Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft

by Raymond Buckland

Overview

Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft has influenced and guided countless students, coven initiates, and solitaries around the world. One of modern Wicca's most recommended books, this comprehensive text features a step-by-step course in Witchcraft, with photographs and illustrations, rituals, beliefs, history, and lore, as well as instruction in spellwork, divination, herbalism, healing, channeling, dreamwork, sabbats, esbats, covens, and solitary practice. The workbook format includes exam questions at the end of each lesson, so you can build a permanent record of your spiritual and magical training. This complete self-study course in modern Wicca is a treasured classic—an essential and trusted guide that belongs in every Witch's library.

Praise:
"A masterwork by one of the great Elders of the Craft. Raymond Buckland has presented a treasure trove of Wiccan lore. It is a legacy that will provide magic, beauty, and wisdom to future generations of those who seek the ancient paths of the Old Religion."—Ed Fitch, author of Magical Rites from the Crystal Well

"I read Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft with much pleasure. This book contains enough information and know-how for all approaches: the historical, the philosophical, and the pragmatic...quite entertaining, as much for the armchair enthusiast as for the practicing occultist."—Marion Zimmer Bradley, author of The Mists of Avalon

"Never in the history of the Craft has a single book educated as many people, spurred as many spiritual paths, or conjured as much personal possibility as Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft."—Dorothy Morrison, author of The Craft

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780875420509
Publisher:	Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.
Publication date:	09/08/2002
Series:	Llewellyn's Practical Magick Series
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	368
Sales rank:	25,838
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.80(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Raymond Buckland was actively involved in metaphysics and the occult for fifty years.

He was the author of more than sixty books, including such best-selling titles as Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft, Gypsy Dream Dictionary, Practical Candleburning Rituals, and Witchcraft from the Inside. Ray lectured and presented workshops across the United States, and appeared on major television and radio shows nationally and internationally. He also wrote screen plays, was a technical advisor for films, and appeared in films and videos.

Ray came from an English Romany (Gypsy) family and resided with his wife Tara on a small farm in central Ohio. Beyond writing, Ray's other passion was homebuilt airplanes.

Read an Excerpt

In the New Age book field, it is impossible to guess which book is going to be popular and which one is not. But when I looked at the manuscript to Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft I knew it was going to be something special! Few books have been as needed, and as anticipated as this one-it's the first totally comprehensive, eclectic, and sensible guide to the art and the practice of modern Wicca!
I say "Wicca" rather than "Witchcraft" because it includes not only the Craft of the Wise but gives you a firm foundation for understanding the spiritual dimension that is the essence of this born again Old Religion for the Modern World.
There are so many Wiccan traditions today that it really doesn't matter what we call it any more. What matters is that it is a real, growing, living religion filled with love of the gods, magick, divination, healing and much more. And Ray's book has become the premier guide for all of those who wish to follow this spiritual path!
Beside the breadth of information covered in this book, the real key to it is the design. It is a workbook. You can use it by yourself or you can use it as a text for a coven. In fact, we have heard from many covens that use this as the source of their secret Books of Shadows.
Wicca, by nature, is a simple faith that has great depth. You can pick up this book and use it as a source for the external aspects of Wicca, or you can study it and plumb the magical depths of this spiritual path.
This book has become a key resource in the rebirth of the Craft. It is a must for your personal research and practice or for your coven's library.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition . . . xiii

Introduction . . . xvii

Lesson One: The History and Philosophy of Witchcraft . . . 1

Lesson Two: Beliefs . . . 19 Deities.

Lesson Three: Tools, Clothing, and Names . . . 41

Lesson Four: Getting Started . . . 61

Lesson Five: Covens and Rituals . . . 79

Lesson Six: The Sabbats . . . 97

Lesson Seven: Meditation, Dreams, and the Minor Sabbats . . . 111

Lesson Eight: Marriage, Birth, Death, and Channeling . . . 137

Lesson Nine: Divination . . . 157

Lesson Ten: Herbalism . . . 187

Lesson Eleven: Magick . . . 221

Lesson Twelve: The Power of the Written Word . . . 247

Lesson Thirteen: Healing . . . 267

Lesson Fourteen: Getting Set Up . . . 281

Lesson Fifteen: Solitary Witches . . . 297

And Now? . . . 307

Appendix A: Wiccan Denominations . . . 309
Alexandrian Wicca. American Celtic Wicca. Australian Wicca. Church of Y Tylwyth Teg. Church of the Crescent Moon. Circle Wicca. Coven of the Forest, Far and Forever. Deboran Witchcraft. Dianic Feminist Wicce. Frost's Wicca. Gardnerian Wicca. Georgian Wicca. Maidenhill Wicca. Northern Way. Nova Wicca. Pecti-Wita. Seax-Wica. Thessalonian Tradition.

Appendix B: Answers to Examination Questions . . . 315

Appendix C: Music and Chants . . . 325

Recommended Reading List . . . 335

Index . . . 339

Interviews

In the New Age book field, it is impossible to guess which book is going to be popular and which one is not. But when I looked at the manuscript to Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft I knew it was going to be something special! Few books have been as needed, and as anticipated as this one-it's the first totally comprehensive, eclectic, and sensible guide to the art and the practice of modern Wicca!
I say "Wicca" rather than "Witchcraft" because it includes not only the Craft of the Wise but gives you a firm foundation for understanding the spiritual dimension that is the essence of this born again Old Religion for the Modern World.
There are so many Wiccan traditions today that it really doesn't matter what we call it any more. What matters is that it is a real, growing, living religion filled with love of the gods, magick, divination, healing and much more. And Ray's book has become the premier guide for all of those who wish to follow this spiritual path!
Beside the breadth of information covered in this book, the real key to it is the design. It is a workbook. You can use it by yourself or you can use it as a text for a coven. In fact, we have heard from many covens that use this as the source of their secret Books of Shadows.
Wicca, by nature, is a simple faith that has great depth. You can pick up this book and use it as a source for the external aspects of Wicca, or you can study it and plumb the magical depths of this spiritual path.
This book has become a key resource in the rebirth of the Craft. It is a must for your personal research and practice or for your coven's library.

Editorial Reviews

"A masterwork by one of the great Elders of the Craft. Raymond Buckland has presented a treasure trove of Wiccan lore. It is a legacy that will provide magic, beauty, and wisdom to future generations of those who seek the ancient paths of the Old Religion."—Ed Fitch, author of Magical Rites from the Crystal Well

"I read Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft with much pleasure. This book contains enough information and know-how for all approaches: the historical, the philosophical, and the pragmatic...quite entertaining, as much for the armchair enthusiast as for the practicing occultist."—Marion Zimmer Bradley, author of The Mists of Avalon

"Never in the history of the Craft has a single book educated as many people, spurred as many spiritual paths, or conjured as much personal possibility as Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft. More than just a treasured classic, it is the one book that no seeker should ever be without!"—Dorothy Morrison, author of The Craft

"This book was one of the first to guide me on the path of my Craft. Detailed yet non-threatening, educational yet fun —I spent hours pouring over this book in my early days and still refer to it now sometimes for a 'refresher'! I highly recommend this book as an important introduction to the Craft in this modern age."—Fiona Horne, author of Witch: A Magickal Journey

"A huge work of excellent materials. Buckland has lifted the last thin veil about Witchcraft, releasing it back into the mainstream to be a folk religion as it used to be."—Z Budapest, author and activist

"Based on Raymond Buckland's successful Seax-Wica Seminary course, this classic book is essential reading for all persons seriously interested in the art and religion of Witchcraft. The insight it provides is beneficial for solitaries and covens alike, making it well-deserving of a place in every Witch's personal library."—Gerina Dunwich, author of Wicca Craft and The Wicca Spell Book

From the Publisher