Rating: Summary: The Ideal WITCHCRAFT Book. Review: Let's get one thing straight first...the word WITCHCRAFT is TOTALLY different from WICCA, and the common misapprehension that the two are the same is a huge, gigantic mistake. Wicca is not older than 50 years, witchcraft is older than 1000 years. This book, intended for witchcraft practioners, presents a fine, comprehensive guide to this ancient practice. It's well prepared, begining with proper preperation instructions and gives a great and easy start to any beginnner. Packed with spells, charms and incantaions, it provides analytical and multi-purpose arts to whoever has an interest. I can say that this books is one of the best withcraft guides on the market and compares at great length to other bestselling guides. The spells are obviously well researched and properly constructed in a fine order, and the flaws in this book are not to be mentioned. The writer displays a good background in the subject, and knows what he's talking about judging by his other works. This is a valuable addition to any occult library, except a wiccan's.
Rating: Summary: BLAHH Review: That pretty much sums it up for me. I do not like this book, and glad I did NOT buy it. I borrowed it from a friend and could only stand reading it for a little while. Its dry, boring and not any help IMO. Nor is it a "complete" guide, no such thing in ONE book. If you like boring books that make you fall asleep, by all means, buy it..LOL ~Blessings~
Rating: Summary: The Only Witchcraft book you will need to start with Review: There are so many books out there on witchcraft and wicca et al, that it can be very confusing to a beginner. There is also alot of criticism for just about every book. Personally I found Cunningham too dry and Ravenwolf too silly. I found the information to be accurate and complete in Buckland's book and other than going on to investigate different specific traditions, I think this is the only book you will need to start with. It is understandable with good illustrations and helpful information. I am not wicca myself. But I found the information to be universal and useful. I would recommend it as the beginning of your library and your education. Ravyn
Rating: Summary: Not That Good Review: First of all, Witchcraft and Wicca aren't the same, I know because I practice both.Ok, this book had some good information, but it was boring and dry, and it's not a training book for the third-degree as the introduction said, but I wasan't expecting it to be. This book is all coven-orianted with only one chapter on Solitary Witches. I am glad that I payed half-price for this book in Barners & Nobels. You can get better information in other books. Hope this review helped you.
Rating: Summary: Mixed Signals Review: This book is a very...well, informative book. I did like the way that at the end of each chapter was a quiz or an experiment. That helps with reviewing and making sure you learned all the concepts disscussed in the chapter. But i didnt like the way Buckland was constantly bringing up the way it should be "his way, or the highway". Wicca is a very flexible religion and isnt just one way, and no one person knows all, but Buckland was constanlty quoteing himself and that made it very obvious that he is very pompus about his knowledge. This is an okay book for beginners but it could be simpler. I reccomend reading one or two books that are specifically designed for beginners and then read this book.
Rating: Summary: A good reference Review: Yes, Uncle Bucky's Big Blue Book of Witches is a good reference book, but the Farrars' Witches' Bible is much better. If you are interested in learning Seax Wicca (not Gardenarian, as some have suggested), then it's a pretty good reference. If you want to learn Gardenarian, find a Gardenarian. If you claim to be a Third degree of any sort after completing this book, people will laugh at you. A book is no replacement for a qualified teacher.
Rating: Summary: Buckland's Clasic Work on (Medium) High Ritual Wicca Review: This book is an exelent intro to a flexible but Gardnarian-like classic wiccan practice. While it may seem a bit old-fashioned to novices, it is definately a good read for anyone interested in the peramiters of what wicca can be. This is not "dusty corners" wicca. For that you go to Lady Sheba's book of shadows. It gives you a good idea of what structured covens are doing, though most don't go sky-clad. That really faded out with the '70's I'm afraid... at least from experiance of self and others. A very good reference, but should not be read in a vaccum. Recommend Wiccan Warrior by Kerr Chulhain as a companion read. This combination gives you a gut-level appretiation of just how flexible this religion can be. No book, or set of books are any complete representation of wicca. This is a starting point.
Rating: Summary: Good book for a stater Review: I'm a Cowan(wiccan in training) and I think this book is essential in what I have learned about the Wiccan religion.
Rating: Summary: Practical NOT Spiritual Review: Are you interested in the study of Wicca and its history? Then this book is for you. Buckland gives his point of view without a lot of spiritual undertones. Based upon Gardinarian Witchcraft perhaps you would actually be considered a 3rd degree upon completion of this 'Workbook', but how one can accomplish this task with no guidance or physical teaching is beyond me. Will you get some new ideas about Wicca? Yes. Will you get a good history of the Gardinarian Sect? Yes. Will you find spiritual enlightenment and be able to transend upon workbook completion? Probably not.
Rating: Summary: An excellent resource. Review: Read with Hutton's moon, Buckland's book is some pretty sound theology. Some people can't get past his stupid craft ideas, but they don't realize that he wrote this at a time when Wicca didn't come in kits or from a store on the corner. For those who "can't get past the ego," well, get a life. Buckland really did bring the Craft the the US, and could flaunt it more without treading on the truth. Anyone who wrote a book on "chant-o-matics" can't have too much pride, or we olders bring it out of our closets and star waving it around...
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