One of Britain’s most influential witches, Doreen Valiente, died in 1999. Along with Aleister Crowley and Gerald Gardner, she was responsible for the resurgence and development of witchcraft in the twentieth century.
During the 1970s, Valiente also helped to establish the ‘Pagan Federation’.
Her dislike of the sexual demands of some coven leaders, and the mention of other evil practices, counters the claim by some that witchcraft is a harmless activity.
From witchcraft to Christ
I intend to review three books by another Doreen, Doreen Irvine, which have now been published in one volume, Classics from Doreen Irvine (Kingsway, Eastbourne). The three books in this first omnibus edition are – From Witchcraft to Christ, Set free to serve Christ and Spiritual warfare.
Doreen Irvine was deeply involved in this dark, evil world of Satanism. In fact, she was made a high priestess, which is a great honour in Satanist circles. And it was this woman whom God pursued, delivered and saved in his grace. Her story is a testimony to the power and grace of Christ’s gospel.
This month, I concentrate on From Witchcraft to Christ, first published in 1973. This book has a compelling message, expressed in terms of Irvine’s experience, and I commend it to you with this qualification – that her account of the Lord’s dealings with her needs to be evaluated in the light of Scripture. Clearly she has moved in Charismatic circles since her conversion.
Brought up in London’s East End, Doreen Irvine was the oldest of five children. Her parents lived in poverty, made worse by her alcoholic father who was drunk nearly every day.
The children were deprived of necessities and Doreen often stole from shops in order to feed her four sisters.
