Today, Karen Dales announced the Gardnerian High Priestess and author Patricia Crowther — whose Craft name was “Thelema” — has passed away. Her FB post says:
It is my sad news to report that Gardnerian High Priestess and Witch Patricia Crowther passed away this morning at the tender age of 96.
She had written many books on her experiences as a Witch.
She was initiated by Gerald Gardner and is the head of the Sheffield line of Gardnerian Wicca.
Her legacy is in one of us who call ourselves Witches and Wiccans, especially Gardnerian Wicca.
Her memory will be a blessing to all who knew her and to all those who have been touched by her magic.
Here’s an excerpt from a biography published by Wicca Magazine.
Once Arthur learned of Patricia’s interest in witchcraft, he grew eager to introduce her to his friend…Gerald Gardner.
It did not take long before Patricia found her place at Gerald Gardner’s side. The two were like long-lost friends and easily forged a strong relationship of mentor and apprentice. Gerald was also in need of a new High Priestess, having had a falling out with his former High Priestess, Doreen Valiente. And so he initiated Patricia into his Bricket Wood Coven on June 6th, 1960, in his home on the Isle of Man. During her initiation ceremony, Patricia had a profound vision.
She saw herself being reborn as a Moon Goddess Priestess through a long line of howling women who passed her through their wombs.
Gerald would explain the experience as being another past life regression wherein Patricia was given ancient ritual rites. After her initiation was over, Patricia initiated Arthur into the coven as the new High Priestess. After that night, Patricia would go by the craft name Thelema.
Read the whole article
https://www.wiccamagazine.com/blog/witches-of-history-patricia-crowther
