Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft

Rating:
Summary: Great book for history not for beginners
Review: I like this book a lot. It's great for the history of witchcraft and things of that nature. There are some great things in the book (like the ancient alphabets). But there really isn't anything spell-wise of too much value. And the other thing that i don't really like about the book, Buckland is sexist. Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: A must for someone who needs basic knowledge of the craft
Review: This book gave us the insite that we needed. It was the first book that we read, and gave us the knowledge to get started. It a must for someone needing the basic knowledge of the craft.

Rating:
Summary: why do the most popular authors write the worst books?
Review: This book is less a book about witchcraft than it is an anthology of a variety of magickal techniques and occult sciences. Each chapter covers two or three of them, like astrology, herbalism, magickal alphebets, meditation, visualization etc. The first chapter covers a brief bit of pagan history, but even what little is there doesn't hold up because it's really just the same old story. Today it's more commonly accepted the Witchcraft is an element of folklore and story tellings traditions, with modern Wicca being a religion that highly employs this aspecct of European folklore. Buckland was one of the originals, who believed everything that Gardner told, and ended up with a very disstorted image of Witchcraft. The book is written from a very juvinillstic approach. If you didn't know any better, you'd think it really was written by a teenager. The reason the book get's two stars is because most of the techniques are sound and workable, but slapping a pentagram on the cover doesn't mean you can call it witchcraft.

Rating:
Summary: Great!!!
Review: Not just saying this to help the sales of this book, but I personally believe that this book is excellent for both beginners and the experienced. This is man who was apprinticed under Gerald Gardner, a revolutionary in the re-awakening of modern witchcraft today. He has devised his own code and form of traditions and even has a sect named after him (Gardnerian). But Buckland writes on what he has learned and covers nearly every aspect of Paganism and Witchcraft that is currently known. He mentions all the people, traditions, and ritual templates that he knows and has researched. He knows what he is talking about and if you read it through completely and thuroughly, you'll find that these other reviews below are are less than halfway accurate AND reliable. Trust me on this, this book is more than worth the buy. I was refered to it and was highly impressed. Buckland tells you the facts and fiction, truths and myths, and he lets you take what you was and incorperate it into your workings.

Rating:
Summary: Do not waste your time buying this book
Review: When I bought this book, it had a basic edge to it. I was new to the craft, and that book looked like it could help me on my 'magickal quest' It didn't, It is not a book for beginners and it's not usefull to those with experience. Buckland leads you to belive that 'this is the way it is' but thats NOT the way it is. Wicca is open, a way of life but at the same time something that you create to fit your life style, He though, does not give you that impression. If your a beginner, go out and buy a book from Silver RavenWolf, like To ride a magick broom stick. Not only does that book get 5 stars, it DOES give the basics a beginner should know.

Rating:
Summary: Don't waist your TIME!
Review: This book is not for beginers and it dose not help the more experanced. Out of the meany books I have bought on this subject this one was the worst! Being Wicca allowes room for you to make your own spells and to worship how you think is right. This book makes it sound that if you do not work magick his way you are doing it wrong! You have to dig through what he says to find anything useful. Don't take the time or the effort to bye or read this book.

Rating:
Summary: THE BLUE BOOK
Review: THIS BOOK HAS CHANGED MY LIFE IN MANY WAYS. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK RAY FOR WRITING THIS BOOK. KATS FOOT

Rating:
Summary: it sucked
Review: i found the the book was usless to me and as a beginner i found it sucked!!!

Rating:
Summary: Okay for reference sometimes
Review: As a solitary practitioner (and a beginner at the time), I didn't find much of anything useful in this book. I occaisionally go back to it for historical references, or to look at some of his holiday rites, but I haven't used it much at all. I also didn't appreciate the emphasis Buckland places on the necessity of tools, or the formality of his rites.

Rating:
Summary: 50 50 I like some and I dislike some
Review: I am not an experienced witch however in the last few months i have been raching up my bills getting my hands on all the pertanent books to wicca. Although i read the mixed reviews from this site , as well as oocult bookstore owners i bought it any how. and it gets 50% ITS PETTY AND PRECIOUS ALL AT THE SAME TIME THE PETTY=for example in appendix A he has a paragraph on each of the wiccan denominations and about 5 paragraphs on his :OWN SEXA: =QUOTE In America the first witch to stand up and be recognized was myself UNQUOTE is he FULL of himself or what??????? =the book is geared more toward coven work witch is useless to me because i am a solitary practitioner THE PRECIOUS= The workbook format is really appealing to myself and there are no other books that i can find that are in that format with little tests of knowledge, as well as, crafts, and songs. with lists of herbs, diety names, runes, and different lettering from angelic to pictish. All in all i would reccomend this book but only if you accompiany it with 21st century wicca (Hunter), or wicca a guide for the solitary practitioner (Cunningham)