title: Gypsy Witchcraft and Magic
author:  Raymond Buckland 
description: Gypsies have long held a place in romantic fantasy. Even the name they commonly use to refer to themselves, the Romany, sounds like romance. However, romantic images of Gypsy life have fallen prey to harsh depictions of Gypsies as criminals living in the poorest of conditions. Buckland dispels some of the contemporary misinformation and revitalizes the romance of the past that, despite societal pressures and constraints, still can be found in Romany culture today. Buckland's collection of photographs of early-20th-century Gypsies--their ornately carved <I>vardos</I> (the colorful wagons that served as both home and transportation) and their close-knit family lives--elicit a sigh of longing for the freedom of life on the road. <I>Gypsy Witchcraft &amp; Magic</I> certainly lives up to its title, revealing spells, talismans and methods of divination that have become an inherent part of Gypsy culture, but Buckland's real achievement is his preservation of part of a culture that is slowly dissolving in the social mainstream. <I>--Brian Patterson</I> END
zlib_text: About the Author
  Mat Auryn is a witch, professional psychic, and occult teacher based in
  New England. He has been drawn to the occult and metaphysical since an
  early age, reading books on witchcraft at eight years old. He is an initiate of
  Black Rose Witchcraft, the Cabot Tradition of Witchcraft, and the Temple
  of Witchcraft. He is currently a high priest in the Sacred Fires Tradition of
  Witchcraft. Mat has had the honor and privilege of studying under
  Christopher Penczak, Laurie Cabot, Devin Hunter, Storm Faerywolf, Chas
  Bogan, Jason Miller, and other prominent witchcraft teachers and elders.
  He runs the blog For Puck’s Sake on Patheos Pagan, is a content creator
  for Modern Witch, writes a column in Witches & Pagans magazine entitled
  Extrasensory Witchcraft, and writes a column in Horns magazine. He has
  been featured in various magazines, radio shows, podcasts, books,
  anthologies, and other periodicals. Mat was the very first recipient of the
  “Most Supportive Witch Award” presented by