.
The 1970s saw other authors, researchers and pagans drawn to
Doreen, to tap into her wealth of anecdotes, personal reminisces of
leading Craft figures and large private library spanning every
known occult theme. They also asked for help in editing their own
written tracts. In this last role Doreen was indispensable and it
is true to say that she corrected, proof read, edited and
contributed to a great many classic Wiccan titles on the
bookshelves today all this free of charge!
It is clear that Doreen was corresponding more widely than ever,
particularly with the new established pagan movements, Wiccan
Churches and certain elements one might call 'Aquarian' or 'New
Age'.
Ron "Cookie"
Finding herself in this unique role, Doreen challenged the attempt
of the British Parliament to pass legislation against Witchcraft.
In 1972, she lobbied the Member of Parliament concerned, Mr. Gwilym
Roberts, in order to try and clarify the situation. Not much is
known about Mr. Gwilyms reaction but the end result was that the
new laws were not passed.
Doreen took a keen interest during mid-seventies in the pagan past
of Sussex, an English county steeped in Paganism. In fact, it was
the last county to convert to Christianity in England and Doreen
fell in love with the area. She also fell in love with Ron (Cookie)
Cooke. She knew at once that she had known him in a previous life.
Ron an ex-policeman, was also a member of the residents committee
in the block of flats where they both lived.
