The History of Ceremonial Magic

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Step into the rich and mysterious world of ceremonial magic, where ancient wisdom meets Renaissance revelation. This talk traces the fascinating evolution of the Western Esoteric Tradition - from its roots in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Classical Greece to its revival during the Renaissance. We'll delve into the lives and legacies of thinkers like Ficino, Pico della Mirandola, Agrippa, and John Dee, whose rediscovery and reinterpretation of ancient texts laid the foundation for modern magical practice. Their work inspired the 19th- and 20th-century magical orders such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the Ordo Templi Orientis, shaping the ritual structures that still resonate today. Drawing upon hundreds of years of tradition, retired civil servant Gerald Gardner wove these practices into a remarkable tapestry that has grown from strength to strength over the past 70 years.

Workshop highlights:

• Discover the roots of ceremonial magic in ancient wisdom and renaissance scholarship and chart its journey across time.
• Explore the convergence of centuries of magical philosophy with folk magic in the 1950s and the emergence of Wicca, a spiritual path that continues to inspire around the globe.
• Understand the different schools of thought that led to modern ceremonial magic.
• Learn about the rebirth of witchcraft and how it continues to empower modern practitioners today.

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Dr Julia Phillips is Hons Senior Research Associate and lecturer at the University of Bristol. She received her PhD for her research examining how witches and witchcraft were featured in newspapers in Victorian Britain. Her work has been published in books, academic journals, and popular magazines, and she is a regular presenter at conferences and events. Her primary research interests are the study of witchcraft in the 19th century and the development of modern Pagan Witchcraft in the 20th/21st centuries.

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