Gerald Brosseau Gardner
Gerald Brosseau Gardner (1884–1964), also known by the craft name Scire. Gardner was born into an upper-middle-class family in Blundellsands, Lancashire, England, on June 13, 1884.
Gardner visited Cyprus after retiring in 1936 and then made his way back to England. After relocating close to the New Forest, he became a member of the Rosicrucian Order Crotona Fellowship, an occult organisation. He was initiated into the New Forest coven in 1939, portraying it as the surviving manifestation of the now-discredited thesis of Margaret Murray’s “witch-cult.” Gardner claimed to be resurrecting this “pagan” faith, adding ideas from ceremonial magic, Freemasonry, and Aleister Crowley’s works to the coven’s ceremonies. This gave rise to the Gardnerian tradition.
After relocating to London in 1945, Gardner developed a strong desire to spread Wicca. He authored important works like “The Meaning of Witchcraft” (1959), “Witchcraft Today” (1954), and “High Magic’s Aid” (1949). Upon founding the Bricket Wood coven, Gardner brought in a number of High Priestesses who aided in the dissemination of Gardnerian Wicca across the United States, Australia, and Britain.
