Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book for Solitary Witches
Review: I have read a few of Cunningham's books and am impressed with his down to earth approach. He was a seriously committed Wiccan, yet certain aspects of "The Craft" as others see it are scrutinized. His crystal clear way of examining and explaining a very deep topic is seldom seen in other Wiccan literature. A sincere and heartfelt approach, this guide is one that every solitary should have in his or her library. Wonderful reading!!

Rating:
Summary: Another good starter
Review: Like living wicca this a the basic of basic. easy to read giving most of your basic information. This book has essentially the same information as Living Wicca the only diffrance is that this one was directed to the solitary and written to accomidate that. If you are solitary I would pick this one over the other, then again if your not sure which you are just pick one or the other. You'll pretty much get the same picture. Either is a good starting point with little hint as to where to go next. I suggest topics such as Sabats, Rits of passage, or single holiday type books that focus on indvidual sabats if you want more on spirituality side of Wicca after this. If you are looking for more along the lines of magick I suggest "Making Magick" I wouldn't suggest diving into coven or group things untill you have learned a little more.

Good starting place.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad
Review: But not great either. For a better introduction to 'magic' I prefer Ross Heaven's Vodou Shaman. Cunningham, for all his efforts, seems to fall into the 'new age' (clap) trap and could have given us far more than he does. I think of it as an also-ran on my bookshelf but I'd rather have it than not.

Rating:
Summary: It's alright to be a Solitaire
Review: There are excellent how-tos as well as the whys of what we do. So much good information and all of it is set up so the solitaire can work, grow, and follow the Path they have chosen. There is also an excellent Book of Shadows (BOS) included. This book is great for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike.

Rating:
Summary: Essential Introduction for the New Witch
Review: After thinking about it for many years, I finally decided it was time to start learning about Wicca and earth-based traditions. "Trusting the Universe", I walked into my local wiccan "k-mart" (a truly wonderful little store that has EVERYTHING) and the first book that caught my eye was this one. What I didn't know at the time was this book is one of the best, most widely hailed introductions to Wicca. I asked, and the Universe provided. Cool how that works, isn't it!

I count myself lucky that Scott Cunningham became the first teacher on my path. Not only does this book give you an excellent overview of Wicca in it's many forms, but it also reinforced for me the ideas that I didn't have to be a member of a coven and seek communal worship after all - the solitary way seemed best for me, and Scott validated that.

If you are considering taking your first step into the world of Wicca, this is definitely the best, most accessible, and more importantly least scary way to start. Scott's tone is personable and readable, without being fluffy. He encourages you to find you own way, and therefore never tries to give you dogma about belief or practice. Rather, he helps you to begin framing the questions that will lead to your personal answers.

From this foundation, you can then seek your own path through the wide world of Wicca.

Blessed Be

Rating:
Summary: Great for Beginners
Review: This is a really good book for people new to wicca or witch craft. It gives really good non-"fluffy" explanations and ideas. It's a great place to start and it encourages you to think of things for yourself and find what you are comfortable with.

Rating:
Summary: Very Welcoming Text for a Beginner
Review: Scott Cunningham did a wonderful job presenting this subject matter in a non-intimidating fashion. He puts emphasis on a very import aspect of any belief system: make it your own. I felt this book gave me guidance without telling me "do it this way."

Rating:
Summary: Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner
Review: Great book, I find myself referring to it over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect Introduction
Review: This is one of the most recommended introductions to Wicca for a reason; because it works. No, it does not go into depth. It was not intended to. This is the book for anyone who has not committed to Wicca. The one that you want to read to help determine if indeed Wicca is the right religion for you.

Rating:
Summary: The True Spirit of Wicca
Review: When this book first came out in 1988 it filled a real need- it still does. Once upon a time would-be Wiccans were told, "Only a witch can make a witch." Cunningham cut through all of that (and took a lot of flak for doing so.) He emphasized that Wicca, like all true religions worthy of the name, are between the practitioner and the Deity- with no need of a high priestess or priest as a "gate keeper." You see, Cunningham was among the first to see the connection between Wicca and Shamanism (the first and most individualistic of spiritual paths), as he points out in the very first chapter.

You will find everything here that you need for effective natural spiritual practice, for make no mistake- that is what true Wicca is. The first section of the book is largely informative and theoretical. The Deities are covered, both Goddess and God, in their various historical variations. The nature of magic as the projection of natural energies is then examined. Following this, the various magical tools as symbolic foci for concentration are covered (from Atheme to wand.) Next, the importance of music, dance, and gesture in establishing ritual consciousness is dealt with. Following is the significance of ritual and preparation for ritual (if you are not centered in the proper frame of mind, then all the ritual in the world is not going to do you any good.) The importance of setting up a ritual space, the magic circle and altar, and its meaning and symbolism is explained. Then comes a discussion of the Sabbats and the natural cycle of seasons and their respective energies and lessons. This discussion of natural cycles leads naturally to an examination of the spiral of rebirth (reincarnation.) Finally, the question of initiation is discussed (true initiation is not performed by one human upon another.)

The second section moves on to practice, as opposed to strictly intellectual study. Here you learn the sound basics of actual magical techniques (breathing, meditation, visualization, and channeling energy.) Next comes self-dedication (very similar to right-mindfulness in the Buddhist path.) Finally comes all the steps to ritual design (purification of self, of space, creating sacred space, invocation, ritual observance, energy raising, earthing the power, thanking the Gods, and breaking the circle.) No matter what spiritual path that you may later choose to follow, these are foundations that will carry over and serve you well.

Finally, in the third section, is a complete Book of Shadows (a highly personal individual book of rituals, spells, and magical lore) that you may use as is, or use as a model upon which to pattern your own.

In the back you have a full glossary of all the specialized terms used in the text. There is also an excellent bibliography of books for further specialized study, as well as, a full index. The two appendixes of occult suppliers and publications may be a bit out of date.