Aradia or The Gospel of the Witches is a book written by Charles G Leland (1824-1903) at the end of the 19th Century. It reads like prose, as a story, yet has acted as an important source of material for modern Wicca¹.

Chiefly the story of Italian Wicca and witchcraft, it is to this day still influential and makes stimulating reading for those taking their first few steps in the Craft².

It certainly inspired Gerald Gardner, the man responsible for the branch of wicca known as Gardnerian. Garner is also the author of Witchcraft Today (published in 1951) which is a work that is absolutely necessary for anyone who would like to be reasonably well-read in the history of Wicca.

Leyland's book tells the story of Diana, 'Queen of all the Witches', and goddess of the moon who seduces her brother Lucifer, the god of the sun and gives birth to Aradia, whom she sends to earth to bring the 'Gospel of the Witches'. It contains many beautiful passages which are both lyrical and spiritual.

A good example is the 'Charge of Aradia',

Whenever ye have need of anything,
Once in the month, and when the moon is full,
Ye shall assemble in some desert place,
Or in a forest all together join
To adore the potent spirit of your queen,
My mother, great Diana. She who fain
Would learn all sorcery yet has not won
Its deepest secrets, then my mother will
Teach her, in truth all things as yet unknown.
And ye shall all be freed from slavery,
And so ye shall be free in everything;
And as the sign that ye are truly free,
Ye shall be naked in your rites, both men
And women also.

The book also contains specific ritualistic details concerning the consecrating of food and wine, invocations and spells.

Perhaps of most interest to the Craft community, over many years this beautifully written book has brought enjoyment to an enormous, varied, range of readers.

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¹ Wicca is a pagan nature religion having its roots in pre-Christian western Europe and undergoing a modern-day revival, especially in the United States and Great Britain.
² A group or community of believers or followers of this religion.