American Witchcraft, Western Esotericism, and New Age Serials features nearly 600 rare serials on Wicca, Neo-Paganism, Magick, New Age, and Occult groups in the United States and Canada. The collection of Wicca, Neo-Paganism and Magick serials is the most comprehensive in the United States and includes many complete or almost complete runs of rare serials not available in any other library. Publication dates range from the 1920s through 2000, with the bulk of the titles published in the last 30 years. Of particular importance to scholars utilizing this collection is how "unofficial" much of this material is, deriving in large part from small alternative religious organizations that sought to differentiate themselves from major creeds and provide Americans a set of counter-traditional beliefs.
Western Esotericism is an umbrella term for these families of religious groups. Wicca and Neo-Paganism emphasize religious experience and goddess worship, which will be of particular interest to women's studies historians. Magick groups have their roots in a pre-Christian tradition and are characterized by ritual and secret ancient wisdom. New Age is a revival movement of post-Spiritualist groups that came of age in the 1970s, with current emphasis on the Occult.
The serials in this collection provide much-needed primary source material for divinity schools, departments of religion, American studies, anthropology, sociology, psychology, and women's studies programs with interest in women and religion.
Part 1: Witchcraft, Paganism, and Magick
85 reels
Part 2: New Age
48 reels