Paperback: 388 pages
Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (July 29, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0764578340
ISBN-13: 978-0764578342
Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.9 x 9.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #429,946 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #232 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Religions, Practices & Sacred Texts > Cults #722 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > New Age & Spirituality > Wicca, Witchcraft & Paganism > Witchcraft #5037 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Occult & Paranormal
I think that Wicca and Witchcraft For Dummies is an extraordinary book. It's full of credible information, solid suggestions for Wiccan practice, and engaging stories to bring Wicca to life for the reader. The author clearly presents the depth, beauty, and wisdom of Wicca.
There's not a great deal on practical magick in this book, but it's full of info on sabbats (even though they're Northern Hemisphere oriented), the nature of Spirit (although a little Goddess-biased, like most books are), writing ritual and the philosophy and history of Wicca - Diane Smith manages to blend Wicca with science and make sense of the universe using both Wicca and physics. There's even a little discussion about the Big Issues - there's more real-life, living-the-path stuff in this book than in some others. Overall, a good book, but not the be-all-and-end-all.
A good survey of Wiccan practice, the best thing about this book is that it is very clear about how diverse Wiccan practice truly is, often giving a number of different practices or beliefs held by different people, all of whom consider themselves Wiccan. In fact, that's the main thing that makes me prefer this to The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft--both are fairly inclusive, but this is the one that shows just how much variation there is within this religion. It's also very clear that this book is not only a how-to for the seeker, but also an informative text for the curious.Also nice is the inclusion of some fairly complex concepts (string theory?), and a good deal of theology made simple.
Unfortunetly, the author didn't seem very interested in what she was writing. Even her intro was discouraging. I did like the history chapter though.It was somewhat informative although I think the Idiot's book might be better "if" you are looking at this type of format to get some general knowledge.If you're looking for an overall description, this is OK - if you're not a Wiccan or Witch. If you are, and have read some other books (Scott Cunningham for example), then you won't gain much from this.
Wicca is something I've always been interested in so I decided to start reading about it & thought a "Dummies" book is always a good place to start. I was right. This book has lots of useful info, both about what Wicca is and is not. It is very well written and easy to understand. It convinced me that I was on the right path, but it does not proselytize. I highly recommend this if you are interested in the Craft. Blessed Be!
As always, the "...for dummies..." are delightfully informative and , aside from being jam packed with info, gives you plenty of links to more information. If Wicca and Witchcraft interests you, start here !!
Or should I say title it may be a dummies and to be honest when I saw it first a laughed out loud. But in all fairness I found it very useful as a study guide/introduction to the craft!Weather your just curious about the craft or a beginner wanting to find more information or if your thinking of of following the Wiccan path then this book is for you!I highly recommend this book Diane Smith talks you through everything you need to set on the right path for learning about the craft from the history to how to properly draw an invoking or evoking pentagram to how to cast a circle! She explains everything in layman's terms there's even a section devoted to the tools you will need and there uses, proper eticate, how to design a ritual or spell and tips to help you decide weather to join a coven or be a solitaire!I have found this book very useful it has explained a lot that had before left my brain frazzled and needing a cup of tea! As a newbie to the craft I highly recommend this book as part of your studying!If your looking for a more in depth how to then this book may not be for you but as a basic starting point it's superb
If you're a beginner and just starting to explore Wicca, this isn't a bad place to begin. This book explores, quite deeply, the history, which I enjoyed. My only problem with it is that it can become a bit dry at times. Still, it's quite informative and an easy read...lots to learn here, as I am a beginner myself. I purchased this for my Kindle, and I do wish i had a hard copy of it.
Wicca and Witchcraft For Dummies The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft, 3rd Edition (Idiot's Guides) Green Witchcraft: Folk Magic, Fairy Lore & Herb Craft (Green Witchcraft Series) Wicca Book of Spells: A Book of Shadows for Wiccans, Witches, and Other Practitioners of Magic Wicca Crystal Magic: A Beginner's Guide to Practicing Wiccan Crystal Magic, with Simple Crystal Spells Wicca Herbal Magic: A Beginner's Guide to Practicing Wiccan Herbal Magic, with Simple Herb Spells Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner Psychic: 3-in-1 Bundle: Psychic Development for Beginners, Third Eye Awakening & Wicca for Beginners Paganism: The Ultimate Guide to Paganism Including Wicca, Spirituality, Spells & Practices for a Pagan Life Magic, Witchcraft and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds: A Sourcebook Cunning-Folk and Familiar Spirits: Shamanistic Visionary Traditions in Early Modern British Witchcraft and Magic Devils, Demons and Witchcraft The Visions of Isobel Gowdie: Magic, Witchcraft and Dark Shamanism in Seventeenth-Century Scotland The Anthropology of Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft Witchcraft: A Handbook of Magic Spells and Potions Magic Witchcraft and Religion: A Reader in the Anthropology of Religion A Storm of Witchcraft: The Salem Trials and the American Experience Witchcraft Works, Volume 9 The Devil in the Shape of a Woman: Witchcraft in Colonial New England