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The word Witchcraft has been misunderstood for centuries. In the past 500 years, millions of people have faced persecution, torture, and even death after being accused of practicing Witchcraft. For many people the word "Witch" still conjures up images of secret spells and diabolical midnight rituals. So what exactly is Witchcraft (also called Wica or Wicca), and how did it evolve into one of today's fastest-growing religions? Witchcraft From the Inside presents the history of Witchcraft-from its roots in ancient fertility religions, to the madness of the Malleus Maleficarum and the European Witch trials, to the growth of modern Wicca in Britain and the United States. Essays contributed by leading Wiccan authorities explore the present state of Wicca and provide a glimpse into the future of this peaceful nature religion. Author Ray Buckland studied Witchcraft under Gerald Gardner, the man largely credited for the revival of Witchcraft and the establishment of Wicca as a modern religion. Mr. Buckland was instrumental in bringing Gardnerian Witchcraft from England to the United States and is considered to be one of the leading American authorities on Witchcraft. In the following excerpt, Mr. Buckland explains the mundane truths behind the seemingly horrific ingredients of the legendary "witches' brews". We know, from Shakespeare and other sources, that the Witches threw into their pots the most gruesome ingredients, right? There were things like the tongue of a snake, bloody fingers, catgut, donkey's eyes, frog's foot, goat's beard, a Jew's ear, mouse tail, snake head, swine snout, wolf's foot, and so on. Pretty disgusting by the sound of it-if you take them at face value! In fact these were all the most innocuous of ingredients: normal plants and herbs. Today all plants have a Latin name, so that they may be distinct and positively identified. Yet years ago they were known only by common, local names. A plant or herb might be known by one name in one part of the country and a quite different name in another part of the country. And these names were colorful ones, frequently given to the plant because of its looks, color, or other attributes. In the above list, adder's tongue was a name given to the dogtooth violet (Erythronium americanum); bloody fingers was the foxglove (Digitalis purpurea); catgut was the hoary pea (Tephrosia virginiana); donkey's eyes were the seeds of the cowage plant (Mucuna pruriens); frog's foot was the bulbous buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus); goat's beard was the vegetable oyster (Tragopogon porrofolius); Jew's ear was a fungus that grew on elder trees and elm trees (Peziza auricula); mouse tail was common stonecrop (Sedum acre); snake head was balmony (Chelone glabra); swine snout was the dandelion (Taraxacum dens leonis); and wolf's foot was bugle weed (Lycopus virginicus). So the seemingly fearsome concoctions that the Witches mixed up in their cauldrons were nothing more than simple herbs going into a cookpot!

"This complete self-study course in modern Wicca is a treasured classic - an essential and trusted guide that belongs in every witch's library."---Back cover

Classic geological and palaeontological textbook, from William Buckland, the first professor for Geology in Oxford and this is the first American edition which had a great influence in the US! Buckland's importance lay "in helping to redefine the nature and method of a geological explanation. Buckland and other geologists wished to produce detailed explanations that would in effect constitute a geological history, period by period, of the events of a given locality. Buckland was thus one of the men, perhaps the ablest and probably the most acute, who built a typically "British" geology, based on careful local stratigraphy and local dynamic explanations but revivified by the addition of fossil evidence". - DSB II, p.567-68.

An ethnographic account of gay, lesbian and queer club culture in the 1990s New York City.

"Wicca for Life is a step-by-step guide to Wicca as a lifestyle: practical, easy to read, and no-nonsense in its tone. Buckland demystifies topics such as initiation and spellcrafting, and gives down-to-earth advice on how to embrace Wicca as a spiritual path for today. This book will be valuable on anyone’s shelves as both a reference tool and as a handbook to living a fulfilling magickal life." —Shelley Rabinovitch, author of The Encyclopedia of Modern Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism Wicca for Life presents a comprehensive guide to Wicca for both established followers and newcomers to the Craft, designed to carry the modern Witch through every season and aspect of life. From Wicca’s ancient beginnings to its current practice worldwide, Wicca for Life encompasses the rites, rituals, and customs every practitioner needs to know. Written by Raymond Buckland, the leading U.S. authority on Wicca, this essential resource has been exhaustively researched and organized to provide guidance for Witches at all levels of skill and experience. Wicca for Life features a detailed reference to color symbolism, magical alphabets, chants and songs, and the magickal properties of herbs, as well as advice on how to: · Develop natural psychic abilities and healing tendencies · Focus powers and sharpen Wiccan wishing · Block curses and open up channels for positive energy · Learn to balance the dimensions of home, using elements of feng shui · Cope with crises and ward off negativity · Improve relationships with family, friends, and lovers Within these pages, a Witch can begin the journey into the ways of the Craft or discover new ways to enrich the daily practice of life-affirming Wiccan magick.

A reference guide to the otherworld—includes illustrations. From battlefield and biblical ghosts to poltergeists and orbs, The Weiser Field Guide to Ghosts examines categories and subcategories of ghosts across time and cultures, including commonalities and misconceptions. Stories of encounters, legendary ghosts, and haunted places are all covered in this beautifully illustrated compendium, a veritable A-Z of the otherworld. The Weiser Field Guide to Ghosts is concise and comprehensive—and also includes practical tips on ghost hunting and suggested further reading.

Buckland's Book of Saxon Witchcraft was one of the first books to explore Wicca from a solitary perspective. Originally written 30 years ago to correct abuses he saw occurring in covens, Buckland offered Wiccan seekers an introductory text on Saxon witchcraft or Seax-Wicca, which can be practiced alone. Buckland presents meticulously researched information on the time-honored tradition of Saxon witchcraft. He writes cogently and informatively about the history, mythology, spiritual practices, and witchcraft of Saxon England. Buckland's Book of Saxon Witchcraft includes everything the solitary witch needs to practice Seax-Wicca, including: Descriptions of the Saxon deities and explanations of their primary beliefs An introduction to the magical runic Saxon alphabet A selection of original Pagan songs A selection of Seax-Wiccan recipes for intoxicants Instructions for initiation ceremonies, the eight Sabbats, marriage, birth, and death rites An explanation of the art and practice of Saxon Galdra or magic and the divination and herbal lore used for protection, love potions, and healing The Seax-Wicca Rite of Self-Dedication, which allows individuals to form their own covens and initiate themselves into the Craft An indispensable handbook for solitary witches or for witches in covens who want to explore Saxon witchcraft. Originally published as The Tree: The Complete Book of Saxon Witchcraft, this edition offers a new introduction by the author to guide a new generation of witches into the art and practice of Seax-Wicca.

Reference more than 800 symbols in this guide by leading occult author Buckland. It includes the symbols, signs, and omens observed in virtually every significant culture and religion in the world.