Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner
When someone asks me about the Craft or about Wicca, I refer them to this book. Always.
Witchcraft is the practice of the “old ways” and can include the use of herbs (healing, magickal and non-magickal), candles, talismans, and perhaps prayers or spells, depending on your theology.
It’s not necessarily a religion or even a religious practice. There are Christian witches, Jewish witches, Buddhist witches, and so on. If you don’t delve into areas that might conflict, you can be a witch and a devout, practicing member of any religion, mainstream or not.
Wicca is the recognized religious belief system (and practices) that many people practice, worldwide, just as they always have.
This book gives you a good overview of both, but especially focuses on Wicca and how to practice as a solitary. If you are interested in Wicca at all, we always recommend starting as a solitary, and using the simplest (“An’ it harm none”) rituals and practices.
If you follow Scott Cunningham’s advice, you won’t get into trouble. (We can’t say the same about Silver Ravenwolf’s books, though they include a lot of excellent information.)
If you’re not sure about Wicca or witchcraft, this is the only book you need to read, to decide for yourself.
No matter what anyone tells you, or what you see in the media, this book represents the actual beliefs and practices of Wicca.
Skip the jewelry, the cloaks, the athames, the expensive candles and incenses, and just buy this book.
It will keep you busy for months, learning what really works.
Here’s the official description of this important classic.
Cunningham’s classic introduction to Wicca is about how to live life magically, spiritually, and wholly attuned with nature. It is a book of sense and common sense, not only about magick, but about religion and one of the most critical issues of today: how to achieve the much needed and wholesome relationship with our Earth.
Cunningham presents Wicca as it is today: a gentle, Earth-oriented religion dedicated to the Goddess and God.
Wicca also includes Scott Cunningham’s own Book of Shadows and updated appendices of periodicals and occult suppliers.
Sale Price:$10.17
The ‘Charmed’ Book of Shadows – Review
Though Charmed was fiction, not fact, it introduced many people to the charming world (pun intended) of real magick, witchcraft, and Wicca.
I wouldn’t make this Charmed book of shadows a high priority for beginners or even for advanced students of the Craft. However, if you were as impressed as I was, watching this dynamic TV series, this book is a must-own.
This ultimate guide to the hit TV series, the “Charmed” Book of Shadows serves as both a book of spells and a key to the mysteries of the show. Pretty cool stuff, eh?
The Book of Shadows celebrates the best of Charmed, from its roots in the ancient tradition of Wicca, to insider information on the popular TV series and its stars.
It’s not a substitute for real magic or books of shadows, but if you’re a Charmed fan like me… it’s kind of cool.
Look at it this way: You could spend the same money on a couple of magazines that you’ll read and throw out. Or, you can score the Charmed Book of Shadows and own some great reading (and re-reading) about the Charmed sisters and the magic they wove for us.
My advice? Get the book.
Wicca for Beginners
Some beginners hear about Wicca and then look for a coven, any coven, that will accept them.
Big mistake.
Don’t do it!
Learn about being a witch first. Decide if it’s right for you.
Then you can choose a coven, if that’s what you really want to do. (But you don’t have to.)
Start with books. Not just any books, but books about witchcraft and Wicca… books that have been around for a long time and have earned respect.
Scott Cunningham’s book is a good overview. It’s my favorite, and a favorite of the Witch Wicca staff.
Read this book before you try (or buy) anything else.
I mean it. It’s way too easy to drop a small fortune (that you can’t really afford) on books that confuse you so much, you decide that you’re not a witch, Wicca isn’t for you, and the whole thing is a scam.
Don’t go there. Really. Start with one, very good book. This is the one to get:
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
Read it two or three times. Try what he says.
What to read next? Every Wiccan will tell you something different. You can leap into self-initiation and dedicated study with Buckland’s book, already reviewed here.
Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland
The information is good, but the it’s written like a textbook. If that’s what you want, it’s one of the best in the field.
Like many who follow a Goddess path, I like Starhawk’s classic, Spiral Dance.
The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess by Starhawk
It’s rich in history and style, and not as dry as Buckland’s book.
Spiral Dance is still a thick book full of information. It’s used as a textbook for some religion classes. For a real sense of Wicca as a religion and a lifestyle, Spiral Dance is a good choice.
A Witches’ Bible: The Complete Witches Handbook by Janet Farrar and Stewart Farrar.
Janet and Stewart Farrar represent some of the most powerful voices in 20th century Wicca, especially in the U.K. Their books still offer unique, intimate views of Wiccan beliefs and practices.
Stewart is gone now, but Janet Farrar and her husband, Gavin Bone, carry on the traditions in Ireland. If you like A Witches’ Bible, you’ll enjoy other books written or co-authored by Janet, especially Spells and How They Work.
Open Circles
After you’ve learned the basics, attend a few open circles. See if your local Unitarian Universalist church has a CUUPS (Pagans) group. Ask at local stores that specialize in Wiccan books and supplies. Check regional Pagan and New Age publications.
When you find an open circle, take a friend with you. 99% of open circles are great, but if you feel uncomfortable at any Wiccan or Pagan event, leave immediately. Don’t stay long enough to be polite. You don’t need an excuse to leave. Just leave.
After you’ve been to a few different circles, you’ll know some of your options. Then, it’s time to read more, especially books that describe particular traditions.
Read More
My favorite authors include Laurie Cabot, especially her books, Power of the Witch and The Witch in Every Woman. Also, almost any book by Christopher Penczak is good, and I’d start with The Inner Temple of Witchcraft.
Keep reading. Meet more Wiccans. Go to more open circles. Ask about covens and compare them with being a solitary.
Also, almost everyone reads Real Magic by Isaac Bonewits. It’s a wild tour of the roots of magick, including Wicca and many other practices.
You can also learn a lot online but remember that anyone can claim anything. The “Wiccan” who’s sharing his or her information may be a 10 year old fan of Charmed or a 72 year old who just likes to see people skyclad.
Real books and real practitioners are more reliable.
Start with Scott Cunningham’s book. That’s my best recommendation, and the safest, smartest way to learn about witchcraft and Wicca.
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