Is Wicca Gnostic?

The actual title of this interesting, and fairly lengthy, post is Are Witches Gnostic? However, the author, Jordan Stratford, is careful to distinguish between Witchcraft and Wicca.

Among the interesting comments made are these:

- Wicca was specifically invented by Gardner to popularize Thelemic Gnosticism (specifically the Gnostic Mass).

- Upon Crowley's death, Lady Freida Harris - the artist of the popular Thoth Tarot - understood Gardner (mistakenly) to be the head of the OTO in Europe. It was viewed by many within Crowley's circle that what Gardner was doing (Wicca) was merely an extension and performance of the Gnostic Mass.

- Gardner's Third Degree Initiation Ritual of the original Wicca is an exact copy of the Gnostic Mass

Honestly, I don't know enough about the history of Thelema & Crowley to say whether or not Stratford is on the level. He does link to an article which outlines the case at considerable length. The essay, called The Secret History of Modern Witchcraft

is a product of some nearly twenty years of research and revision on my part. There are conjectures that might be wrong, and certainly satirical points not intended to be taken at face value, but it is a carefully measured, honest appraisal of the origins of "the old religion" as it has called itself, or Wicca. It is not an attack on a system of religious beliefs.

For those that are interested in such things...enjoy.