The Beginner's Guide to Wicca

Good place to begin

I read this in an unabridged CD format. Starhawk narrates the audiobook in a calm, clear voice starting with a brief history of Wicca and outlining its structure, belief system, holidays, the importance of the moon cycles, the God and Goddess concept, the cycles of life and nature, and then briefly describes the ritual and tools a witch uses. She then moves along to active practice leading the listener through a grounding session which incorporates slow, yogic breathing to calm the mind of busy thoughts which gently leads one into a meditative state necessary for successful ritual work. The recording ends with a step-by-step ritual.

This is a good place to start for anyone interested in learning what Wicca is all about. However there is a lot of information packed into the first section that only briefly touches on subjects that will require further reading for anyone seriously interested in practicing Wicca. That?s not really a complaint as there are so many aspects of Wicca that they could never properly be detailed in one tome (well, it may be possible but the thing would weigh several tons and be impossible to lug around!). Still, I do wish this audio were longer than a little over one hour as I very much enjoyed Starhawk's narration and her informative writing skills.

26 people found this helpful

Excellent

This is an excellent introduction to Wicca. It is inspiring and interesting. The author is amazing and is able to explain things with clarity, wit and profundity. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who might be interested or even just curious about this subject.

24 people found this helpful

Okay for an introduction

I've been out of the broom closet for a while and enjoy listening to/reading about different paths and pagan styles. The conversational quality of the book makes it easy to listen to and not loss interest. The meditation exercise is a great information and advice for centering ones self. The only thing I didn't like was the very feminist tone of the book, but I do take into account the author and their beliefs. The male aspect is discussed, but very briefly, that is the only thing I didn't like. There was no male or other religion bashing, and the tone is very open and inviting. A great example of an open, welcoming introduction to one of the many pagan paths.

7 people found this helpful

Excellent

Treat yourself to a great teacher of Wicca. Starhawk has many years of experience to draw from, and her understanding and teaching of this ancient religion is unprecedented. She reads in a calm manner which is not only easy to understand but easy to comprehend. I enjoy her audiobooks immensly, and I know you will too!

6 people found this helpful

loved it!

Just what I needed and when. Starhawk always unleashes a current of peace and confirmation in me.

1 person found this helpful

a short introduction to Wicca from a Leader

enjoy this book as a conference by Starhawk and her insights about witchcraft specially on Wicca.

Great One

If you could sum up The Beginner's Guide to Wicca in three words, what would they be?

Easy, Interesting and Magical

What other book might you compare The Beginner's Guide to Wicca to and why?

Earth Magic by Starhawk. It is as well a very good one to initiate into Wicca

Which scene was your favorite?

The one with the drum and the exercise

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not exactly

Any additional comments?

Hope you can put in more books of her

Should be better than this

I have followed a pagan spiritual path for many years, and have just recently started using this particular medium (audio books) as my main tool for study. I was first disappointed with the limited, sparse at best, selection of pagan literature. I prefer Scott Cunningham's "Wicca, A guide for the solitary practitioner". I found this book to be too concerned with connections between the witches of old and modern heretics, and far too light on the fundamentals of Wicca. Nowhere was the creed mentioned, very little if anything said on Herb Lore, Color energies, stones, candle magick. This book is good for those seeking a guided meditation with Wiccan overtones. I do not recommend this book for someone who knows nothing of the Wiccan path for I am afraid it is simply ineffective at relating the greatness of such a spiritual path.

2 people found this helpful

Not Wicca - not Witchcraft

Bought this as I have a friend who is Wiccan and had been reading several books about the faith and talking to others about it in order to "broaden my horizon of understaning". I and several Wiccan friends would call this book more of a "ex-Jewish Feminist Native American Hari Krishna with just a little eye of newt for flavor" than American Wicca or English Witchcraft or Druidism - which (it seems to me) are all 2/3rds some other religious belief that fit liberal anti-establishment views of the time of it's rebirth in the 60's. Most of the real practice was lost to fire and pitchfork 600 years ago.

Her open sinus voice was a little annoying. I understand the point of someone needing to explain the views of their faith in first person, but it was still a little annoying.

2 people found this helpful