Cunningham's classic introduction to Wicca is about how to live life magically, spiritually, and wholly attuned with nature. It is a book of sense and common sense, not only about magick, but about religion and one of the most critical issues of today: how to achieve the much needed and wholesome relationship with our Earth. Cunningham presents Wicca as it is today: a gentle, Earth-oriented religion dedicated to the Goddess and God. Wicca also includes Scott Cunningham's own Book of Shadows and updated appendices of periodicals and occult suppliers.
Contents
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . xiii
Section I: Theory
1. Wicca and Shamanism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 3
2. The Deities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . 9
3. Magic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . 21
4. Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 27
5. Music, Dance, and Gesture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 39
6. Ritual and Preparation for Ritual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
47
7. The Magic Circle and the Altar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
57
8. The Days of Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 65
9. The Spiral of Rebirth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 73
10. Concerning Initiation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 79
Section II: Practice
11. Exercises and Magical Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
85
12. Self-Dedication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 95
13. Ritual Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 101
Section III: The Standing Stones Book of Shadows
Introduction to The Standing Stones Book of Shadows . . 119
Word to the Wise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 121
The Seasonal Festivals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 137
A Ritual of Gestures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 151
Recipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . 161
An Herbal Grimoire: A Guide to the Use of Herbs and Plants in Wiccan Ritual
. . . . . . 167
Wiccan Crystal Magic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 179
Symbols and Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 185
Rune Magic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 187
Spells and Magic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 197
Appendix I: Occult Suppliers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 201
Appendix II: Wiccan and Pagan Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
205
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Suggested Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . 219
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Scott Cunningham practiced magic actively for over twenty years. He was the author of more than fifty books covering both fiction and non-fiction subject matter; sixteen of his titles are published by Llewellyn Publications. Scott's books reflect a broad range of interests within the New Age sphere, where he was very highly regarded. His seminal work, Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, is one of the most successful books on Wicca ever published. He passed from this life on March 28, 1993, after a long illness.
