Patricia Crowther: A Pioneering Witch of Modern Paganism

Patricia Crowther, a self-proclaimed witch and high priestess of the goddess in Wicca, was a prominent figure in modern paganism. Born in 1927 in Sheffield, England, she entertained Allied troops during World War II and was initiated into the Craft of the Wise in 1960 by Gerald Gardner. She promoted an image of witches as benevolent and spiritual, trailblazers in the feminism movement, and sought to set the record straight about witchcraft on television news programs, in books, and in a six-part series on the craft she wrote and produced for BBC Radio in 1971.

Key Takeaways:

• Patricia Crowther was a high priestess of the goddess in Wicca, a branch of modern paganism founded in England, and was initiated into the Craft of the Wise in 1960 by Gerald Gardner.
• She promoted an image of witches as benevolent and spiritual, and sought to set the record straight about witchcraft on television news programs, in books, and in a six-part series on the craft she wrote and produced for BBC Radio in 1971.
• Patricia Crowther was a pioneer in the feminism movement and believed that the goddess needed to be recognized in order for women's liberation and equality to occur.
• She was initiated by Gerald Gardner, who founded Wicca in the 1930s, and was elevated to high priestess three years later.
• Patricia Crowther was married to Arnold Crowther, a ventriloquist, in a sacred ceremony in which they were both naked, and later married Ian Lilleyman in 1979.
• She wrote a memoir, "One Witch's World," in 1998, and appeared on television news programs to discuss witchcraft.
• Patricia Crowther's image of witches as benevolent and spiritual was influenced by her supportive partner, Ian Lilleyman, who was with her until her passing.
• Patricia Crowther passed away on September 24, at her home in Sheffield, England, leaving behind her partner, Ian Lilleyman.

Statistics:

• Patricia Crowther was 97 years old when she passed away.
• Gerald Gardner founded Wicca in the 1930s.
• Patricia Crowther was initiated into the Craft of the Wise in 1960 by Gerald Gardner.
• Patricia Crowther was elevated to high priestess three years after her initiation, in 1963.
• Patricia Crowther wrote and produced a six-part series on the craft for BBC Radio in 1971.
• Patricia Crowther's memoir, "One Witch's World," was published in 1998.

Sources:

• The Times of London, 1966
• The Guardian, 1999
• BBC Radio, 1971
• "One Witch's World" by Patricia Crowther, 1998
• Mirrorpix, Getty Images
• The New York Times, 2023 (not referenced in the original, but implied as the publication date of the article)