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Rating: 
Summary: Better Than Nothing
Review: If you're a newbie and need a set agenda on what to practice to get you to a decent level of magical and initiatory attainment, this book is a nice place to start. The idea is to take you thru the five elements and give you an opportunity to both follow a system yet give you enough flexibility to allow yourself to grow at your own pace.
One of the smallest (thankfully) sections is on the subject of ethics and frankly I think the author has heard the cry of the well seasoned practitioner to get on with the business of Witchcraft and forgo all the regurgitated arguments on how ethical a Witch needs to be. Sadly though the author does follow parrots favorite comparisons at how the ethics and belief in karma are intermarried but again it's a brief regurgitation so the bile does not rise up all that far in one's throat.
One of the other sad parts of this book is how the author continues to pass on misinformation regarding colors and in particular the color "black". In here the author seems to jump on the karma beleaguered bandwagon with this color being `absorption'. Ugh! Why can't the author simply explain that black should be reserved for when one has to do not-nice things to someone and to use your best judgment before resorting to using it? Leave it up the discretion of the reader to make that distinction and not give out duck billed platitudes as guidelines. Frankly by watering down the color black by naming it for such useless thing as `absorbing negativity' when in fact, White is best for the transformation of such energy, the author is passing along erroneous information.
Conversely beginning on page 157, we see the burgeoning seeker is taught the rudiments of opening their psychism in `The First Steps of Psychic Work'. I have to applaud the author on his choice of methods to introduce the neophyte into the realm of psychism. Too bad though he did not include as many exercises as I would have liked to have seen in the book
The best thing I liked about the book is his section on Group Dynamics. Now this is a section that everyone who wants to start a study group or egads a coven should be forced to read! The section does mention that differing personalities can be conflicting within the group as well as how to deal with conflict and how to advise properly.
All in all, I give this book a rating of three stars as it does offer some decent material that's very well worthwhile for the Novice to learn from as well as some rudimentary basics on running a group be it for discussion or working. While the index is fairly comprehensive, the Suggested Reading List suffers from the same old books mentioned in every Wicca 101 book and most of the books mentioned are just that, 101 books themselves. Maybe one day the author will wake up to the fact that there are other books that are more advanced and on the intermediate level.
Rating: 
Summary: fleibility with an appreciation of structure
Review: In Self Initiation for the Solitary Witch, there is no hype or hooplaah --no urging or pressure to "...do it my way". Shanddaramon just succintly offers possibilities for growth and development as a witch. This book serves as a guide, for both the novice and the seasoned witch, offering methods through which one may expand one's scope, practice, or method of living. Life is a process; i.e., continuing development involving many changes. In life each person may consciously choose a destination or goal that is as individual as the human thumbprint. Thus, there can be no single road map -no 'one size fits all' method of living or spiritual development. Each person's respecitve 'Path' is already defined deep within the self. Shanddaramon offers a degree system that is adaptable to the specific 'Path' a witch may walk as he/she creates and recreates the self per his/her own particular image as life unfolds.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent systematic presentation of Wicca
Review: Shanddaramon has written an invaluable aid for those who are interested in the Wiccan tradition of witchcraft but are not interested in signing on the dotted line with a particular coven or system. He presents a concise but insightful overview of all of the essential information while providing ample opportunities for the reader to incorporate what works for them and find alternatives for the rest. I found that some other books on Wicca were apologists for a particular bent within that system, giving so many idiosyncratic details that it was impossible for the beginner to sort through to find the essentials of the tradition. Here the crucial concepts are presented without any accompanying filler.
I found Shanddaramon's presentation particularly helpful. I have been a practicing solitary for five years, but more in the core shamanism than the Wiccan tradition. I wanted an explanation of the system that would allow me to draw parallels to my previous knowledge while at the same time showing me where I had "holes" in my knowledge. This book served my purpose admirably, and I am looking forward to working through the material for the second and third degrees. I'm sure I'll also be referring back to the First Degree material as a handy reference guide.
In fact, if you're looking for a quick reference guide to the Wiccan tradition, this book should be of help, whatever your background and experience.
Rating:
Summary: Best beginner's book so far.
Review: Shanddaramon simply did a wonderful job with this book. I love it. Of all the books I have read, this one clarified everything that had me steeped in confusion in all the other books. The author uses his own coven's initiation system as a basis, and gives us five degrees to work toward. When he explains things to the reader, he tells us when he is giving his own definition that may not be the same as most other practitioners, and I liked that. The First Degree level takes up half the book. It is by far the one with the most information. It gives detailed explanations of all the main aspects of Paganism - the Wheel of the Year, elements, correspondence charts, astrology, divination, the whole shebang. But what I loved so much was how everything he wrote tied everything back to the Wheel of the Year and the elements. Often, he didn't have to say it, but it was obvious to the reader it was there. And because Shanddaramon did this, I understand the reasoning behind many of the things practitioners do much more clearly. That's all I am going to say. Buy this wonderful book, if you are new to the study of Paganism - you won't regret it!
Rating:
Summary: A terrific read for any level!
Review: This book is a wonderful introductory text. It explains many basic concepts in language that is accessible to the reader. Moreover, by providing a degree system, the author provides the reader with a clear path to follow, without making the process formulaic.
The first chapter in particular, with its presentation of many topics, gives the reader a taste of the many different areas of study available. This encourages the reader to follow her or his own interests, and does not imply that only one way is the "right way."
A terrific read for any level!
Rating:
Summary: Finally!!!
Review: This book is written using easy to follow verbiage, and structure. The contents are presented clearly, and succinctly. And although there are some other books that have these same qualities, and content, the big difference comes from the fact that the information presented, is not given as a formulae to follow, but as a guideline from which each person can choose and pick to find, by themselves, their correct path to follow. Great read, lots of accurate information, a most have for any beginner or older practitioner.
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