Mab's MA Blog

Finished reading what Norman Cohn and Keith Thomas had to say.

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Thinking about the primary evidence. I'm trying to determine how attitudes towards the origins of Wicca have evolved over the years, which could be done with literary sources. But I think that that would be enriched with an audit now of beliefs. I could look at both the patterns revealed in literary sources and the patterns revealed in the contemporary audit, though the latter might tell me more about now than then. I would keep it anonymous to encourage truth, though that's not infallible.

The questions themselves would take some careful wording, but the circulation wouldn't be a problem. I could target both enablers and delivers (yes, I have been paying attention to the Progression Framework audit at work): British moots; word of mouth; Pagan scholars (well, scholars of Paganism); Pagan Federation; Children of Artemis; Witchgrove and associated pagan e-groups; Cauldron; Hedgewytch; and ask if Trevor would have some hard copies in his shop in Glastonbury.

The notes I've made on the questions so far would be:

Personal:

Nationality; tradition; age; length of time as a Wiccan (if converted); any previous traditions.

Which source do you judge to be reliable on the origins of Wicca?

Murray, Gardner, Hutton, Cohn, Heselton etc

Belief in origin of Wicca?

Do this chronologically, perhaps:

Stone Age;
Survival of pre-Christian;
19th century;
Crowley;
Gardner;
Sanders;
Other (please state)

Or I could do that with quotes from scholars/Wiccans about the origins, and a which view do most matches your own, take.

Then the same about witchcraft per se.

I need to get moving on this one if I'm going to do it though, as time is running out to get it organized.