Scan barcode
terrymcclary's review against another edition
5.0
Re-read of a classic. First read close to 30 years ago. Still holds up after all this time.
rtgoeckner's review against another edition
2.0
Great book! Perfect for the Wiccan noob or just the curious observer. Provides a great overview of the basics of this New Age, often misunderstood, religion.
adventuregirl74's review against another edition
4.0
Read this book about 10 years ago- the Huz was interested in reading so we read it together.
ambyrvi's review against another edition
4.0
When I decided I wanted to learn more about paganism (specifically neopaganism and Wicca), I immediately started doing my research on the most refutable and trustworthy books out there that could simultaneously give me a beginner's/outsider's view of the religion that has formed into modern day Wicca. This book was consistently at the top of every "must read" list and the majority of my pagan friends recommended it with vigor. Upon completing it, I can see why.
The information given in this book is very basic, however it still covers a very wide range of material. Almost every review I've read on it will say the same, though I admit I wasn't completely sure what that meant until I sat down and read it myself. Wicca is so multifaceted and encompasses such a wide range of practice that finding a book that will make you an expert (or even bring you out of the "beginners" zone) is impossible. Cunningham does a great job of introducing his readers to the religion and some of its practices and beliefs while, at the same time, remaining unbiased and sticking to generalizations. Those facts alone make this book a great starter for those who are interested in getting their feet wet with paganism. Though there were a few occasions in which I felt as if Cunningham expected his readers to be a little more well-versed in the terminology, it should be noted that there is a great glossary found in the back of the book that essentially makes this the dummy's guide to Wicca.
While others might disagree, I genuinely felt like reading this was a great starting point for me (in addition to the hours of internet research, I should add). If you are picking this up, then chances are you are on a path to self-discovery whether you realize it consciously or not. I wish you well. :)
The information given in this book is very basic, however it still covers a very wide range of material. Almost every review I've read on it will say the same, though I admit I wasn't completely sure what that meant until I sat down and read it myself. Wicca is so multifaceted and encompasses such a wide range of practice that finding a book that will make you an expert (or even bring you out of the "beginners" zone) is impossible. Cunningham does a great job of introducing his readers to the religion and some of its practices and beliefs while, at the same time, remaining unbiased and sticking to generalizations. Those facts alone make this book a great starter for those who are interested in getting their feet wet with paganism. Though there were a few occasions in which I felt as if Cunningham expected his readers to be a little more well-versed in the terminology, it should be noted that there is a great glossary found in the back of the book that essentially makes this the dummy's guide to Wicca.
While others might disagree, I genuinely felt like reading this was a great starting point for me (in addition to the hours of internet research, I should add). If you are picking this up, then chances are you are on a path to self-discovery whether you realize it consciously or not. I wish you well. :)
bookshelfmystic's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting look at a religion I've always wanted to know more about. The philosophies of Wicca -- or at least of Scott Cunningham, since, as he is the first to tell you, there is no unified Wiccan belief system -- are presented simply and clearly. There is a brief explanation of the eight sabbats, which are the evenly-spaced holy days corresponding to the changing of the seasons, which I found really interesting. The last third of the book is Cunningham's own Book of Shadows, an example of what a practitioner might create themselves: a compilation of spells, chants, herb and rune magic, and other ways to worship.
kellylynnthomas's review against another edition
4.0
I first read this book more than ten years ago, when I was just interested in Wicca. It remains one of my favorite introductions, although my own practice has grown beyond the basics Cunningham discusses here (and much is now coven based rather than solitary). Even so, I like to return to this text every so often as a sort of grounding and centering. It is still a text that I recommend to anyone curious about the practice of Wicca.