Customer Reviews

Wicca for Beginners: Fundamentals of Philosophy & Practice (For Beginners (Llewellyn's))

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a teacher of Wicca for many years, I'm always looking for better materials to use for training. I am grateful to Ms. Sabin for providing what will undoubtedly be the introductory book I will recommend for the foreseeable future. She presents the basics without pushing any given path or tradition, often presenting varying interpretations and viewpoints in a non-judgemental manner. This is a solid foundation for seekers to use as a springboard to whatever flavor of Wicca they choose to explore.

I appreciate that she addresses ethics within Wicca, which many authors seem to avoid, or present in a highly simplistic manner.

The book is clearly meant for beginners, hence the title, and is possibly the best overall introduction I have yet seen.

As a Buddhist with Wiccan tendencies, I found that Sabin's thoroughly engaging, witty, non-threatening introduction to earth-based spirituality was just the ticket to satisfy a lifelong curiosity and a nagging sense that modernity and monotheistic religions are strangling our collective connection to the Divine in its feminine and masculine totality. The historical context, the DIY common sense and the conversational style reveal a mystical writer with an academic's intellect and a believer's heart. I've actually used some of the protective skills and guided imagery, and I think that as I become more comfortable with my own skin, I'll explore her teachings in more depth. I highly recommend it.

I bought this book to learn more about the wiccan religion as my girlfriend is wiccan and I had no prior (correct) knowledge of the religion. This book offers an excellent intro to the history, philosophy and basic practices of the religion as the title suggest. Its also doesn't read like a textbook so its fun and to read. In general I would reccomend this book to anyone just starting out who wants to learn more about the religion.

I have been exploring different religions for some time now. I have been having trouble finding anything that did not contradict things that I felt were fundamentally true about the universe and about life. I was reluctant to pick up Wicca because my husband was raised Catholic and his whole family is very religious.

This is a fabulous book! And I have found my true religion. The ideas of Wicca coincide with what I have always felt. This book is truly a wonderful resource. It is informative in a gentle way. There is not a lot of bibitty bobbity boo, just good old fashioned facts. The meditation exercises are wonderful.

Now, as long as I don't talk about this near my husband and his family, all will be well.

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.

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.

So you've discovered Wicca and think it might be the Path for you? Then do yourself a favor and read this book, along with `Practical Magic For Beginners: Techniques And Rituals To Focus Magical Energy' by Brandy Williams. The combo of these two beginners books is enough to get you on your Path. Williams focuses more on ritual while Sabin focuses more on feelings and beliefs.

This book covers the Sabbats (the Wheel Of The Year), although briefly) introducing us to the celebrations of Sabbats and Esbats. Sabin discusses some of the Wiccan Gods and Goddesses, the practical tools of the witch including the invisible (grounding, centering, visualization, casting a circle) and the physical tools (the altar, athame, bells, candles, wands, etc). Your altar can be as simple or elaborate as you wish.

She covers the Elements and the Quarters (directions associated with Elements), Meditation, Ethics, the Wiccan Rede, and lastly putting together all the information you've gathered and putting it to good use. I highly recommend making Sabin's book and Williams' book your first books along the way to finding your own Path. There are many other books to branch out from, including the highly recommended `The Way Of Four' by Deborah Lipp that gets into intimate detail regarding the Four Elements (a special focus of mine, along with celebrating Sabbats). I highly recommend this book. Enjoy!

I love this book so much... I have been studying wicca for about nine years now and this is the first book where I actually felt like the author wasn't trying to push their own wiccan beliefs on to the reader. After reading the first chapter, I knew that this book was going to teach me so much and I was not mistaken.

I have read almost all of the famous authors: Buckland, Silverwolf, Cunningham, but for some reason I feel like Ms. Sabin is the only author who is realistic enough to know that she can not possibly know everything about Wicca. In my opinion, Buckland clearly thinks that he knows it all, Silverwolf is more subtle in her know it all attitude and Cunningham merely implies that he is a know it all.

So far Ms. Sabin, is the only author of wicca who seems to be able to give me the facts and teach me without being preachy or self-indulgent. She is humble and tells it like it is, qualities that are rare to find in an author who writes books about and/or for Wicca/Witchcraft. Then she somehow finds a way to allow me to go my own way. I have many friends who are into practicing with a coven and they love this book as well (fyi: I am a solitary witch who also practices Buddhism).

I am so thankful that I happened across this book (I thank the God and Goddess everyday), and I honestly believe that this book has completely changed the way I do ritual and set up my alter. Even though I am not a beginner by any means, I still reach for this book often when I am practicing, because it is always good to brush up on the fundamental beliefs and the basics.

This book is one of the best I have read for beginners so far. I bought this book mainly because of the title (yes I tend to judge a book by its cover), but I am very happy that I did. The author gives the readers a brief overview with enough information to get started but not so much that you get overwhelmed. I did find myself having questions after I finished reading the book but that is why I am looking for more advanced books. The author never makes any claims that the book is something its not and is very open with saying this is for beginner and is by no means a complete manual for everything you need to know, but it will get you off to a great start.

I read a few of the bad reviews (1 and 2 stars) and I can not believe these people. First off this book is not a complete book on herbs and the author even tells you that you do not have to use everything that they talk about but are simply giving you the information so you have and so you have an idea of what you could use. I never saw the author write once that you absolutely have to use a candle or herb or whatever. It is more about giving you ideas and they even tell you to do what feels best to you. The author explains several times that it is more important that you energy and will is right rather than the mundane tools you use to conduct the ritual. The author also states to acquire what you need gradually, that there is no need to run out and get everything right now. Also to those that say it is a boring read you must be easily bored because I thought this book was fascinating and could not put it down. I finished in like 3 days and I am a slow reader.

I personally did not try any of the rituals or techniques (yet), I was mainly using the book for information and I got plenty of it. I will be going back soon and trying some of the mediation techniques but like I said I was not looking for a spell or ritual book just information on the subject. If you want to try that stuff while you do the book that is great and you will probably get more out of it but if you want to just get a basic (beginner) over view it does that as well.

I hope this helps someone decide. Sorry if this seems a little scattered this is my first review. If I am wrong about what the book says above please feel free to post a comment on here with the exact quote or page and paragraph and I will look at it. Thank You.

I was at first skeptical about this book, only because nobody that I knew ever heard of it. BUT, this one is, in my opinion, the best book on beginners of wicca out there. Its an easy read, understandable and personal. Tea has great exercises and after reading it, everything started making sense to me.
Highly recommended.