OK, I'll admit I talked myself into buying this on the slim chance it actually had anything to do with real, historic, Anglo-Saxon paganism. As far as I can tell, it doesn't, and Buckland made the whole thing up, at least partly in response to power politics within existing Wiccan groups, and basing it on existing neopagan rituals with an thin overlay of Anglo-Saxon culture, much of which appears to be used incorrectly and out of context. So much for the historical aspects.


As a religious or philosophical work, although it feels a bit dated, it seems to hang together pretty well and doesn't present any glaring internal contradictions. It's a friendly religion, as religions go. If it gives someone the tools they need to deal with the world, more power to them.

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.