High Priest | Jason Mankey

High Priest: Raymond Buckland, the Father of American Witchcraft

Extended Synopsis

In High Priest: Raymond Buckland, the Father of American Witchcraft, author Jason Mankey casts a revealing new light on one of the most influential figures in modern occultism. Widely recognized as the pioneer who brought Wicca to the United States, Raymond Buckland was among the first modern self-identifying Witches in the country. Over his lifetime, he authored more than forty books, cementing his legacy as one of the most prolific and foundational writers of the Craft.

Mankey draws upon unprecedented, exclusive access to Buckland's unpublished memoirs and personal letters from Gerald Gardner to paint an intimate portrait of his remarkable journey. From his Romani heritage and his experiences growing up during World War II, to his media prominence and surprising hobbies—like flying ultralight aircraft—this comprehensive biography leaves no stone unturned. The text is further enriched with unique magical exercises curated from Buckland's body of work and features a stunning sixteen-page color insert of personal memorabilia and archival photographs.

Key Features

• Unpublished Insights: Features exclusive access to Buckland's personal diaries and direct correspondence with Wiccan founder Gerald Gardner.
• Prominent Contributions: Includes direct accounts and remembrances from iconic Craft authors such as Silver RavenWolf, Thorn Mooney, and Selena Fox.
• Interactive Elements: Incorporates various magical exercises derived directly from Buckland's teachings, making it a highly practical biographical work.

Reader Targeting

• Practicing Wiccans and Pagans interested in the origins and historical foundation of modern American Witchcraft.
• Readers of religious and spiritual biographies eager to understand the life of a transformative cultural pioneer.
• Scholars and historians of the occult who value primary source material and rare archival photography.

About the Authors

Jason Mankey is a prominent author, historian, and practitioner within the modern Pagan community, widely respected for his deeply researched books on witchcraft and occult history. Raymond Buckland (1934–2017) was an English-American writer, pivotal figure in the development of Wicca, and founder of the Seax-Wica tradition. He is universally recognized as the Father of American Witchcraft.

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