History-1930's to 1970's

1923-1936:	Gerald Gardner works as an inspector of rubber plantations and then as a customs officer in the southern Malay peninsula. Becomes something of an expert in Malayan archaeology and weaponry. Travels extensively and becomes interested in esoteric religions - Freemasonry, Buddhism, Spiritualism, and tribal beliefs and practices. Is able to participate in religious ceremonies of indigenous peoples. Becomes a believer in reincarnation and the spirit world and is fascinated with ritual practices. Converts to naturalism (nude sunbathing to improve health). [source of his belief that the 'energy' of the human body flows better when unobstructed by clothing?]
	*Note: Gardner's interest in Malayan weaponry inspires him to write a book entitled "Keris and other Malayan Weapons,"* along with several other articles regarding Malayan weaponry, archaelology and ancient metalwork.
1936:	Retires and returns to England. Joins national Folklore Society, Druid Order, and Co-Masons. Makes several visits to archaelogical sites in the Near East.
1938:	Moves to Bournemouth, near New Forest, and becomes associated with an esoteric society known as the Fellowship of Crotona which is located in nearby Christchurch. He meets a woman there who is a member of the Co-Masons and the leading lady in the Rosicrucian Theatre who calls herself "Dafo". It is through this society that Gardner maintains he met Dorothy Clutterbuck and was later initiated into the "witch religion" by her.
	**Note: Doreen Valiente began to research the existance of a woman named Dorothy Clutterbuck in 1980 and by 1982 had obtained a copy of her birth and death certificates, her parents marriage record and her will, proving "Old Dorothy" had actually existed. However, no evidence exists to support Gardner's claim that she was a member of any type of "ancient religion." It has been suggested that Dafo was actually the woman who initiated Gardner and he used the identity of Ms. Cluttebuck to protect Dafo's identity.
1936-1938:	Becomes increasingly interested in ancient paganism, witchcraft, and reincarnation. Writes a book that addresses these themes, apparently before learning of the witch religion he is later initiated into.
1939:	Gardner's fictional novel, "A Goddess Arrives," is published. He is initiated into the New Forest coven of the "witch religion."
1940:	Takes part in 'coven rites' against Hitler's threatened invasion. Called "Operation Cone of Power," this was alleged to be a very large gathering of witches. The power was raised by frenetic dancing and chanting before being released towards Hitler's forces. After being repeated four times, the elders called a halt to the ritual due to the ill health of some of the older coven members. Gardner stated that several of these older people died a few days later due to the strenuous activity and exposure to cold.
1939-1944:	Serves as an air-raid patrol warden which apparently kept him away from the Christchurch area and the New Forest coven for a while.
1944:	Served as co-president of the Bournemouth Historical Association and began spending quite a bit of time with Dafo on various projects. There was no romantic involvement as he was happily married, however, Donna wasn't interested in the occult so he found friends that were.
1945:	Moves to London and pursues his interest in occultism.
1946:	Is elected to the council of the Druid Order, the most well know group practicing mystical Druidry at the time. He and Dafo buy a piece of land at Bricket Wood, Hertfordshire, and reconstruct and old cottage there. The cottage is a replica of a "witch's cottage" and is apparently intended for rituals to be held there.
1947:	On May Day, he is introduced to Aleister Crowley by Arnold Crowther and begins an attempt to revive Crowley's society, the Ordo Templi Orientis, in Britain. On May 9, Crowley writes a letter of inroduction to Gerald Yorke and asks Yorke to send Gardner an extra copy of Crowley's book "Equinox of the Gods" which contains many of his most important texts related to the OTO.
1947-1948:	Gardner produces a book called "Ye Bok of Ye Art Magical." He first claims that this is the original book of rites and rituals from the New Forest coven but later recants this claim and tells Doreen Valiente in 1952 that he had to add information to make the book complete. The book actually contains information copied from several sources: Mathers edition of "The Key of Solomon", a grimoire entitled "Goetia", a work on the cabbala, three different books by Crowley, the Waite-Smith tarot pack, one or two unidentified grimoires, and some Bible versus adapted for his purposes. Also gets permission from the "witch society" to publish some of their rituals and practices.
1948:	By now he has given up on the idea of reviving Crowley's OTO and has, instead, completed a fictional novel supposedly containing actual rituals from the witch religion he is a part of. This is the latest date at which the basic framework for the "witch religion" could have been put in place.
1949:	Gardner's novel "High Magic's Aid" is published. The religion portrayed is virtually identical to that described in Margaret Murray's book "God of the Witches." The book does, however, contain initiation rituals found nowhere else in published works. The "hero" (god form) in the book is represented by three seperate male characters: one represents wisdom, leadership, and magical proficiency; one represents the virile, martial figure and romantic interest; one being boyish, innocent, and mercurial. [the 'triple god' that corresponds to the 'triple goddess'?]
	*Note: In 1953 or '54, Gerald Yorke makes a note in his copy of "High Magic's Aid"* that all rituals in the book not from the "Key of Solomon" are from the "witch society."
1949-1950:	"Ye Bok of Ye Art Magical" has been relegated to a draft copy and Gardner has adopted the name "Book of Shadows" to designate the ritual book of the witches. He and Dafo are presiding over a coven based in Bricket Wood, Hertfordshire. Gardner begins circulating the news of an existing "witch religion" within the London occult community.
1951:	The last of the British "Witchcraft Acts", laws against witchcraft practices, are repealed. Mr. Cecil H. Williamson opens The Museum of Magic and Witchcraft at Castletown, Isle of Man, with Gardner being called the "resident witch." Gardner begins calling his witch religion the "Craft of the Wise," from a novel published in 1948 by Hugh Ross Williamson.
1952:	Dafo withdraws from the coven, partially because of Gardner's insistance on publicity. Doreen Valiente meets Gardner at Dafo's house after writing a letter to the Musuem of Magic's director.
1953:	Doreen Valiente is initiated into the coven and eventually becomes the high priestess. She also becomes Gardner's new partner in developing the witch religion's liturgy. She is asked by Gardner to write a ritual for the midwinter Sabbat and produces the poem "Queen of the Moon, Queen of the Stars." Gardner assumes the position of an uninvolved anthropologist and writes a factual accounting of the witch religion as he sees it.
1954:	Gardner's book "Witchcraft Today" is published, including Doreen's midwinter Sabbat poem. The term "Wica" is used for the first time to describe the witch religion. "The Myth of the Goddess" is first published. Doreen is invited by Gardner to rewrite many of the liturgical poems and rituals in the Book of Shadows. Gardner purchases the Museum of Magic and Witchcraft and lives there until his death.
	*Note: "Chamber's Dictionary of Scots-English,"* (unknown year of publication) defines the term "wica" as meaning "wise". This is possibly Gardner's reference for calling the witch religion the "Craft of the Wise."
1955:	Doreen and Gerald write the poem "The Witches' Rune". Doreen rewrites the "Charge of the Goddess," first in a verse version then in prose.
1957:	Doreen and other original members of the coven want to keep the religion out of the press and express their beliefs through books. 'Newcomers', Jack Bracelin and his girlfriend, Dayonis, oppose the older members and suggest finding sympathetic journalists to publish their views. Gardner wants to do both, which upsets the older members. Doreen and those in agreement with her draft a set of 13 'proposed rules for the Craft.' Gardner then comes up with what he calls the original "Laws of the Craft," prompting Doreen and her followers to leave the coven. Gardner asks Dayonis to initiate as many people as show interest in the Craft and carries out initiations himself when the coven thinks someone might be unsuitable.
1957-1963:	Dayonis, her successor, and Gardner initiate a number of high priestesses who then go on to initiate more seekers into the craft. From these newly formed covens come a variety of people who make a serious impact on the future of Wicca. Doreen Valiente becomes involved with the practice of Charles Cardell but is later disillusioned by him.
1958:	Equinox and Solstice rituals are "officially" celebrated on the actual dates rather than the closest monthly meeting after the Hertfordshire coven contacts Gardner for his permission. These new fixed dates are added to the original Sabbats to become the "Wheel of the Year" as it is currently known.
1959:	After pictures, names, and occupations of members of the coven are printed in a newspaper, the coven disbands for a while but later reforms out of the public eye. Gardner's second book on witchcraft is published, "The Meaning of Witchcraft." The main focus of the book is to provide a great deal of information meant to substantiate the claims of the existance of witchcraft from ancient times to the present.
1960:	A biography of Gardner's life, "Gerald Gardner: Witch," is published with the name of Jack Bracelin as the author. It is later revealed that the person who actually intreviewed Gardner and organized his memories into book form is Idries Shah, the Sufi teacher and writer.
1961:	Monique Wilson [also known as Lady Olwen], one of Gardner's leading priestesses has two working covens in Scotland.
1962:	Raymond Buckland is initiated by Lady Olwen and goes on to form the first recognized Gardnerian coven in the United States. Sybil Leek becomes a 'celebrity witch' in England. Doreen Valiente publishes her first book, "Where Witchcraft Lives." She uses the same method Gardner used in his first non-fiction book - she assumes the role of an unassociated scholar simply documenting what she has found.
1964:	Gardner dies in February of a cerebral hemorrhage. He divides the bulk of his estate between Patricia Crowther, Monique Wilson, and Doreen Valiente. High Priestess Monique Wilson assumes ownership of the Museum of Magic and Witchcraft. Pirated versions of the Gardnerian Book of Shadows is published by Charles Cardell, also known as Rex Nemorensis. Cardell is openly hostile towards Gardnerian Witches and Doreen Valiente in particular. Sybil Leek, at the time England's most well known 'celebrity witch,' announces the formation of the "Witchcraft Research Association" with herself as president. Soon after she becomes involved in what appears to be 'black magic' attacks on certain churches near her home and her reputation is irrepairably damaged. She moves to the United States and continues to flourish in much the same capacity as she once had in England. Doreen Valiente is given the presidency of the newly formed association.
1965:	The fourth major publication on witchcraft, "Witchcraft: The Sixth Sense--and Us," is published by journalist Justine Glass. It concentrates on the use of extrasensory perception and hypnosis in witchcraft in order to integrate the mind, body, and spiritual forces. Robert Cochrane is introduced in this book as a 'hereditary witch' and contributes information. He later tells friends that he deliberately gave false information in order to protect his inherited secrets. Doreen Valiente is, at first, a supporter of his and contributes her writing skills to his practice. Once again, she is alienated by his deceptions and misinformation.
1968:	Sybil Leek publishes her autobiography entitled "Diary of a Witch." Most of the personal history information in this book has been proven to be blatantly false or, at the least, unsubstantiated.
1979:	Two books are published on October 31 that reintroduce the concepts of Goddess religions and paganism - "The Spiral Dance" by Starhawk and "Drawing Down the Moon" by Margot Adler.