Wicca For Life: The Way of the Craft -- From Birth to Summerland

by Raymond Buckland

At last, here is a book to guide every Wiccan through the seasons of life. Wicca for Life provides a modern approach to life, embracing such themes as feminism, ecology, attunement, brotherly/sisterly love, planetary care, and equal rights for all beings.Readers will learn how to use positive, age-old magic to create the reality they desire. Wicca can help cure problems, improve opportunities, and enhance enjoyment in all realms of life -- at school, at work, and at home. Included are instructions on how to become a witch and follow Wiccan tenets, share knowledge through celebration, and construct the tools necessary to create daily magic. Readers will learn how to use magic to:
-- Develop natural psychic abilities and healing tendencies
-- Focus powers and sharpen Wiccan wishing
-- Block curses and open up channels for positive energy
-- Balance the dimensions of home, using elements of Feng Shui
-- Cope with crisis and ward off negativity
-- Improve relationships with friends, family, and lovers

Genres: Wicca, Nonfiction, Paganism, Witchcraft, Religion, Spirituality, Reference

342 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Raymond Buckland was a highly influential figure in the development of modern Wicca and the occult in the United States. Born in London, he became interested in the supernatural at an early age and was initiated into the Gardnerian Wiccan tradition in 1963 by Monique Wilson, a high priestess appointed by Gerald Gardner. After emigrating to the U.S. in 1962, Buckland introduced Gardnerian Wicca to the country, founding its first coven in New York in 1964. He later developed his own tradition, Seax-Wica, inspired by Anglo-Saxon paganism, and published The Tree: Complete Book of Saxon Witchcraft to make it accessible to all.
In 1968, he established the first Museum of Witchcraft and Magick in the U.S., which helped normalize and educate the public about Wicca. Over the course of his career, Buckland wrote more than sixty books on Wicca, divination, and the occult, including Witchcraft from the Inside and Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft, both regarded as essential texts in Neopaganism.
Throughout his life, Buckland remained a prolific teacher, writer, and practitioner. He continued to write and teach until his death in 2017, leaving behind a lasting legacy that shaped the spiritual practices of countless Wiccans and Pagans worldwide.

Reviews

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a pretty good introduction to the Wiccan religion, but the author is super bias towards his craft. He'll say things like how Wiccan families are the best, children raised by Wiccans are better, etc. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it makes it a little hard to believe him when he's so obviously blinded by his love for his religion.

[Alexia ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first time reading a work of Buckland and I actually liked his way of writing, it's very simple and accessible. The book itself is useful for those beginning and it shows an interesting way of work, more connected to traditional Wicca in covens (opposed to, for example, Scott Cunningham's books). This is a good book to whoever is starting in this path, I did find a bit annoying, in this specific translation, that Witchcraft is always synonym of Wicca, even though there are others paths within Witchcraft that aren't Wicca. I don't know if it was due to the translation or if it is something the author does since he is an elder member of Wicca and back then there really wasn't this distinction, but just though I would note it.
Overall the book is pretty good and I would recommended it, it has lots of resources and information, some you won't even usually find in regular beginners books such as explanations to Sex Magic, Sigils, Inactions, etc. Very interesting to see this content explained so simply and clear.

[Jen Six · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the book I've leafed through more than once. I found it early on in my search for the God and Goddess, and it's knowledge has been very useful though it repeated a lot of what Buckland said in his other books, especially Uncle Bucky's Big Blue Book. There was a chart towards the end of the book showing the similar credos of other beliefs/religions and how they were similar to the Wiccan Rede. I use it for a reminder that though we wage wars because of our beliefs and how we differ, truly, we are the same and too stubborn to admit it. This book is an invaluable source for any pagan.

[✨Bean's Books✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that changed my life! It was the very first book I'd ever read on the subjects of Wicca and witchcraft. Buckland has a way of explaining things to laymans that makes everything make sense. He comes about very slow and gentle. He maps things out for you and explains concepts several different ways. The rituals are perfectly written and easy for a beginner to follow. The reference material in the back is a great addition. I just love this book! If you are considering looking into Wicca to either practice or just study, I HIGHLY recommend this book! 💜

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book for those newly on the path of Wicca and those who have been stumbling along for a while unsure of where they are going. Don't let anyone tell you Buckland is a fluffy bunny. No matter what 'modern' Wicca have done to the religion, this is how it was meant to be.

[Ana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I admit, I mainly scanned this book this time around. There's a lot of bits about the religious ritual side of it all. And other rituals that really didn't impact me at this point in time. :D

[Metagion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is FANTASTIC. Everything you would need to know about Wicca is here: the history, the methodology, EVERYTHING. I HAVE to get this book!

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good introduction to Wicca and the different beliefs.

[Rebecca Von Martens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating any book of a religion you yourself is not a part of is always a challenge. That's mainly why I will leave this book at three stars because I'm too uninformed to determine whether this is one of the better books in the eye of a wiccan.

For me personally this book left me fascinated with wicca, although I realised it is not the branch of magic/witchcraft/spirituality for me. The view of life and time as cyclical and view of divinity as residing all around us did resonate with me. But I found it too ritual focused for my taste. I also feel a bit uncomfortable with how the author freely mix-matched elements from different cultures.

But then again I'm no expert on any of the cultures involved and hiw incorporating chakras/meditation into western witchcraft practices are largely viewed in the religion they originated from.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't read all the way through this book but not because of the book itself, just because it didn't resonate with me the way I hoped it would. It's a good introductory book and gives more information than many others that I've looked at without being overly dry. I'd recommend it to someone interested in Wicca as a lifestyle and religion and I'm glad it's finally recognized as a legitimate religion - it's about time! It also recognizes that not everyone can find a good group near them and so authenticates the role of a solitary practitioner which is important. Lots of good stuff in this book.

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Remarkably unhelpful - i don’t know exactly what I expected but as I’ve read several beginner level books on Wicca I thought at worst it would just cover familiar ground. But the tone is a bit condescending, and the information is incomplete and better covered in almost every other book I’ve read on the topic including those I didn’t even like that much.

[Michael P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely one of his more softer books when it comes to the topic of witchcraft and leading people into Wicca. In my personal opinion not one of his better works but still worth having on the Shelf and a thumb through.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and informative.

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Excellent book of writing advice. I love Writer’s style. Highly recommend for other.

[L.B. Holding · Rating 3 out of 5]

For research. Better for coven life than a solitary witch. But there’s a valuable herb appendix I’ll refer to often.

[Tasha Thibodeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read this book, I had already been practicing Wicca for quite some time and unlike other books, I did not feel like this one was aimed at beginners. Raymond will take you deeper into the web that is Wicca. I loved the death rituals at the end as I feel like Summerland as well as death seems to be something glossed over in many books on Wicca.

Raymond Buckland is by far one of the most trusted voices when it comes to Wicca and he does not disappoint in this book. I would recommend it to beginners, intermediates and experts alike. This is the type of book that you will cherish for years to come.

[Library Angel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really like this one. The author gave the severe impression that if you are a witch, you are automatically Wiccan, which isn't true. There are many kinds of witches. Also got the impression he was saying witches always work in the positive and not the baneful, which is also not true. Not hexing is a Wiccan belief, not just a witchy belief. This book was mostly about magick and not the religion of Wiccan itself.

[Candi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read my witchcraft books constantly, and in no particular order. I tend to let then pick me, this one is decent reading material, but honestly I like a book that give a bit more information than this one does

[Mandy McRae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty good.

[Nikki Gourneau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good info.

[Cherokee · Rating 3 out of 5]

so so, I get a lot of ideas to follow out of raymond bucklands books but I am a solo and follow my own path. His books are more like school books.

[Tiffany Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thankful and fulfilled with this read

[Wendy Matta · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Unofficial Mentor

I am really enjoying his books as well as his protege Raymond Buckland... others I enjoy is Raven Grimassi & Scott Cunningham (Student of RG)

[Claudia Loureiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Wicca for life, it was easy to read. Highly recommend this book!