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Writer's pictureSi Mandragora

Celebrating A Craft Elder: Raymond Buckland

Updated: Aug 8, 2023



It is with great sadness that the passing of Raymond Buckland (Aug. 31, 1934 - Sept. 27, 2017) has been announced officially by his wife Tara, she announced, "Ray died of a failing heart on Wednesday evening but his death was painless. He was in the hospital awaiting a procedure that would have possibly been of help when he felt a flutter and then lost consciousness There was no pulse. Hospital staff worked for about 40 minutes to bring him back and then let him go. That was it. I am grateful for the ease of it but of course am deeply saddened by the loss."


Sybil Leek

Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft

Ray was an accomplished writer and his "Big Blue Book" was one of the very first books I bought when I was a teenager seeking the Craft. Little did I know that one day he would be part of my Craft Lineage. He wrote over 50 books on paganism and various occult subjects.

A List of books and videos Authored by Buckland include:

  • A Pocket Guide to the Supernatural, NY: 1969, 1975, UK: 1970, 1973

  • Practical Candleburning Rituals, 1970, 1976, 1982, 2004

  • Witchcraft Ancient and Modern House of Collectibles, NY: 1970

  • Witchcraft From the Inside, 1971, 1975 (new, revised, expanded) 1995

  • Mu Revealed (pseudonym Tony Earll), NY: 1970, 1972

  • Amazing Secrets of the Psychic World (with Hereward Carrington), NJ: 1975, NY: 1976

  • The Tree: Complete Book of Saxon Witchcraft Samuel Weiser, 1974, 1978, 2005

  • Here Is the Occult House of Collectibles, NY: 1974

  • Anatomy of the Occult Weiser, ME: 1977

  • The Magic of Chant-O-Matics, NJ: 1978, NY: 1980

  • Practical Color Magick, MN: 1983 2nd edition 2002

  • Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft, MN: 1986; 2nd Edition: 2002

  • Secrets of Gypsy Fortunetelling, MN: 1988

  • Buckland Gypsy Fortunetelling Deck, MN: 1989

  • Gypsy Fortunetelling Layout Sheet, MN: 1989

  • Secrets of Gypsy Love Magick, 1990

  • Secrets of Gypsy Dream Reading, 1990

  • Scottish Witchcraft, MN: 1991

  • The Book of African Divination (with Kathleen Binger), VT: 1992

  • Doors to Other Worlds, MN: 1993

  • The Truth About Spirit Communication, MN: 1995

  • La Verdad Sobre La Comunicacion Con Los Espiritus, MN: 1995

  • Ray Buckland's Magic Cauldron, MN: 1995

  • Rituales Precticos Con Velas, MN: 1996

  • Buckland Gypsies' Domino Divination Cards, MN: 1995

  • Advanced Candle Magic, MN: 1996

  • Witchcraft Yesterday and Today (video), MN: 1990 [DVD version - 2005]

  • Gypsy Fortune Telling Tarot Kit, MN: 1998

  • Gypsy Witchcraft and Magic, MN: 1998

  • Gypsy Dream Dictionary, MN: 1999

  • Coin Divination, MN: 2000

  • Buckland Romani Tarot Deck & Book, MN: 2001

  • Wicca For Life (Hardcover) NY: 2001

  • The Witch Book, NY: 2001

  • Wicca—Practicas Y Principios De La Brujeria, MN: 2001

  • El Lenguaje De Las Moneda, MN: 2002

  • The Fortune-Telling Book, Detroit: 2003

  • Signs, Symbols and Omens, MN: 2003

  • Cards of Alchymy Llewellyn, MN: 2003

  • Wicca For One, NY: 2004

  • Buckland's Book Of Spirit Communications, MN: 2004

  • The Spirit Book, Detroit: 2005

  • DVD: Witchcraft—Rebirth Of The Old Religion, MN: 2005

  • Mediumship and Spirit Communication, Ohio: 2005

  • Paranormal Poetry & Prose, OH: 2013

Sybil Leek Books

Ray is responsible for bringing Gardnerian Craft to the United States with his wife at the time, he eventually left Gardnerian Craft and started a tradition called Seax-Wica.

One of Ray's legacies that he was proud of was the museum he had started in the 1960s. This museum was responsible for introducing many people to the Craft. Recently this museum was revitalized as Buckland Gallery of Witchcraft and Magick and is located in Ohio. (www.bucklandmuseum.org)

Rest in peace Raymond Buckland and thank you for what you did for the Craft. We all owe you a debt of gratitude that are following the path of the Wica aka Wicca.


 

ABOUT SI MANDRAGORA

Si is a Gardnerian High Priest and Minos in the Minoan Brotherhood operating in Flagler County, FL. A practitioner of various kinds of witchcraft since adolescence, he now runs Mandragora Magika, creates occult art, grows all kinds of plants but mostly in love with the poisonous variety. Si holds a degree in Graphic Design from the Art Institute.

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