Gerald Gardner
The undisputable founder of the modern
Magical Art, Gerald Gardner
was born in England in 1884 and spent most of his lifetime in
Far East. After his retirement and his stay in New Forest (Enland), he was initiated by Dorothy Chatterbuck into the
paganism.
In 1994 he published
"High Magic's Aid", a historical novel in which he described
medieval magical practises.
In the 50s (when the last laws against the
Magical art where withdrawn)he started talking openly about his beliefs,
and the
Wiccan branch which comes directly from him and his practises, is named after Gardner.
His most famous book is "The Book of
Shadows", where he describes
rituals and ceremonies,
is highly influenced by
Alister Crowley, an ancient book
"The Key of Solomon", and last but not least by
"Aradia, the Gospel of the Witches", by K.G.Lelant.