High Priest: Raymond Buckland, the Father of American Witchcraft

Look Behind the Scenes at the Life of the Father of American Witchcraft

Casting new light on one of the first modern self-identifying Witches in the US, Jason Mankey invites you deep into Raymond Buckland's life. Known for bringing Wicca to America, Buckland wrote more than forty titles, placing him among the most prolific occult authors of all time.

Drawing on exclusive access to Buckland's unpublished memoirs, personal letters from Gerald Gardner, and personal accounts from fellow authors of the Craft, including Silver RavenWolf, Thorn Mooney, and Selena Fox, Mankey reveals intimate details of Buckland's remarkable journey.

From his Romani roots and his childhood during WWII to his many media appearances and little-known hobbies, such as flying ultralight aircraft, this biography covers it all. Mankey also highlights the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick and shares various exercises from Buckland's body of work, making this book a practical and fascinating tour de force.

Includes a sixteen-page color insert featuring photos of Buckland, his family, and memorabilia.

Jason Mankey is a third-degree High Priest and prolific Witchcraft author (ten books and counting). A bit of a nomad in his younger years, Jason has lived in both the Midwest and the American South, and currently resides in California's Silicon Valley, where he helps run two local covens with his wife, Ari. Jason has spent the last twenty-five years of his life researching the Horned God, Witchcraft, and magickal history, and the occult influences in rock and roll music. He regularly lectures and leads rituals at Pagan and Witchcraft events in both North America and the United Kingdom.

When not practicing, writing about, or studying the Craft, Jason can be found spending time with his cats, whisky tasting, and listening to Led Zeppelin. Jason's books include The Witch's Book of Spellcraft, Modern Witchcraft with the Greek Gods (with Astrea Taylor), The Horned God of the Witches, Transformative Witchcraft, and The Witch's Book of Shadows.

Raymond Buckland was actively involved in metaphysics and the occult for fifty years.

He was the author of more than sixty books, including such best-selling titles as Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft, Gypsy Dream Dictionary, Practical Candleburning Rituals, and Witchcraft from the Inside. Ray lectured and presented workshops across the United States, and appeared on major television and radio shows nationally and internationally. He also wrote screen plays, was a technical advisor for films, and appeared in films and videos. Beyond writing, Ray's other passion was homebuilt airplanes.

Ray came from an English Romany (Gypsy) family and resided with his wife Tara on a small farm in central Ohio. His legacy is preserved through the work of the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick.