The tool section is laughable, it lacks any decent explanation of the working tools of Wicca, especially as concerns their symbolism, and do people really need to be told that "the censer is an incense burner" or that the "cup is a cauldron on a stem"? Is this the great knowledge that the blurb promises?

The rituals are also so dull & empty. To think that Wicca evolved from a synthesis of magical societies, freemasonry, cunning craft, occult philosophy, great literature & poetry etc and yet here ritual is debased into trite amateur prose with no theoretical background.

After reading this book I can't see how anyone will be any closer to understanding Wicca, or anything approaching it. Where is the knowledge of casting circles, where are the Elementals, where is a serious explanation of anything full stop?

I don't understand why beginner book has to equate with lack of content. If people aren't prepared to invest the time into understanding things properly then there's no point in bothering in the first place. Rather you spend time understanding fully & delay practice than rush into practice on flimsy empty foundations.

I personally favour In The Circle as a better beginners book, as it contains a spiritual inspirational undercurrent whilst actually informing people as ot the whys & wherefores of practice.


Blessed Be!!   March 6, 2001
 28 out of 30 found this review helpful

I once saw a plaque that said "that stirring in your soul is the Goddess awakening. And yes, it is a powerful hunger." For those who are feeling a stirring in their soul and wish to explore the earth-religion of Wicca, Cunningham's book is a perfect starting place.

Cunningham touches briefly on the history of Wicca (it's one of the oldest faiths on our planet and from which many popular modern faiths spring from, including Christianity), and outlines what a Wiccan is and is NOT (no, a Wiccan does NOT worship Satan-in fact, the concept is absurd; Satan is a Christian construction. If one does not believe in Christianity, then one does not believe in [or worship!] a Christian devil). He explains the tools of Wicca, how to set up a home altar, and how to cast spells (reviewer's note: spellcasting is the same as Christian prayer: it is a way of focusing one's energies and affecting one's environment).

Wicca can be practiced in a group, known as a coven. However, considering that many people are in the (broom)closet about practicing the Craft, it can be very difficult to find like-minded individuals to practice and celebrate with. However, unlike other faiths, one can practice Wicca by themselves as a solitary. Cunningham shows you how, and shows you in an easy-to-understand, easy to follow way.

Mr. C. stresses early on that the Craft may not be the spiritual path for everyone. However, if you're feeling that stirring in your soul, this would be an excellent place to begin, to see if this is the path the Goddess is leading you down.


An engaging and very informative book!!   August 29, 2001
 23 out of 23 found this review helpful

For the longest time I had only Raymond Bucklands Complete Book of Witchcraft (which is good, but a bit dull), and a book on the Fae. From what I had read from Bucklands book, Wicca was very structured and firm. When I got Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, I found otherwise. Cunningham makes it clear that you aren't going to be slapped on the hand and told "shame!" if you don't follow everything that a book says. Actually, he strongly encourages changing rituals to suit your needs. From reading this book I also gained so much knowlage about the Goddess and God, and aspects of the religion itself that I had no idea existed. And, no, the book isn't all about worshipping and what not. There is information on stones, herbs, tools, Sabbats, you name it! This book is so informative and...well...down right interesting! In fact, I got so engaged that I read the whole book in one day, frantically copying this and that into my book of shadows. I highly recommend this book to any Wiccan that needs a complete and concise guide. Blessed be!


A Primer of Elegant Simplicity.   January 29, 1999
 22 out of 23 found this review helpful

"Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner," is a primer. It is a beginning, and only a beginning. But Cunninham's remarkable book puts the spiritual world of Wicca, or the Craft, or Witchcraft (a word he concientiously avoids using), and of Magick. The only assumption he makes is that the reader is ready to commence a lifelong journey, and here is a roadmap for the first tentative steps. Cunningham explains, where others pronounce. He guides, where others command. He suggests, where others pontificate. And he encourages, where others fall to dogmatic repitition. "Wicca" is a joyous celebration, and an invitation to join in. The writing is clear, witty, and engaging. The illustrations are simple line drawings, but quality art, and unobtrusive. While Cunningham does somewhat gloss over the self-discipline demanded by the Craft, he understands that such knowledge will (hopefully) come later, as the student progresses. WICCA A Guide for the Solitary Practioner is a must for the new and curious.


Wonderful book!   December 27, 2000
 22 out of 22 found this review helpful

This was the first book I bought on the Craft and it remains one of my favorites. Scott Cunningham writes a lot of useful info for the solitary practitioner. He talks about Wicca & Shamanism in Chapter One and moves on to talk about the Wiccan deities (the Lord and the Lady) in Chapter Two. He tells us about the different forms of magick and how to adapt it in our daily lives and use it successfully. He speaks about the main tools that Wiccans handle and it tells how they are used in modern day Witchcraft. He talks about the 'spiral of rebirth' (reincarnation) and tells us about the Wiccan 'days of power' (the esbats which are full moon rites when you pay homage to the Goddess and it also talks about the eight Wiccan festivals which follows the life cycle of the Horned God). Overall, this book was great and I'm glad how Cunningham focuses on the spiritual part of Wicca instead of the whole spell-casting stuff.

--Blessed Be