Often referred to as Witchcraft or simply the Craft, Wicca is a very personalized, nature-based religion. Cunningham's book provides valuable insights into this ancient belief system for the long-time practitioner and the merely curious alike.
The first part of this Guide provides a thorough introduction to Wicca, what it is and what it can mean to its followers. Wicca comes in as many varieties as there are Wiccans, but there are many common themes. Deity can be expressed in the dual forms of the Goddess and the God. The year is divided into holidays following the turn of the seasons. There is power inherent in all people and things, which can be directed through visualization to bring about desired effects called magic. These ideas are all expressed in very clear, easy to understand language, and an extensive glossary is included to further explain unfamiliar terms.
The middle of the book offers different techniques for designing and enacting your own rituals, while the latter part of this Guide is a complete "Book of Shadows" (descriptions of the specific rituals and practices of one particular group of Wiccans). Cunningham gives directions for setting up the altar and the Sacred Circle, rituals and chants for all the holidays as well as for general use, recipes for both edibles and incense, and guides to herbs, crystals, and runes. Sources are given for purchasing riutal supplies, and many publications are listed to allow Solitaries to get in touch with other Wiccans. Cunningham also provides an extensive Suggested Reading list, organized into themes such as Shamanism, Practical Instruction, Spell Books, and Magic.
Throughout, Cunningham stresses that his are only examples and guidelines. "There is not," he says in the Preface, "and never can be, one pure' or true' or genuine' form of Wicca." Wicca is a very personal religion, finding the Deity in all of us and in nature. This book helped me discover that, while I may not agree with all the ritual trappings and don't think of Deity in the usual terms, I too am Wiccan.