Dorothy Clutterbuck

Dorothy Clutterbuck (19 January 1880 – 12 January 1951), was a wealthy Englishwoman who was named by Gerald Gardner as a leading member of the New Forest coven, a group of pagan Witches into which Gardner claimed to have been initiated in 1939. She has therefore become a figure of some significance in the history of Wicca.

Clutterbuck was a practising Anglican Christian, and never identified herself as a witch.

It continues to be debated whether Gardner's claims that Clutterbuck was involved in pagan witchcraft were true, or whether Gardner used the name of a respectable local worthy as a private joke and to distract attention from his true magical partner, Edith Woodford-Grimes. Ronald Hutton have concluded that Clutterbuck is unlikely to have been involved in Gardner's activities, in particular because of her apparent commitment to Christianity. Hutton also points out that the date of Gardner's initiation would coincide with a period of mourning in 1939 when she had cancelled all other social engagements. Conversely, Philip Heselton has concluded that Clutterbuck definitely was involved in occult activities, and that her practice of Christianity was social and conventional in nature. Heselton, on the other hand, believes that her writings reveal that "Dorothy was a pagan in all but name."

The evidence cited by Heselton and his supporters consists both of the absence of overt Christian themes and the apparent presence of pagan sentiments. Heselton notes that "there is hardly a mention of Jesus and it seems as if her deepest spiritual experiences come from nature and, particularly, her garden." Little Christian sentiment is expressed, even on Christian holidays. Of the few direct references to Christianity, this for Whit Sunday 1942 is characteristically oblique:

:"The Sunday that comes in the time of the May

:With its crown of white blossoms for this sacred day

:The Essence of this Day – The Spirit of Prayer

:Brings to us those loved Spirits who used to be here"

::[ 1942-05-24 ]

"Midsummer," Heselton says "is lauded as 'the day of all days most dear'". Nature and the feelings of magical enchantment that come from it are commonly repeated themes, as is the theme of a fairy-like dancing maiden, often referred to as 'the Queen', who seems to personify the seasons and the land. For example:

:"... I knew you were a vision

:The loveliest ever seen

:But I also knew that you were Real

:And of my heart, the Queen."

::[ 1943-10-27 ]

:"I am waiting for my Lady

:For, down the pathway shadey

:I think I hear her footfall light

:My heart beats wildly with delight

:...

:I cannot wait – the minutes drag

:Just when I'm in despair

:Dear Heaven! She is coming! And now She's here! She's here!"

::[ 1942-07-30 ]

:"Of all the Ladies that I know

:There's only one can please me so

:That all her Looks and all her Ways

:Make Music for me all my Days.

:For Life, I love her, and adore

:I only saw her once – not more

:But once I saw her, as I say

:But once she crossed my Path, my Way

:For Ever. She will be my Queen

:Where did I see her? – in a Dream."

::[ 1943-06-21 (Midsummer Eve) ]

The diaries also contain frequent references to fairies and the full moon; bits of herb-lore, and occasionally vivid descriptions of classical gods such as Aurora.