The Pickingill Papers
By Howard Michael, W.E. Liddell
Length4h 7m
About this audiobook
Who was George Pickingill—and why does his name continue to spark debate more than a century after his death?
The Pickingill Papers brings together the controversial writings and historical research surrounding George Pickingill (1816–1909), the enigmatic cunning man from Essex whose alleged influence on modern Witchcraft has fascinated and divided practitioners, historians, and occult scholars alike.
According to the claims examined in this volume, Pickingill was far more than a village magician. He has been portrayed as a powerful folk practitioner, a leader of hereditary Craft traditions, and even a key figure in the origins of modern Witchcraft. Other researchers strongly dispute these assertions, making Pickingill one of the most controversial figures in the history of the Craft.
Rather than offering definitive conclusions, The Pickingill Papers presents the evidence, arguments, and historical context that have shaped the enduring "Pickingill debate." Readers are invited to examine the sources, weigh the competing interpretations, and form their own conclusions about the man and his legacy.
Essential reading for anyone interested in the history of Witchcraft, traditional Craft, folklore, and the development of modern Paganism, this collection provides a unique window into one of the occult world's greatest historical mysteries.
This edition is recommended for readers interested in:
Traditional Witchcraft
The history of modern Witchcraft and Wicca
Cunning folk and folk magic
Paganism and occult history
Esoteric traditions and historical research
Whether viewed as a legendary master of the Craft or as the subject of one of modern Witchcraft's most enduring controversies, George Pickingill remains a compelling figure whose story continues to provoke discussion and inspire further research.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★ 3.3 (15)
Includes Goodreads
GenreSpirituality and Religion
Length4 hrs 7 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateJul 18, 2026
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Acknowledgement
2Introduction
3Preface
4Chapter One Gerald Gardner and His Detractors
5Chapter Two Old George Pickingill - the Grandfather of Gardnerian Wicca
Show all chaptersShow less
6Chapter Three Ritual Nudity
7Chapter Four Medieval French Witchcraft
8Chapter Five Craft Grades
9Chapter Six Hereditary Witch Lore
10Chapter Seven Druidism, Freemasonry & the French Craft Connection
11Chapter Eight Leys, Stone Circles & Serpent Power
12Chapter Nine Masonic Symbolism & the Hereditary Craft
13Chapter Ten The Saracen Mystery Schools & the Medieval Witch Cult
14Chapter Eleven Gerald Gardner & the Hereditary Craft
15Chapter Thirteen Aleister Crowley & Wicca
16Chapter Fourteen The Cambridge Coven
17Chapter Fifteen The Gardnerian Charge
18Chapter Sixteen The Cambridge Rituals
19Chapter Seventeen The Nine Covens
20Chapter Eighteen Witchcraft & the Aquarian Age
21Chapter Nineteen Hereditary Family Traditions
22Chapter Twenty The Goddess in Ancient Britain
23Chapter Twenty One The Saracen Craft
24Chapter Twenty Two Gerald Gardner & the Malay Witches
25Chapter Twenty-three Athames & the Book of Shadows
26Chapter Twenty-four The New Forest Coven
27Chapter Twenty-five Aidan Kelly & the Lugh ‘Conspiracy’
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