There’s a figure who’s had a resurgence in recent years – not that she ever went away, but there’s more and more talk about her as time passes by, as injustice becomes more obvious, as freedom gets threatened. Her name is Aradia, the daughter of Diana, the goddess at the center of one of modern Pagan Witchcraft’s most important texts.
New readers can now approach that book with the knowledge necessary to really understand it, thanks to Aradia: A Modern Guide to Charles Godfrey Leland’s Gospel of the Witches (Expanded Edition), by Craig Spencer.
Cover to Craig Spencer’s “Aradia: A Modern Guide to Charles Godfrey Leland’s Gospel of the Witches (Expanded Edition)” [Crossed Crow Books]
- Print Length: 200 pages.
- Publisher: Crossed Crow Books.
- Publication Date: November 18, 2025.
- Topics: History, Italian, Folklore, Non-Fiction, Paganism.
- Rating: 5/5 stars.
A fresh approach to the classic text.
Craig Spencer presents vital cultural context and updated translations of Charles Godfrey Leland’s classic book in Aradia: A Modern Guide to Charles Godfrey Leland’s Gospel of the Witches (Expanded Edition). Passed to Charles Godfrey Leland through supposedly hereditary witches from Italy in the late 1890s, Aradia was one of the building blocks for British Witchcraft as we know it today. Through Spencer’s in-depth commentary and analysis of the original work, contemporary value and rich historical narratives are revealed to anyone with a penchant for British Witchcraft’s most formative texts.
Spencer presents Leland’s original English manuscript with new interpretations, translations, and the restoration of forty lines of text that were left out of the original publication. This exploration of one of the world’s most fascinating and enduring pieces of magical literature is sure to inspire and enrich your own journey along the spiritually profound path of witchcraft.
I read the first edition of this book a few years ago and it was already a great book. This one extends the spells’ section, offering a solid foundation for those who want to include Aradia in their practice, whether as a central or complementary figure. Craig Spencer’s style is so easy to follow you get to understand the ideas right away, but let’s start from the beginning.
Aradia has been a controversial figure due to her initial associations with Lucifer, along with problematic aspects of her origin story, both in the narrative and the history of the original manuscript. Many have disregarded The Gospel of the Witches, myself being one of them a few years ago. Much has been said and done about this book, but one thing is for sure: it influenced many Witches since its publication, maybe even before it.
The author explores the significance of the Aradia mythos, what the Gospel can say about the Witch as a person and as a figure, how to work with these energies, and how to better understand them. He goes chapter by chapter, spell by spell, and ritual by ritual, dwelling deep in the content of the whole manuscript sharing his interpretation about different segments of it.
While I don’t share all of Spencer’s opinions, he does make a case for them, which is always five-star material for me. It’s easy to say this means that, but to show the logic behind the statement is what matters to me.
Because of how controversial the inclusion of Lucifer has been since Aradia’s original publication, I enjoyed the chapters on that the most. I won’t spoil Spencer’s answer, as what happened here because it’s my favorite part of the book. What I will say instead is that the explanation makes sense and I had some synchronicity related to this.
I know some might have conflicting feelings regarding Aradia and the Gospel, which is a valid reaction. However, those are the kind of people I recommend this book the most to because it is healing in that regard; it shows what Aradia is actually about. While not perfect, this offers a first step at the very least.
The whole experience of Spencer’s guide is similar to have a chat with a friendly professor who offers as much as he can. He doesn’t overpromise or underdeliver, but strikes that sweet spot where there are answers and some educated guesses about what this and that might be. Craig Spencer is that professor, who offers guidance while admitting his limitations.
Aradia: A Modern Guide to Charles Godfrey Leland’s Gospel of the Witches is a great book. It doesn’t claim to offer all the answers, but it does promise and delivers a deep, honest exploration of both the Witch and the myth around her. Equally controversial and influential, the figure of Aradia keeps giving Witches new and old food for thought, something this book ensures.
I recommend everyone, especially those feeling uncomfortable with her, pick up a copy to dwell deeper into what the Gospel of the Witches might be about. The answers always surprise me when I come back to it.
Thanks to Crossed Crow Books for providing a review copy.
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