Bucklands Complete Book of Witchcraft

Raymond Buckland was actively involved in metaphysics and the occult for fifty years. He was the author of more than sixty books, including such bestselling titles as Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft, Gypsy Dream Dictionary, and Practical Candleburning Rituals. 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. Beyond writing, Ray's other passion was homebuilt airplanes.  Ray came from an English Romany (Gypsy) family and resided with his wife Tara on a small farm in central Ohio. His legacy is preserved through the work of the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick.

“Forty years later and there's still nothing quite like ‘The Big Blue Book.' Buckland's masterwork remains one of the most thorough works on Witchcraft and the occult ever written. From spells to rituals to even making your own tools, this is one of the few books that truly lives up to the ‘Complete’ in its title.”—Jason Mankey, author of High Priest: Raymond Buckland, The Father of American Witchcraft"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 The Art of a Witch"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 Spellcrafting"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

• Table of ContentsPreface to the Second Edition . . . xiiiIntroduction . . . xviiLesson One: The History and Philosophy of Witchcraft . . . 1Lesson Two: Beliefs . . . 19 Deities.Lesson Three: Tools, Clothing, and Names . . . 41Lesson Four: Getting Started . . . 61Lesson Five: Covens and Rituals . . . 79Lesson Six: The Sabbats . . . 97Lesson Seven: Meditation, Dreams, and the Minor Sabbats . . . 111Lesson Eight: Marriage, Birth, Death, and Channeling . . . 137Lesson Nine: Divination . . . 157Lesson Ten: Herbalism . . . 187Lesson Eleven: Magick . . . 221Lesson Twelve: The Power of the Written Word . . . 247Lesson Thirteen: Healing . . . 267Lesson Fourteen: Getting Set Up . . . 281Lesson Fifteen: Solitary Witches . . . 297And Now ? . . . 307Appendix A: Wiccan Denominations . . . 309Alexandrian 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 . . . 315Appendix C: Music and Chants . . . 325Recommended Reading List . . . 335Index . . . 339