Wicca for people who like to think
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I'd recommend this book to wiccans and non-wiccans alike. The structure of the book is designed to be read, considered and used as a guide over a 13 month period, though you could easily read the whole thing through and do the exercises after finishing. Don't. I think the book would actually suffer for that kind of treatment, and you as a reader would be cheated. My advice would be to take the slower path through the book and let it sink in. Each chapter has a theme, even if it is recommended reading or preparation for a ritual. Taking a month to do the exercises may seem slow, but I find it's giving me time to consider the concepts involved on a different level than I have in quite a while.
I've been a practising wiccan for 10 yrs, and I still am enjoying myself with this book. I bought it as part of a reconnection/regrounding exercise, and am not disappointed. There is quite a bit here for non-beginners as well, if it is taken slowly.
My only concern would be that as much as I might like and agree with many of the author's opinions, I would worry that someone who was a very new beginner would perhaps not see that they are just that - opinions. While I like her style and her confidence, I can see beginners who hadn't read other books first might take what she's said as being some kind of absolute truth. (i.e. her opinions on indoor vs outdoor ritual) I would recommend this book be read in connection with other books on the craft - but to be fair, even the author recommends this as part of the exercises of the book. Honestly, I think the author's pull-no-punches style is refreshing, but I can see how some might be bowled over a bit by it. This book isn't for fluff-bunnies.
For beginners who have read a bit already and for old fogies like me who like to see things with eyes anew from time to time. There's a lot here to think about, definitely - enjoy!
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Brilliant 'hands-on' training manual!
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I initially bought this book around 6 years ago and began to read it with a view to self-training in the Craft. It is a totally no-nonsense, practical manual giving advice to those interested in 'green' magic and traditional earth-based lore. In addition, Marian is extremely knowledgeable about the pagan history of the UK (and indeed other cultures) and also brings a deep understanding of psychology to her subject. You won't find any of the - dare I say rather Americanised - approach to the Craft here, just a solid and steady explanation of the old ways together with practical exercises at the end of each chapter - it should be viewed as a text book to aid learning. I eventually combined the book with the corresponding distance-learning course offered by Marian, and have learned a great deal in the process. She is a thoroughly knowledgeable and ethical educator, and I recommend this book very highly if your interest in the craft of the wise is a genuine one.
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Clear and "Unputdownable"
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I am on the druid path, but also interested in natural magic. I have already read a couple of books on the subject which I have researched by public opinion, and which I have found to be "fair". Only yesterday did I receive my copy of this book. I find it beautiful and "unputdownable". The author clearly reveres her path and it shows. The language is wonderful and descriptions clear. Already I have found out a great deal about the goddess and god, clearly described, which have so far been confusing me. Altogether a good book for a newcomer.
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Disappointing and offputting
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I have to say I was expecting a much better read than this. I have alsoread "Wild Witchcraft" and "Natural Witchcraft" and I found I had a lot ofthe same problems with them as I did with this - overall I found MarianGreen's style very hard to read and I don't understand why she has writtenthree books on exactly the same subject - most Pagan authors will writeabout different elements of the craft but she has written three basicallyidentical books.
Her structure and layout make her books incredibly hard to read becauseeach chapter is about 13 pages straight - no sub headings or anything,plus she takes a very long time to actually get to the point. I wouldagree strongly with the reviewer who noticed how romantisied and sometimesincorrect her historical references are but my main problem with this bookin particular above her others is how ridiculously serious she is. Ireally don't like how forboding she makes the craft sound (particualrly inthe chapter on dedication to the old ways) or how self riteous andcondescending she is about her opinions either. There are way too many"you should be doing..." or "you shouldn't be doing..."s in this book. Ihave been a solitary practisioner of the craft now for about two yearsseriously and one of the main things I have learnt is that magick is ajoyous and fun thing - obviously you have to take it seriously as well,but I don't think that it is anywhere near as difficult or forboding asshe makes it sound - it's almost as if she's trying to make witchcraftsound offputting to newcomers.
I have also noticed in her other books as well as in this one howunnecessarily biased she is against coven witchcraft - it sounds as if shehas had a very bad experience in a coven - whether this was intended ornot, I don't think there is any need to be so critical about it - justbecause it isn't necessarily as old and traditional as it is made out tobe it doesn't mean that it is somehow a wrong way to practice.
Two things I will say for Marian Green is that firstly I do agree with herthat we need to take better care of our planet and that neo-pagans need tofocus more on connecting with nature. Also, occasionally she does make thecraft sound vaguely appealing - her poetic style is very effective in hergiven meditations and the chapters: Sacred Cycles, A Circle Between theWorlds, The Journey to the Other World and Moon Magick and Solar Cyclesare actually worth reading - or skim reading.
If I were to recommend this book to anyone, it would be to beginners(although I would be hesitant because I wouldn't want to put them off thecraft) and I would probably tell them just to skip to the exercises at theend of each chapter because it is in here that she has actually summarisedthe chapter - no unecessary babbling about irrelevent stuff - includingthe exercises - many of which are actually quite good if you can keep withthe book long enough to get to them. But I would probably recommendNatural Witchcraft or Wild Witchcraft instead - they are easier reads andjust a bit more to the point.
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Solo Witch
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This book is amazing. It is beautifully written and if I had my way anyone that was considering the path of witchcraft would have to read this book! After having bought many books on coven practices I decided that wasn't for me and it was quite by chance (or maybe not!) that I bought this book and I could not put it down. It was as if the author knew my mind and was essentially allowing me to take it to another level. The book explains solo witchcraft so well it amazed me and being new to the craft it explained the most extraordinary concepts so well that even things I had dreamt about became reality. For ANYONE that is considering the craft but is unsure about how to begin, please read this. It will start you on a path that will change your life. It is not necessarily an easy read, as it is not written in the simplest of words, but this simply adds to an incredible book. You do not have to do all the excercises immediately, I read the book first, then did the excercises but whichever way you chose to do it, it will open your heart and mind to new things and your eyes to things you may have seen all along but never even thought about.
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