‘Mother Of Modern Witchcraft’ Personal Collection To Go On Show

Doreen Valiente (1922-1999) is widely considered one of the key figures in 20th Century occultism, having popularised the modern Wiccan movement with a string of influential texts. A close confident of  Gerald Gardner, the man credited with re-introducing Paganism to Britian in the 1940s, Valiente amassed a vast library of books, notes and explanations of ritual over her lifetime, a selection of which are now set to go on show in Preston Manor, Brighton.

Exhibits at the Folklore, Magic and Mysteries: Modern Witchcraft and Folk Culture in Britain show will include ceremonial items, statues and a witch’s altar, which will change with the seasons and contain genuine witchcraft working tools and historical artefacts. At select dates through the year.Valiente's original copy of Gardner's hand written Book of Shadows will be displayed. One of the primary source documents for the worldwide religion now known as Wicca, the Book of Shadows contains Gardner’s notes for rituals and magical work from the earliest days of this movement. This is the first time Valiente's effects have been shown to the public, and represent a peerless opportunity to see, first hand, artifacts from recent British folklore.

The exhibition runs from April 1st – Autumn and is free with Preston House admission. More details can be found here