Get ready to stir the cauldron and cast some spells as we delve into the mysterious and fascinating world of real witches in history. Forget the pointy hats and broomsticks, because we’re talking about the powerful women and men who practiced witchcraft throughout history and faced persecution and discrimination for their beliefs.

It is difficult to provide examples of “famous real witches” because the term “witch” is often used in a variety of ways and may not have the same meaning for all people. However, here are a few examples of people who have been associated with the practice of witchcraft in some way:

So grab your grimoire and let’s journey into the world of real witches in history!

Gerald Gardner

Gerald Gardner was an English author and amateur anthropologist who played a significant role in the development and popularization of modern witchcraft, known as Wicca. He was born on June 13, 1884, in Lancashire, England, and died on February 12, 1964.

Gardner is often referred to as the “Father of Wicca” because he was one of the first to openly promote and teach the religion. He claimed to have been initiated into a coven of witches in the New Forest area of England in the 1930s, and he later founded his own coven, which became known as the Bricket Wood coven.

While Gardner claimed to have been initiated into an existing tradition of witchcraft, some scholars and historians have questioned the authenticity of his claims. There is evidence to suggest that Gardner may have created Wicca by combining elements of various pre-existing esoteric and occult traditions, as well as incorporating his own ideas and beliefs.

Regardless of the origin of Wicca, Gardner’s role in its development and promotion is significant, and his legacy continues to influence the practice of modern witchcraft today.

Gardner was also a British civil servant and amateur anthropologist who became interested in folklore and the occult in the early 20th century. He wrote several books about Wicca, including “Witchcraft Today” and “The Meaning of Witchcraft,” which helped to popularize the religion and establish it as a recognized spiritual path.

Doreen Valiente

Doreen Valiente was an influential figure in the development of modern witchcraft. She was born on January 4, 1922, in London, England, and died on September 1, 1999.

Valiente was initiated into a coven of witches by Gerald Gardner in the early 1950s and became one of his most important collaborators in the development of Wicca. She is credited with writing many of the foundational texts of modern witchcraft, including the Charge of the Goddess and the Wiccan Rede.

Valiente was also instrumental in the preservation and revival of traditional witchcraft practices, which she believed were in danger of being lost as a result of the persecution and suppression of witchcraft that had occurred in the past.

Valiente was a practicing witch throughout her life and was respected within the Wiccan and wider pagan community as a wise and knowledgeable practitioner. Her contributions to the development of modern witchcraft have had a lasting impact and continue to be studied and celebrated by those who practice the craft today.

Valiente wrote several books about Wicca, including “An ABC of Witchcraft” and “The Rebirth of Witchcraft,” and is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of Wicca.

Aleister Crowley

Aleister Crowley was a British occultist, writer, and ceremonial magician who was active in the early 20th century. He played a significant role in the development of modern Western occultism. He was born on October 12, 1875, in Warwickshire, England, and died on December 1, 1947.

Crowley was associated with various esoteric and mystical organizations, including the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the Ordo Templi Orientis. He is best known for his philosophy of Thelema, which he described as a religion based on the idea of individualism and personal freedom.

Although Crowley is often referred to as a “witch” by those unfamiliar with his work, he did not practice witchcraft in the traditional sense. Instead, he developed his own unique system of magic and ritual that incorporated elements of various esoteric and mystical traditions, including ceremonial magic, alchemy, and Tantra.

Crowley’s teachings and practices have had a significant impact on the development of modern Western occultism and continue to be studied and practiced by occultists and magicians today. While he may not have been a “witch” in the traditional sense, his work and ideas have been influential in the wider context of Western esotericism.

He founded his own spiritual organization, the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO), and wrote extensively about magic, mysticism, and the spiritual path. Crowley is often controversial and polarizing figure, and his views and practices have been both celebrated and criticized.

Zsuzsanna Budapest

Zsuzsanna Budapest is a Hungarian-American author, activist, and spiritual leader who is best known for her role in the feminist spirituality movement and for founding the Women’s Spirituality movement. She was born on January 30, 1940, in Budapest, Hungary.

Budapest is a practitioner of witchcraft, and she has written extensively on the subject, including several books on feminist witchcraft and the Goddess movement. She is the founder of the Susan B. Anthony Coven No. 1, which was the first feminist Wiccan coven in the United States.

Budapest’s work in the feminist spirituality movement has been influential in promoting the idea that women’s spirituality is an important and valid part of religious experience. She has also been a vocal advocate for women’s rights and has been involved in various feminist and social justice causes throughout her career.

While some may dispute the authenticity of Budapest’s claims to witchcraft or her particular approach to the practice, she is considered by many to be a significant figure in the development of modern Wicca and feminist spirituality.

She is the founder of the Susan B. Anthony Coven, the first feminist coven, and has written several books about feminism, magic, and the divine feminine.

Starhawk

Starhawk, born Miriam Simos, is an American author, activist, and spiritual leader who is known for her role in the development of modern paganism, feminist spirituality, and earth-based spirituality. She was born on June 17, 1951, in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Starhawk is a practitioner of witchcraft, and she has written extensively on the subject, including the influential book “The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess,” which is considered a classic in the field of modern witchcraft.

In addition to her work as an author, Starhawk is also a prominent social and environmental activist, and she has been involved in various social justice causes throughout her career. She is a co-founder of the Reclaiming Tradition of Witchcraft, which is a group of Witches who seek to use magic and ritual to effect social change.

While some may dispute the authenticity of Starhawk’s claims to witchcraft, she is considered by many to be a significant figure in the development of modern paganism and feminist spirituality, and her work has had a significant impact on the wider movement.

She is the author of several books, including “The Spiral Dance” and “The Earth Path,” and is a leading figure in the contemporary witchcraft community.

These are just a few examples of people who have been associated with the practice of witchcraft in some way. There are many other notable figures in the history of witchcraft and contemporary witchcraft communities. We will continue…