Tag Archives: Doreen Valiente

Ameth

Ameth: The Life and Times of Doreen Valiente by Jonathan Tapsell, forthcoming from Avalonia Books, may be of interest.

Jonathan Tapsell Ameth from Avalonia Books

This study of the life of the Witch, Priestess and Author Doreen Valiente, who is sometimes named as the ‘Mother of Modern Pagan Witchcraft’ presents a wonderful collection of information and insights into her life and work. ‘AMETH’ was Doreen Valiente’s witch name, the author talks about this in the book writing that during Doreen’s initiation as a Witch by Gerald Gardner, she was given the name:

‘At this rite Gardner and Dafo gave their new initiate a secret Witch-name known only to those within the Craft. Doreen was from then on to be known as — Ameth. Gardner is likely to have said these words taken from his own Book of Shadows: “Hear, ye Mighty Ones, (Ameth) hath been consecrated Priestess and Witch of the Gods.” before asking the Gods to depart. Ameth true to her secret oaths of the Old Religion would neither disclose to either her husband or mother that she was now a fully-fledged Witch.’

‘As the ceremony progressed the newly initiated Witch, Doreen, would have been anointed, given wine from a chalice, gently scourged for purification and eventually untied and the blindfold taken away. At its conclusion she would have been presented with an athame (a witch’s knife), a wand to invoke spirits, a white handled knife, a scourge and a censor for incense. Another magical artefact, belonging to the Witch, was the cords used to bind her during the ceremony. One cord measured nine feet long and was to be used to make magical circles and another cord was used for spells. She was now a member of the coven and only another two degrees stood between her and the title of High Priestess in the art magical.’

The Charge of the Goddess

An expanded paperback edition of The Charge Of The Goddess, a book of poetry by Doreen Valiente, with previously unpublished poems, is due for release in April, 2014 to coincide with A Day For Patricia Crowther, but is available now for pre-order from the Doreen Valiente Foundation.

Doreen Valiente The Charge of the Goddess expanded edition

“Doreen Valiente, hailed as the ‘Mother of Modern Witchcraft’, is one of the most influential figures in 20th century contemporary religion and spirituality. A prolific poet throughout her life, her most famous and many previously unknown poems are published here in this special posthumous volume named after her best known work: The Charge Of The Goddess. This 2014 expanded edition features over 80 poems including all of the poems from the previous book of the same title plus many more previously unpublished poems.

Whilst the book will appeal to those interested in Doreen’s spiritual and religious themes, the poetry embraces diverse and broader themes from seasonal insights to humourous retellings which the custodians of her legacy are proud to present here along with some of her better known pieces such as ‘The Witches Chant’ and ‘The Charge Of The Goddess’.”