This is Part 2 of "Wicca Does Not Need to be Ancient" series. The first article I briefly touched on possible influences on Gardner, such as the Crotona Fellowship, "Old Dorothy" and "Dafo" a link to that article can be found on the sidebar.

In this part I am going to examine the publicly available material associated with Gardner's Book(s) of Shadow. Because I am an initiate of Gardnerian, I can not reveal whether the material is accurate or not accurate. However, I still can compare the public material, it's evolution and a few of it's key elements.

If anything this gives non-initiates a glimpse into how ritual practice can evolve; taking material that is available, altering it, tweaking it and making it into something that resonates with them. Even the public material is rooted in our Western Occult Tradition it is functional and forms a strong foundation for any ritual magic practice as well as a Pagan ritual practice.

I am not trying to belittle Gardner's work, or "debunk" it. Rather elevate it to it's rightful place - as a working ritual format that combines magic and religious ritual.

One of my biggest criticism of some organized Christian religions are their adherence to orthodoxy, their resistance to change, and their denial of contextualizing their holy writ. I fear the same may befall Gardnerian Craft - but I am not an elder, nor am I in any position to influence the direction Gardner's Wica is going with their liturgy. Nor I do I feel I have the right to go 'rogue' and decide what liturgy should be made public or not.

I hope this analysis helps anyone who may be looking for liturgy that they can use in their own practice and see for themselves how liturgy can be molded into one's own framework.

Starting with Gerald Gardner's 1949 fictional novel "High Magic's Aid", to "The Gardnerian Book of Shadows" by Forgotten Books 2008, "the Gardnerian Book of Shadows.pdf" by GlobalGrey 2019, and finally Appendix B from Janet and Stewart Farrar's "The Witches Way" 1984.

I chose to list these in this order not because of the listed published date but rather by the dates they appear to have evolved. Namely starting with:

All Public Sources:

1. reprint 1999 "Key of Solomon 1 & 2" - S.L. MacGregor Mathers (KoS)
2. ~1949 "High Magics Aid" (HMA)
3. ~1949, ~1953, ~1957,~1961 "Gardnerian Book(s) of Shadows" (GBS-1)
4. ~1950 "Gardnerian Book(s) of Shadows" (GBS-2)
5. 1984 "The Witches Way" Appendix B (WW-B)

A note on these public sources.

In High Magic's Aid Gerald Gardner's fictional work. He gives a note in the Introduction pg.8

"Note: The magic rituals are authentic, partly from the Key of Solomon (MacGregor Mathers Translation) and partly from Magical MSS in my possession."

We should keep this is mind when comparing this material.

Lastly Appendix B from The Witches Way.

It is of my personal opinion that the publicly available material such as PDF's and books claiming to be the Gardnerian Book of Shadows, are dubious at best and should be treated with suspicion. It is easy to imagine that an online culture evolved from this posted material. And that this has been taking on a life of it's own ever since. I myself early on contributed to what was suppose to be a "Digital Book of Shadows" back in the late 90's - for reference I believe I contributed either a "Hand-fasting Ritual" or "Requiem Ritual" under the pen name of "Cathbadh". These may or may not have made it into the final version.

It is my theory that Gardner's Book(s) of Shadows evolved and were a work in progress, not a static liturgy passed down. Rather a development pulling from several sources. Most of those sources have been analyzed by much better academics than myself.

Exorcism and Blessings of Water, Salt and Fire

I am only going to focus on contrasting and comparing the Exorcism of Water, the Blessing of Salt and finally the Exorcism of Fire as they appear in the materials referenced:

1.) The Exorcism of Water

2.) The Blessing of Salt, and

3.) The Exorcism of Fire

Source: HMA pg. 219-220

"Thur stripped and exorcised the water thus:

'I exorcise the , O'creature of water, that thou cast out from thee all the impurities and uncleanliness of the spirits of the world of phantasms, so that they harm me not. Through the virtues of God the Almighty. Who reigneth through the Ages of Ages. By the names of Mertallia, Musalia, Dophalia, Nnemalia, Zitanseia, Goldapharia, Dedulsaria, Gheninairea, Geogropheria, Cedahi, Gilthar, Godieh, Ezoiil, Musil, Grassil, Tamen, Puri, Godu, Hoznoth, Astroth, Tzabaoth, Adonai, Asla, On, El, Tetragramaton, Shema, Ariston, Anaphaxeton, Segilanon, Primeuraton. Amen.'

Then he washed himself thoroughly saying as he did so.:

'Purge me O'Lord with hyssop and I shall be clean. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.'

Then he took salt and blessed it saying:

'The blessings of the Father Almighty be upon this creature of salt, let all malignity and hindrance be cast forth there from, and let all good enter herein, wherefor do I bless Thee, that Thou mayest aid me. Amen.'"

Source: HMA pg. 124

Another version of blessing the salt:

"Tzaboath, Messiach, Emanuel, Elohim, Eibor, Yod, He, Vau, He! O' God, who art the Truth and the Light, deign to bless and sanctify this creature of salt, to serve unto us for help and protection and assistance in this Art experiment and operation. And may it be a succor to us."

Source: HMA pg. 222

"Thur lighted a great candle upon the altar, placed in the midst of the Great Circle, saying:

'I exorcise thee, O creature of Fire in the name of the Sovereign and Eternal Lord, by his Ineneffable Name which is JHVH, by the name Jah and by the name of Power which is El, that thou mayest enlighten the heart of all Spirits which we may call into this Circle, so that they may appear before us without fraud and deceit through him who half[sic] created all things.'"

Source: Key of Solomon Book 2 pg.92

From the version of the Key Of Solomon translated by S. Liddell MacGregor Mathers reads:

THE EXORCISM OF WATER

"'I exorcise Thee, O Creature of water, by Him who hath created thee and gathered thee together into one place so that the dry land appeared, that thou uncover all the deceits of the Enemy, and that thou cast out from thee all the impurities and uncleanlinesses of the Spirits of the World of Phantasm, so they may harm me not, through the virtue of God almighty who liveth and reigneth unto the Ages of the Ages. Amen.'

Then shalt thou begin to wash thyself thoroughly in the Bath, saying:

'MERTALIA, MUSALIA, DOPHALIA, ONEMALIA, ZITANSEIA, GOLDAPHAIRA, DEDULSAIRA, GHEVIALAIRA, GHEMINAIRA, GEGROPHERA, CEDAHI, GILTHAR, GODIEB, EZOIIL, MUSIL, GRASSIL, TAMEN, PUERI, GODU, HUZNOTH, ASTACHOTH, TZABAOTH, ADONAI, AGLA, ON, EL, TETRAGRAMMATON, SHEMA, AREISON, ANAPHAXETON, SEGILATON, PRIMEUMATON.' All the which Names thou shalt repeat twice or thrice, until thou art completely washed and clean, and when thou art perfectly pure thou shalt quit the Bath, and sprinkle thyself with exorcised water, in the manner described later on, and thou shalt say:

'Purge me, O Lord, with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.'"

THE BENEDICTION OF THE SALT.

"The Blessing of the Father Almighty be upon this Creature of Salt, and let all malignity and hindrance be cast forth hencefrom, and let all good enter herein, for without Thee man cannot live, wherefore I bless thee and invoke thee, that thou mayest aid me."

THE EXORCISM OF THE FIRE.

"I exorcise thee, O Creature of Fire, by Him through Whom all things have been made, so that every kind of Phantasm may retire from thee, and be unable to harm or deceive in any way, through the Invocation of the Most High Creator of all. Amen."

Clearly in HMA Gerald Gardner is pulling from the Key Of Solomon for the Exorcism of Water, Benediction of the Salt, the Exorcism of the Fire and Circle creation.

Source: GBS-1,2 1949

"Consecrate Salt and Water: Touch water with Athame, saying, 'I exorcise thee, O creature of Water, that thou cast out from Thee all the impurities and uncleannesses of the Spirits of the World of Phantasm, so they may harm me not, in the names of Aradia and Cernunnos.'

Touching Salt with Athame, say,

'The Blessings of Aradia and Cernunnos be upon this creature of Salt, and let all malignity and hindrance be cast forth hencefrom, and let all good enter herein, for without Thee man cannot live, wherefore I bless thee and invoke thee, that thou mayest aid me.'

Then put the Salt into the water.

Sprinkle with exorcised water.

Light candles; say,

'I exorcise thee, O Creature of Fire, that every kind of Phantasm may retire from thee, and be unable to harm or deceive in any way, in the names of Aradia and Cernunnos.'"

Source: GBS-1,2 1957

"ALL ARE PURIFIED

High Priest consecrates salt and water.

High Priestess kneels at Altar, takes up Sword, says,

'I conjure thee, O Sword of Steel, to serve me as a defense in all Magical Operations. Guard me at all times against mine enemies, both visible and invisible. Grant that I may obtain what I desire in all things wherein I may use Thee, Wherefore do I bless Thee and invoke Thee in the names of Aradia and Cernunnos.'

Gives Sword to High Priest.

High Priest kneeling hands her vessel of consecrated Water and Aspergillum. He Casts the Circle, three circles, on the lines marked out, starting at the East and returning to the East. High Priestess follows, Asperging Circle (sprinkling it to purify it) and all present and finally herself. Then she goes round again censing it. (Everyone in the circle must be sprinkled and censed.) She returns vessel, etc., to High Priest, who places them on altar, or convenient place, and hands her Sword [handwritten].

She walks slowly round Circle, saying,

'I conjure Thee, O Circle of Space, that thou be a Boundary and a Protection and a meeting place between the world of Men and that of the Dread Lords of the OUTER SPACES, that Thou be cleansed, Purified, and strengthened to be a Guardian and a Protection that shall preserve and contain THAT POWER which we so earnestly desire to raise within thy bounds this night, wherefore do I bless thee and entreat thee to aid me in the endeavor, in the names of Aradia and Cernunnos.'"

Source: GBS-1,2 1961

"Place Athame on the bowl of water. Say,

'I exorcise thee, O creature of Water, that thou cast out from Thee all the impurities and uncleannesses of the Spirits of the World of Phantasm in the name of Aradia and Cernunnos. But ever mind that Water purifies the body, but the scourge purifies the soul.'"

Alternative Consecration of Water and Salt.

"Touch water with Athame, saying,

'I exorcise thee, O Creature of Water, that thou cast out from thee all the impurities and uncleanness of the spirits of the World of Phantasm, In the names of Aradia and Cernunnos.'

Then place Athame on the salt. Say,

'Blessings be upon this creature of Salt. Let all malignity and hindrance be cast forth hencefrom, and let all good enter herein. Wherefore I bless thee that thou mayest aid me, in the name of Aradia and Cernunnos.'

Forming Circle. Light candles.

1. Draw Circle with Magic Sword or Athame.
2. Sprinkle with consecrated water.
3. Cense.
4. Say,

'I conjure thee, O Circle of Power, that thou be a Boundary and a Protection and a meeting place between the world of men and the realms of the Mighty Ones, A Guardian and a Protection that shall preserve and contain the Power which we shall raise within thee, wherefore do I Bless and consecrate thee.'"

Source: The Witches Way - Appendix B

"High Priestess puts the bowl of water on the pentacle, and the tip of her Athame in it, and says:

'I exorcise thee O'Creature of Water, that thou cast out from thee all the impurities and uncleanliness of the spirits of the world of phantasm, in the names of Cernunnos and Aradia.'

She the holds of the bowl of water before her. High Priest puts the bowl of salt on the pentacle, and the tip of his Athame in it, and says:

'Blessings be upon this creature of salt, let all malignity and hinderance be cast forth hencefrom, and let all good enter therein. Wherefore I bless thee and invoke thee, that thou mayest aid me, in the names of Aradia and Cernunnos."

An Example of the Evolution of Ritual Text

I am going to presume that the Key of Solomon is the primary source based on this public material. And compare the Exorcism of Water text in a color format to illustrate my point.

Color Code:

• Key of Solomon = Black text
• High Magic's Aid = Purple
• Online Gerald Gardner's Book of Shadows = Blue
• The Witches Way Appendix B = Red
• Added text not in a previous example

This gives a demonstration of how this material may have evolved, at least the material I have quoted - again judge the sources for yourself. High Magic's Aid was a work of fiction, Gardner even telling the reader he used the Key of Solomon and other sources in his possesion. The online "Book(s) of Shadow" - which are in my opinion dubious sources and finally the Farrar's Appendix B, which is probably the most reliable. The Farrar's consulted with Doreen Valiente on the publication of their books "Eight Sabbats for Witches" and "The Witches Way". Doreen valiente being one of Gardner's High Preistesses who contributed to Gardner's liturgy.

"Our thanks are again to Doreen Valiente for her help in preparing this book; for making available to us the unpublished authentic texts of Gerald Gardner's Book of Shadows,..."

- "The Witches Way, Acknowledgements."