Joseph Bearwalker Wilson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Joseph Bearwalker Wilson (1942–2004) was a shaman and witch, founder of the 1734 Tradition of witchcraft and a founding member of the Covenant of the Goddess.

Wilson was born December 11, 1942 and raised just inside the city limits of St. Johns in Clinton County, Michigan. He grew up with some Christian influence^[1] but developed an early interest in the occult, and in fulling utilizing the powers of the mind, which he felt were barely tapped. During his early adult life he studied comparative religion, and encouraged such study in his teaching: "Whatever they all have in common must be close to the truth".^{[citation needed]}

Wilson joined the Air Force in September 1961, and in autumn 1962 he met another airman called Sean who introduced him to ritual practices designed to bring mental focus. Sean's wife also taught Wilson the use of roots and herbs to perform magic spells. Sean coached in a type of spiritual awareness which Joe felt was similar to, but not the same as, witchcraft.^[2] Sean also recommended readings to him, of which the most influential were The White Goddess by Robert Graves, The Magic Arts in Celtic Britain by Lewis Spence, and The Golden Bough by Sir James George Frazer, however Wilson found Sean's practical teachings more valuable than these written works.^[3]

In 1964 Wilson started a four page newsletter he called The Waxing Moon which was "a journal of the old religion" or "a witchcraft newsletter".^[2] In 1965 an advertisement for Pentagram in The Waxing Moon put him in contact with Roy Bowers, alias 'Robert Cochrane', with whom he studied by mail until Bowers' death in 1966. Copies of their letters can be found online.^[4] Wilson founded the 1734 Tradition^[5] during the late 1960s and early 1970s and participated in the formation of the Covenant of the Goddess, eventually leaving following their insistence that he adopt the Wiccan Rede.^[6] He died August 4, 2004 from complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and is recognized for his contributions to modern spiritual practice.