Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft (Llewellyn's Practical Magick) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "BEFORE REALLY GETTING into what Witchcraft is, perhaps we should take a look back at what it was-history of it..." (more)
Key Phrases: witan wand, priapic wand, libation dish, Raymond Buckland, Full Moon, Clearing the Temple (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This 1986 classic is not only an excellent introduction to the Wiccan religion and earth-based religions in general, it's also a workbook that can take the serious student to the equivalent level of third-degree Gardnerian. Though Raymond Buckland was a student of the late great Gerald Gardner, this manual does not adhere to a specific branch or denomination of witchcraft, but rather seeks to teach the elements and philosophies common to all, whether Celtic, Saxon, Finnish, or what have you. Buckland is credited with bringing the "old religion" to the U.S., and covens and solitary witches practicing the craft in the U.S. today have him to thank for getting it out of the closet. While Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft is a must-have for any serious Wiccan practitioner, it is full of down-to-earth spiritual wisdom, which makes it a wonderful addition to the library of any broadminded seeker on the path toward the One. --P. Randall Cohan

Product Description

Here is the most complete self-study course in modern Wicca available, written by the person who first went public with "The Old Religion" in the United States. For group or solitary use, it includes rituals; exercises for developing psychic talents; information on all major "sects" of the Craft; sections on tools, beliefs, dreams, meditations, divination, herbal lore, healing, ritual clothing; and much, much more.

Even those who have practiced Wicca for years find useful information in Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft, and many covens are using it as their textbook. Profusely illustrated and full of music and chants.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; 2 edition (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875420508
• ISBN-13: 978-0875420509
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (324 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,511 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

114 of 123 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great reference, August 5, 2000

By	Matt (Atlanta) - See all my reviews

Although Ray Buckland's book lacks a lot of information on the spiritual side of Wicca it is a great reference book. Although very Gardnerian and coven based, the rituals can be easily adapted to fit the solitary practitioner who is of a different tradition.

I wouldn't recommend this book for those just starting, but for those that are more familiar with the basics and have had some prior exposure to Witchcraft. I suggest starting out with Scott Cunningham's "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner." If interested in Alexandrian or Gardnerian Wicca, then move on to Silver Ravenwolf, this book, and then try the books by the Farrars.

One downside to the book was the quizzes. The quizzes were a bit knit-picky, but they at least helped get some of the information across to the reader.

As others have mentioned, Buckland does quote himself quite often, but usually these quotes are in the margin and if they don't reenforce and idea, they at least make for a good laugh.

I will give Buckland a lot of credit for not "dumbing-down" the material for the average 13 year old as some writers have. Wiccan books don't always have to be written for the teenager and I'm glad Buckland maintained a writing proficiency level that agrees with most adults.

Although not a "complete" book, it is a good starting point for many subjects like talismans, tarot, astrology, and herbalism.

Overall, a great book. I recommend it to any student of Wicca, particularly ones interested in Gardnerian and like traditions.

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not perfect, but quite good, January 7, 2001

By	Kashmir White (Los Angeles, California United States) - See all my reviews

When I teach beginning students, I give them three books: this one, Cunningham's Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, and the Farrar's Witches' Bible. I have seen a lot of reviewers saying they recommend using Buckland's book together with Cunningham's and I think this is excellent advice...the lessons are very good and quite thorough. I know of no other book that covers so many aspects of witchcraft. True, he covers so much ground there's not much room for depth, but it's a good starting-off place. He presents all the technical info: tools and divination and herbs and altar furniture and history and circle construction and dreams and meditation -- whew! Cunningham is a good balance for the more spiritual aspects. I think this is a good book to read through once or twice, using it as a starting point for further study. I think you'll also want to keep it on your shelf as a handy reference.

As with any book, remember to think for yourself and you'll get a lot out of it...

One last note -- the book covers so many different subjects, so many MECHANICS, that I sometimes forget how beautiful his Sabbat rituals are. He has included an entire book of shadows here, including seasonal rites, esbats, even a New Moon Rite. They are well-written and very poetic; for these alone I would recommend the book.

53 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nuts and bolts with a few extras, December 8, 2001

By	"jet_phoenix" (Wichita Falls, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This book is set up like a workbook. After each chapter is exerices and/or quizes, with the answers in the back of the book.
There is an appendix of Wicca deominations--with a breif history and beleif summery of each, songs, and recommended reading list.

This book has all the basics, like the Wheel of the year, basic philosophy, tools, spells, and rituals. It also has some things that are not so basic (and that I don't recommend and the author strongly cautions!) like what he terms "Witches' Cradle", a form of sensory deprivation using a form of binding of the body. There are other historical tidbits as well.

This book also has several magickal alphabets, a bit on herbs, a dream interpetaion section I still find very useful, and ideas for covens or solitary practice.

This book is for the novice, or a refresher. Would probably be ideal for the person who has 'looked into witchcraft', and has decided to start studying in depth. It does make a GREAT refrence book, as Mr. Buckland has provided with extensive basic knowledge with the 'lingo' to aid in finding resources for further studies.