Her Hidden Children: The Rise of Wicca and Paganism in America

Her Hidden Children traces the development of Wicca and modern Paganism in America from the 1960s to the present. The book examines how these spiritual movements grew from small, secretive groups into established religious traditions with public presence and influence. Drawing on extensive research and firsthand accounts, Clifton documents the key figures, publications, and organizations that shaped American Paganism. The narrative follows the transition from imported British traditions to uniquely American forms of practice, including the emergence of feminist spirituality and environmental activism within these communities. This history reveals the complex intersections between counterculture movements, feminism, environmentalism, and alternative spirituality in late 20th century America. Through examination of primary sources and participant perspectives, the book presents modern Paganism as a lens for understanding broader shifts in American religious and cultural identity.

Readers appreciate the academic rigor and detailed research into Wicca's American evolution, particularly the examination of how nature spirituality movements influenced modern Paganism. Many note the book fills gaps in documenting Wiccan history from 1960-1990. Readers liked: - Documentation of key figures and groups beyond Gardner - Analysis of publishing's role in spreading Pagan ideas - Coverage of nature-focused spiritual movements Main criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Limited focus on post-1990 developments - Minimal coverage of certain traditions/groups Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (48 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) Several reviewers note the book requires prior knowledge of Wiccan history. One reader called it "more suited for academic research than casual reading." Another praised its "thorough documentation of American Pagan publishing networks." The narrow timeframe and scholarly approach make it most useful for serious students of Pagan history rather than newcomers.

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🌿 Author Chas S. Clifton served as the co-chair of the Nature Religions Scholar Network and editor of The Pomegranate: The International Journal of Pagan Studies. 🌙 The book traces how Wicca transformed from a small, secretive community in the 1960s to a mainstream religious movement with hundreds of thousands of practitioners by the 1990s. ⭐ Gerald Gardner, considered the founder of modern Wicca, initially claimed his teachings came from an ancient witch tradition, but later research revealed many of his practices were newly created combinations of various spiritual traditions. 📚 The term "Neo-Pagan" first appeared in print in 1967 in the Green Egg newsletter, which became a pivotal publication for connecting and growing the Pagan community in America. 🔮 The book details how the growth of American Paganism was significantly influenced by the counterculture movement, environmentalism, and feminist spirituality of the 1960s and 1970s.