Gerald Gardner 1884-1964 Gerald Gardner was born in 1884 in Crosby, Merseyside, England.The coven of which he became a member was reportedly descended from one of the "Nine Covens" founded by George Pickingill. During the 1950's Gerald wrote the now famous books "Witchcraft Today" and "The Meaning of Witchcraft". These books on modern Wicca became classics that inspired the growth and development of many modern Wiccan Traditions throughout Europe and the United States. Thus he became the founder of Gardnerian Wicca, which began in the early 1960's. The core beliefs of his tradition included balance, duality and the Goddess and God in equal partnership, the Wiccan Rede and is considered as a family unit.Gardnerians preserve the origional work by Gerald Gardner and Doreen Valiente.The Gardnerian Tradition incorperated many elements of Aegean/Mediterranean Pagan themes.Along with various aspects of Italian Witchcraft as reflected in the works of Charles Leyland. The "Charge of the Goddess" is  almost identical to the verses found in Leylands Italian material. Doreen Valiente an admirer of Leyland wrote the Gardnerian verion of "Charge".  Gerald Gardner established several covens throughout England and eventually opened a Witchcraft Museum on the Isle Of Man. He passed away from this world in 1964 while on a cruise ship off the coast of North Africa, while returning to England.

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