#148 - Ronald Hutton, Professor of Paganism and Witchcraft

Ronald Hutton is a professor of history at Bristol University. He is a leading authority on ancient and medieval paganism and magic, the British Isles in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and on global context of witchcraft beliefs. He is the author of seventeen books, including The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft, The Witch: A History of Fear, from Ancient Times to the Present, and his recent book, Queens of the Wild: Pagan Goddesses in Christian Europe: An Investigation.

Ronald frequently appears as an expert on Paganism and witchcraft on British television and radio programs too numerous to name (though one of Pam’s personal favorites is when he pops up in the hilarious docu-parody series, Cunk on Britain). His work has been trailblazing in the realms of academia and religion, as well as in shaping a more humane geo-political response to the very real witch hunting that still happens across the globe. Ronald was recently awarded the title Commander of the British Empire, an honor bestowed to those who have made a highly distinguished contribution in their field – as he certainly has.

On this episode, Ronald discusses his pioneering work that helped establish the field of Pagan Studies, the boons and banes of his academic view of magical history, and the ever-evolving figure of the witch.

Pam also talks about spiritual lineages, and answers a listener question about what the cards are saying regarding these tumultuous times.

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