A review by leah_markum
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, by Scott Cunningham
4.0
This was an exciting read in a sense that Wicca, as a "major" "religion" (in a sense that people have heard of it), appealed to my existing pantheistic, nature-loving world view. I'm also not a fan of expressing emotion in group settings or just being in group settings, so I'm glad that the author and this book are renowned in the Wicca/Neopagan-curious community. It is also written in such a way that the fiction writer in me wants to write a fantasy novel featuring a culture and/or religious sect that is essentially this type of expression of Wicca.
I most like that the author addresses magic is natural, not supernatural. Many aspects of Wiccan magic is now science, and he half-expects science to eventually prove the rest. However, that's almost besides the point, even to a science nerd like me. I love that Wicca sees nature as something high, inherently magical, and a part of everything instead of something lowly, something to escape from in life and death, and disrespect.
I differ from the author in some aspects, such as he recognizes a Goddess and a God, whereas I don't see why I need to personify nature into something else, but on the following paragraph he establishes that it is okay with Wicca to not personify the forces. That tells me he and Wicca are quite open-minded and have room for independent thought and practice. As an oddball, I appreciate the wiggle-room.
Unlike your average internet article on Wicca or even other books, the author goes into depth about how to connect with magic and perform rituals--which are more spiritual and less superstitious than the average person would expect. There is enough depth of information here to start practicing on your own and/or write a Tamora Pierce-esque fantasy story.
I most like that the author addresses magic is natural, not supernatural. Many aspects of Wiccan magic is now science, and he half-expects science to eventually prove the rest. However, that's almost besides the point, even to a science nerd like me. I love that Wicca sees nature as something high, inherently magical, and a part of everything instead of something lowly, something to escape from in life and death, and disrespect.
I differ from the author in some aspects, such as he recognizes a Goddess and a God, whereas I don't see why I need to personify nature into something else, but on the following paragraph he establishes that it is okay with Wicca to not personify the forces. That tells me he and Wicca are quite open-minded and have room for independent thought and practice. As an oddball, I appreciate the wiggle-room.
Unlike your average internet article on Wicca or even other books, the author goes into depth about how to connect with magic and perform rituals--which are more spiritual and less superstitious than the average person would expect. There is enough depth of information here to start practicing on your own and/or write a Tamora Pierce-esque fantasy story.