* This is an audio-only version of my interview with Rufus Harrington, trustee of The Doreen Valiente Foundation. I am so excited to share this special conversation with Rufus Harrington about the legendary Doreen Valiente, the "Mother of Modern Witchcraft"! As a thank you for your incredible support, this interview is being released as a free bonus episode for both my dedicated Patreon members as well as my YouTube community. Happy Yule!
* This is an audio-only version of my interview with Rufus Harrington, trustee of The Doreen Valiente Foundation.
I am so excited to share this special conversation with Rufus Harrington about the legendary Doreen Valiente!
As a thank you for your incredible support, this interview is being released as a free bonus episode for both my dedicated Patreon members as well as my YouTube community. Happy Yule!
In this insightful conversation, I sat down with Rufus Harrington, a psychologist and long-standing practitioner of the craft, who currently serves as a trustee for the Doreen Valiente Foundation.
This interview traces the life and spiritual impact of the woman widely known as the "Mother of Modern Witchcraft." We begin by exploring Rufus’s own journey into Wicca and how his professional background in psychology provides a unique lens through which he views the evolution of the pagan community.
The Heart of the Conversation: Who was Doreen Valiente? We dive into a biography of this pivotal figure, moving beyond her titles to understand her as a poet, a researcher, and a spiritual revolutionary.
The Gardnerian Connection: Rufus distinguishes Valiente’s contributions from those of her contemporary, Gerald Gardner, highlighting how her poetic voice and ethical framework shaped the Craft as we know it today.
The Foundation’s Mission: Rufus discusses the vital work of preserving sacred artifacts, rare writings, and the personal legacy of a woman who sought to bring the magic of the old world into the modern era.
Spirituality in Practice: From the "Charge of the Goddess" to her scholarly research, we discuss the enduring resonance of Valiente's work and why it remains "alive" for practitioners in the 21st century.
Whether you are a long-time practitioner or simply curious about the history of modern spirituality, this interview offers a deep dive into the stewardship of a legacy. Rufus shares personal reflections on his role as a trustee and offers guidance on where seekers can find authentic resources to further their own studies.
PROGRAM NOTES
Home | Doreen Valiente
Books by Doreen Valiente (Author of Natural Magic)
Natural Magic: Valiente, Doreen: 8601404398032: Amazon.com: Books
THE ATLANTIS BOOKSHOP | The living history of magic
Home - Museum of Witchcraft and Magic
Lifting the Veil: A Witches' Guide to Trance-Prophesy, Drawing Down the Moon and Ecstatic Ritual: Farrar, Janet, Bone, Gavin: 9780719831621: Amazon.com: Books
What Witches Do: A Modern Coven Revealed: Farrar, Stewart: 9780719831539: Amazon.com: Books
Aradia or the Gospel of the Witches: The Founding Book of Modern Witchcraft, Containing History, Traditions, Dianic Goddesses and Folklore of Wicca: Leland, Charles Godfrey: 9781985818026: Amazon.com: Books
High Magic's Aid - Kindle edition by Gardner, Gerald . Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
Books by Vivianne Crowley (Author of Wicca)
Books by Patricia Crowther (Author of Lid Off the Cauldron)
John Belham-Payne Founder of the Centre For Pagan Studies – Centre For Pagan Studies
John Belham-Payne – Gardnerian Wicca
Music & End Production: Stephanie Shea