Holding her hands over a huge amethyst crystal, as though warming them in front of a hearth, a blond woman named Peggy invites the goddess to come into the room. Candlelight flickers against the ...

Witchcrafting A Spiritual Guide to Making Magic by Phyllis Curott Broadway Books, 304 pp., $25 BROWSE IN ANY bookstore’s “spirituality” section and you’ll find dozens of books about Wicca and the ...

Crowther was one of the last remaining direct initiates of Gerald Gardner, who founded Wicca in the mid-20th century.

DES MOINES — What would Jesus do? If he were a member of the Iowa Legislature, Rep. Rob Taylor believes he would peacefully protest the morning prayer by a Wiccan priestess. So the West Des Moines ...

Ms. Crowther, who was called Britain’s oldest witch, wrote books, gave interviews and co-hosted a radio show promoting the Wiccan faith.

The Iowa House began its work session on Thursday with a modern pagan blessing by a Wiccan faith leader as a group of Christians elsewhere in the state Capitol solemnly recited their own prayers.