Prospero's Isle: John Callow book launch.

Prospero's Isle Gerald Gardner on the Isle of Man.

Great to be back in London for another book launch, this time at Watkins Bookshop a magickal gem of a place, where one can soak up books on religions, esoterica & the vast Tarot collection they have in stock.

I have long been an admirer of John Callow's books, especially as they span topics ranging from C17th history in these Isles, through to his works 'Embracing the Darkness: a Cultural history of Witchcraft', also ' The Last Witches of England; A Tragedy of Sorcery & Superstition.

Prospero's Isle though brings us forward a few hundred years to the last century, the focus being Gerald Gardner & his time on the Isle of Man.

This period on the Isle is probably Gerald's most productive. He bought into Cecil Williams Witchcraft museum eventually taking sole ownership, penned his 'Witchcraft Today' & 'The Meaning of Witchcraft', initiated such early Wiccan luminaries as Patricia & Arnold Crowther.

Johns work really brings the Isle & those surrounding Gardner to the fore, his tempestuous relationship with Cecil Williamson is delved into, shedding new light onto that often fractious relationship. The dependable & thoroughly decent Angus MacLeod, the mystic Paul Cornu, all surround Gerald as he busies himself with the burgeoning Craft & museum. I for one love to see these characters, seemingly forgotten now brought to life. The Island really was a haven for Gardner. A place where he could gain some of the respect he sought, curating his beloved artefacts as director of his museum & working the Craft. Gerald it seems could engage with young or old alike equally & was remembered fondly by whom he met. His museum at once a place of education & where he could propound the Craft, giving out copies of his books to those he thought might be interested .

The museum & its sad demise are looked into too. The Wilsons, Monique & Scotty oversaw its latter years & decline. After a somewhat promising start the place fell to wrack & ruin, eventually leading to the collections break up. A seemingly sad end as Gerald's papers literally blew around the now dusty & forlorn museum.

Wicca is more than one person, Johns book shows this in bringing the Isle of Man & those there to the fore, really breathing life into Gardners character & shedding new light on a hitherto often shrouded period in early Wiccan history. Gerald was a mystic a visionary. He wanted the Witchcult thesis by Margaret Murray & others so much so he found it, pulling in the counter cultural strands of Paganism, the tribal religion he had witnessed in the far east & folklore. He and the circle around him gave us Wicca & with it aided all of us, Wiccan or not to be able to engage in Pagan, Occult or mystically minded practises.

This then is surely Gardners Legacy. That he & those who surrounded him were pioneers that enabled a Pagan, feminist religion to flourish. The effect has been to our benefit, aiding & adding to our freedoms in the religious sphere today. Surely then a happy ending to this great book!!

It is really great to see the centrifugal pull shift from The New Forest & Bricket Wood (important as they are in Craft history) to the Isle of Man. It really balances north & south adding so much to the early years of Wiccan history.

After the fabulous talk, i bought a copy of the book signed graciously by John.

The book itself really is beautifully illustrated and produced, truly lavishly so & this is just the standard hardback!!!

It is available from 'Rose Ankh Publishing' along with other Occult titles.

After our great time at Watkins we repaired to the Pub with some fellow Initiates. It was so lovely to catch up. The Craft brings such an intensely profound cameraderie of friendship, forged by our shared experience. Must say thank you guys & we cant wait to see you all again!!