Doreen Valiente

Doreen Edith Dominy Valiente (1922–1999) played a significant role in shaping modern Wicca.

Doreen was Born on January 4, 1922, in Mitcham, Surrey, England, and developed an interest in magic during her teenage years. During World War II, she worked as a translator at Bletchley Park.

After the war, Doreen delved deeper into occultism and ceremonial magic. In 1953, she was initiated into the Gardnerian tradition by Gerald Gardner. Doreen became the High Priestess of Gardner’s Bricket Wood coven and contributed significantly to Wiccan liturgy, including texts like The Witches Rune and the Charge of the Goddess. She later explored other Wiccan traditions, including Cochrane’s Craft and the Coven of Atho.

Valiente actively promoted and defended Wicca during the 1960s and 1970s. She was involved in organizations like the Witchcraft Research Association and the Pagan Front (Pagan Federation).

Doreen has left a lasting legacy, her magical artifacts and papers were bequeathed to her last High Priest, John Belham-Payne, who established the Doreen Valiente Foundation. And she is Widely regarded as the “Mother of Modern Witchcraft”, Doreen Valiente left an indelible mark on the Wiccan community.

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