''What Witches Do'' is a book by Stewart Farrar, and is an eye-witness account of

Wicca Wicca () is a modern Pagan religion. Scholars of religion categorise it as both a new religious movement and as part of the occultist stream of Western esotericism. It was developed in England during the first half of the 20th century and w ...

n practices, namely that of the Alexandrian coven run by Alex Sanders and his wife

Maxine Sanders Maxine Sanders (born ''Arline Maxine Morris''; 30 December 1946, in Cheshire) is a key figure in the development of modern pagan witchcraft and Wicca and, along with her late husband, Alex Sanders, the co-founder of Alexandrian Wicca. Witchc ...

Description

Farrar was a practicing witch and a member of an active coven. In this book, he explores his version of the fundamental beliefs and premises of

Witchcraft Witchcraft traditionally means the use of magic or supernatural powers to harm others. A practitioner is a witch. In medieval and early modern Europe, where the term originated, accused witches were usually women who were believed to have ...

and explains his interpretation of its symbolism. The ceremonies presented are primarily from Alexandrian Wicca, as practiced by the author and his wife,

Janet Farrar Janet Farrar (born Janet Owen on 24 June 1950) is a British teacher and author of books on Wicca and Neopaganism. Along with her two husbands, Stewart Farrar and Gavin Bone, she has published "some of the most influential books on modern Witch ...

. Much of the book concerns itself with quoting participants in Wiccan rites, with some academic description for the uninitiated. At the time of the book's writing, the author was studying Witchcraft with Maxine and Alex Sanders, with whom Farrar collaborated on the book.

Publication data

*Farrar, Stewart (1971). ''What Witches Do: A Modern Coven Revealed''. New York: Coward McCann, Inc. Revised edition (1983). Blaine, Washington: Phoenix Publishing.

Notes

References

*Burland, C. A
Review: ''What Witches Do: The Modern Coven Revealed'' by Stewart Farrar
in ''

Folklore Folklore is shared by a particular group of people; it encompasses the traditions common to that culture, subculture or group. This includes oral traditions such as tales, legends, proverbs and jokes. They include material culture, ranging ...

'', Vol. 82, No. 3 (Autumn, 1971), pp. 257–258
Book Review: What Witches Do - Stewart Farrar
*Wigington, Patti

{{authority control Alexandrian Wicca Wiccan books 1971 books Coward-McCann books 1970s in modern paganism