alexiasophii's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book almost 15 years ago when I started my path in Paganism and Witchcraft. My first book was actually the book that came after this one, [b:Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner|145564|Living Wicca A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner|Scott Cunningham|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1172174031l/145564._SX50_.jpg|140463]. I was interesting, after these many years, to come back to this book. I read this for a book club of a Discord server that I mod for. It was even more interesting given that I would be recommending this book a lot... After this re-read.... Not so much.
I love Cunningham for his Folk Magic and his folk books ([b:The Magical Household: Spells & Rituals for the Home|180909|The Magical Household Spells & Rituals for the Home|Scott Cunningham|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347503087l/180909._SY75_.jpg|174804] and [b:Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen|180908|Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen|Scott Cunningham|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347699882l/180908._SY75_.jpg|174803] are still two of my favourite books!) and even in this book and in Living Wicca his resources for practical aspects, exercises and correspondences is fantastic. I also think that Cunningham has this fantastic way to show us how much he loves the Craft. Because truth be told, that man LOVED the Craft and you could see it in his words and all the way he spoke. I can clearly say that reading Cunningham talking about Wicca and the Goddess and God was one of the things that made me want to explore deity work as a teenager and that gave the sparkle for the love I have for deity and Witchcraft today.
But then comes the "Wicca is Xamanism" and "Reencarnation is Decided by the Individual" (opening up the can of worms that people suffering in this life decided to suffer, among others) and much more problematic situations. These were not problematic when the book was published (far from it!) and that makes it less bad. But still, as pagans and witches of today, we must recognize what is wrong in our books and the books we recommend, especially for beginners. And, unfortunately, this book calls more for nostalgia than for accurate information.
Currently, if I was to choose a book to recommend to someone who wanted a good introduction to Wicca I would suggest [b:Wicca for Beginners: Fundamentals of Philosophy & Practice|408501|Wicca for Beginners Fundamentals of Philosophy & Practice|Thea Sabin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348698293l/408501._SY75_.jpg|397805] for example. Or to check out [a:Thorn Mooney|17235503|Thorn Mooney|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1530189280p2/17235503.jpg]. I think Cunningham's book still has a lot of good resources, especially when it comes to exercises, bibliography, resources and the whole Book of Shadows section. We just need to be cautious that what he explains as Wicca and, above all, the History of Wicca is not correct. It was perceived correct when he was alive and when he wrote this book but today, in 2020's, we know that's not the case.
So will I recommend this book in the future? Maybe. Not as a first book, but as a book filled with resources and that should be read with another companion that fixes the errors that are present in this one.
I love Cunningham for his Folk Magic and his folk books ([b:The Magical Household: Spells & Rituals for the Home|180909|The Magical Household Spells & Rituals for the Home|Scott Cunningham|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347503087l/180909._SY75_.jpg|174804] and [b:Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen|180908|Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen|Scott Cunningham|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347699882l/180908._SY75_.jpg|174803] are still two of my favourite books!) and even in this book and in Living Wicca his resources for practical aspects, exercises and correspondences is fantastic. I also think that Cunningham has this fantastic way to show us how much he loves the Craft. Because truth be told, that man LOVED the Craft and you could see it in his words and all the way he spoke. I can clearly say that reading Cunningham talking about Wicca and the Goddess and God was one of the things that made me want to explore deity work as a teenager and that gave the sparkle for the love I have for deity and Witchcraft today.
But then comes the "Wicca is Xamanism" and "Reencarnation is Decided by the Individual" (opening up the can of worms that people suffering in this life decided to suffer, among others) and much more problematic situations. These were not problematic when the book was published (far from it!) and that makes it less bad. But still, as pagans and witches of today, we must recognize what is wrong in our books and the books we recommend, especially for beginners. And, unfortunately, this book calls more for nostalgia than for accurate information.
Currently, if I was to choose a book to recommend to someone who wanted a good introduction to Wicca I would suggest [b:Wicca for Beginners: Fundamentals of Philosophy & Practice|408501|Wicca for Beginners Fundamentals of Philosophy & Practice|Thea Sabin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348698293l/408501._SY75_.jpg|397805] for example. Or to check out [a:Thorn Mooney|17235503|Thorn Mooney|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1530189280p2/17235503.jpg]. I think Cunningham's book still has a lot of good resources, especially when it comes to exercises, bibliography, resources and the whole Book of Shadows section. We just need to be cautious that what he explains as Wicca and, above all, the History of Wicca is not correct. It was perceived correct when he was alive and when he wrote this book but today, in 2020's, we know that's not the case.
So will I recommend this book in the future? Maybe. Not as a first book, but as a book filled with resources and that should be read with another companion that fixes the errors that are present in this one.
martin_reading_yay's review
Really enjoyed this and enjoyed learning about this religion. I especially like the connections between modern day Christian and American holidays and pagan holidays in Europe
lavenderbtcpodcast's review
4.0
Initial Thoughts:
1."I am listening to the audiobook."
2."It is like listening to a podcast. He noted how difficult it is to find other pagans, witches,wiccans PWW and even though more than two decades later we have amazing technology. It would be so much better to meet other PWW in real life even if we continue to still practice solo and not join a coven."
3."better to listen to while busy to not fall asleep to the relaxing information of PWW."
4.Listening to this book makes me wish audiobooks for textual and information filled sacred texts like this were more widely available."
I Deeply enjoyed this audiobook. I see why a lot of Pagans, Wiccans, & Witches PWW recommend it. Unfortunately, he died young he could have done so much more. I wish I had a physical copy to own and use as a reference. I also hope someone could update and add on to it because 33 years have passed, and some things have changed and modernized. This is one of my top 3 favorites of all the PWW books I have read so far. It contains a thorough glossary of terminology, parts of his grimoire/book of shadows, spells, baking instructions, offering, and diety direction. Highly recommendable. It can also be very overwhelming as it is full of information. Nonetheless necessary in our religion.
1."I am listening to the audiobook."
2."It is like listening to a podcast. He noted how difficult it is to find other pagans, witches,wiccans PWW and even though more than two decades later we have amazing technology. It would be so much better to meet other PWW in real life even if we continue to still practice solo and not join a coven."
3."better to listen to while busy to not fall asleep to the relaxing information of PWW."
4.Listening to this book makes me wish audiobooks for textual and information filled sacred texts like this were more widely available."
I Deeply enjoyed this audiobook. I see why a lot of Pagans, Wiccans, & Witches PWW recommend it. Unfortunately, he died young he could have done so much more. I wish I had a physical copy to own and use as a reference. I also hope someone could update and add on to it because 33 years have passed, and some things have changed and modernized. This is one of my top 3 favorites of all the PWW books I have read so far. It contains a thorough glossary of terminology, parts of his grimoire/book of shadows, spells, baking instructions, offering, and diety direction. Highly recommendable. It can also be very overwhelming as it is full of information. Nonetheless necessary in our religion.
andreaisreading's review
informative
medium-paced
3.5
While this book does show its age in some of the outdated references and problematic co-opting of other cultures traditions, it was a gentle intro to Wicca. While I have seen other reviews online about this not being about Wicca, but Wicca-adjacent (as current Wicca involves covens & is a closed practice - I think) it was a great intro for an outsider.
robinhoodreads's review against another edition
4.0
If someone asks where to start learning about Wicca, this is probably the book they'll get recommended. And even now, it's clear to see why. What I appreciate the most about Cunningham is how readily he reminds you that Wicca and witchcraft are about your personal connection. If his ritual idea doesn't feel right, scrap it and make your own. Mess up during a ritual? Laugh and continue on. He gives clear basics for the practitioner but reminds us that this path is just that, a path that never ends. Definitely pick this one up if you're interested in learning more about Wicca and witchcraft.