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sarahallyse's review
4.0
I should start this review by saying that after reading about Wicca I’ve decided that it’s not the path for me. But, regardless, I do think this book is great for people who already know the basics of Wicca and need some more guidance in developing their practice. I found the section on notes and what to include in a book of shadows to be particularly helpful.
hrusewif's review
4.0
Like its predecessor Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner, Living wicca has its fair share of problems- including many of the same issues found in the last one. Additionally, in particular, this one's quite a fair bit heavier on the "love and light" nonsense... Although you are picking up a book on NeoWicca, and that is one of the core tenants of the faith. So that is what you're signing up for when you pick it up.
To quickly quote from my review of the last book (A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner, the one to be read before this one in the series):
Still, like its predecessor, it still holds up surprisingly well for its time- and the time that's passed since its publication. As long as you keep this one integral fact in mind, remain aware of the various problems within the text, and continue to educate yourself with otherexternal (more up to date, culturally sensitive, and historically accurate) sources, and I'm sure you'll do just fine with it.
So with that in mind again: I wouldn't say, personally, that I would actually recommend it for the more "advanced" practitioner by any means, as it was technically meant by the author (if I remember correctly). In my opinion, it's still far too simplistic in scope to really be considered advanced material. But I would say it's good text to pick up alongside A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner to read in close conjunction with it.
In particular, I'd still recommend it for those who picked up A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner because they actually wanted a quick-and-dirty direct access point specifically for NeoWicca in particular, and now need to actually know about the religion's core beliefs. Though, if I'm being honest, I would probably recommend reading this one first, since it does provide the broader overview of actual NeoWiccan beliefs- which I believe you should understand properly before committing yourself to doing any sort of Self Initiation or Dedications, such as those outlined in A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner.
If one is to become a part of a religion, it's important to know these things beforehand. And this is the one place where I do believe Cunningham did fail significantly in regards to these books.
To quickly quote from my review of the last book (A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner, the one to be read before this one in the series):
It's also integral to remember while reading it that though he calls it Wicca throughout the book, what he's talking about in the book isn't Wicca proper. What this more correctly is, is one of the first emergent books to outline what would become NeoWicca based on what Wiccan information isn't oathbound and can therefore be shared to some regard with outsiders; Traditional Wicca, even today, still remains a coven based, initiatory mystery religious system with a strict lineage and vetting system. Which means no vettable and lineaged coven, no oathbound initiation, then not Wiccan- and that's the sad fact of the matter. That doesn't make NeoWicca itself a lesser or derogatory path by any means (especially not as one of the largest of its derivative faiths today). But it is integral to remember that they are two very different paths and to update your language, understanding, and expectations accordingly as you read this text- just as you would with any other outdated source. Petulantly throwing a fit and pretending otherwise as most seem to do is simply childishness.
Still, like its predecessor, it still holds up surprisingly well for its time- and the time that's passed since its publication. As long as you keep this one integral fact in mind, remain aware of the various problems within the text, and continue to educate yourself with other
So with that in mind again: I wouldn't say, personally, that I would actually recommend it for the more "advanced" practitioner by any means, as it was technically meant by the author (if I remember correctly). In my opinion, it's still far too simplistic in scope to really be considered advanced material. But I would say it's good text to pick up alongside A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner to read in close conjunction with it.
In particular, I'd still recommend it for those who picked up A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner because they actually wanted a quick-and-dirty direct access point specifically for NeoWicca in particular, and now need to actually know about the religion's core beliefs. Though, if I'm being honest, I would probably recommend reading this one first, since it does provide the broader overview of actual NeoWiccan beliefs- which I believe you should understand properly before committing yourself to doing any sort of Self Initiation or Dedications, such as those outlined in A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner.
If one is to become a part of a religion, it's important to know these things beforehand. And this is the one place where I do believe Cunningham did fail significantly in regards to these books.
dreamofbookspines's review
3.0
I'd somehow forgotten how utterly approachable Cunningham's writing style makes his books. He's non-threatening and friendly, two excellent traits for someone who wrote a lot of introductory books for wicca. Even though it's supposed to be a "further guide", a lot of the stuff is the same from his first book "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner". He does expand on some concepts and adds in things like creating your own tradition, but a lot of it seems repetitive. Also the longer I read it, the more his writing style irritates me. He writes like an authority, but then says no author is an authority. It seems very black-and-white, when in fact theological issues are anything but that.
Overall I think the book is more useful to someone who has been practicing for less time than I have, and someone who is not as widely read. This sounds pompous, but I do think it's true. This book would be an excellent companion to some other introductory books on paganism more generally. As always, question as you read and be introspective/reflective.
Overall I think the book is more useful to someone who has been practicing for less time than I have, and someone who is not as widely read. This sounds pompous, but I do think it's true. This book would be an excellent companion to some other introductory books on paganism more generally. As always, question as you read and be introspective/reflective.
redhairedashreads's review
5.0
A great resource for solitary wiccans. I found Part III of this book to be extremely helpful and a great resource for those still learning/ in the beginning stages of wicca. The book of shadows section is great for those wanting to create a BOS but don't knowing where to start or what to include.
areadaburrito's review
2.0
Very fast read if you've read his other solitary witch book. It's mostly commentary on the first book and a few new things. He provides a lot of suggested reading lists. The instructions for creating your own tradition make it worth the buy, but if you're not interested in detailing page after page of your rules and beliefs, maybe buy something else.
amandapearl2's review
3.0
More like 3.5. This is a good beginner book to get people thinking about why they are doing certain things and the purpose and meaning behind religious ritual. I think a lot of the ideas presented in Living Wicca could be applied to any religion. It's important to understand the significance and meaning of your daily practice, not just going through the motions. However Cunningham only touches on these ideas and never really goes deep into any one topic. I feel like this book could have cut out the basic stuff on symbols and altars and really focused on introspection.
unabridgedchick's review
3.0
This classic is one of the books that helped me begin my solitary spiritual practice. I'm fond of it, despite the rather cheesy Llewellyn cover.