Buckland's Book of Saxon Witchcraft

By Raymond Buckland

Book Overview

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 SeaxWicca, 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 SeaxWicca, including:

Descriptions of the Saxon deities and explanations of their primary beliefsAn introduction to the magical runic Saxon alphabetA selection of original Pagan songsA selection of Seax-Wiccan recipes for intoxicantsInstructions for initiation ceremonies, the eight Sabbats, marriage, birth, and death ritesAn explanation of the art and practice of Saxon Galdra or magic and the divination and herbal lore used for protection, love potions, and healingThe 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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1578633281
• ISBN13: 9781578633289
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Weiser Books
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.49 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

An informative introduction to Saxon witchcraft

Buckland's Book Of Saxon Witchcraft was one of the first books to serious explore Wicca and was written to correct abuses that Raymond Buckland (one of the fathers of the modern Wiccan movement) saw occurring in covens. It was Buckland's purpose to offer Wiccan seekers an informed and informative introduction to Saxon witchcraft (Seax-Wicca) which could be practices alone and did not need a group or coven support. This 30th anniversary edition (originally published as "The Tree: The Complete Book of Saxon Witchcraft") once again makes available to interested readers authoritative descriptions of 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; and the Seax-Wicca Rite of Self-dedication, allowing individuals to form their own covens and initiate themselves into the Craft. Very highly recommended for Metaphysical and Wiccan Studies collections.

An Excellent Introduction To Seax-Wica !!!

Buckland's Book of Saxon Witchcraft is a reprint of the 1974 book, "The Tree: The Complete Book of Saxon Witchcraft", also by Raymond Buckland. Saxon Witchcraft, commonly called Seax-Wica was developed by Raymond Buckland in the early 1970's and given to the public with the publication of "The Tree" in 1974. Mr. Buckland certainly deserves full credit for developing this tradition of Saxon Witchcraft and making it available to seekers of the northern way, but we should also remember that a like tradition exists in the Vanna-Troth and the practice of Seidr. Buckland's Book of Saxon Witchcraft discusses the Deities `Woden' and `Freya' and the beliefs of Reincarnation and Retribution. The hierarchy of Seax-Wica is explained with its three levels: `Theows' - those who do not actually belong to Seax-Wica, but may attend as guests and friends of the tradition; `Ceorls' - neophyte members of the tradition, in training which eventually leads to initiation into the Seax-Wica; and the `Gesith' - an initiated member of the tradition and a Saxon Witch! Every Saxon Witch is a Gesith, and there are no degrees of advancement beyond this (i.e. no 2nd or 3rd degree, no "Witch Queen" or "Witch King", etc.). Buckland's Book of Seax-Wica also includes a number of Rites, including a `Self-Dedication Rite' allowing anyone who is unable to find a Seax-Wica Coven to initiate himself/herself into the Seax-Wica tradition. Finally, the book touches on `Galdra' (Magick), `Hwata' (Divination) and `Lacunuga' (Herbal Lore) and closes with appendices of Magickal Alphabets, Seax-Wican Songs, and Seax-Wica Recipes for Wine, Beer, and Ale. Overall Buckland's Book of Saxon Witchcraft is an excellent introduction to Seax-Wica. It peaked my interest to such an extent that I sought out the formal training in Seax-Wica offered by CrowHaven House in New York. If you have an interest in the Old Ways and the Northern Tradition then Buckland's Book of Saxon Witchcraft is a "must have" for your library!

Everything is made up..Seax Wica included

Dear Reader, The slamming reviews you have seen are quite understandable. The folks writing seem to not understand the concept of history or religion. History is not a science. Even anthroplogy, archeology, and sociology are based upon theories that come in and out of fashion. With this change of theory also comes the change in how data is perceived. If your looking for truth in any of these you will not find it. Therefore, researchers are only making their best guess at what happened centuries before. Not only that, they are interepreting this data with a modern mindset which does lead to the possibility tainting the data. Sometimes the answer is much simpler. Everthing was made up by someone sometime! Gerald Gardner created his Wicca from his experiences in the OTO, Martinist Order, and the Ancient Order of Druids. Yes, Gardner created Wica. He made it up off the top of his head. Are the reviewers complaining about that? Nope! Why not pray tell? Ray Buckland states it quite clearly in print and on video that he created Seax Wica. He even says that the history of Wicca is still in contention. Therefore he gave caveats to all who were reading/watching. I do not know if Mr. Buckalnd has a ph.d. in history or even cares if his Seax Wica is 100% accurate. It seems to me, and I am quite well read in this genre, that he was simply looking to create a system of Wica to work. If during his time, he didn't wish to be part of th Hard Gard. or another tradition what does one do? hmm? Right, you don't have an answer except to make it up. That is what Ray Buckland did and people now follow Seax Wica as a spiritual path. They too will inevitably change it as their needs change. So it goes with all religions, historically speaking. I hope this assists the beginner in their quest.

Seax-Wica: A perfect place to start.

THE TREE is a very good book for anyone of Anglo-Saxon heritage who wants to reconnect with their pagan spiritual roots. I am a longtime student of Ray Buckland, as well as the founder of the Seax-Wiccan coven (The Coven of the Green Earth), and I can attest to Ray's knowledge and complete mastery of Witchcraft. Come visit our website to learn more: http://home.talkcity.com/gaiaway/wiccan-coven

The Saxon Wiccan's Free Will Book of Spells

Mr. Buckland's book discusses Seax-Wica, the Wiccan religion of the British Saxons. The book discusses Seax-Wica history, Seax-Wica beliefs, and presents "The Tree", the Seax-Wica Book of Spells. Unlike other Wiccan disciplines Seax-Wica has *no oath of secrecy*, the Book of Spells is available to all, and Mr. Buckland incurs no penalty by publishing the Seax-Wica Book of Spells.The Saxons were commoners who suffered poverty, and who suffered indenture due to crimes and debts. Prisoners of war mixed with the Saxons. By my interpretation, that Loki did remove a "silver circlet" from the Goddess Freya's neck indicates that the Goddess Freya herself at one time was enslaved (pg. 19).Seax-Wica reflects the Saxon love of freedom and the history of persecution by permitting Free Will in Seax-Wica rituals and worship. _Seax-Wica witches do *not* require external assistance and control._ If no local Coven exists or if the local Coven members' philosophies disagree with one's own, Seax-Wica contains a "Rite of Self Dedication" that allows a sincere one to initiate one self into the Craft as Priest/ess. The sincere one then may form a new Coven, and other Seax-Wica Covens will recognize the sincere one's initiation and the new Coven. The sincere one also may choose to enter Solitary Practice.Similarly, a sincere one may choose to be initiated into the local Coven by her/his parents instead of the local Coven's Priestess and Priest. And a Seax-Wica Coven member may leave or rejoin the Coven at any time with *no penalty*.Seax-Wica appears to stress fertility less than do other Wiccan disciplines. A 50-50 mix of female-male Coven members is not required, and Coven members are not paired. Based upon my interpretation, fertility symbolism is minimal except within the Spring (pre-planting) Sabbat (pp. 66-67). Open elections for Priestesses and Priests are held periodically, preventing incumbents from acquiring tenure and excessive influence.Mr. Buckland's book also discusses Divination and Herbal Lore. The Appendices discuss Magickal Alphabets, Seax-Wican songs, and Recipes for Beer, Wine, and Ale.Seax-Wica allows a sincere one to utilize Free Will. A sincere one can worship with local Coven members, can form a new Coven, or can engage in Solitary Practice. The lack of an Oath of Secrecy, the ability to leave and rejoin a Coven at any time, and the lack of penalties provides an openness and freedom that other Wiccan disciplines lack. Frees *will* find their own path with Seax-Wica.I enjoyed reading this Book. It is a pleasant and well-written book that discusses a nice Wiccan discipline.