Amazon.com
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner is the essential primer from one of the best known authors on Wicca. Focusing on the importance of individualism in your spiritual path, Cunningham explains the very basics of Sabbats (holy days), ceremonies, altars, and other nuts and bolts of Wicca that a solitary practitioner may have trouble finding elsewhere. While Wicca shouldn't be your solepoint of reference when considering Wicca as your way of life, it is one of thebest starting points. --Brian PattersonBook Description
Cunninghams 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 Cunninghams own Book of Shadows and updated appendices of periodicals and occult suppliers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (456)

Best Beginer Book
I was recommended this book by several people due to my beginer interest with Wicca.This book was easy to undersatand and easy to read.I am not really a "book worm" but I finished this book in about 2 weeks.This was the first book I've read in several years.I use to only read books when I had to so this book is good for even those of you who don't like reading to much.

A Must Have!
This book is absolutely fantastic!The context in which he speaks of the Craft is just so easy to understand.I am not even finished with the book and already a lot of questions that I have had have been answered.

This book is a helpful resource for any solitary practitioner.It is a guide and somewhat of a teacher for anyone who is just starting out with the Craft, or who has some form of interest.
It makes you feel that no question is stupid! He thoroughly broke everything down in a way that is understandable for anyone who can read and comprehend!It excited me and now I am happy to know that I have the book for future reference as well.

He also gives you a really good appendix so that you can look into the recommended books and study even deeper or even validate the thins that he has said in the book (if you feel the need)

Good book
I have a number of Scott Cunningham's books and this
is another fine example of his authorship that I have added
to my collection of books.

Must Have...
A must have for the solitary! If you don't have this book, stop thinking about it and get it. You'll be glad you did!

Great beginning
This books is not supposed to be the end all, be all in wiccan literature. He says that himself. It's a beginning for those that have no clue or that have been told lies. Sure the rituals aren't that amazing, but your not supposed to rely on anyone published rituals for any length of time. Beginners don't need all the pomp at that time. Honestly I don't understand why so many are complaining about this book. It's a wonderful book and I recommend it to everyone that is just starting out. He is showing a religion, silver ravenwolf and friends are showing hocus pocus, black fingernails, and fun necklaces. If you want that, go for it, if you want a faith base, read this. ... Read more

Book Description
Due to the sheer number of Wicca 101 books on the market, many newcomers to the Craft find themselves piecing together their Wiccan education by reading a chapter from one book, a few pages from another. Rather than depending on snippets of wisdom to build a new faith, Wicca for Beginners provides a solid foundation to Wicca without limiting the reader to one tradition or path. Embracing both the spiritual and the practical, Wicca for Beginners is a primer on the philosophies, culture, and beliefs behind the religion, without losing the mystery that draws many students to want to learn. Detailing practices such as grounding, raising energy, visualization, and meditation, this book offers exercises for core techniques before launching into more complicated rituals and spellwork.

Finalist for the Coalition of Visionary Resources Award for Best Wiccan/Pagan Book ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Answers and then some...
As a new Wiccan with my only pagan friend hundreds of miles away, I was searching for something to help answer many questions I had.Was I on the right path?Did I truly understand where I was going?

Something made me click the link to this book and I'm glad I did.I bought the book based on the previous good reviews, and it paid off for me.

Thea Sabin starts the book with a wonderful introduction into the history of Wicca.Bits of humor are littered among the facts, keeping it from being too dry (hey, history is boring to me).From there she goes into a full chapter on the principles and ethics...topped off with a great section of "What Wicca is NOT".

I appreciated the first two chapters and the scope of what they covered.She made sure to point out that everyone's path is unique and that while you may not practice everything mentioned, it is important to know about it.

By the end of the second chapter so many of my questions were answered I was eager to read on.The exercises she gives to help you along are fun and challenging, working your magical muscles in an effective way.

For me this book was a great start, and a wonderful accompaniment to the aide of friendship I have in my pagan friend so far away.

Great book!
This is an excellent book!Very easy to understand, well written and explains the concepts the wiccan beliefs.I would recommend this book for anyone that is interested in learning wicca, this is a good place to start.

WICCA for Beginners: Fundamentals of Philosophy & Practice (For Beginners (Llewellyn's))
This book is fantastic.Very explanatory.The book is written in simple, easy to read and understand language.It contains information I had never heard before and erased all of the stereo-types I was brought up with.I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will continue.

Wicca for Beginners
This is a great book for beginners and very easy reading.I found it very easy to follow and very informative.Also great for reference.

Wonderful useful insightful introduction
This was the first book I read on Wicca and it is one of the best introductory books I've ever read on any subject. Thea breaks the basics of the craft down in a concise logical meaningful and approachable manner. She not only includes a great explanation of the topics but also practical exercises so the student can experience them for firsthand which makes sense because Wicca is supposed to be an experiential path. The author does a good job of driving that point home. This book is an excellent starting point and provides enough information to get a taste of Wicca so one can decide if its for them and if they desire further study. ... Read more

Amazon.com
Living Wicca is the perfect companion to Cunningham's Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, containing the same concise and comprehendible style that makes the first book so enjoyable. With Living Wicca, Cunningham goes beyond the mechanics of the faith and emphasizes the importance of making Wicca a part of your everyday life. Focusing on the solitary practitioner, Cunningham encourages you to make your own path within the Wiccan tradition, and offers simple suggestions, from recycling to visiting the park, that heighten your spiritual awareness of the mundane world. --Brian PattersonBook Description
Selling more than 200,000 copies, Living Wicca has helped countless solitary practitioners blaze their own spiritual paths. Let the wise words of Scott Cunningham guide you toward a new level of practice.

Living Wicca takes a philosophical look at the questions, practices, and differences within Witchcraft. You'll learn how to create your own rituals and symbols, develop a book of shadows, and even become a high priest or priestess. Also covered in this Scott Cunningham classic are tools, magical names, initiation, the Mysteries, 120 Wiccan symbols, and the importance of secrecy in your practice.

New editNew interior design ... Read more

Customer Reviews (102)

Thank you
I would recomend most of Scott Cunningham's books they are very informative and have helped me find my path safely

Other Books
Living Wicca is Scott Cunnigham's followup to this Wicca : A Guide For the Solitary Practitioner.If you just want to read a bit about the religion and how people practice it, you really don't need this book, just get the first one and it will satisfy your interest.This is more for those who are definitely interested and want to read more for themselves.

A complete book for newbies
I'm a wiccan newbie and this book (as secondary for cunninham's: wicca a guide for the...) is the best introduction i could ever had. But i can see that wicca is so ironicaly new that almost every writter has it's own vision about the philosophy and the craft, I think you have to be attuned with cunningham to understand him. Concerning wicca, not every writter is for every reader, cunningham is very understandable and universal though.

Good for those with more experience
I bought this book as an early practitioner, and wound up giving it away.The concepts were too much for me to grasp.I read Cunningham's first book, along with many others, and felt that I was ready for this one after a year.There's many concepts that are more advanced than an early student is ready for.Advanced students who like Cunningham's work will enjoy it more.

No better than the first
Much like Cunningham's first guide for the solitary Wiccan, this book was disappointing. There is very little of practical use, just a lot of hypothetical philosophy and a few contrived chants. Maybe that does it for some people, but for those who, there again, don't live in the middle of a secluded woods with unlimited access to natural items, the book offers nothing. ... Read more

Book Description
This book is both a tutorial for new witches and a reference book for experienced practitioners. Covers the many ways there are to be a witch as a solitary practitioner, or part of a coven following one of many traditions. Holland shares useful information for writing spells, creating rituals, and making tools, charms, and potions. She also includes an index of spells, ancient and modern, making this an all-inclusive reference manual for all skill levels. Glossary. Index. Bibliography. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (50)

Great Information
I find myself using this book every day for ideas and I recomend it to every one new and old to the craft.

Great book
This book had alot of information that was very helpful to me since I am just learning.This is a very useful guide, great information.I would highly recommend this book.

Best Modern Beginner's Book on Being Wiccan for Today and Tomorrow.
There are so many beginner and introductory wicca books around ,its quite overwhelming to focus on just one.There aren't many 'advanced wicca' books available.Yet,I would say this book is the most serious and most practical of the wiccan starter's books currently.It should be a fixture on your wicca bookshelf and your reading-table nook.There's very good information about what modern witches do.There's no cute pictures and lots of solid witchcraft information.This is an excellent book for the Halloween autumn season .And beyond tomorrow for your new wiccan year.

View From Me
This was the third or fourth book I read on Wicca.

I must say it is a good reference book. Good for beginners. Wonderful author.

On the negative note- it was just a bit boring for me, facts upon facts, but just a bit. Also she leans toward her egyptian path in the writing and spells. When she names Gods and Goddesses it seems to only be the Egyptians.

But I would still recommend this book. I do like the details, not a "general info" book.

This is above all the MOST helpful book on WIcca I have
If i could, i would give this book 6 stars. This is the book i reference the most. It is extremely helpful and thorough. I recommend this book for any new or experienced wiccan young or old. THis book rox!!! ... Read more

Book Description
Seriously spellbinding.

An invaluable resource for beginners and adepts alike, this best-selling and frequently recommended book on Wiccan magick and witchcraft has been updated and revised, now featuring a Year-and-a-Day calendar for the solitaire who is beginning to explore Wicca on his or her own.
• Loads of new spells
• New for this edition—a Year-and-a-Day calendar
• Expanded information on creating a personal grimoire and book of Shadows—the witch’s spell manual and “bible”
Download Description
This guide offers a beginner's look at the history of paganism, Wicca, and witchcraft, from the Druids and Celts to the witches of today who practice an earth-based religion, cast spells, and perform natural magic. The book, written by a practicing witch, reveals details of the witches' Sabbaths, ceremonies, and altars. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (103)

Easy to Understand....
I know that it seems like I say that every book is a must have...but so far
every book that I have read has been a must have!!!!!It is so basic that anyone can understand it.They make it fun with their little tips and tidbits on just about every page.

They also make it really fun with funny titles, little jokes, and just a down to earth perspective...the author makes sure that you take the Craft seriously, but not so much that you don't even want to to do it!

It's not an overly complicated book, it even includes worksheets for you to use and some reference tips.

Definitely is a top ten of the "best books for Wiccans to have on their shelf list"

I purchased this book in a used book store.I was surprised to find it where I purchased it...I feel like it came to me because I was ready for it and the information in it was essential.

highly recommend this book!!!!!!!!!

This book is great
This is a fantastic book for anyone looking for an easy to understand resource on Wicce.

The Good Book
Books are important and help define a religion or practice: This book is different.

In my opinion there are three kinds of Magick books: Historical, Social, Practical. There are three types of Magick books: Beginner, Skilled, Expert. We have all seen examples of each of these magick books.

This book is different somehow.

Ceremonial, LaVey, Crowley, Santeria, Hoodoo and Palo as a subject are omitted obviously.

It is not The Book of Ceremonial Magic, Three Books of Occult Philosophy, Magick, The Magus, The Key of Solomon the King: Clavicula Salomonis, The Secret Lore of Magic: Books of the Sorcerers, The Black Arts, 777, Astrological Magic, Magickal Formulary Spellbook, Book of Results, How To Use The Powers Of Darkness and finally, The Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells.

No, it is NOT any of these (and why should it?) though it "relates" to some. For example: The Planetary Hours comes to mind.

It is clearly from many sources but that is good. It "explains," integrates and places into context a lot of diverse material into a simple idea.

As the title states it is the: Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft.

This is a good book for anyone. If you are new, it can start you off. If you are experienced, it can show you some AH-HAs (revelations). If you are a Christian and want to learn about those "witch people" it is good for you too. Yes, it leans on and is in the context of Wicca but you see the Witchcraft in it.

It was a good book. I liked it. I refer to it often. It is not just another junk book on my bookshelf. I understand that if they made it the way I wanted it to be, it would be 2000 pages long. That is not the point of the book. The point of the book is to SHOW in a short time the subject matter in an understandable way. I wish 20 years ago I would have had this book.

There's good and bad to be found in this book...
This book contains something on a lot of things you need to know - things you don't even hear about from Silver RavenWolf. It's a Northern Hemisphere book (I'm in Australia), but quite informative and also quite detailed in some areas. You'll learn a bit about the God and Goddess (more about the Goddess, as usual) esbats, sabbats, basic ritual, ways to work magick and correspondences. A book for anyone starting out - it's a decent overview, and it will tell you (quite basically) what a Witch is and what it means to be one. This is not, however, a suitable first book for absolutely new beginners. This was my third book (I think), and I wouldn't have 'grasped' what it says (or, more importantly, realised what it doesn't say) if I had read it earlier - granted, I started out with Silver RavenWolf's 'Teen Witch'. This is a book you read *after* something like Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner (by Scott Cunningham). There is a bit of detail about what you should and shouldn't do, but it doesn't deal with the deeper, more religious aspects of the Craft - if you want to learn about that, you'll need to look elsewhere. There are also, unfortunately, some inaccuracies in the book - the first of them is the picture of "Venus of Willendorf" on page 12. This is actually the Venus de Milo, which looks nothing like the Venus of Willendorf. This, I think, is the book you find just before you 'plateau' - when you know the basics and you need something deeper than Silver RavenWolf. After reading this, you'll move on up to Starhawk and Vivianne Crowley and co.

Truly for idiots
Unfortunately this book is spotty, misinformed and sloppily researched. It may be a guide to some aspects of Wicca, but by no stretch of the imagination is it a guide to Witchcraft, either ancient or modern.

The failings are too numerous to mention, but in short this is a misleading title for a disappointing book, and unfortunately it does a disservice to the usually surprisingly competant and well researched series of "Complete Idiot's Guides". ... Read more

Book Description
There's a reason caviar has a reputation as a love food, but a little vanilla or peppermint can work wonders too! You'll savor mushrooms like never before after experiencing their intuitive-raising effects, and a munch of celery will resonate with new meaning as it boosts your sexual desire and psychic awareness.Virtually any item in your pantry can be used for personal transformation. From artichokes to kidney beans to grape jelly, food contains specific magical energies you can harness for positive results. This encyclopedia of food magic offers twenty-seven of Scott Cunningham's favorite recipes. Magical menus for more than ten desired goals including love, protection, health, money, and psychic awareness are provided as well.

This commemorative edition also presents special features and articles celebrating Scott Cunningham's remarkable life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Wicca in the Kitchen
Present for my neice, she loved it. Started using it the day it arrived.
Thank you!

Another must-have Cunningham reference.
I love this book!Even if I had no inclination toward kitchen witchery before, this book makes the idea sound fun, exciting and fulfilling.

Cunningham does it again
There are very few authors I trust.This book is definitely one to keep.I wish I could have met him.Blessed Be

Cunning Enc. Wicca Kitchen
I was replacing, my first copy decided to go live with someone else.I find this an excellent for someone with little experience with herbs and their uses and some one who is a novice in the kitchen.

I like having it to use as a resource so I can double check what I'm doing, as I sometimes cannot remember as well as I use to.

GREAT KITCHEN RESOURCE
This is a good book that doesn't offer too many recipes...I already like my OWN recipes!But, what it does do is highlights many ingredients I already use, and let's me know what magical properies they have.This allows me to customize my own recipes to express the magical intention (along with flavorful intention) I am crafting.It could use MORE ingredients,(which is why I gave it a 4*and not a 5*,. as there are some common ones that are missing, but overall it is a good reference for the magical kitchen. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (49)

Great information
I found this book easy to read and follow. I found it had good information. I originally bought this book for my daughter but find myself borrowing it for ideas when I get spell block. My daughter and I alter some of these spells but found it to be informative and helpfull. Not to be taken lightly though.

Indeed, A Great Book
I do love this book.I'm not a Wiccan, but a Traditional Witch, and I love it.I'm not a beginner either.It has great spells.I have used the basic candle spells.They work wickedly well for me.The Aphrodite Love Spell is good, I just changed the words around, as I don't accept deities, but it's great if you don't aim for a specific person.I changed it a bit to suit my needs, since I don't believe in making someone love you.I have also used the love mojo bag, in which I have found it brings dreams to you also..if you put it under your pillow before you go to sleep.I like how she put in some dream interpretations, it's very useful for me, as I do dream a lot.I also like how she gives tips on the divination techniques.Wonderful book, I'd recommend it.I'd say it's needed in your bookshelf if you aren't a beginner.

Excellent Primer for Beginning Spellcasters of Wicca+
I noticed alot of belly-aching reviewers posted as "A Reader".I think it's just sour grapes on their part.Why not post with at least a 'Magickal Name'?This book is geared for the 13-23 year old wiccan practioneers.This book had many solid tibbits of information on spell-work,wiccan recipes, and pagan-potions.It was a quick and enjoyable reading,only 180 pages.This book helps the curious novice arouse an interest in the calling of Wicca.This is not Aleister O'Crowley's realm of divinity or his area of fluffy interest.One can read this in an afternoon's time.I would have to recommend reading this first,before you read 5,000 more sophicated spells.A wonderful primer for new spell-casters.

exploring the craft
i am suprised at all the criticism this book got. i became wiccan 10 years ago and this was my first book, and "bible" so to speak. i wanted to come on here and let everyone know how truly great i thought this book was, even for a beginner. yes, there are some "darker" spells, but i just skipped over them and made due with what i could. i'm sure this book might have actually helped people find their path better, because it wasn't all fluff. there are great things in there like charms and what they represent. theres mojo bags, spells, potions, even dream meanings. a little something to make you want to explore the craft further. i found this book to be one of the most explorative when i first started, and it's still one of my favorites today.

Great spellbook for all occasions
This book contains spells for almost any occasion. Beware though, some of the spells seem kind of unethical to me, but then again you can always alter them. Contains folklore, charms, and a few potions. Some of the spells are only a couple of lines long but the whole page is devoted to that one spell. Seems kinda like a waste of paper to me. Overall a good book for spells but if your looking for a religious experience, look somewhere else. ... Read more

Book Description
Beyond archeology, beyond mythology, beyond the endless stream of look-alike "Wicca 101" bestsellers lies the real Cosmic Goddess of Wicca, Her body the Universe, Her Mind and Spirit and Will flowing through and uniting all life. She is as real as your own body, the Earth, the Sun, the stars. But to know Her, understand Her, and discover your right place within Her Universal Being, you must move beyond "101" beginner books. Wicca 404: Advanced Goddess Thealogy takes Wicca to the next level, offering a systematic theology of the real Cosmic Goddess beginner books ignore. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

organic, wholistic cosmic pantheism - wow!
I believe Esra Free's "Wicca 404: Advanced Goddess Thealogy" is an important book in the evolution of Wicca. To the extent that other reviewers have labeled it "not orthodox," I can only agree, and pray to the Goddess that Wiccan orthodoxy catches up soon to Ms. Free's stunning cosmic vision of what Wicca clearly is to her, and what it could be for us all. "Wicca 404" is Goddess religion elevated to the level of organic, wholistic cosmic pantheism. I can only say "wow," and suggest that those who find something in that universal vision and our natural place as human beings within it repugnant either missed the author's point or have their own axes to grind. I cannot imagine any serious Wiccan or pagan failing to gain from reading this book. Even if you don't embrace every idea Ms. Free puts forth, you will be stronger in your own views for having tested them against such a well thought out and eloquently delivered presentation. Five stars for sure.

An earnest effort, but...
Let me start with the good: Ms. Free is right on in her criticism of the dearth of advanced Wiccan theology books available (or as she terms it, thealogy). I share her frustration with the fixation of publishers who seem bent on promoting a spell-a-day mentality with little attention paid to the deeper aspects of Wiccan spirituality. There are far too many books out there that claim to explore the more advanced aspects of Wicca, but are in reality just a re-hashing of the same old very basic material. After while, it leaves a bad taste in one's mouth. I also happen to agree with the author's opinion that Wicca must be relevant to today's world, the world of the year 2008, not just an escapist exercise of romanticizing the past.So, big kudos to Ms. Free for addressing both of these very important issues. Also, I did not find, contrary to a few statements by other reviewers, that this book is particularly hard to read.

And that is about where my love affair with this book ends. The problem is that although the authors states at the beginning of the book that this is her understanding of how things work, the actual material itself comes across as an authoritative source of how all Wiccans perceive Deity and the metaphysical workings of the universe.There are far, far too few statements such as: "I believe..." "In MY coven, we believe that...""This is MY understanding of the Goddess/God..." "It is MY belief that..." As one reviewer has already stated, you need to apply a substantial ego-filter to this book. And even then, you may find, as I did, that you are in serious disagreement with much of the metaphysical conclusions reached by Ms. Free.

Were I in a teaching situation in a coven, I might present this book as ONE view of the spiritual workings of Wicca, but certainly not the only view, and certainly not as an authoritative voice for all Wiccans. I cannot recommend this book for a solitary neophyte, who might mistakenly think that this is how *all* Wiccans perceive things.

Still, I give this book 2 stars for the earnest effort. It is a big step in the right direction, one that I will hope will spur other Elders in the community to truly address the deeper issues. A person just beginning to explore Wicca may find the leap from a monotheistic, patriarchal religious tradition to Paganism bewildering at times. As it stands, Wicca is creating its own spiritual void by leaving newcomers to the religion without meaningful spiritual guidance.

Not what I was expecting...
The focus is largely on the cosmos and that Wicca is a "Nature religion" and not an "Earth Religion". Author repeatedly bashes written material available to the public, yet states in the book that she is not a writer by nature. Its not just people who cater to the publication machine that shouldn't write books, its people who aren't writers...the very short text was hard to finish, not because of the concepts but because of the lack of flow in the material.

The teeny bopper,goth, "Weekend Wiccan" concept rehashed throughout the book is also not new, even in those "101" books...and gets way to much attention.

The idea of a 404 book is good, but its like a movie with a great plot outline that fails to deliver...it could have been done much better by someone else.

I'm sorry if this came across as harsh, but all these positive reviews are what made me give this book a chance, and if someone spelled this out for me, I would not have. This was a bad essay with space odessy & ego. Don't waste your money!

Moving beyond current thinking
This little book contains some great "grains of truth" and "pearls of wisdom".It has provided me with inspiration and hope, and challenged me to really think about Gaia, The Goddess, and "our" collective responsibilities.

This book goes some way to filling the void beyond the "basic" understanding of Wicca, easily provided for in the plethora of "Introduction to Witchcraft" books. It provides some of the badly needed discussion of a more "advanced" understanding of Wicca, why it is more than simply an 'earth' or 'nature' religion and where Wicca must go into the future.

It is a perfect length at about 100 pages for a light and easy read, comes to the point of the matter quickly and easily, yet touches on subjects that strike at the heart and leave you thinking... and wanting to re-read it again.Highly recommended.

Wicca 404 fills a gap for the Wiccan faith
Esra Free's Wicca 404 - Advanced Goddess Thealogy is a small book that explores the cosmology of Wicca. Or more accurately, it explores cosmology from the Wiccan perspective. It is a much-needed book right now, and the major problem I have with it is that it's too short.

The opening paragraph to the book sets the tone, informing the reader that the book contains "no spells, no rituals, and not one word about the Wheel of the Year or ritual tools." Free makes good on that claim, as the rest of the book steers determinedly into an examination of such questions as "What is nature of Divinty?" Chapters include discussions of Wicca as a Nature religion, as opposed to an Earth religion, and why that difference is significant. There is a particularly interesting chapter on the concept of the egregore and how it relates to Goddess-forms. Another chapter tackles why Wiccans seem to have a problem with properly approaching the God and giving Him the same kind of fleshing out that the Goddess has received in our studies.

There are some flaws that show through in the book. The first is Free's writing style; her sentences are simply too long, and she clearly could have benefited from the services of a good editor. There are places where the sentence you've just read has to be re-read to understand the meaning of the whole, due to the sentence structure and length. Another flaw is the appearance of Free's obvious negative experiences with Traditional Wiccans, exhibited in the chapter on Eclecticism. Her definition of "fluffy bunny" in the chapter exploring the Rede is off as well. She apparently believes the term is applied by some Wiccans against those who adhere closely to the "harm none" clause; I believe that Free's take on this is incorrect.

The only other complaints I have with the book are that it doesn't explore the subjects presented far enough, and that Free doesn't cite her source material enough. For example, Chapter 4 (Egregores and Goddess Forms) is obviously influenced by Talbot's The Holographic Universe, but that book isn't mentioned. There isn't a bibliography at all, in fact; certain footnotes specify which works she pulled direct quotes from. However, the lack of citation might be an indication of just how thoroughly Free has internalized these concepts and made them part of her Wicca. And this is the whole point of the book.

Having said all this, I still must (and want to!) recommend the book to anyone who is serious about seeing Wicca grow past its "101" roots. Free minored in Religion at her university, covering topics that run the gamut from Middle Eastern religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) to Mediterranean (Classical pagan), Asian (Hinduism, Vajrayana and Zen Buddhism) and various shamnistic paths. These influences show in her treatise, and I believe most of them truly belong in our religion. Free sounds a call for us to "get serious" about true study in our faith, for internal consistency to our system of belief. It's a call worth answering. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (4)

A Complete Wicca Guide
A wonderful little coffee-table book with beautiful illustrations and tons of information on Wicca and its practices.While not in-depth, I highly recommend this book to those exploring the faith for the first time.

The Wicca Bible
This has absolutely everthing for the beginner.This is an enjoyable book with a font of information.Well worth the money!

A Decent Little Book for the Beginner or the Wiccan Refresher
Another Christmas acquisition of mine, given to me by my mother.I know that this book was done in the style of "The Crystal Bible" by Judy Hall, and even though this is a different author, I expected it to be along the same sort of lines.

This book did not disappoint.Like other books in the Bible series, this featured good information, beautiful pictures, and a distinctive writing style that adds personality to the content but still makes sense. This book is a "love and light" book, so Wiccans who are irritated by such things would actually probably hate this book, which is a shame because there is a ton of information in this book that can't be passed up.Also, while there are spells in the book, a vast majority of the book is about Wiccan tradition, beliefs, practices, methodologies, correspondences, and the like.The main goal of this book is obviously to get you to a point where you can develop spells and rituals on your own and rely on yourself and your natural tendencies, and the book would rather not have you rely on its pages for a spell that's not custom fit to your desires.

The chapters are diverse and cover a range of topics:

What is Wicca?
The Eight Sabbats
The Five Sacred Elements
Paths and Traditions
Gods and Goddesses
Visualization
The Sacred Circle
Becoming Wiccan
Magic
Developing Skills and Knowledge
Rituals and Ceremonies
Glossary

Just flipping through the pages, here are some topics I stumble upon; altars and sacred spaces, meeting your patron deity, the Qabalah, coven organization, timing of spells and rituals, preparation through charka work, developing your magical powers, handfastings, croneing ceremony...All of which represents a fraction of the information in this book.Some of the information, such as parting Covens, finding spirit animals, and forming Covens is information that is difficult to find, certainly in the same book.

However, as usual with these sorts of books, while the information you find in here is in depth and accurate, it serves as a jumping off point to further investigation.For example, while this book contains information on Tarot, you will not know all there is to know about Tarot, or even know everything about the basic use of Tarot by simply reading this book.This book serves to introduce you to concepts to initiate your own further research in other sources.This is wonderful, especially for new Wiccans who may not know what a topic is, but also may not want to invest in a book specifically related to that topic until they know more about it.For example, I find not a lot of people know what scrying is when first entering the craft, but scrying is one of those things that not everybody has an interest in doing.In reading this book, you're introduced to the concept of scrying and some basic techniques so you can decide if it's something you want to learn, without investing time in money in more expensive books only to find that it isn't something that interests you.

I think that as long as it's understood that this book is a collection of ideas and techniques and not an in-depth exploration of each topic presented, this is a good book for beginners.Again, the information all serves as an introduction so that if you choose to investigate topics further you'll be doing so with some basic knowledge and questions.Not the be all and end all in Wiccan information.I also think this book is good for parents who have children interested in Wicca.This could be a great learning tool for both the curious parent and the new Wiccan interests in the child.I also think this would make a good diversity tool, because it presents a lot of information that is really representative of Wiccan faith.I also think this is a good resource for those of us who've been on the path for awhile.Let's be honest, we can't remember everything, and this book serves as a good memory jog for the information we don't use everyday.

This book is certainly worth checking out, in my opinion, and I think that this book really serves as a wonderful introduction to the beliefs and practices of Wicca and Wiccans.:D

I gave this book 4 stars because the content and layout was just fantastic, but the organization of the book could have been a little better.Sometimes it's hard to find exactly what you're looking for quickly.But other than that, I love this book!

Another ace in the ' bible ' series.
I have a few of these books in the ' bible ' series, and I think they are all good. This one is no exception, with each section logically and simply layed out.

You know the book doesn't go into tons of detail, but enough to give you a good head start with your understanding of Wicca. Enough to make you go ' that's it, that's it for me !!! "

I have been involved in the craft for yars, but enjoyed this book nonetheless. I was also impressed that both hemispheres were covered on the wheel of the year. I am Australian and many times we are often forgotten.

The pictures are stunning, and at the risk of sounding condescending, this book really does a lot to clean up the image of what Wicca is. There's no 'dog on a string' type imagery here, just logical informative information. ... Read more

Book Description
If you prefer a solitary approach to worship and Witchcraft, this is the book for you. You need sound guidance and tools as you work alone to deepen your knowledge and strengthen your abilities.

Author Arin Murphy-Hiscock provides you with everything you need to take your spiritual practice to the next level. Solitary Wicca for Life encourages you to reach beyond the ordinary and create a unique path of worship, using techniques that go further than other texts:

Book Description
: With menus and recipes for each of the ten sabbats, this is a major resource for anyone planning a dish for the countless potlucks we hold at every season. I began reading it with some fear and trepidation.When the authors began speaking of Medieval customs, I was terribly afraid that the recipes would concentrate on things like boar's heads and roast oxen, or whatever the Witches of Old might have at their seasonal gatherings. On the contrary, the recipes that Wood and Seefeldt include in this attractive collection tend to be simple and very good, at least to judge from those that I've sampled.And no, the ingredients are not at all exotic.I tried making latkes, which were quick and easy to mix in my medieval Cuisinart.With a bit of apple in the mix, they were very good.I also had no problems with soups, which were simple and delicious.

But the recipes are only the beginning.A fascinating introduction gives a positive, brief picture of Neo-Pagan Witchcraft, as background for anyone new to the Craft.Then, for each of the sabbats and for each recipe, there is an introduction, suggesting, among other things, rituals for blessing the meal and for invoking the appropriate Deities.As a matter of fact, I enjoyed reading the whole book, from cover to cover, which is something I've never done with any of the hundred-or-so other cookbooks sitting on my sagging shelves.This is likely to become my favorite cookbook, and I suspect it could be yours, too.

Not just a cookbook, this unusual publication outlines the spiritual relevance of the eight major pagan holidays and offers appropriate rituals, menus, and recipes for each occasion.The recipes are easy to follow and make use of ingredients at their seasonal peak.From dandelion wine to medieval honey cakes, the dishes preserve a culinary tradition closely connected to natural rhythms and enduring symbolism.The authors also include an appendix on growing an herb garden and a resource list of herb seed companies and nurseries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

great book
Love this book! Love the recipes, and the history and the facts to go along with each of them.

Wonderful Cookbook
This is my favorite Wiccan cookbook.Some people may complain about the veal, but I don't hear anyone complaining about the Medieval Game Bird. (which, by the way, double the beer, add parsnips, carrots, potatoes and a bunch of herbs...side of soda bread....awesome.! ) In my household, the hunters are the patron god(esses), the recipes in this book are hearty, easy and easily modified to suit game meat.I refer to this book for harvest festival recipes and side dishes to accompany the game we procure.

Yes, there are pagans who hunt.....

Yum!
A wonderful book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Most of the recipies have been a success (one or two didn't turn out so wonderfully, but that may have been my mistake!), and it has been a huge help in organising our celebrations.

As for the recipe calling for veal, if you object to it's use, boycott the veal industry! Apparently though, some of the other readers do not understand that just because a recipe says "veal" that another meat cannot be used. I live on a cattle station, where we slaughter our own, and I can tell you that a good piece of aged rump usually tastes better in ANY veal recipe!! Obviously your industry standards are lower than ours, because I know that our calves are spoilt rotten (not overfed, just well looked after!) before going off to a (relativly) humaine butcher.

You don't have to be into Wicca to enjoy this
You don't have to be into Wicca to enjoy this book.I enjoy cookbooks and it is hard to find many that have good recipes that are easy to fix.I don't follow Wicca or practice it, but I loved this cookbook.

The recipes are comfort food style recipes that are generally easy to make.They have covered everything in this book from Bread to Dessert.I love the bread recipes and the basic stuffing recipe is easy and delicious.

Just don't avoid this book because it is Wiccan, if you do you are missing a gem of a cookbook.The history and lore and interesting reading, but it's the recipes that are wonderful and savory.

What I like most is that this book has recipes that are good quality without being pages and pages of ingredients and recipes.Many of them are basics that you can use in a variety of different ways.This is my favorite cookbook.My only complaint is that it isn't longer, but that's not really a complaint at all:)

ditto onbanishingthe veal
I just got the book and probably wouldn't have been so eager to buy it had I known there was a veal recipe included. The book has lots of charm but the veal recipe disturbs me.Wiccans follow the tenet of "harm none", which means animals too. I will enjoy tryng many recipes in this book but can't understand why two Wiccan authors would include the veal recipe -is it possible they don't know the horrible abuse the calves endure? I have always said that as Wiccans grow in number in this country, surely we can get something done about animal abuse.(Christians should be working on it too.) I do like the lovely cover and design of the book. I also like the spells and ideas on observance of the holidays.Lots of these ideas will work for anyone - Wiccan or not. ... Read more

Book Description
Containing general educational exercises blended with basic Pagan concepts and symbols, this workbook presents a wonderful introduction to Wicca for young children. Originally produced as a teaching aide for her grandchildren, Reverend Rieth's textbook grew into a project, which was home produced in limited quantities and sold at Pagan festivals nationwide by only a handful of vendors--it very quickly became one of their best-selling items.Part grammar school primer and part coloring book, the activites within are designed for children to learn at their own pace without the need for direct supervision while still being fun and entertaining. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Very basic, very good!
"My First Little Workbook of Wicca," by Rev. Velvet Rieth is an excellent book for pagan children ages 4 to 7. Although I think it should have more parental participation than stated, it is a very good starting point for introducing young'uns to some of the basics of Wicca. A "homework" format, with lots of pages to color, covers the alphabet, colors, and numbers. I was a bit disappointed to find that the numbers weren't explained as the alphabet and colors were, though. The activities sections of the book are very nicely done, teaching the basics of the elements as well as everyday common sense guidance, pagan or not. The songs included are great (as long as you can remember the tune to the original songs). The "Wheel of the Year" is lots of fun! Lastly, the alphabet and numbers card games/studies at the end of the book are terrific! I highly recommend this book for the little witches in your Circle.

Great Book!
I bought this workbook for my 5 year old daughter who has shown great interest in Paganism/Wicca for about a year now since she hi-jacked my pentacle necklace.She absolutely loves the coloring pages, and was thrilled when she seen the pentacle on the cover. This book covers all the things she is learning in school and adds the benefit of introducing her to items and symbols from the Wicca religion, some of which she is already familiar with.The activities include such things as pattern recognition, alphabet, numbers, colors, seasons, mazes, bigger->smaller, and cut out alphabet cards at the back of the book.

I recommend this workbook to any parents who follow the pagan/wicca path and want to introduce it to their children in a way that they can understand.

Not at all "little"!
My son, who is 5 years old, loves his "Little Workbook of Wicca"! It's just on par with what he's learning in Kindergarden. The book features a coloring page for each letter of the alphabet (A is for Athame,etc) and large writing lines to practice handwriting,including upper and lower case letters, and the name of the object to color. My son will color pages and ask me about the pictures, and it's a great way to begin some conversations about Wicca. There are also pages about numbers from one to thirteen, and colors as well. I was delighted to find a few new songs for kids, written to common tunes. If you kids are too young for the "Pagan Kids Activity Book" by Amber K, this one will be PERFECT! The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is that a few of the coloring pages could have a bit better art, but honestly, kids won't care a bit!I hope to see more books like this in the future, though I would like to see them better priced. In addition to parents, I also recommend that Wiccan Clergy people may find it useful to have a copy of this book around at events where young children might need such a educational activity.
... Read more

Book Description
Vivid imagery with a hint of eroticism blends with Pagan themes in this tarot deck. Heed the wisdom of the Great Goddess and the Horned God. Encounter the mysteries of the Maiden, Mother, and Crone. Let the sacred Sabbats guide you. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A concept that stretch the tarot a little far than classical meanings
At first sight I thought that the Sensual Wicca Tarot was just a good deck for couples readings. But after using it a few times I found new stories in the cards. The little white book is not related to the images, but maybe thats and attribute, as you can write your own fresh stories if you are an experienced reader. I`m not a Wiccan, just and intuitive reader that loves art and symbolism. All the readings I had made with this deck are incredibly accurate, and just using my own stories. I recomend this deck for experienced readers.

A Tarot Full of Surprises and Challenges.
Let me begin with a short quotation from the booklet that comes with this deck. Read this first, and heed it well:

"The Wicca is a religious and spiritual belief system open to people of all races, genders, and ethnic backgrounds. For this reason, the deck contains persons of various skin tones and cultural origins. You need not be White, Black, Asiatic, or Native American to be a Wicca, nor must you be heterosexual or gay, because all colours and sexual preferences exist in Nature. The nudity or some of the themes touched upon in some cards may be offensive to some or embarrass others. Because fertility and love are an important element of the Wicca path, be sure to ask yourself, 'Why does this card embarrass me?'. The answer may help you to understand still hidden aspects of your sexuality."

As might be expected from the above, the emphasis in this deck is sex and sexuality.There is quite a bit of nudity, and some of it pretty straight to the point. The "Decameron" this is not; while not as explicit, it does addresses the darker side of sexuality, some of it quite graphically -- enough so that it will probably elicit the same line from the prudes and traditionalists as the Decameron. But while the Decameron deck is primarily a satire, this deck is a very serious treatment of sexual themes.Be ready for some disturbing imagery -- but, as the author states, that is part of the point. This deck addresses some very private and possibly sensitive topics; if you are reading for others, you might want to think carefully about for whom, and under what circumstances, you use it.

Polarity is what makes the Universe tick. Things happen and move because of polarity; it is because things attract and repel that the Universe is in motion, and not lifelessly static. Polarity shows itself in many ways, from night and day to the internal structure of the atom. In the sphere of human bodies and relationships, one of the ways polarity manifests itself is sexuality. Sometimes understood as male and female, as love and hate, or in any multitude of other ways, sexuality is at the very core of what makes human life happen. For that reason, it is a very important part of Wicca, a belief system that concerns itself with what makes the world tick. Just as there is no one Wicca, there is no one sexuality either, and that is what this deck is about -- the many ways that polarity, through sexuality, shows itself in human existence.

The deck itself is basically in the Golden Dawn format, following the Rider-Waite, but with some Crowley substitutions here and there -- Strength becomes Lust, for example.Some of the Majors have been changed to accommodate the Wiccan theme: The High Priest becomes The Initiator, The Wheel becomes Time - Maiden, Mother and Crone, Death becomes Transformation, and a few others. They are nonetheless all recognizable as GD variants.The Minors follow the usual Wands-fire, Cups-water, Swords-air and Pentacles-earth pattern, and the illustrations and meanings are for the most part RWS clones. Court cards are Maiden (Knave), Acolyte (Knight), Mother (Queen), and Sage (King). The art work is elegant. The cards have dark purple borders, with the brightly colored images framed in a golden design.

One unique feature of this deck is that there are a number of different 'stories' that run through the deck; not in linear order, but interspersed through the suits and majors. You have to hunt for them to put the story together. One of them, for example, is the persecution of Joan of Arc, or someone very much like her, which runs through several of the Wands and Swords. There is another story concerning the marriage or handfasting of a young man and woman that begins with the deck's equivalent of the High Priest, continuing through the Lovers and Chariot, and then re-emerges in the wands and swords. The multicultural aspect of the deck is not as distracting as it is with some decks, and in fact fits well with the deck's stated objectives.

Quite a few of the cards are what I would call "heavy handed" -- many of the cards force their messages on the reader, rather than inviting interpretation. That is one of my primary objections to the entire Rider-Waite scheme of things anyway, but it does seem that some cards beat you over the head. In fact, there aren't many "light duty" cards in this deck -- it is a very intense deck with strong presentations of its themes. And, to the credit of this deck and its creators, those themes are not the "sweetness and light" tripe that many Wiccan authors try to clothe their beliefs in. No, there is very little clothing in this deck at all, and that applies as much to what it says, as it does to the apparel of those in the cards. I don't read the Tarot in terms of personal advice, but if you do, you might want to think carefully about how and when you use it, as it drives its messages home with great force, and that might upset unsuspecting questioners -- not to mention those in desperate need of being upset!

What I didn't like about this deck is that, while there is a lot of sexuality and sensuality, there really isn't very much Wicca outside of the sexual theme itself. Most of the images have been adapted to the Wiccan theme, but other aspects of Wicca don't play that much of a role in the meanings of the cards. Maybe it just didn't make that much of an impression on me, but I found it shallow in terms of the things I would expect from a Wicca deck - nature, paganism, magick, etc. It could be argued that sex is a major part of Wicca, and that's true, but that is not all that Wicca is about. So, while this deck might be great for questions and meditations regarding sexuality, couples, love affairs, and that sort of thing, it is probably not very useful for other matters of Craft and Earth. Sorry to have to say that; it's a beautiful deck, and definitely a bit on the dark side. I was really hoping more for something that deals with the sexual side of the seasons, celebrations, and so on; this deck is a sexual deck steeped in Wiccan symbolism. That in itself is not a bad thing -- I give it a "5" for its treatment of sexuality, and it does a very good job of examining that subject from different perspectives, and of presenting its message intensely through attractive artwork. I just found it disappointing in terms of treating other Wiccan themes. And as far as the usual "not for beginners" rot, ask yourself what it is you are such an expert at, that you can decide for others whether or not they should see or use this. There is something in this deck that will surprise and challenge everyone. ... Read more

Book Description
There are no short-cuts to becoming a Witch. Traditionally, students take a year and a day to prepare for their initiation into the Craft. Based on this age-old custom, Wicca: A Year and a Day is a one-of-a-kind daily guide that introduces Witchcraft over a 366-day cycle.

Ideal for solitary students, this intensive study course teaches the core content of Wiccan practice: the tides of time, the wonders of the seasons, the ways of herbs and magic, the mysticism of the Old Ones, and the inner disciplines of seers and sages. Daily lessons include exercises, Wiccan theology and lore, and discussions relating to circle work, magical correspondences, holidays, deities, tools, healing, and divination. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

A book every new Wiccan should own!!
I can't say how much I love this book! I'm on day 230, and I'm working through this book on my own. This book teaches you so many things and covers so much important material. It sneaks up on you how much you learn. You get to KNOW the Goddess and God in all of their aspects, learn about the elements, learn so much about all of the Sabbats, meditiation, divination, and so much more. Yes, you will need to purchase some simple supplies to make incenses and oils and some of the workings in this book. Guess what? They are relativily inexpensive, and the finished products are totally worth it. I live in the middle of South Dakota, and we have ZERO new age stores in this state. Guess what? I've been able to order everything I need through ebay and at a great store in Colorado that has a website as well as a brick and motar store, plus they take paypal. If you can't afford the ingrediants to make a certain incense, he does suggest simple ones. I'm getting so much out of this book, and I'll be kepping it on my shelf for reference when I'm done with it.

A nice way to connect to the witch's faith
I bought the book with the hope of having a semi-formal exploration of witchcraft.I felt it likely that this would be a good path for me, but I didn't want to be one of those people who buy a spellbook and a pentacle and proclaim herself a witch without any grounding in what that really means.I felt that by doing a true year-and-a-day dedication before really beginning to do spells, etc, would give me a solid base- and thi sbook does provide that (I am about halfway through).I have found that I sometimes have to fudge the sequence of the days, for example, every three weeks or so, you will encounter a "day of silence", during which you are not supposed to speak.Which for me means a weekend day- there is no way I could get away with not speaking at work!Fortunately, my boyfriend and friends are all very supportive, so I've had no trouble outside fo work with it.

I also found that I was due to start Samhain at the time of Summer Solstice... which I founf irritating, so I divided the lessons surrounding holidays and redispersed them over the year so that they actually line up with their holiday seasons (I just noted the days on the calendar).Bear in mind each holiday has about 7 to 9 days associated with it, in the book.I arranged it so that the "culminating" spell fell on the holiday itself, but noticed also that he teaches you to make the oil and incense to use during the holiday spells on the day following the spells themselves, which required flipping days around, again.

Also found the inclusion of sigils without explanations regarding their meaning somewhat exasperating, since they don't appear to be standard across the board.It *has* encouraged me to explore other texts in search of meanings for the sigils, which I believe is making me a much more educated and effective witch-in-training, but I still haven't found all of them.I am a little leery of using them to consecrate holy objects if I don't even know what they mean.

I do not, however, complain about some things being tricky to find, or being difficult or inconvenient to do, such as watching the sun rise, or keep periodic days of silence- after a fashion, I believe that if it were all very very easy and convenient, it would lose some of its allure and effectiveness.You must work for it, and I appreciate that the book includes some more complicated tasks.

Overall, it's proving to be a very effective book, but you will have to work to get through it.All I can say is that if you're serious about learning, that isn't really a bad thing.

Great, but boring
I head a study group that uses this book. It's a great introduction, and set up so that you'll have a full closet by the end of the year.

However, it does have it's drawbacks. Some days are slow, or seemingly pointless. Other days you'll be asked to get up at 6 am or go out in the middle of the day, with no warning the day before. Other times you'll be asked to go through a whole formal ritual simply to "feel the wind" This is, in my opinion, a frivilous use of power and energy. Since the book is written so that you can start at any time. The lessons on the Wheel of the year are "smushed" together, and get tedius. It's hard to celebrate yule when your physical wheel is still in Mabon!

This will also be an expensive endevor. Luckily, I work at a pagan/herb shop that supplied the group with what it needed at a reasonable price, and the group members split more high priced items like oils. You will have a complete closet at the end of your year, but it will not come cheap. He also tends to ask the impossible (there is no such thing as "essential cucumber oil") and he doesn't reassure you that it is okay to make substitutions or skip certain things.

I would reccomend this book as a good reference book, but I wouldn't try to follow it exactly, or do everything it asks.

Great book, with caveats
This book is a great introduction, but some things should be kept in mind.First off, this isn't a series of lessons in Wicca in general, it is a set of lessons within a specific, very traditional, view of Wicca.That's fine, so long as you know where the author's coming from.As such, I'd strongly, strongly recommend supplemental reading with this book - Cunningham/McLeland during the introductory lessons, Farrar during the section on the deities, Nichols/Campanelli during the lessons on the Sabbats, Lipp during the elemental and circle-casting chapters, and so on.A 'read during this month' section every thirty days would have improved this lesson plan immensely.

Second, Mr. Roderick likes to include obscure things without explaining why.He includes sets of sigils to be carved on the magical tools without explaining why or what they represent.He gives chants in obscure languages without providing meanings (including the infamous Bagabi chant, which is most likely gibberish written by a 16th century playwright for the sake of sounding cool, nothing more.)

Third, Mr. Roderick has an overly strong fascination with certain specific essential oils - specifically rose and jasmine - which are some of the most expensive essential oils available on the market.Following his recipes would have cost hundreds of dollars when much cheaper alternative recipes are available.Do yourself a favor and buy a copy of Cunningham's 'Incense, Oils, and Brews' and 'Magical Aromatherapy' to go with this book, and use alternative recipes or formulate your own.

Anyway, I DO recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-planned, organized approach to learning Wicca, but I recommend using it as a framework, supplemented with your own study and carefully, intelligently altering the exercises as you may find necessary.

Very Disapointed
There were some pretty good reviews for this book so I decided to pick it up.I didn't get past the first few pages when I noticed shopping lists.Great, even more money to spend!So, I'm looking through this shopping list and I find that on them are things like "myrrh resin or dried, powdered orris root" and more and more herbs that I've NEVER heard of.First, I'm not into herbology so if you're going to make an instructional book then tell me what these things are.Now I have to do research on a book that I bought for research.Second, not everyone lives in a part of the country where religions outside of the Christian realm are in any way acceptable, so there isn't any type of new age or herbal shop near.This would be the time to provide alternatives to these ingredients and even though I searched the back where the resources are I didn't find a store carrying the first 30 days of herbs.Meaning I'd have to pay two sets of shipping charges and order from two different places just in the first 30 days.I can only imagine as the book progresses how much of a pain it will be to find these things.Maybe I'm so used to the laid back and helpful writings of Scott Cunningham that I'm expecting the same from this Wiccan author but none the less, I am left disapointed and