The Witches' Ballad: A Small Look into the Life of a Doreen Valiente

 Although Doreen Valiente became famous from being part of Wicca, there is another side to her practices that a lot of people my not be aware of. Doreen was not only a member of Gerald Gardner's coven where she trained in Wicca, but she was also a member of Robert Cochrane's coven where she practiced Traditional Witchcraft. It would be interesting to have seen how that played out. It's pretty well known that Robert Cochrane and Gerald Gardner were not fond of each other in any way. They had pretty harsh words back and forth criticizing each others religious practices. I can only imagine the drama Doreen had to endure being a member of two feuding covens. Even if she was with them at separate times in her life. I'm sure drama still endured. Either ways...the stories this wonderful woman must have had. And what a legacy she has left behind. To be at the forefront of the birth modern day Wicca and Traditional Witchcraft. I bet that was an amazing journey.

The Witch's Ballad

Oh, I have been beyond the town,

Where nightshade black and mandrake grow,

And I have heard and I have seen

What righteous folk would fear to know!

For I have heard, at still midnight,

Upon the hilltop far, forlorn,

With note that echoed through the dark,

The winding of the heathen horn.

And I have seen the fire aglow,

And glinting from the magic sword,

And with the inner eye beheld

The Horned One, the Sabbat's lord.

We drank the wine, and broke the bread,

And ate it in the Old One's name.

We linked our hands to make the ring,

And laughed and leaped the Sabbat game.

Oh, little do the townsfolk reck,

When dull they lie within their bed!

Beyond the streets, beneath the stars,

A merry round the witches tread!

And round and round the circle spun,

Until the gates swung wide ajar,

That bar the boundaries of earth

From faery realms that shine afar.

Oh, I have been and I have seen

In magic worlds of Otherwhere.

For all this world may praise or blame,

For ban or blessing naught I care.

For I have been beyond the town,

Where meadowsweet and roses grow,

And there such music did I hear

As worldly-righteous never know.

-Doreen Valiente