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Known as “The Father of American Wicca,” Raymond Buckland
was the first to introduce the Old Religion to the U.S. more than forty
years ago. Wicca has been heralded as “the fastest growing religious
movement in America.” However, today there is often confusion
between Wicca, Witchcraft, and Neo-Paganism. Are they all the same thing?
If not, then what is the difference between them? In this talk, Raymond
explains the differences and gives the historical background on each.
He talks about the many misconceptions that abound regarding Witchcraft
and also looks at popular books and other entertainment – such
as Harry Potter, Buffy, Charmed – that, for some people, have
served as an introduction to the Old Religion and real magic.
In 1962 Raymond Buckland came to the United States from England, where
he had written television comedy scripts and was personal scriptwriter
for a popular British comedian. Interested in the occult for over fifty
years, in the past forty years Raymond has had over forty books published
(both fiction and non-fiction) with nearly two million copies in print
and translated into seventeen foreign languages. He has received awards
for his work and his books are featured in several national book clubs.
He has served as Technical Advisor for the movies, working with Orson
Wells and William Friedkin (director of The Exorcist). Of Romany (Gypsy)
descent, he is an authority on Gypsies and has written several books
on that subject. Raymond has lectured at colleges and universities across
the country and has been subject of articles in such newspapers and
magazines as The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, New York Daily (and
Sunday) News, National Observer, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Look Magazine,
Cosmopolitan, True, and many others.
Raymond Buckland has appeared on numerous national television talk shows
and radio programs, and has been seen on BBC-TV England, RAI-TV Italy,
and CBC-TV Canada. He has appeared extensively on stage in England and
played small character parts in movies in America. He has taught courses
at colleges and universities and has been a featured speaker at writer’s
conferences and workshops. He is listed in a number of reference works
including Contemporary Authors, Who’s Who in America, Men of Achievement,
and International Authors and Writers Who’s Who.
His latest books are The Spirit Book, Buckland’s Book of Spirit
Communications, Wicca for One, and Cards of Alchemy. A DVD Version of
his Wicca Video has also been recently released; Rebirth of the Old
Religion. A prolific writer, he is currently working on his autobiography.
Today he lives on a small farm in north-central Ohio.
You may also visit with Raymond in Booth 710.
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