Editing Gerald Gardner (section)

===The Rosicrucian Order: 1938–1939===
{{main article|Rosicrucian Order Crotona Fellowship}}
[[File:templeofrosycross.png|right|thumb|upright|''The Temple of the Rose Cross'', [[Teophilus Schweighardt Constantiens]], 1618.]]
In Highcliffe, Gardner came across a building describing itself as the "First Rosicrucian Theatre in England".{{Sfn|Heselton|2012a|pp=186–187}} Having an interest in [[Rosicrucianism]], a prominent magico-religious tradition within [[Western esotericism]], Gardner decided to attend one of the plays performed by the group; in August 1939, Gardner took his wife to a theatrical performance based on the life of [[Pythagoras]]. An amateur thespian, she hated the performance, thinking the quality of both actors and script terrible, and she refused to go again.{{sfnm|Bracelin|1960|1p=162|Heselton|2012a|2pp=187–188, 195–196}}

Unperturbed and hoping to learn more of Rosicrucianism, Gardner joined the group in charge of running the theatre, the [[Rosicrucian Order Crotona Fellowship]], and began attending meetings held in their local ''[[ashram]]''. Founded in 1920 by [[George Alexander Sullivan]], the Fellowship had been based upon a blend of Rosicrucianism, [[Theosophy (Boehmian)|Theosophy]], Freemasonry and his own personal innovation, and had moved to Christchurch in 1930.{{sfn|Heselton|2012a|pp=196–198}}

As time went by, Gardner became critical of many of the Rosicrucian Order's practices; Sullivan's followers claimed that he was immortal, having formerly been the famous historical figures [[Pythagoras]], [[Cornelius Agrippa]] and [[Francis Bacon]]. Gardner facetiously asked if he was also the [[Wandering Jew]], much to the annoyance of Sullivan himself. Another belief held by the group that Gardner found amusing was that a lamp hanging from one of the ceilings was the disguised [[holy grail]] of [[Arthurian legend]].{{sfnm|Bracelin|1960|1p=163|Heselton|2012a|2p=198}}

Gardner's dissatisfaction with the group grew, particularly when in 1939, one of the group's leaders sent a letter out to all members in which she stated that war would not come. The very next day, [[World War II|Britain declared war on Germany]], greatly unimpressing the increasingly cynical Gardner.{{Sfn|Bracelin|1960|p=164}}

Alongside Rosicrucianism, Gardner had also been pursuing other interests. In 1939, Gardner joined the [[Folklore Society|Folk-Lore Society]]; his first contribution to its journal ''Folk-Lore'', appeared in the June 1939 issue and described a box of witchcraft relics that he believed had belonged to the 17th century "Witch-Finder General", [[Matthew Hopkins]]. Subsequently, in 1946 he would go on to become a member of the society's governing council, although most other members of the society were wary of him and his academic credentials.{{sfn|Heselton|2012a|pp=192–194, 333–336}}

Gardner would also join the [[Historical Association]], being elected co-president of its Bournemouth and Christchurch branch in June 1944, following which he became a vocal supporter for the construction of a local museum for the Christchurch borough.{{Sfn|Heselton|2012b|pp=296–297}} He also involved himself in preparations for the impending war, joining the [[Air Raid Precautions]] (ARP) as a warden, where he soon rose to a position of local seniority, with his own house being assigned as the ARP post.{{Sfn|Heselton|2012a|p=229}} In 1940, following the outbreak of conflict, he also tried to sign up for the [[Local Defence Volunteers]], or "Home Guard", but was turned away because he was already an ARP warden.

He managed to circumvent this restriction by joining his local Home Guard in the capacity as armourer, which was officially classified as technical staff.{{Sfn|Heselton|2012a|pp=229–234}} Gardner took a strong interest in the Home Guard, helping to arm his fellows from his own personal weaponry collection and personally manufacturing [[molotov cocktails]].{{Sfnm|Bracelin|1960|1pp=161–167|Heselton|2012a|2p=235}}