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Janet Farrar & Gavin Bone

Written and compiled by George Knowles.  

Since their initiation into witchcraft by Alex Sanders in February 1970, and starting their own coven in December the same year.   Janet and Stewart Farrar have done much to make Wicca and the pagan way available to the public.  Their books have become classics in their own time, and over the years through faultless and diligent hard work, they have become England’s most eminent and respected modern day witches.  Since the death of Stewart Farrar on the 7^th February 2000, Janet and Gavin Bone continue to work on promoting and explaining the craft to those who would want to hear. 

Janet Farrar 

Janet Farrar was born as Janet Owen on the 24^th June 1950, in Clapham a district of London, England.  Her father Ronald Owen came from an English and Welsh background, her mother Ivy Owen (nee Craddock) was an immigrant Irishwoman.  Both parents worked in the local hospital and were members of the Church of England.  Janet was five years old when her mother passed away. 

Janet was educated first at Leyton Manor School in London, then at Royal Wanstead High School for Girls in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire.  After leaving school Janet started work as a model, in-between assignments she worked as a receptionist.  She first became involved with the craft after a friend started visiting with the Alex Sanders, the "enfant terrible" of witchcraft and the "King of Witches” as he later became known.  Janet having a Christian background, tagged along with the intention of dissuading her friend from becoming involved.  However what she saw impressed her, and she ended up joining herself. 

Alex Sanders initiated Janet into his coven during February 1970.  At the same time more or less, Alex’s wife and High priestess "Maxine Sanders", initiated Stewart Farrar who later become Janet’s husband.  Working together, Janet and Stewart received their second degree later that year and decided to leave Alex and Maxine's coven.  They founded their own coven in London during the Yule festivities of 1970, and so began their life together.  “See Stewart Farrar”. 

Janet and Stewart each collaborated on writing some of the most influential books on modern witchcraft published to date.  Such works as: Eight Sabbats for Witches and The Witches Way (jointly published as The Witches Bible), also The Witches Goddess, The Witches God and Spells and How They Work.  Janet also had one book published jointly with Virginia Russell entitled The Magical History of the Horse.  They also lectured in the United States, as well as in Europe, and have explored video as a medium for presenting information on modern Paganism. 

Gavin Bone 

Gavin Bone was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire in England, in 1964.  He trained as a registered nurse and has studied complimentary healing methods such as reflexology; he’s also a practicing spiritual healer.  He was initiated into Seax-Wicca in 1986, and is currently developing the theory that Wicca "may have" some roots in tribal shamanistic healing traditions, as apposed to medieval ritual magic. 

Gavin first met the Farrar’s in 1989 at a Pagan Conference in Leicester, from where they struck up a friendship.  He accompanied them on a tour of the United States in 1992, and on their return he moved over to Ireland as their business partner.  He has co-authored two books with the Farrar’s: The Pagan Path (Bookpeople, 1995), and The Healing Craft (Phoenix Publishing, 2000).  He also acts as the production manager of their latest moves into video. 

When in 1995, Stewart Farrar suffered a stroke.  Gavin’s training as a nurse and healer proved most valuable.  He was instrumental in helping to nurse him back to good health. 

As the Farrar’s business partner in 1996, Gavin was responsible for setting up their WebPages - "http://gofree.indigo.ie/~wicca/".  This has since developed into the “Pagan Information Network”, a contact network for pagans across the Republic and Northern Ireland, for which Gavin and the Farrar’s are the primary coordinators.      

Sadly Stewart Farrar passed into a better place on the 7^th February 2000.  He was an outstanding example of a dedicated Witch, and one who simply preferred to be called a Wiccan.  Supported by Janet and Gavin, his contribution to the evolution and development of the modern day witchcraft movement, has helped many to find their way on the path.  Janet and Gavin today carry on with his work, and are to be married on the 5th May this year 2001.  Best wishes and happiness to them both.   

Sources

  The Encyclopedia of Witches &Witchcraft  - by Rosemary Ellen Guiley.

Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft  - By Raven Grimassi  

A Witches' Bible  - By Janet and Stewart Farrar

What Witches Do  - By Stewart Farrar

First published on the 04 March 2007, 18:22:06 © George Knowles

Best wishes and Blessed Be