The Witch Book: The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, Wicca, and Neo-paganism

by Raymond Buckland

A look at Witches, Witchcraft and the Wicca tradition from the author of Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft

From Abracadabra to Aleister Crowley to Gardnerian Witchcraft to Rosemary's Baby to sorcery and Zoroaster, The Witch Book by the late, great Raymond Buckland is unmatched in its coverage of witchcraft’s historical, practical, and cultural aspects. A student of the late Wicca pioneer Dr. Gerald Gardner, Raymond Buckland has been widely credited with introducing Wicca to the United States. He was one of the world’s foremost experts on Witchcraft, Wicca, and Earth religions. With 560 entries, a resource section, and 114 photos and illustrations, this is an exhaustive exploration of Witchcraft, Wicca, paganism, magic, people, places, events, literature, and more. It shows how, in pre-Christian and early Christian times, Witchcraft (with a capital “W”) was a magical and healing practice associated with early spirtual beliefs, including how the word "Witch" comes from the Old Anglo-Saxon wicce or wicca, meaning a “wise one”: the wiseman or -woman of the common people who had knowledge of herbs, healing, augury, and magic. It also tackles how Witchcraft and paganism were erroneously linked with Satanism, black magic, and pop-culture distortions. It defines both the darker Christian concept and the true concept of Wicca, concentrating on the Western European and later New World versions of Witchcraft and magic. The Witch Book is a broad and deep look at witches, witchcraft and the Wicca tradition.

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

624 pages, Paperback

First published November 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

[T.L. Cooper · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Witch Book: The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, Wicca, and Neo-paganism by Raymond Buckland is exactly what it sounds like. Buckland provides encyclopedic entries on many topics related to witchcraft. He explains the misconceptions and misinformation that exists about witchcraft, wicca, and neo-paganism. Most entries are factual but on occasion, Buckland’s opinion makes it into the discussion. The Witch Book is often dry and academic in writing style as one one expect from an encyclopedia. And, at times, since the subject matter overlaps, it reads a bit repetitive. Items of interest are easy to find since the book is arranged alphabetically. If one has an interest in things related to witchcraft, even if only to answer questions raised by books or movies, The Witch Book makes a decent but not all inclusive reference. It is a book better suited to being on the shelf to look things up than for reading cover to cover.

[Indigo Crow · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seems like a more modern attempt at Doreen Valiente's "An ABC of Witchcraft" with more focus on Wicca than most anything else. I can't fault Buckland on that TOO much because he was a Wiccan. Still, I think Valiente did it better.

Most of the book seems factual, but there are points where the author likes to insert his opinion. This is pretty common with Buckland. I normally enjoy his books even though I'm not Wiccan, but I have to say that it does get tedious sometimes.

If you happen across this somewhere for cheap or free, I say go ahead and give it a read. It's not terrible, just not good, and you can pluck at a section here and there as you've the time for it without needing to keep your attention on it for long. I don't recommend getting this at full price, though.

[Michelle Norton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heavily colored by Buckland's opinion, most of the entries are only mentioned in light of how he views Wicca, and if it is useful to Wiccans. He stretches history to connect it to modern Wicca. Entries on people have clear bias, you can really tell if he hates a person. In short he traces nearly everything back to his made up histories often citing himself.

[Juliette Sarrazin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't finish the book (I stop at page 15) because it wasn't really helpful for me. I didn't like the way it was organized (in alphabetical order) and I really felt like I was missing the key and basic information. Also, most of what was said (in the part I read) was already stuff I knew from other sources and not very well explained, and it didn't really fell specific to Wicca, like I was hoping it would be.

[Pluviostar ~ (Adriano) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Il primo libro che non deve mai mancare nella biblioteca di un neopagano, strega, druido, come volete chiamarvi fate voi. E' un libro che insegna ogni cosa, a prescindere da quello in cui credete e l'etichetta che la società, i gruppi e voi stessi si crea.
Consigliato, ma da usare con saggezza e non con mente leggera.

[Michael P · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent book with a fair amount of Witchcraft and occultic history and information definitely worth having on the Shelf

[Jessica]

June 2024: lightly skimmed - no rating

[Ronel Janse van Vuuren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a cover-to-cover read, but useful for research. Should be used in conjunction with other sources as the author seems biased at times.

[M.F. Hopkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good reference book.

[Andrea Casarotto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Il libro è impostato come se fosse il programma di un corso sulla Wicca in generale (si evidenzia in particolar modo la tradizione Sassone, anche se ci sono cenni di altre tradizioni, come spiega l'autore). I capitoli prendono il nome di lezioni, al termine delle quali ci sono veri e propri esercizi e domande di verifica da fare. E' un'impostazione apparentemente elementare e banale, ma potrebbe aiutare molto coloro che si avvicinano per la prima volta a questo percorso.
Gli argomenti trattati sono molto vari ed interessanti; per approfondire si rimanda ad altri testi, alcuni dei quali sono proposti in bibliografia.
L'ho trovato un libro molto buono per coloro che iniziano, ed al tempo stesso permette a coloro che sono un po' più avanti di ripassare i fondamentali concetti base.
Nonostante la copertina improponibile, mi sento di consigliarlo a tutti.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent source of information with accurate and in depth information from Abracadabra to Zodiac.

This is an Encyclopedia, so it does read as such.

Again, Raymond Buckland has proven that he has much knowledge to share.

[Marlene Slade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I own this Encyclopedia.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is essential in writiing about witches, witchcraft, and religions that practice magic. It's detailed, well written, insiteful, helpful, and all - around fun and interesting.

[Kathleen Burket · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exhaustive. Anything on the subject of Witchcraft, Wicca and Neo-Paganism has a section discussing it in this book.

[Meshia Elsenpeter]

Pretty good...but I think that this should be combined with other sources if you are looking for specific information or researching. Pretty good source though..nice book

[Ms. Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This encyclopedia was just what I needed for research purposes.

[Anastasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really must have encyclopedia to the basics of Witchcraft

[Francisca Brefo]

Good

[Abdo Gamal]

i don't know