The Future of Gardner's Religion

I have written several articles and produced several videos on Gardner's Religion , but this article is not about its practices. Instead, it is my opinion on the possible future of Gardner's Religion in an increasingly digital world, where information is only a few mouse clicks—or a question to ChatGPT—away.

However, that information is not always accurate. It often takes several searches to find reliable, fact-based information, and you really need to know what you're looking for. If you don't have a solid starting point, you won't know if you are finding good information or just more bad information rooted in myth, false history or even worse out right lies perpetuated by biased authors.

In an age of immediate gratification and shrinking attention spans, most curious people are unlikely to dig very deeply. They won't seek out differing opinions, and they almost certainly won't consult primary sources. Instead, they'll accept the most prominent search results as factual—whether they are or not.

There are more accurate websites out there, I just picked the first two that I felt were most accurate and came up in the search:

When I performed a quick Google search, neither of these websites appeared until the fourth page of results. Instead, the first several pages were dominated by Wikipedia, CARM.org, Reddit, and various Christian websites. I'm not suggesting these sources are necessarily inaccurate, but I do think at least one respected Wiccan source should appear on the first page of search results.

I did try to narrow the search in Google as "Wica history" instead of just "Wicca" or "Wicca History"

I am pleased to see a growing number of Gardnerians on social media sharing accurate information about Gardner's Religion , which makes it more relevant that seekers, journalists, researchers and the curious will more likely find when wading through the quagmire of opinion and finding accurate information.

Which leads me to my second criticism and concern.

It should be accurate information. Prominent social media persons will develop a reputation and this reputation will rely on several things most importantly accurate information. From my own experience in AOL chat rooms back in the late 90's there was nothing worse than asking a question and being met with the response: "Oh I can't tell you that, you have to be initiated" or "that is a secret" - sure this might work for questions like "What happens in this ritual" or other such actual "secrets" covered by initiatory oaths. To a seeker it can often sound like the person in question is just avoiding questions when it comes to historical inquiries.

Pride and confidence in one's position has incredible weight in being perceived as being sincere or insincere. No one likes to feel as if they were sold a lemon. If a person sells Gardner's Religion as something that it actually is not, the "buyer" will find out eventually and feel as if they were sold a lie. This will create resentment and even anger and that person most likely will not last long. Most likely form a bad opinion of the Wica in general.

Knowing exactly what aspects of "the oaths" can and cannot be shared and exactly why - oaths should not be in the realm of ambiguity. Knowing the history of Gardner's Religion and how it has developed is not a secret and should not be treated as such. Being frank and honest with a seeker will make them feel more comfortable when talking with others, or in feeling confident sharing their faith with another. The best part of all, there is no surprise later on, no feeling of buying a lemon. And if people do part ways it will not be for resentment or anger at feeling they were duped.

Lastly, and this is where I am letting my personal feelings bubble up - don't Be the Rotten Apple! The old saying of: "One rotten apple spoils the bunch" is relevant here. When you encounter people who are just jerks, you don't bring to mind all the decent and knowledgeable people in the group, you focus on those few bad apples. For myself, I do not allow myself to be treated badly, I have way to much self-respect and I have no problem in immediately cutting a person out of my social circle. It just so happens that these bad apples all came from the same barrel, so I tossed out the whole bunch - maybe it was excessive, maybe overly dramatic. Chances are there is more rotten apples in there spreading their proverbial ethylene gas...

Gardner's Religion resonates with me because it brings together many of my religious and esoteric interests: worshipping the Old Gods, exploring pre-Christian practices and folklore, studying alchemical, astrological, and Hermetic principles, engaging with occult philosophy, practicing ceremonial magic, seeking a connection with the divine, and pursuing my own Great Work.

None of this requires anyone else to pursue, but it is really nice to have someone you can share this journey with, someone who understands and speaks your language - a connection and brotherhood. Gardner's Religion of Witchcraft really requires at least two people to truly practice, the more the merrier, but two is really the minimum.

How will a mystery-cult and fertility cult not only survive, but thrive in this age is anyone's guess.

Culture seems to me, to be going through a rapid change that is moving toward a common universal consciousness and more and more social isolation, with social media replacing in-person interactions.

How will a mystery-cult and fertility-cult not only survive, but thrive in this age is anyone's guess. Who knows maybe the rebellious will turn away from their screens and seek others out in their local community to join a local Coven. Maybe not.

Whatever the future holds, one thing remains true: seekers are out there right now. They are searching for information, looking for community, and trying to separate fact from fiction. The question is whether Gardner's Religion will meet them with honesty, knowledge, and genuine fellowship—or whether someone else will shape their understanding first.