What Witches Do

What Witches Do is a firsthand account of Wiccan practices written by Stewart Farrar, focusing on the Alexandrian tradition as practiced by Alex and Maxine Sanders. Farrar documents his experiences and observations as an initiated member of their coven in 1970s Britain. The book outlines core Wiccan beliefs, rituals, and symbolic meanings from an insider's perspective. Farrar presents detailed descriptions of ceremonies and practices while maintaining respect for the tradition's privacy requirements. The text combines direct quotes from ritual participants with explanatory passages for those outside the tradition. Farrar's position as both practitioner and observer allows him to bridge the gap between esoteric knowledge and public understanding. The work stands as a significant historical document of modern Wiccan practice, capturing a pivotal moment in the development of contemporary Paganism. Its influence extends beyond pure documentation to explore the intersection of ancient spiritual traditions with modern religious practice.

Readers say this 1971 book offers an insider's perspective of Alexandrian Wicca through Farrar's experiences as a journalist-turned-initiate. Readers appreciate: - Detailed documentation of rituals and practices - Historical context of the tradition - Photos and illustrations - Balance between personal narrative and factual reporting Common criticisms: - Outdated attitudes and language - Too focused on Gerald Gardner and Alex Sanders - Some ritual descriptions are vague or incomplete - Writing style can be dry Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (209 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (31 ratings) Review quotes: "Provides practical insights into British Traditional Wicca that later books gloss over" - Goodreads "The journalism background shows - more objective than most books on the subject" - Amazon "Time hasn't been kind to some sections, but the ritual information remains valuable" - Goodreads

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🌙 Stewart Farrar didn't begin practicing Wicca until age 53, when he met Alex and Maxine Sanders while working on a film documentary about witchcraft in 1969. 🔮 The book was published in 1971, marking one of the first publicly available detailed accounts of modern Wiccan practice written by an initiated witch. ⭐ Farrar met his future wife Janet through the Alexandrian tradition, and together they went on to write over 20 books on witchcraft and form their own tradition. 🕯️ Alexandrian Wicca, which the book primarily documents, was founded by Alex Sanders who claimed to have been initiated by his grandmother at age seven. 📖 The book caused some controversy in the Wiccan community for revealing certain ceremonial details, though it maintained silence about the tradition's core mysteries.