Victor Anderson: An American Shaman

In 1999, Victor Anderson, the founder of the American Witchcraft Feri Tradition, started a project with his long-time student and friend Cornelia Benavidez. At first, she didn’t know that he was placing in her hands his last words to the world and especially to the initiates of the Feri Tradition, to be released when he felt his teachings would be the most needed. Now is that time. 

From the 1960s onwards, Victor Anderson revolutionized paganism. As Elder, Teacher and Grandmaster of the Feri Tradition, he trained some of the most influential voices in modern paganism and was respected worldwide. Calling his tradition authentic, ancient and sex positive, Victor and his wife Cora challenged all sides of religious and pagan persuasions, shocking many into examining their racial and sexual prejudices and bias. They called for people to educate themselves by any means possible, to examine history and culture, to better understand themselves and the divine quest of which we all are a part. Though on one hand Victor’s path grew straight from the soil of indigenous culture and traditional magical craft, he also passionately championed the sciences. Victor was also an accomplished poet and his book, “Thorns of the Blood Rose” was considered a classic when it was published in 1970. 

As with so many visionaries, Victor was ahead of his time. Though often considered controversial during his lifetime, through the interviews in this book he clarifies mistakes and rumors concerning his history and the Feri Tradition. The book also includes an intriguing essay on Victor’s introduction to the craft, by writer and artist Sara Star, and the intensive research done by genealogist William Wallworth on Victor’s family.