I read lots of Wicca 101 books, especially those that seem to be aimed at the Solitary Practitioner. With many of them, I will find some points that I think the average solitary practitioner may relate to, or that someone, somewhere, will relate to. Many times, however, the material does not "click" with my own personal beliefs, or they do not take the "Traditional Path" when it comes to Wicca, but rather they are "Wiccanish". This is OK for someone else, but not necessarily for me. But I do not judge by my standards alone, but rather the viewpoint that everyone needs material that will relate to them personally.
Reading this book, however, there was more material here that I found I agreed with, related to and found to be "Traditional" with a Solitary spin than other books of this kind. And this, to me, was a big plus.
Ms. Murphy-Hiscock has taken Wicca back to the roots and explores adaptation to the Solitary way of practice. This is a Wicca 101 book, so it makes a good first handbook for the average new Solitary Practitioner and yet, it provides some material that the advanced practitioner may want to review because of its accuracy, to augment their Wiccan practice, to add elements of the Traditional or just because it is well written and has much to ponder and contemplate.
I especially enjoyed her overview of Wicca Origins, and her separation of Traditional Wicca from the Eclectic practices that Wicca has evolved into. She covers well the Tenets of Wicca, discusses common metaphors and myths and separates some of the more widely accepted but none the less mistaken beliefs and practices that have crept into modern Wicca. She gives you a good idea of how to go back to the beginning, re-examine the issues and maybe take away a better representation of what it is that Wicca is really all about.
Like I said, I do not find that every book is going to agree with or be in line with my own personal beliefs and practices. And there is material in here that is not necessarily in line with my own, but Ms. Murphy-Hiscock does cover quite a bit of material in this book that is well discussed and presented. Ethics wanders into the Wiccan Rede, which is good, and then touches on that often misunderstood poem that many folks take as law rather than the advice it should be. None the less the discussion on ethics is good and worth noting.
She also covers some of the "Mythos" or "mysteries" of Wicca, outlining them so you get a good grasp on what actually comprises Wiccan spirituality.
Once you get through the first chapter as outlined above, the rest of the book falls into the "handbook" method of teaching/discussion. Ms. Murphy-Hiscock covers all the basics, and adds a touch of the "college" style of discussion. For example, she discusses Sacred Space. Many basic books discuss creating a Circle, but she goes a little further and discusses "why" as well as the "how". Well thought out, in my opinion.
This kind of discussion continues throughout the book. She even covers a few extras that take this book above most other handbooks. She causes the reader to - gasp - think! Advanced Circle Casting is another point for thought about what you are doing, more than how to do it.
She covers more of the basics - rituals, spell work, The Wheel of the Year, Rites of Passage, and Power Words in Ritual. Her material is not just telling you what to do; it is more showing you how to do it for yourself. Not just showing ritual, but giving you a working knowledge to write your own. Not just giving you some spells, but giving you the means to construct your own. Very different approach, and a very good one. Well written, easy to follow and yet much food for thought.
The last two chapters are probably the most important. Spiritual Archetypes and Drawing Down and Aspecting Deities give you the spirituality of Wicca. While many books will give you a table of Gods and Goddesses, there is not much discussion about connecting with Them. Again, well thought out and well written.
This book approaches the Solitary Wiccan Practitioner as a knowledgeable and intelligent person who knows what they want, what they want to achieve, and gives them a good working handbook to make the connection with Deity that most are looking for.
I would recommend that even if you have a working handbook you love dearly, you may want to augment it with a copy of this work. There is a lot to absorb here, there is some good clarification of what has become misunderstood or poorly interpreted, and Ms. Murphy-Hiscock provides some new material for you to chew over and absorb. Again, it will not be for everyone, but I found that much of the material related to me personally and I appreciated that. This is a work that will compliment your already working knowledge as well as introduce the seeker to some solid concepts and traditional approaches to the Solitary Wiccan Practice. boudica
