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Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner

Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner

List Price: $9.95
Your Price: $8.96
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A decent introduction
Review: Most of what is in Cunningham's book one could find in a variety of good Wicca websites if one took an evening to search. Having said that, though, this book is a convienent reference for all the basic info to start your baby steps on the Wicca path. It's a friendly and completely comprehensible introduction, appropriate for people of all ages and intellectual persuasions. But for those who are expecting a more detailed, critical, and scholarly exposition on this exciting new religion, don't expect to find it here. Anyway, if you're completely new to the tradition, and want a layman's explanation in the very basics of Wicca, this book is certainly worth a 10 spot.

To thine and thee, Bright Blessing be.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Good introduction, but not too much more
Review: This was one of the first books on the Craft I bought (along with his earlier work, "The Truth About Witchcraft Today"). Cunningham does a nice job of presenting Wicca as a positive, pre-Christian, Earth-centered religion, and gives a very general (sometimes generic) overview of the Dieties, Tools, Symbols, and High Holy Days.

The book is for those who are very new to the Craft and do not have access to, or a desire to associate with, a working coven. Cunningham's descriptions of the primary magical tools are very brief (i.e. the athame and the bolline together barely take up a page of text), and really only serve to merely introduce the objects to the reader, rather than delve into the magical properties of them.

The Chapter on Magic attempts to disspell the myths of what Wiccans actually do during ceremony, that they do not cast spells of manipulation and harm. Cunningham also outlines a very basic prosperity spell in order to pay his bills. He strongly advocates the ideal of infusing one's magic with love.

Yes, it's all very "white light" and rather saccharine at times, but it is an early work and many authors have simply lifted from what Cunningham wrote about and put their own spin on it. This is not a book for advanced students; but, for those who are just starting out in the Craft and are still unsure where to look, it can serve as a useful tool.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: This book is not a great guide to Wicca.
Review: For a beginner, Scott Cunningham does not present a great amount of material here. He discusesses the tools, but then he doesn't show the student how to use the tools , he just lets us know Wiccans use them. For example he presents the cauldron and he gives no cauldron spells, he shows the crystal ball but he does not explain how it can be used in divination, , he describes the incense censer but he doesn't talk about the types of incenses and what purposes they are used for(ie. sandalwood for healing, ecetera). He gives just a bit of information but he does not really tell us how to use it to it's extent. This man writes so open mindedly , that he can be confusing at times. This books is good to let non wiccans know that the religions exists, but when it comes to the downright practice he really leaves the "practicing" witches in the dust. The best practicing advise in this book involve s exercises with meditation, visualization, breathing, and energy play but even those exercises seem juvenille...for the really childish begiiner. When we learn these techiniques, he does not bring us further. This only good spell section is on runes but even with them you can find a better book. Personally, his spells are just too simple. When a witch does a real ritual with the calling of the quarters, casting a circle, and alligning with the deities, they feel like they are accomplishing something great as opposed to sitting there with a little candle , meditating. I know, because the first time I did the typical ritual, I now feel that I would never want to do something as simple as the spells that he presents here. A witch feels more empowered with the deities, circle, and guardians. His only saving grace in the book is the invocations to the gods, but even them he only involves the god, goddess, pan, diana, and isis. He doesn't even tell you what they are used for(for instance aphrodite for love). This book will leave you confused and discouraged. If you want to became a practicing witch, I suggest To Ride a Silver Broomstick by Silver Ravenwolf. She is open minded like him, but she presents allot more spellwork and tells a beginner how to design there own rituals better than Mr. Cunningham(not to mention herbs, chakras, tarot cards, incense, more deity invocations, chakra meditation, and even astral projection!). Ms. Ravenwolf got me on track, Mr . Cunningham left me in the dust. Stay far away because there are much better books out there. The last thing I want to say is his opinion on manipulative magic(ie binding, curses, a hexes and any magic that goes against the free will of others.) Where does this man live in happy summerland? If I am being threatened by some mean jerk, I am going to want to bind him up. Why continue to be abused and tormented when bindings give witches the power to stop the pain. Onviously Scott Cunningham has never been made fun of or met a mean person in his life, like I said before he must live in happy summerland. Don't get me wrong, I am against black magic too(curses), but when your threatened , abused, pained, and hurt, I reccommed you call Hecate for some justice!!!!!! Don't just do nothing and let the abuse be continued. Mr Cunningham should know these things before he bad mouths bindings in his books. How dare him!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Book, I Loved It
Review: This is one of the better books i have read lately, it is very informative, and is great for beginners, or even those wondering, "What the heck is Wicca?" Enjoy!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: very easy
Review: This book is really easy written: it helps the beginners. In fac it has just the basics of Wicca. I'm not a Wiccan but I've been studying Wicca for 5 years now. This is more young oriented, than self-practitioner oriented. One thing I didn't like was the concept that you can do whatever you want as long as it feels comfortable to you. This is only partly right because, being it a religion, it must have at least some things that are in common. Anyway, if you are new to the Craft and would like to know just the basis (there isn't the history of this religion, and there isn't any moral judgement anyway I would recommend it for beginners).

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great place to start
Review: This book gives a wonderful starting point for beginning Witches. It outlines everything perfectly while always keeping everything open for your own input. It shows the individuality or Wicca. Buy it now!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: eh?
Review: Pretty much, this book covers the basics. After reading the whole thing, and several of scott's other books, this was my least favorite of his books. I felt a sense that the book was writen mostly for young people. I felt I was being talked to as a child and that I would have a hard time following his basics teachings, which frankly are the basic of basics. I almost felt insulted! If you are just starting out and having a hard time grasping the concept of wicca, or you are a young person, I would suggest this book. If you are an adult starting out, I'm sure you will not enjoy this book as you will find it seems that scott is talking to you like you are an infant. I would suggest a book like "Green Witchcraft" by Aoumiel. If you are also a long time practicioner and wanting to see what the all the 'hype' is about this book (I heard about it on a email list and got numberous recomendations to check this book out), I suggest not to spend your money. I was very disappointed in my purchase, however, I have to admit that scott 'does' throw out the basics in an easy to follow format. If this is what you are looking for, this is the book for you.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Good Place To Start
Review: For people who want to start out in Wicca, but don't know where to turn, this is the book they should pick up. It is basic enough for anyone to understand, it is not meant as a study guide, but an eye opening look at what Wicca is. I highly recommend it for beginners.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent Book for Beginners, But limited.
Review: Personally, this was the first book that was offered to me about Wicca. It is a comprehensive book, and explains all the basics of the path. This is a book in which one would use a highlighter to mark important points, and to me remains a reference book. However, this book does not delve too deep into practice, and quite honestly it does not warn of the dark side of the occult. When the floodgate is opened, both light and dark come pouring through. I highly suggest another book entitled "Shouting at the Wolf" by Anderson Reed. It will complement this work very nicely and teach you ways to protect yourself. I know from experience that when you begin something new it can be a little scary, and opening oneself spiritually is a whole new experience for most. I suggest all Scott Cunninghams books because it is necessary information, but again I stress, dont just stop here. If you do that you will be missing a lot of background, and a lot of necessary wisdom.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Good ... and bad!
Review: This book provides a VERY GENERAL overview: far too broad for my liking. I do not quite understand the great praise this book receives from other reviewers. Silver Ravenwolf's books are far superior. This being said, there are several parts of the book that are very good.

First. The alter devotion ritual appearing in the earily chapters of the book is very moving. This is often overlooked by other authors.

Second. Many of the prayers within the book of shadows are quite good.


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