I haven’t read it fully, but it was the first book on Wicca or Witchcraft that I ever bought. I got it when I was 15, and I’m now 31. At that time I read through the first few chapters, and then unfortunately had to abandon it as I was not allowed to have it in the house and it was thrown away. What I was able to garner from it, though, further ignited that spark I had for the craft. As an adult I’ve gathered quite a few other books, but I need to get another copy of this so I can finally finish it.
This was also my first book, the year it came out in 1986 when I was 11 years old. I still have my original copy, signed by Uncle Raymond himself when I met him at a festival in New Orleans. On the original cover, the lettering and border are white rather than silver, and the pentagram is red, and some of the artwork inside is slightly different but otherwise it's the exact same book now as when it was first published. Thank you for giving an honest review of it. So many of us who came up in the craft during that time have seen our beliefs on witchcraft and way of doing things being denigrated over the last several years, which can kind of feel sometimes like when you're a child and excitedly ramble about something you're interested in, and then have an adult tell you that you talk too much. You are right that many of the topics he covered can now be better learned through other sources with more updated information. At the time, there just wasn't as much available, even for Buckland himself, to learn about these things from, such as the chakras as you mentioned, or the actual history of the "burning times" etc. The thing is, it still worked for us, so that should say something about authenticity, sincerity, and about what the Gods think is actually important. It's still a perfect book for a beginner to learn a form of the craft that doesn't rely on elders or gurus or power structures, as both it and his book specifically on Seax-Wica are geared towards self-taught solitaries or those who want to start a coven with equally self-taught friends, and it's a great springboard to know some of what's out there to go and learn.
Thank you for this gorgeous and sincere review on one of our classic texts. I was raised on these 80s and 90s gems, and just yesterday was thinking how important it is to preserve this wisdom for another generation. BB
I feel like a dinosaur! I became interested in Witchcraft in 1988, at age 30. I started with Big Blue. Thank you for an excellent talk about this book.
When I was in high school, I ditched school and wen to the public library, (I know... nerd alert). I started to become curious about witchcraft and came across this book. I read it for hours and photo copied spells and tried them at home. I loved the book. I went back to check it out (with no plans to return it) but couldn’t remember the name of the book so I figured, it never existed. Good to see years later when I picked up the craft again, this book came to me again. I’m excited to get it and finally own the book that influenced me so much. Thanks for the video!
Ah the Bug Blue Book, I’ve had nothing but bad luck with this book. I’ve bought so many copies of it only to have them wander off in the hands over others who never return things LOL I gave up owning it in the end. Nevertheless, I’m digging the fact that you went there and read the whole thing cover to cover! Well done you. It’s such a manual isn’t it?! 🧙🏼♀️🖤😘
Funny.. b/c for me I ordered on Amazon (I do not have prime) at 3:30 in the morning and got it early afternoon the day after it came prime without me signing up for it! Then they didn't realize their mistake and sent me another one!
Oh my.. I have this book. Have had it for a very long time. Yet, I have never read it. Wow. Ok so I went to the shelf and pulled it out. I am going to read it. You are such a great little inspiration. Thank you and Blessings!!!
Yup! I definitely want to get this book now. I think it would help in many ways to further my understanding of Witchcraft. But also I want to read the part about forging your own Atheme. As it happens I am a hobbyist blacksmith. I think it would be an interesting experience to read and then follow his instructions on doing so. Assuming he goes in to any detail about it. I don't have the book yet so I do not know.
It's detailed enough that I feel like I could try it, but I also have blacksmith friends and I'd rather have them do it / show me / supervise lol. I have a feeling as with anything, there might come a point where you're like "wait what do I do now?" But he goes pretty step by step, explains how hot to get the metal, what color it will turn, when to let it cool slowly vs when to plunge it in water.
Although I am a solitary practitioner… the cynical side says I feel like the whole “you’re super valid if you practice outside of a coven” was a way to have a wider audience for books… “you don’t have to be in a coven to practice Wicca (buy this book)”
Found you through pagan perspective. Love your clear way of explaining things. Went to this book on Amazon, scrolled down to reviews, and see someone saying that men can’t know Wicca and it’s only ego. Really sad to see stuff like that.
I feel like I might be in the minority, but I couldn't get into this book. I checked it out (the audiobook) because it was on EVERYBODY'S lists of recommended titles about the craft. I got a few chapters in and tried to like it, but I couldn't shake the vibe of, "This is how the craft must be done!" as I listened. Yes, I know, this was written as an instruction/workbook and that, as the "father of American witchcraft," it would make sense for Buckland to lay down what he felt were the ground rules, especially since he considered witchcraft a religion whereas many today (myself included) see it as a practice anyone of any faith can adapt. But still, that sort of dogmatic, somewhat aggressive tone was a turn-off for me. The first book I read about the craft was "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham and, while I didn't agree with everything in it, the way in which it was written was much more digestible. I felt like I was being spoken to by a friendly elder rather than being lectured at as with the Blue Book. So, in short, I respect it for its place in the history of craft literature, but personally, it's not my cup of tea.
@AnnieMoonBunny I thought the same thing. Sure, in the book, Buckland states the group work can be adapted for those doing things on their own, but how those rituals were written seemed to suggest otherwise. It makes sense, though, that his descriptions and definitions would be so precise in the context of what was going on at the time. If the book originally came out in 1986, that would've been smack in the midst of the "Satanic Panic" that was all over America. As an American kid who grew up in the '90s, I remember it well; anything that was too outside the norm of Judeo-Christian culture at best raised eyebrows and at worst caused outright prejudice and hostility. So coming to spread the word about witchcraft to a country where things as harmless as certain games, movies, and even fashion choices were seen as portals to or indicators of Devil worship, I completely understand Buckland's rigid writing style. That and maybe also he was simply a hardcore traditionalist, which would be fitting if he studied with Gardner himself.
I agree with everything you just stated. I did not like the tone in how this book was written. The craft, individual traditions, and paths have, and still are, evolving at a very fast rate since the time of this book. I believe it is still interesting, and people should read it to understand specific practices, as well as the mentality of the times of when this was written. But it reminds me of being around that elderly person to whom you have to constantly remind, "It's not like that anymore, or we don't say that anymore", if you get where I am going. I am also speaking as a solitary, and not someone whom is part of a tradition with strict/specific rules and guidelines. Which this might make it easier for new readers to understand the tone: In my experience "traditions" were very strict and dogmatic then and even now. The dogmatic mentality of, "This is the right or true way", is very real in the traditional setting. In my opinion, thank goodness that we are evolving beyond the constraints demonstrated by our past. That is not to disregard their magick/rituals, as I still find "most" of the structures interesting and beautiful.
@@AVeganWitch I completely agree. I'm solitary, too, though I'd love to join a group or coven someday. Even then, though, I wouldn't want to be in one that's too hung up on dogma. Yes, tradition is important, but the moment tradition and rules start to be valued over the group members' individual and collective spiritual growth, then I take issue. To me, covens should be groups of friends/trusted people who get together to worship and help each other grow. And yes, that involves some taking leadership roles, but I personally say leave the structure that puts a clear divide between priest/priestess and the rest of the group to the Abrahamic faiths. One of the things that attracted me to Paganism in the first place was that sense of freedom which comes with a less-strict attitude toward dogma. I'd grown up in the Episcopal church which, in my personal experience, tended to put more emphasis on, "This is how things have always been done," rather than allowing itself to grow with the times. Therefore, any Pagan author, individual, tradition, or group that tends to do the same leaves a bad taste in my mouth. But that's just me. As someone who's also in theater, too, I'd love to join a group that really gets into the theatrics of ritual, but we should remember that, at the end of the day, our tools of worship are just props and costumes meant to help us channel the energy through ourselves.
I don't like Buckland, sorry something about him I just can't stand him, I don't know why. All the other Wiccan/ witch I knew made me feel like he was a cult to them. Yes I know that it's not him but still, I was a lot younger to at the time. May one day I will read his works, I am little older now (19 years ago). I met new Wiccan/ witches that like his work and they know my weird way I learned about him. This all about when I was like 5-9 during this time I was truly afraid of him, I would start crying didn't help that the Wiccan/witches were so mean to me too ( yell at me tell me my little patch that I want to do was wrong, name calling, hitting me with his book ECT just very mean horrible beings so ten years later I don't start crying just by hearing his name. I had to Stop being friends with their kids. ) Maybe over the summer I will read the big blue book.
I don't know if I'll buy you guys know Raymond Buckland also has a big red book on how to communicate with spirits identical to the blue book it's just a big red book - lol. If anybody would like to see it let me know I'll take a picture and post it
Been dealing with the 'putting things into context of when they were written' thing as I've working through Scott Cunningham's solitary practitioner works. He had an anti-tech bias and was writing in the early tech/pc era. Obviously things have changed a lot cause were here. For me it was most noticeable with the passing of Tiptoechick. My pagan social media feeds were flooded with outpourings of grief for someone who's impact on the pagan community was primarily if not entirely in a digital way.
Yes, knowing personal biases and interests adds another layer of understanding, I think. For example, Gardner (and several of his contemporaries) was a nudist, and had a fascination with weaponry his whole life. So the emphasis on skyclad practice and on each Witch having their own ritual blade, while both have their symbolism, obviously also spoke to personal interests, as well.
It was around the "satanic panic" years that the word Wicca popped up. I do recommend Buckland's The Tree: the complete book of Saxon witchcraft , for a look at his simplified tradition
This book is absolutely phenomenal and its content and the way it's structured as a workbook I have a first edition and my daughter has a second edition. Well we don't follow that style of magic I could say buckland's big blue book and Cunningham's earth air fire water book are the two most important books in the library and they have provided me with the foundation to pass on to my kids who are my daughter is a witch who serves full time in the army and my ten-year-old son he's working and I have a grandbaby granddaughter she's a witch and I got one more granddaughter coming who will be a witch if she so chooses. Big blue book first book I ever bought could have been the last one I ever by mad be just as happy ! and if you didn't know you can actually get that book on DVD it's been remastered from a VHS but it's very educational and interesting to see Raymond Buckland alive anybody that has the book would love the DVD which I do believe you can find here on CZcams. So read it and then go watch it ! )0(
It's been years since I've read this. I actually just pulled it off my shelf yesterday contemplating if I should give it another read. I think I will. Uncle Bucky aka Lord Robat is greatly missed.
I'm so excited to see this! I decided to go back to basics this summer, and am currently 3/4 of the way through the audiobook. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 💜
I've been formally practicing since 1995 and started my reading at the city library but this was one of the first books I ever purchased and owned, it is really great and kind of a rite of passage in witchcraft study. I hope others read it as well, thanks you for this video! The nook also has audio versions here on CZcams, which is extra cool. Blessed be to you!
What is this place you are??? Awesome!!! Beautiful porch, perfect light, wonderful decoration! :) Of course, this is not the only value to your video, but all others were covered by the other comments. Glad you are here with us. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. ^_^
- Heals with divine white light - I assure you, everything is good here and there Stay well rested! Another karmic cycle has matured and expired (it no long affects us) Metaphysical Principles of Healing White Light The affliction experience never happened Earth
When I was 12 I was gifted this book, and it started me on my occult journey. I bought the second edition recently and realized it was heavily scrubbed of information. It was painful to see a repression of such meaningful information.
Wanna read that book so hard, but I'm just 16 and my parents try everything, to keep me away from witchcraft... Have to find a way, to order it anyway.
I know this may be wrong, but if you search on google the name of the book and then pdf (or pdf free) the first result is the whole book in good quality. I am in the same position as yours so that is the only way I can get into it. I'm sure I'll buy a copy in the near future :)
This is a very good book review. I agree with the level of detail in Uncle Bucky's Big Blue Book, you will know a little bit about a lot of things. For the time it was written, it is a good book and it an important historical document in that regard.
Just a point wicca is the old saxon word for witch. Saxons were from german friesian islands and colonised britan in the 8 th centuary. They were simular to vikings.
that is a 25th Anniversary Edition and I took the photo of Buck on the back. He was my best friend. I have a his Museum/Bedroom in my house in Lily Dale. I have a lot of his personal things
This book came today of eBay it's a very cool amazing and information book the best their is I'm saving to get more books by this author including the communication book
I don’t have this one… yet, but i much prefer the older sources where it was really about teaching and sharing this information and not about churning out another book to make money. It’s just that now, books on witchcraft are big money makers and back then they had a very limited appeal. They were serious books and a lot of books now also seem to be a lot of fluff and not as much substance (not to say there are no good modern books, just that there are so many subpar ones that it makes it harder to find them and know them. These books are the ones I trust the most, what can I say. Obviously no one book has all the answers, cross checking and continuing to learn is always important.
You should teach a class at Convocation. Its given by the MEC in Dearborn Michigan every year in February. 4 days of rituals classes and Pagan merrymaking.
I still haven't found a book from Gerald Gardner, but I would point out also that Margaret Murray was probably the first one to start pumping books out on the craft. )0(
Indeed she did, and she is mentioned in this book. She was an archaeologist and historian, however, whereas Gardner's are considered the first books about Witchcraft written by a practicing Witch. Before that other people were definitely writing about Witchcraft and their own theories (some of Murray's theories were discredited, proven incorrect later by further study kind of thing) but they weren't Witches themselves.
Still need to read this lol. However when Buckland moved to the US he lived on Long Island, where I’m from/live now and actually lived in an area I used to work in and am very familiar with. I want to see if I can find the house he lived in and do a drive by haha.
Throughout all my readings mostly Buckland coming in but not just them, it was my understanding that Wicca is the religious form, whereas witchcraft is the practice of that religion. No matter how you slice it you cannot go wrong with this book and it is the perfect foundation for anybody starting out or even been in a while and just hasn't seen in the book. I've seen the interview that you mentioned in the video but there's also another video on CZcams directly from that book. I'm drawing a blank on the title I think it's Worth : Yesterday Today and Tomorrow. I'll see if I can find that actual video and post a link. Come to think of it I think I actually did post a link on my page and proud CZcams not trying to make a plug or nothing I'm pretty sure I link to video and my group called Pagan proud. What is the most fascinating thing cuz he's in his own home and you see his own personal tools demonstrate some rituals it's worth its weight in gold !
It is a curiosity if The Native Americans such as The Hopi and The Cherokee knew how to levitate and self - teleport in reference to Shamanism.To me The Cherokee Syllabary seems to perhaps be multi- layered and multi - dimensional in the way that The Virtual Particle Flux Field may be.
Well Cara Mia I have my big blue too haven't conquered it yet trying to find someone that could help me relate and maybe guide me through it but don't want to talk about it for the whole world to know just you and me maybe somehow I don't have any many platforms but there's way that we can get in contact let me know
I have Buckland's "Cards of Alchemy" which is currently on Amazon for $122-$460. I am curious to know how this card/book set ranks with serious practitioners? I received it as a gift 15 yrs ago and it just popped up in a box. Not sure if I should sell/gift it or hold on to it as a family heirloom, since it appears to be out of print. Any opinions?
I was pretty impressed .. all the way up to the point where you basically said that the book is "outdated". Really? What does that even mean? Look, I've owned numerous copies of this particular book (at least 6) over the years in both editions (they have this really annoying way of never finding their way back when they've been borrowed). The book is far from "dogmatic", as some people have suggested in other comments. In fact, all through it he says "write your own", "feel free to modify" and so on. In addition, if you don't ignore the books that he suggests and recommends (and actually bother to read them) then you'll see that, in many cases, those books offer a COMPLETELY different way of doing/looking at what he was talking about. So if you feel the book is "dogmatic", you didn't actually READ it. Wicca hasn't "evolved". Wicca is Wicca and this book serves as nothing more than an introduction to it, with each lesson offering just the tiniest glimpse at the topic(s) covered. It's not intended to be "THE Definitive Guide to all things Wicca". Sorry, but no. "Outdated" implies that it's of little current value, like the way that a flip phone compares to a smart phone. If this is what you think, then you haven't actually studied it the way that it was intended.
I have this one. Most of these books are a regurgitation of Hermeticism and Celtic indigenous spirituality. Its better to read from Franz bardon, Israel regardie, and Paul foster case. Since those authors are closer to the Origin. It takes serious initiation where you can really integrate the subconscious with the conscious mind to help things manifest. A lot of these authors follow cookie cutter philosophies that just preserve there current state of evolution. In my opinion. Theres a lot of metaphysical disciplines and banishing that needs to be practiced before doing this stuff.
If you feel that strong about your comment then why are you even watching these kind of videos? The titles are pretty clear and you k ow what videos and books like this can lead to. You make no sense friend
I haven’t read it fully, but it was the first book on Wicca or Witchcraft that I ever bought. I got it when I was 15, and I’m now 31. At that time I read through the first few chapters, and then unfortunately had to abandon it as I was not allowed to have it in the house and it was thrown away. What I was able to garner from it, though, further ignited that spark I had for the craft. As an adult I’ve gathered quite a few other books, but I need to get another copy of this so I can finally finish it.
You can find it at Books a million, blessed be 👍🙏❤️
This was also my first book, the year it came out in 1986 when I was 11 years old. I still have my original copy, signed by Uncle Raymond himself when I met him at a festival in New Orleans. On the original cover, the lettering and border are white rather than silver, and the pentagram is red, and some of the artwork inside is slightly different but otherwise it's the exact same book now as when it was first published. Thank you for giving an honest review of it.
So many of us who came up in the craft during that time have seen our beliefs on witchcraft and way of doing things being denigrated over the last several years, which can kind of feel sometimes like when you're a child and excitedly ramble about something you're interested in, and then have an adult tell you that you talk too much. You are right that many of the topics he covered can now be better learned through other sources with more updated information. At the time, there just wasn't as much available, even for Buckland himself, to learn about these things from, such as the chakras as you mentioned, or the actual history of the "burning times" etc.
The thing is, it still worked for us, so that should say something about authenticity, sincerity, and about what the Gods think is actually important. It's still a perfect book for a beginner to learn a form of the craft that doesn't rely on elders or gurus or power structures, as both it and his book specifically on Seax-Wica are geared towards self-taught solitaries or those who want to start a coven with equally self-taught friends, and it's a great springboard to know some of what's out there to go and learn.
I read that book 20 years ago and read it again 5 years ago. I love that book, it has everything!
Big blue was my introduction to the craft in 1993. It was our coven lesson plan. I’m definitely a Buckland witch (and Cunningham).
Thank you for this gorgeous and sincere review on one of our classic texts. I was raised on these 80s and 90s gems, and just yesterday was thinking how important it is to preserve this wisdom for another generation. BB
I feel like a dinosaur! I became interested in Witchcraft in 1988, at age 30. I started with Big Blue.
Thank you for an excellent talk about this book.
When I was in high school, I ditched school and wen to the public library, (I know... nerd alert). I started to become curious about witchcraft and came across this book. I read it for hours and photo copied spells and tried them at home. I loved the book. I went back to check it out (with no plans to return it) but couldn’t remember the name of the book so I figured, it never existed. Good to see years later when I picked up the craft again, this book came to me again. I’m excited to get it and finally own the book that influenced me so much. Thanks for the video!
It definitely has sentimental value for many people who found it an important step in their journey! Thank you for sharing that story.
I used to ditch class and go to the school library. Lol
Love Uncle Bucky's Big Blue Book!
Ah the Bug Blue Book, I’ve had nothing but bad luck with this book. I’ve bought so many copies of it only to have them wander off in the hands over others who never return things LOL I gave up owning it in the end.
Nevertheless, I’m digging the fact that you went there and read the whole thing cover to cover! Well done you. It’s such a manual isn’t it?! 🧙🏼♀️🖤😘
Funny.. b/c for me I ordered on Amazon (I do not have prime) at 3:30 in the morning and got it early afternoon the day after it came prime without me signing up for it! Then they didn't realize their mistake and sent me another one!
You should do more book reviews!!! Love listening to you talk. Very informative video.
The other ones I've done are in a playlist on this channel called "Reviews"!
cutewitch772 Awesome thank you!!! Will definitely check them out 🙂
ITS NOT A BOOK REVIEW!
Really good to see this book and Bucklands work is reaching far and wide...
Blessed be.
Oh my.. I have this book. Have had it for a very long time. Yet, I have never read it. Wow. Ok so I went to the shelf and pulled it out. I am going to read it. You are such a great little inspiration. Thank you and Blessings!!!
Yup! I definitely want to get this book now. I think it would help in many ways to further my understanding of Witchcraft. But also I want to read the part about forging your own Atheme. As it happens I am a hobbyist blacksmith. I think it would be an interesting experience to read and then follow his instructions on doing so. Assuming he goes in to any detail about it. I don't have the book yet so I do not know.
It's detailed enough that I feel like I could try it, but I also have blacksmith friends and I'd rather have them do it / show me / supervise lol. I have a feeling as with anything, there might come a point where you're like "wait what do I do now?" But he goes pretty step by step, explains how hot to get the metal, what color it will turn, when to let it cool slowly vs when to plunge it in water.
@@cutewitch772. That sounds promising. Thank you.
I love your Insight, Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Although I am a solitary practitioner… the cynical side says I feel like the whole “you’re super valid if you practice outside of a coven” was a way to have a wider audience for books… “you don’t have to be in a coven to practice Wicca (buy this book)”
Found you through pagan perspective. Love your clear way of explaining things. Went to this book on Amazon, scrolled down to reviews, and see someone saying that men can’t know Wicca and it’s only ego. Really sad to see stuff like that.
SteveO Kenivo That is sad! Glad you here and now have this book. Keep on keeping on with your path.🤗
Thank you! I did pick up the book and it’s awesome! Great addition to my growing library!
I feel like I might be in the minority, but I couldn't get into this book. I checked it out (the audiobook) because it was on EVERYBODY'S lists of recommended titles about the craft. I got a few chapters in and tried to like it, but I couldn't shake the vibe of, "This is how the craft must be done!" as I listened. Yes, I know, this was written as an instruction/workbook and that, as the "father of American witchcraft," it would make sense for Buckland to lay down what he felt were the ground rules, especially since he considered witchcraft a religion whereas many today (myself included) see it as a practice anyone of any faith can adapt. But still, that sort of dogmatic, somewhat aggressive tone was a turn-off for me. The first book I read about the craft was "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham and, while I didn't agree with everything in it, the way in which it was written was much more digestible. I felt like I was being spoken to by a friendly elder rather than being lectured at as with the Blue Book. So, in short, I respect it for its place in the history of craft literature, but personally, it's not my cup of tea.
@AnnieMoonBunny I thought the same thing. Sure, in the book, Buckland states the group work can be adapted for those doing things on their own, but how those rituals were written seemed to suggest otherwise. It makes sense, though, that his descriptions and definitions would be so precise in the context of what was going on at the time. If the book originally came out in 1986, that would've been smack in the midst of the "Satanic Panic" that was all over America. As an American kid who grew up in the '90s, I remember it well; anything that was too outside the norm of Judeo-Christian culture at best raised eyebrows and at worst caused outright prejudice and hostility. So coming to spread the word about witchcraft to a country where things as harmless as certain games, movies, and even fashion choices were seen as portals to or indicators of Devil worship, I completely understand Buckland's rigid writing style. That and maybe also he was simply a hardcore traditionalist, which would be fitting if he studied with Gardner himself.
I agree with everything you just stated. I did not like the tone in how this book was written. The craft, individual traditions, and paths have, and still are, evolving at a very fast rate since the time of this book. I believe it is still interesting, and people should read it to understand specific practices, as well as the mentality of the times of when this was written. But it reminds me of being around that elderly person to whom you have to constantly remind, "It's not like that anymore, or we don't say that anymore", if you get where I am going. I am also speaking as a solitary, and not someone whom is part of a tradition with strict/specific rules and guidelines. Which this might make it easier for new readers to understand the tone: In my experience "traditions" were very strict and dogmatic then and even now. The dogmatic mentality of, "This is the right or true way", is very real in the traditional setting. In my opinion, thank goodness that we are evolving beyond the constraints demonstrated by our past. That is not to disregard their magick/rituals, as I still find "most" of the structures interesting and beautiful.
@@AVeganWitch I completely agree. I'm solitary, too, though I'd love to join a group or coven someday. Even then, though, I wouldn't want to be in one that's too hung up on dogma. Yes, tradition is important, but the moment tradition and rules start to be valued over the group members' individual and collective spiritual growth, then I take issue. To me, covens should be groups of friends/trusted people who get together to worship and help each other grow. And yes, that involves some taking leadership roles, but I personally say leave the structure that puts a clear divide between priest/priestess and the rest of the group to the Abrahamic faiths.
One of the things that attracted me to Paganism in the first place was that sense of freedom which comes with a less-strict attitude toward dogma. I'd grown up in the Episcopal church which, in my personal experience, tended to put more emphasis on, "This is how things have always been done," rather than allowing itself to grow with the times. Therefore, any Pagan author, individual, tradition, or group that tends to do the same leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
But that's just me. As someone who's also in theater, too, I'd love to join a group that really gets into the theatrics of ritual, but we should remember that, at the end of the day, our tools of worship are just props and costumes meant to help us channel the energy through ourselves.
I don't like Buckland, sorry something about him I just can't stand him, I don't know why. All the other Wiccan/ witch I knew made me feel like he was a cult to them. Yes I know that it's not him but still, I was a lot younger to at the time. May one day I will read his works, I am little older now (19 years ago). I met new Wiccan/ witches that like his work and they know my weird way I learned about him. This all about when I was like 5-9 during this time I was truly afraid of him, I would start crying didn't help that the Wiccan/witches were so mean to me too ( yell at me tell me my little patch that I want to do was wrong, name calling, hitting me with his book ECT just very mean horrible beings so ten years later I don't start crying just by hearing his name. I had to Stop being friends with their kids. ) Maybe over the summer I will read the big blue book.
I don't know if I'll buy you guys know Raymond Buckland also has a big red book on how to communicate with spirits identical to the blue book it's just a big red book - lol. If anybody would like to see it let me know I'll take a picture and post it
Please do more book reviews! I love hearing your opinions on books, I almost always end up adding books to my wishlist after you talk about them!
I have a playlist on this channel called Reviews where you can see the others I've done! It's quite a varied lot at this point lol.
Been dealing with the 'putting things into context of when they were written' thing as I've working through Scott Cunningham's solitary practitioner works. He had an anti-tech bias and was writing in the early tech/pc era. Obviously things have changed a lot cause were here. For me it was most noticeable with the passing of Tiptoechick. My pagan social media feeds were flooded with outpourings of grief for someone who's impact on the pagan community was primarily if not entirely in a digital way.
And ironically, many of Cunningham's works are now available as e-books
Yes, knowing personal biases and interests adds another layer of understanding, I think. For example, Gardner (and several of his contemporaries) was a nudist, and had a fascination with weaponry his whole life. So the emphasis on skyclad practice and on each Witch having their own ritual blade, while both have their symbolism, obviously also spoke to personal interests, as well.
It was around the "satanic panic" years that the word Wicca popped up.
I do recommend Buckland's The Tree: the complete book of Saxon witchcraft , for a look at his simplified tradition
Fantastic review btw. Great job.
What a thorough, well thought out, and useful review!
I have this book! Mine is a little darker Blue. Good book. Had no idea that he was in Cleveland, Ohio. I'm 82 miles away from Cleveland, Ohio
This book is absolutely phenomenal and its content and the way it's structured as a workbook I have a first edition and my daughter has a second edition. Well we don't follow that style of magic I could say buckland's big blue book and Cunningham's earth air fire water book are the two most important books in the library and they have provided me with the foundation to pass on to my kids who are my daughter is a witch who serves full time in the army and my ten-year-old son he's working and I have a grandbaby granddaughter she's a witch and I got one more granddaughter coming who will be a witch if she so chooses. Big blue book first book I ever bought could have been the last one I ever by mad be just as happy ! and if you didn't know you can actually get that book on DVD it's been remastered from a VHS but it's very educational and interesting to see Raymond Buckland alive anybody that has the book would love the DVD which I do believe you can find here on CZcams. So read it and then go watch it ! )0(
It's been years since I've read this. I actually just pulled it off my shelf yesterday contemplating if I should give it another read. I think I will. Uncle Bucky aka Lord Robat is greatly missed.
I got that book when I was 15 and my mom flipped out on me big time
Love this video Cara! Thank you for sharing. Gonna grab a copy today! 💛
I'm so excited to see this! I decided to go back to basics this summer, and am currently 3/4 of the way through the audiobook. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 💜
Just recieved mine. Thanks for info
I've been formally practicing since 1995 and started my reading at the city library but this was one of the first books I ever purchased and owned, it is really great and kind of a rite of passage in witchcraft study. I hope others read it as well, thanks you for this video! The nook also has audio versions here on CZcams, which is extra cool. Blessed be to you!
What is this place you are??? Awesome!!! Beautiful porch, perfect light, wonderful decoration! :) Of course, this is not the only value to your video, but all others were covered by the other comments. Glad you are here with us. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. ^_^
Looks like a good book 😁😁😊😊
This was great! Also, I love your besoms in the background 🖤
- Heals with divine white light -
I assure you, everything is good here and there
Stay well rested!
Another karmic cycle has matured and expired (it no long affects us)
Metaphysical
Principles of Healing White Light
The affliction experience never happened
Earth
I have his book signed by Buckland himself for sale on ebay
I have not finished this book yet, but I have enjoyed what I have read so far. I actually read his book "Wicca for One" prior to starting this book.
I got it, thank you ... I'm just beginning
Excellent book review, thank you. 🕯🤍 I’m just starting my journey of reading this book.
When I was 12 I was gifted this book, and it started me on my occult journey. I bought the second edition recently and realized it was heavily scrubbed of information. It was painful to see a repression of such meaningful information.
Wanna read that book so hard, but I'm just 16 and my parents try everything, to keep me away from witchcraft...
Have to find a way, to order it anyway.
I know this may be wrong, but if you search on google the name of the book and then pdf (or pdf free) the first result is the whole book in good quality. I am in the same position as yours so that is the only way I can get into it. I'm sure I'll buy a copy in the near future :)
Yeah I need help on that starting guide and that book right there
What a doll! Love those glasses. Oh and great review.
This is a very good book review. I agree with the level of detail in Uncle Bucky's Big Blue Book, you will know a little bit about a lot of things. For the time it was written, it is a good book and it an important historical document in that regard.
Just a point wicca is the old saxon word for witch. Saxons were from german friesian islands and colonised britan in the 8 th centuary. They were simular to vikings.
I love book reviews thanks for this one!
In the process of reading it now. So far I really like it.
that is a 25th Anniversary Edition and I took the photo of Buck on the back. He was my best friend. I have a his Museum/Bedroom in my house in Lily Dale. I have a lot of his personal things
I dont know why I never read this book back in the day, but I didnt. My "roots" were mostly raven grimassi, silver raven wolf & scott cunningham😊
This book came today of eBay it's a very cool amazing and information book the best their is I'm saving to get more books by this author including the communication book
Very well done. Thank you for the video.
I adore raymond bucklands book it's great
I don’t have this one… yet, but i much prefer the older sources where it was really about teaching and sharing this information and not about churning out another book to make money. It’s just that now, books on witchcraft are big money makers and back then they had a very limited appeal. They were serious books and a lot of books now also seem to be a lot of fluff and not as much substance (not to say there are no good modern books, just that there are so many subpar ones that it makes it harder to find them and know them. These books are the ones I trust the most, what can I say. Obviously no one book has all the answers, cross checking and continuing to learn is always important.
I am not finding Witch Talk Radio can anyone help me out?
I bought this book before I saw this video it really is a good book
You should teach a class at Convocation. Its given by the MEC in Dearborn Michigan every year in February. 4 days of rituals classes and Pagan merrymaking.
Looking into reading this soon
I still haven't found a book from Gerald Gardner, but I would point out also that Margaret Murray was probably the first one to start pumping books out on the craft. )0(
Indeed she did, and she is mentioned in this book. She was an archaeologist and historian, however, whereas Gardner's are considered the first books about Witchcraft written by a practicing Witch. Before that other people were definitely writing about Witchcraft and their own theories (some of Murray's theories were discredited, proven incorrect later by further study kind of thing) but they weren't Witches themselves.
this is a v helpful review! I've only learned via the witches amino app and now I'm def gonna go take a look at this text!
Still need to read this lol. However when Buckland moved to the US he lived on Long Island, where I’m from/live now and actually lived in an area I used to work in and am very familiar with. I want to see if I can find the house he lived in and do a drive by haha.
Uncle Buckies Big Blue Book
Throughout all my readings mostly Buckland coming in but not just them, it was my understanding that Wicca is the religious form, whereas witchcraft is the practice of that religion. No matter how you slice it you cannot go wrong with this book and it is the perfect foundation for anybody starting out or even been in a while and just hasn't seen in the book. I've seen the interview that you mentioned in the video but there's also another video on CZcams directly from that book. I'm drawing a blank on the title I think it's Worth : Yesterday Today and Tomorrow. I'll see if I can find that actual video and post a link. Come to think of it I think I actually did post a link on my page and proud CZcams not trying to make a plug or nothing I'm pretty sure I link to video and my group called Pagan proud. What is the most fascinating thing cuz he's in his own home and you see his own personal tools demonstrate some rituals it's worth its weight in gold !
Hi Cara I’m a viewer!
It is a curiosity if The Native Americans such as The Hopi and The Cherokee knew how to levitate and self - teleport in reference to Shamanism.To me The Cherokee Syllabary seems to perhaps be multi- layered and multi - dimensional in the way that The Virtual Particle Flux Field may be.
Neat! I only have his encyclopedia, the one with Morgan Le Fey on the cover. Not a practitioner, just academic curiosity.
I have it and didn’t read it yet, so I just wanted a review
Well Cara Mia I have my big blue too haven't conquered it yet trying to find someone that could help me relate and maybe guide me through it but don't want to talk about it for the whole world to know just you and me maybe somehow I don't have any many platforms but there's way that we can get in contact let me know
I have that book somewhere. I would like to read it all the way through but I had to put it away due to moving.
I have Buckland's "Cards of Alchemy" which is currently on Amazon for $122-$460. I am curious to know how this card/book set ranks with serious practitioners? I received it as a gift 15 yrs ago and it just popped up in a box. Not sure if I should sell/gift it or hold on to it as a family heirloom, since it appears to be out of print. Any opinions?
Almost bought this one,but got the book of the golden dawn instead...
Have you read the bible ?
I was pretty impressed .. all the way up to the point where you basically said that the book is "outdated". Really? What does that even mean? Look, I've owned numerous copies of this particular book (at least 6) over the years in both editions (they have this really annoying way of never finding their way back when they've been borrowed). The book is far from "dogmatic", as some people have suggested in other comments. In fact, all through it he says "write your own", "feel free to modify" and so on. In addition, if you don't ignore the books that he suggests and recommends (and actually bother to read them) then you'll see that, in many cases, those books offer a COMPLETELY different way of doing/looking at what he was talking about. So if you feel the book is "dogmatic", you didn't actually READ it. Wicca hasn't "evolved". Wicca is Wicca and this book serves as nothing more than an introduction to it, with each lesson offering just the tiniest glimpse at the topic(s) covered. It's not intended to be "THE Definitive Guide to all things Wicca". Sorry, but no. "Outdated" implies that it's of little current value, like the way that a flip phone compares to a smart phone. If this is what you think, then you haven't actually studied it the way that it was intended.
Muffin
This book is missing a major key component into witchcraft... unless he did that on purpose... 🙄🙄🙄🙄 what do you think?
My favorite book ! I love ur explanation, congratulations.
Hi Cara. I need you in my life. I love you.
I have this one. Most of these books are a regurgitation of Hermeticism and Celtic indigenous spirituality. Its better to read from Franz bardon, Israel regardie, and Paul foster case. Since those authors are closer to the Origin. It takes serious initiation where you can really integrate the subconscious with the conscious mind to help things manifest. A lot of these authors follow cookie cutter philosophies that just preserve there current state of evolution. In my opinion. Theres a lot of metaphysical disciplines and banishing that needs to be practiced before doing this stuff.
So glad you've enlightened this book, as it seems Gen Z have extremely bastardized our craft
Yorumumu okuyan ve türkçeyi bilen kişi kişi kitap neyi anlatıyo yazarmısın.
(
Do not look in vain, you will not understand)
Why would you read that
Raymond Buckland was also the first American which I come out of hiding.
He's so dry and boring. Scott dwarfs him in all aspects.
@cutewitch722 are theirs spells???
Why do you ask?
girl that's the first one i read what took you so long hehe jk
If I read this book does it go against god?
Which one?
If you feel that strong about your comment then why are you even watching these kind of videos? The titles are pretty clear and you k ow what videos and books like this can lead to. You make no sense friend
Are theirs spells ?
what is witchcraft
It's the process of using power from nature to create change.
I rebuke that witchcraft spirit in the Name of Jesus
Careful which channels you troll and TRY to “Rebuke”. You may get “rebuked” yourself.
Don’t be a fool!
Yay, Christianity is so Pagan!