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owlsreads's review against another edition
4.0
A pretty nice complementary novel that touches on subjects most Wicca books don't mention.
sparklingpastures's review
3.0
A basic addition to add knowledge to anyone already familar with Wiccan practice. Written simply so there is no miscommunication. Referrences to many great additional titles. All in all a great summarizing the basics book. No actual teaching for practices involved in it.
anthroxagorus's review
4.0
So... I've read Cunningham's book on elemental magic fairly recently, and, wondered if there was any merit in this book that I apparently hated so much. I would've tossed it or sold it, if not for the sticky note bookmarks. Skimming along, I found some great advice, now that I'm actually practicing. I'm not Wiccan by any means but the advice is pretty open. So yes, a good, short, supplementary read that I may actually start using.
3 star early review, 1st reading.
Well, even though I pretty much trashed the previous book, I still liked the easy-going style Cunningham had.
But again, I didn't get much out of this book. Partially because I've been reading other books and they have have covered the same stuff. This just didn't feel advanced enough.
I would only recommend this book if the only other book you've read was his first one... and that you liked it, of course.
3 star early review, 1st reading.
Well, even though I pretty much trashed the previous book, I still liked the easy-going style Cunningham had.
But again, I didn't get much out of this book. Partially because I've been reading other books and they have have covered the same stuff. This just didn't feel advanced enough.
I would only recommend this book if the only other book you've read was his first one... and that you liked it, of course.
caroline_carnivorous's review
4.0
I read a sample, and am really interested in reading this. I'm a young Wiccan living in Norway, where there are very few Wiccans - I personally don't know any.
So this seems like a nice guide for me! Cause several books I've read talk about covens and stuff, something I don't have access to.
So this seems like a nice guide for me! Cause several books I've read talk about covens and stuff, something I don't have access to.
yasydoodles's review
5.0
Scott Cunningham has allowed me to personally craft my journey into paganism and witchcraft. He is someone who i deeply look up to for those reasons and so I was desperate to get my hands on this book.
For the beginner pagan or witch it helps set out simple layouts for rituals so that you can take more control of your path and not rely on things you just find online. It goes into much detail on certain topics and also leaves you with much to explore into after as it covers such a great deal of things. He does not seem to attempt to force his views on the reader (which i’ve seen many pagan/witchy authors attempt to do) but rather expresses how personal every tiny detail of this religion is.
Of course it focuses on the Wiccan faith, however this does not mean there is nothing for the non religious witch to learn from it. It is a read id recommend to any type or witch and any type of pagan and Scott Cunningham manages to speak about topics that do not get enough coverage. It is truly an amazing read and should definitely be on your book shelves.
This book is a beginners book. it’s meant to be there to start your path as it did for me. Older wiccans may not find as much use and help in this book as newer ones.
For the beginner pagan or witch it helps set out simple layouts for rituals so that you can take more control of your path and not rely on things you just find online. It goes into much detail on certain topics and also leaves you with much to explore into after as it covers such a great deal of things. He does not seem to attempt to force his views on the reader (which i’ve seen many pagan/witchy authors attempt to do) but rather expresses how personal every tiny detail of this religion is.
Of course it focuses on the Wiccan faith, however this does not mean there is nothing for the non religious witch to learn from it. It is a read id recommend to any type or witch and any type of pagan and Scott Cunningham manages to speak about topics that do not get enough coverage. It is truly an amazing read and should definitely be on your book shelves.
This book is a beginners book. it’s meant to be there to start your path as it did for me. Older wiccans may not find as much use and help in this book as newer ones.
witchy_book_beast's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to those who have a basic knowledge of Wicca and want to further it. I've read many wiccan books similar to this that just don't hit the mark. This one successful gives information while also stating that you shouldn't blindly believe information just because it's in a book. Question everything and make up your own mind. I love it.
hhaannnnaahh's review
5.0
I only read this book recently. I read the first book, “Wicca” in 2008. This book is a continuation of the first. It elaborates more on some easier concepts. Still very much for a beginner but has excellent information and is a great reference in any library.
lashette's review against another edition
4.0
This was good. I just didn't prioritize it after I joined a coven. But I wanted to finally finish it since I still own it and it is now water damaged. Anyway, I like Cunningham's style. Its very wiccan, if that makes any sense. But I like how he explains things but leaves room for you to have your own thoughts and opinions. Especially here where you ostensibly want to create your own personal tradition. When getting back into the second part at first I had issues with feeling this book was not talking to me anymore since I am now in a coven. After a bit I started to see the benefit. I could look at some of the coven and tradition practices we have and see potential reasons why we do things the way we do. Some of that I knew already as a member other things not so much. The last chapter about teaching was a surprise and definitely has benefits as well as many covens have higher degrees teach pouter court or initiates. So overall, another solid but not perfect book from Cunningham. I do like his bibliography and citations in this one better than the herbal ones.
annettewolf's review against another edition
4.0
I’m really, really glad Scott Cunningham wrote this sequel to Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner. This is an introduction to devotional Wicca that contains less of the building blocks of normal ritual practice, and much more of the answers to the questions of “But how do I live as a witch, every day?”
Even the word “witch” there is a bit of a misnomer, because not everyone who considers themselves Wiccan in a religious sense will also call themselves a witch, but…well, if you’re reading this review, you likely already know that labeling Pagans is a tricky prospect, and best left up to the individuals themselves.
I enjoyed the conversational style of this book, the way you feel like you’re sitting with Scott in a cozy, safe space, and he’s saying, “Okay look, you might be overcomplicating your whole approach to this Wiccan thing…” It’s something that every Wiccan probably needs to hear. When you’re just getting started, sometimes it’s really enticing to go all-in. All the tools, all the trappings, all the formality. And at some point, you get to decide whether that’s exactly what you want (because ritual and formality can help trigger the same psychology of worship every time), or that it’s nice maybe on special occasions, but the rest of the time you just need to feel it all in your heart, without the special words and motions.
I’ve always thought of myself as living Pagan, every day, in my thoughts and words and actions. So it’s strange that I only read this book fifteen years after starting my Pagan journey. Every chapter, however, felt right. This is not an exclusionary book. It’s how to live a religious, spiritual life as a Wiccan, and it tells you over and over again that the best way to do this thing is the way that feels right to you. That’s invaluable for any Pagan to hear.
This and other reviews by me can be found at www.annaimber.com
Even the word “witch” there is a bit of a misnomer, because not everyone who considers themselves Wiccan in a religious sense will also call themselves a witch, but…well, if you’re reading this review, you likely already know that labeling Pagans is a tricky prospect, and best left up to the individuals themselves.
I enjoyed the conversational style of this book, the way you feel like you’re sitting with Scott in a cozy, safe space, and he’s saying, “Okay look, you might be overcomplicating your whole approach to this Wiccan thing…” It’s something that every Wiccan probably needs to hear. When you’re just getting started, sometimes it’s really enticing to go all-in. All the tools, all the trappings, all the formality. And at some point, you get to decide whether that’s exactly what you want (because ritual and formality can help trigger the same psychology of worship every time), or that it’s nice maybe on special occasions, but the rest of the time you just need to feel it all in your heart, without the special words and motions.
I’ve always thought of myself as living Pagan, every day, in my thoughts and words and actions. So it’s strange that I only read this book fifteen years after starting my Pagan journey. Every chapter, however, felt right. This is not an exclusionary book. It’s how to live a religious, spiritual life as a Wiccan, and it tells you over and over again that the best way to do this thing is the way that feels right to you. That’s invaluable for any Pagan to hear.
This and other reviews by me can be found at www.annaimber.com