Born December 1503 â July 1566, Michel de Nostredame, better known as Nostradamus, was a French astrologer, apothecary, and reputed seer. His most famous work, Les ProphĂ©ties (1555), consists of 942 poetic quatrains that have been interpreted as prophecies of future events. Nostradamus is often regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of prophecy, and his works continue to be a subject of study in esoteric circles, with many claiming that his predictions have foreseen major world events.
John Dee (July 13, 1527 â 1608/1609) was an English mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, and alchemist, known for his role as the court astronomer to Queen Elizabeth I. Dee's work was foundational in the development of early British imperialism, and he coined the term British Empire. A scholar of the occult and alchemy, Deeâs most famous works include Monas Hieroglyphica (1564), a book that sought to uncover the hidden meaning behind symbols and their connection to divine knowledge. Though he died in poverty, Deeâs mystical work continues to influence modern occultism and spiritualism.
Israel Regardie (November 17, 1907 â March 10, 1985) was a British-American occultist, ceremonial magician, and writer, best known for his role in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Regardieâs most influential work, The Golden Dawn (1937), is a comprehensive reference on the practices and rituals of the Golden Dawn, serving as a vital resource for modern ceremonial magicians. Regardieâs works on magic, ritual, and the occult have inspired countless practitioners in the Western esoteric tradition.
Aleister Crowley (October 12, 1875 â December 1, 1947) was an English occultist, poet, painter, novelist, and mountaineer. Crowley founded Thelema, a spiritual philosophy centered around the belief in the Aeon of Horus, and identified himself as the prophet of this new age. His most famous work, The Book of the Law (1904), serves as the central text of Thelemic philosophy. Crowleyâs infamous reputation and controversial contributions to modern occultism have cemented him as a pivotal figure in esoteric traditions, influencing magicians, spiritualists, and occultists across the world.
Dion Fortune (Violet Mary Firth, December 6, 1890 â January 6, 1946) was a British occultist, ceremonial magician, and author, who co-founded the Fraternity of the Inner Light. Fortuneâs works, such as The Mystical Qabalah (1935) and Psychic Self-Defense (1930), are considered foundational in modern esoteric literature. She was deeply involved in occultism and her writings continue to serve as a guiding light for those who seek a deeper understanding of the Qabalah, spiritual protection, and magical practice.
William Robert Woodman (1828 â December 20, 1891) was one of the co-founders of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Though he passed away before the Golden Dawnâs second order was fully established, his influence as a key figure in Western esoteric tradition during the late 19th century remains undeniable. Woodmanâs contributions to ceremonial magic and esoteric practices played a critical role in shaping the teachings of the Golden Dawn.
William Wynn Westcott (December 17, 1848 â July 30, 1925) was a British coroner, ceremonial magician, and co-founder of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Westcott was instrumental in bringing the Cipher Manuscripts, a key set of texts that laid the foundation for the Golden Dawnâs teachings, into public view. His work as a magus and his leadership in the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (S.R.I.A.) established him as a significant figure in the Western esoteric tradition.
Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers (January 1854 â November 1918) was a British occultist and co-founder of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Mathers was responsible for much of the ritual work of the Golden Dawn and translated key esoteric texts, including The Key of Solomon, which contributed to the development of ceremonial magic. His involvement with the Golden Dawn made him one of the most influential figures in the occult community during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
William Butler Yeats (June 13, 1865 â January 28, 1939) was an Irish poet, dramatist, and occultist. A member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Yeats incorporated mysticism and spiritualism into his literary work. His mystical poetry, such as The Celtic Twilight (1893), explores the supernatural and occult, deeply influencing both literary and spiritual circles. Yeatsâ exploration of the mystic and the supernatural left a lasting legacy in the world of literature and occultism.
Arthur Edward Waite (October 2, 1857 â May 19, 1942) was a British poet, scholarly mystic, and co-creator of the Rider-Waite tarot deck, one of the most influential tarot decks ever published. Waiteâs deep involvement in occult research and his writings on the history of Western occultism, particularly his work The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1910), have made him a central figure in the study and practice of tarot and esotericism.
Gerald Gardner (June 13, 1884 â February 12, 1964) was an English Wiccan and anthropologist, best known for popularizing Wicca and founding the Gardnerian tradition of Wicca. Gardnerâs work, including Witchcraft Today (1954), introduced Wicca to the broader public, and his influence continues to shape the practice and understanding of modern witchcraft and paganism.
Doreen Edith Dominy Valiente (January 4, 1922 â September 1, 1999) was an English Wiccan and author. Valiente is considered a key figure in shaping the liturgy of Wicca. Her writings, including The Rebirth of Witchcraft (1973) and The Witches' Way (1989), have had a significant impact on modern Wiccan practices and liturgical forms.
Dorothy Clutterbuck (January 19, 1880 â January 12, 1951) was a leading member of the New Forest Coven, a pivotal group in the early development of Wicca. Though she was a practicing Anglican Christian, her initiation of Gerald Gardner into Wicca marked a turning point in the modern witchcraft movement.
Margot Susanna Adler (April 16, 1946 â July 28, 2014) was an American author, journalist, and Wiccan priestess. Her influential book Drawing Down the Moon (1979) remains one of the most comprehensive explorations of modern Neopaganism in America, making her a prominent figure in the Pagan community.
Margaret Alice Murray (July 13, 1863 â November 13, 1963) was an Anglo-Indian Egyptologist and folklorist. Murrayâs witch-cult theory, which posited that ancient European witchcraft was a continuation of pre-Christian pagan religions, was controversial but had a significant influence on the development of modern Wicca.
Sybil Leek (February 22, 1917 â October 26, 1982) was an English witch, astrologer, and author. Known as "Britain's most famous witch," Leek was a key figure in occult circles in the 1960s and is remembered for her numerous books on astrology, magic, and the occult.
Raymond Buckland (August 31, 1934 â September 27, 2017) was an English writer and Wiccan who introduced the Gardnerian Wicca tradition to the United States in 1964. He later founded the Seax-Wicca tradition and authored influential works like Bucklandâs Complete Book of Witchcraft (1986), a key text for many Wiccan practitioners.
Janet Farrar (June 24, 1950) is a British teacher and author, and with her husbands Stewart Farrar (June 28, 1916 â February 7, 2000) and Gavin Bone (January 19, 1964), co-authored influential works like Eight Sabbats for Witches (1981) and The Witches' Way (1984), shaping modern witchcraft.
Scott Douglas Cunningham (June 27, 1956 â March 28, 1993) was an American Wiccan and author. His book Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner (1988) became a cornerstone text for those practicing Wicca alone, cementing Cunninghamâs role as a leading figure in modern witchcraft.
Laurie Cabot (March 6, 1933) is an American witch, high priestess, and author. Founder of the Cabot Tradition of the Science of Witchcraft, Cabot is a major advocate for the civil rights of witches and has influenced modern witchcraft through her work in Salem, Massachusetts.
Deanna "D. J." Conway (May 3, 1939 â February 1, 2019) was an author specializing in magic, Wicca, Druidism, shamanism, and the occult. Conwayâs contributions to Neo-Paganism include books on magickal incense and the Flower of Life.
Selena Fox (October 20, 1949) is a Wiccan priestess, interfaith minister, and environmentalist. Founder of Circle Sanctuary, one of the oldest Pagan centers in the U.S., Fox is an advocate for Wiccan religious freedom and Pentacle rights.
Monique "Nickie" Marie Mauricette Wilson (nĂ©e Arnoux) a.k.a. Lady Olwen was a key figure in the development of the Gardnerian tradition, known as Britainâs Queen of the Witches. Wilson played a central role in the early days of Wicca and inherited much of Gerald Gardner's estate.
Alex Sanders (June 6, 1926 â April 30, 1988) was an occultist and co-founder of Alexandrian Wicca. He, alongside his wife Maxine Sanders (December 30, 1946), developed Alexandrian Wicca, which became one of the major branches of modern Wicca.
Frater Barrabbas Tiresius is a contemporary ritual magician and founder of the Order of the Gnostic Star, known for his writings on ritual magic and Qabalah.
Philip Carr-Gomm is a leading figure in modern Druidry, with significant works like The Druid Way. His teachings bridge the ancient Druidic traditions with contemporary spiritual practices.
Professor Ronald Hutton (born 1953) is an expert in British folklore and pre-Christian religion, authoring works like The Triumph of the Moon to explore the history of Paganism in Britain.
A founding member and Grand Master of Occult Wisdom, Reverend Dr. M.N. Antone Wood was integral in shaping the spiritual framework of The Order of Sen-Taur. His mentorship remains a guiding light in our practices.
As High Priestess, Reverend Mother Dr. Mary Kateryn continues to lead The Order of Sen-Taur with wisdom and grace, creating transformative practices and works like the Liber Mystica series and Sen-Taur Legacy Tarot.
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