Wiccan Beliefs & Practices: With Rituals for Solitaries & Covens

This was the first book I read on Wicca, and it has been an invaluable resource for me. It gives a broad spectrum of information on the religion, without the information being overwhelming.

After reading some of the reviews, I was prepared to be a bit disappointed. I wasn't. The author took a personalist, non-dogmatic, and eclectic look at the Wicca of his experience, and presented it in a very down-to-earth manner. This volume served as an introduction for me, so I can see how those more advanced readers in Wicca might want to go elsewhere. They would miss out on the author's spirit of adventure, as well as his humour and solid common sense, however, and that would be a pity. A blessing here is that the author was not a pompous windbag, like some religious writers I've come across. Perhaps his career in a scientific industry helped out there. The only downside for me was that, in order to be very clear about what he was explaining, the author was somewhat repetitious in places: I can live with that. The pity of it is that the author has since died (or gone to "Summerland"), and we'll sadly have no more books from him. If someone asked me to suggest ONE (non-flakey)book to read as a good introduction to Wicca today, this would be it.

Gary Cantrell's Wiccan Beliefs & Practices covers the basic tenants of modern Wicca, whether practicing as solitary witch or with a small coven. The book's authored by a Wiccan High Priest and covers ethics, codes, how to develop personal spells and rituals, and the legal protection of Wicca as a religion: all topics seldom covered in competing titles.

I picked up this book out of curiosity and finished the whole thing in one sitting. I do not want to practice the craft only learn something about it. Traditionally the information about Wiccan rites and passages seemed forbidden unless a person was practicing. This book dispels all the myths and secrets I was wanting to find out about. It clearly, simply, and humbly offers the reader facts and information. I liked the fact that it was a guidebook not a concrete Bible, excuse the expression! I highly recommend it for the solid and intelligent information it gives the reader.

Gary Cantrell gives an indepth history of the wiccan religion and all of the major sects. He explained all the Sabbats and Esbats to explicit detail from his perspective, additionally he made it a point to inform the reader of all his sources. This book was very had to put down. I was amazed at the time and effort Mr. Cantrell put into the writing of this book. He made this book very informative, yet interesting at the same time. I would strongly recommend this book to any aspiring witch male or female. Gary Cantrell makes it a point to notify the reader that wiccan is a fun loving religion, yet he points out some of the serious decisions that any aspiring wiccan must make. I would also strongly recommend his book Out of the Broom Closet.