Aradia, or The Gospel of the Witches.
New York, NY: Samuel Weiser, 1974. First Edition Thus. Softcover. Pocket-sized paperback. xvi + 134pp, appendix. The rather charming first Weiser edition of "Aradia." The original first publication of Leland's "Aradia" in 1899 is often cited as the starting point of the twentieth century witchcraft revival. It comprises a translation of an Italian manuscript, the 'Vangelo' (or witches' 'Gospel' of the title) and an account of the history, beliefs, rituals and practices of an ancient witchcraft tradition that Leland claimed had survived clandestinely in Tuscany throughout the centuries. The central figure of the cult was Goddess Aradia, who according to the tradition came to earth to teach witchcraft to the peasantry as a defense against their oppressors. Leland's Aradia came to be a major influence on the development of modern wiccan and neo-pagan thought, and is said to have been extensively used by Gerald Gardner. This modern paperback edition, published in 1974, arguably played its own part in more recent developments. Very light shelfwear - else a lovely tight, and clean VG+ copy. Item #68839
ISBN: 0877282668
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