Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft, 3rd Edition

5 star:		(80)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Don't get me wrong, fellow pagans, I recommend Cunningham' Guide for a solitary practitioner and other well known books. But sometimes it is easy to start from the very beginning. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft, does just that. It lays the foundation for other works (such as those by Cunningham) to contiune the way. This book introduces you to concepts and theories as well as jargon and even how to lead you in circle casting and ritual work. It presents the information in an easy to understand and comprehend manner. It breaks down complex ideas and explains them to you one piece at a time. It also offers tidbits of information throughout the book that are fun and informative.

This book has gone on my top ten of books to recommend to new people. I also recommend this book to people wanting a refresher on Wiccan basics. Kudos!

This book has proved to be informative on the philosophies and rituals of Wicca. Probably too elementary for the practicing Wiccan, but interesting for those of us who know nothing and want to learn more.

I found Denise Zimmermann's Book on Wicca and Witchcraft to be positively delightful! At last a simple primer that helps the "witchlets" of the world peek inside to see what a beautiful spiritual pathway Wicca really is!. Ms. Zimmermann breaks down the basic practices, legends, and lore into easy to understand language. She banishes misconceptions and myths in this easy to read guide. Kudos to both Denise and Ms. Gleason for a real "must read" for anyone who thinks they may have a bit of the craft in their heart!

There are so many books out there about Wicca and Witchcraft that beginners looking for something easy to understand yet filled with practical information have a hard time finding anything really useful. This book is a great resource for those who want to start exploring the Craft. It isn't biased one way or another--it simply gives readers a starting point from which to begin their own journey, and THAT is what Wicca should be about. Don't let the title fool you--this book isn't for idiots. It's for people interested in getting an overview of what Witchcraft is and isn't.

For those of you who are familiar with the format of idiot's books, this particular one is no exception. It's easy to understand with little side notes and examples.

Here are just SOME of the things that the book has: All about Wicca and Witchcraft, History, Praciting Wicca, Deities, So you want to be a witch, Ritual, Magick, Magick Circle, Dedication, Preparing for Ritual, Pentagram, Esbats, Sabbats, Summon/Stir/Call Faeries, Dragons etc..., Nature, Witches Pyramid, Correspondances, Timing, Candles, poppets, potions, mirrors, spells, making spells, divination, dreams and more!!

Since this book has info on lots of subjects, you can see what interests you and then pursue further books from there. E.g. If after reading this book you find you like the idea of working with candles, you could check out a book on Candle Magick.

This book is well worth the price.

I have no connection with Wicca (or any other formal religion). I found this book to be exciting and inviting. It took all of my "ooh, witches" preconceptions and opened my mind to the possibility of a spiritual presence that is missing from my life. I am very excited about exploring this idea further and I thank the authors for their plain English introduction to a subject otherwise mired in hysteria and misinformation.

"The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft" ("The Guide ...") is a book describing Wicca, witchcraft, and related New Age topics. The book is professionally written. Its authors, Denise Zimmermann and Katherine A. Gleason, either are experienced writers or received extensive editing support. The book uses graphics art professionally. "The Guide ..." was produced very professionally.

The book's primary audience is women in transition (e.g., discharged career women, divorcees, empty-nesters and widows) who seek new motivation. "The Guide ..." discusses astrology, gemology, herblore, spellcraft, divination, and witchcraft and Wicca's history. "The Guide ..." discusses how a prospective novice can begin Craft activities. A clearly written book, "The Guide ..." covers more subject areas than most books written for prospective novices.

"The Guide ..." is a nice discussion about the Wiccan religion and witchcraft (Coven gatherings are described like card parties), yet its niceness is a mixed blessing. Wicca and witchcraft have dark natures not discussed within the book, a serious omission. (E.g., some spells are punitive, some witches practice necromancy, some Coven initiations include binding commitments and secret ceremonies.) Also, "The Guide ..." discusses why an individual might choose to begin Craft activities, but the ethics underlying the Wiccan religion and witchcraft are not discussed strongly, another serious omission.

I *cannot* recommend "The Guide ..." to prospective novices because of its omissions. I recommend both "Inside A Witches' Coven" by Edain McCoy and "Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham as first books for the prospective Wiccan novice.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The "Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft," is actually a remarkably well put together book that covers most of the major dimensions of the faith and religion and practice of Wicca.

At first, I was worried this book would be yet another "recipe book" of spells, which it manages to keep to a bare minimum (though the cynic in me says that there is still more than enough of this approach in the book to appeal to the teeny-bopper 'I just want to do spells' crowd).

Covering a variety of subjects within the grander scope of Wicca, including gems and crystals, herbs, Esbats, Sabbats, and the other basics and colourful parts of Wicca. However, in this overview, some things weren't given enough time or emphasis: most notably the ethics of Wicca, which aren't so simple as to be worthy of only the most often quoted Rede's "An it harm none, do as thou wilt." Often glassed over by books on Wicca, the CIG does work with the ethics a little, but not as much as would be required in a book claiming to be a starter.

I'd reccommend this book for those who've already gone through "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practicioner," by Scott Cunningham, for example, or for parents of youths who are wondering or questioning what their children are doing. It is quite accessible, and done well.

The authors presented the craft not only on a spiritual /religious level but a practical level as well. I found myself intrigued by this informative book. Initially , I had preconceived ideas about Wicca being similar to satanic worship,however after reading this enlightening document , fears were nullified. Truly ,abook worthy of reading for those seeking a different path and inclusive of those desiring to know all choice.

An exceptional book. Easy to read and understand. Helped me to draw together all the information i've learned from other books and come to a better understanding of Wicca and the many different aspects of the old ways. Ten books of information all rolled into one. ....