Complete Book of Witchcraft

This 1986 classic is not only an excellent introduction to the Wiccan religion and earth-based religions in general, but a workbook which 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 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 US and covens and solitary witches practising the craft in the US 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 broad-minded seeker on the path toward the One. --P Randall Cohan

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Buckland is great - Rated
Im only new to the craft so to be fair i suppose i dont have too many books to compare too but i have read a few i started out with silver ravenwolf books and i have seen the light i should have bought raymonds book in the begining and saved myself a lot of money fair enough it dosent have absolutley everything but it gives a very good starting point for new witches/wiccans such as myself it gives you all the info you need to get started and gives you it in an interesting and easy to read way there are also these great exams that are after every lesson in the book which really helps cement the knowledge in you mind it also has random little tips and things to do throughout the book for instance in the first lesson it gives u a great way of de-stressing by sitting under a tree i would recomend this book for all beginers and once you have finished that there are plenty more books in the recomended reading lists that will further your knowledge.

An educational text book of Gardnerian Wicca - Rated
This book can seem a little daunting if it's the first book you get on the Craft. Mr Buckland is highly respected (and rightly so) for his knowledge and understanding of all things Wicca; with him learning from Gerald Gardner and spreading the faith across the sea to America. This is very like an educational text book: very precise, and you are expected to reflect on your learning at the end of chapters. If you've read something easy going before - like something by Scott Cunningham or Silver Ravenwolf, you might like this book as a step up.

Very informative but strictly Gardnerian oriented book - Rated
At least I got that impression. For some time I was interested in Gardnerian tradition of Witchcraft and I bought this book beacuse autor's good reputation. I find this book inspiring and it opened new views to me (im am 10 years solitary witch), but I gave it only three stars beacuse... I guess I found out that Gardnerian tradition isn't for me!

very interesting... - Rated
well I have alot of books about wicca/witchcraft and paganism and found that this one is definitly a product of its time. This book will give you a good look at the beginnings of American Wicca and if you have read Ravenwolf then you will see the recognisable threads in this book like the cone of power and the like.

It is Gardnerian (as Buckland was initiated thru one of gardners HPs)and you can forgive the inaccurate history because of this.

Its a good read more geared towards covens than the lone wiccan/witch with very interesting things like how to make your own sandels and alter! There is not much in the way of spells but the basic information is informative!

If you have the extra money then get this but its not that important

Good but could be a bit more complete - Rated
This is a very good book it is neither the best nor worst book I have read on the craft, it is an essential read so you can judge for yourself. He goes into every subject a witch needs to know about (sex magick, dowsing, history, auras) and even gives examination questions at the end of each chapter so you know how much you have learnt. He goes at a resonable pace and does not stick to any specific witchcraft type more than another, he spreads all evenly and is easy to learn from. But as I said in the title "Bucklands Complete Book Of Witchcraft" could be a bit more complete than he says it is. He could offer more information and give more ways of teaching to the younger generation although the book was written in the 1980's I bought an updated version (updated- bah!). I am a teen and could understand what he was saying but he spended a lot of time talking about sex magick and poppet making. He had a great section on herbs and potions ( herbs to finish the flu etc )and gave a good chapter on Witchcraft history- first people to show witchcraft to their communities in Britain (Gerald Gardner) and America (Raymond Buckland?- sorry not American cant confirm that and far to young), he gives few examples of spells and rituals and how to celebrate esbats and sabats is almost left out. An average book but a definite buy, so judge for yourself. Blessed Be!!!