Does anyone remember this Wicca book?

Question

Okay, my parents threw out my Wicca books when they discovered them, when I was 16. I am now 29, and I had almost all the books bought back by the time I was 19, I have quite the Wiccan library now.
My question is that I can't remember the title of a book I found inspiring, and I've searched on Amazon and all over the net for it. In the intro of the book, the female author tells how she was always drawn to witchcraft. She sees a car with a "WICCA HEALS" bumper sticker on it and she waits to talk to the owner. That's how she first learned about Wicca. The book was bought in 1996, and I think (but not positive), that it was written in the late 70's, early 80's. I really want to read that book again! It was before Ravenwolf and a lot of the fluffy books came out, and it isn't a Sarah Morrison book. If anyone knows this book, I would be so grateful!

I don't remember the cover at all, but I know I bought it at a Barnes and Noble in 95 or 96, so it's pretty mainstream. I've been searching for weeks, and every time I think I've found it...it's not life threatening that I have it or anything, I just would love to read it again, you know?

Thanks for the help! I know it's not Book of Shadows by P. Currott or any of Starhawk's books. I love both of those authors, btw. Maybe the book had just been published in 96, but I could swear I remember thinking that it must have been written years before. I searched on google books forever last night and thought I found it a few times, but no luck!

Answer 1

It may be by the late Sybil Leek, a famous witch who published many books in the 60's and 70's. She was very famous and respected throughout the world. Ms Leek was the first to come out and say "witches are not evil. Witches do not worship the devil. We don't use the word "warlock" to define male witches." She was a contestant on the old show "What's My Line." I believe I have the book you talk about, "The Complete Guide To Witchcraft; Penetrating The Secrets of White Magic." Does that sound familiar? It was published in 1962 or 1972, can't recall. I still have the book. I just need to pull it out. My email is [e-mail] I will actively look for the book (Haven't read it in years) and would be open to sending it to you to read and return. Please contact me at my email address. I am a witch of nearly 40 yrs and have my own web site. Bright Blessings

The book I have is a first edition printing. It is in very good condition.

Answer 2

Any of Dorothy Morrison's books are good. Every Day Magic is an older but great book and a very good resource. She has a web-sight. I will list it for you. I am a natural witch and don't practice wicca. I am a witch, plain and simple. If you can center yourself you don't need a bunch of extra stuff to cast. The alter and athema and so forth are simply tools to help you focus your energies. At times the circle is necessary. If you are calling spirits or anything very powerful you need to cast a circle for your protection. Another good source of information is witcvox. I will list that for you as well. Brightest Blessings

Answer 3

There were not a lot of books on Wicca written in the 70s or early 80s. The first one that comes to mind from that time would be Starhawk's "Spiral Dance." That book could be found in major bookstores by the 90s. (That's how I got my copy too.) Starhawk describes her practice as Wicca in that book although what she describes is not what most people today identify as Wiccan. (I believe her herself no longer uses the word) I don't believe, however, that the book includes the bumper sticker story.

Answer 4

I have a very faint memory of somthing along those lines.

For some reason I thought it might have been Marion Weinstien's "Positive Magic" but i"ve just spent the last few minutes scanning my copy.

Problem is that I'd need more info if I'm to check my books. I guess anything else you might remember no matter how trivial - Something on the cover, (knowing that the US print may be different from those I'd buy in Oz (etc))


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Answer 5

I think I know what book you're talking about. Is the title Book of Shadows I can't remember the author's name but it's a black book and the cover has some women standing in a circle on it? I haven't read that book in a wail and I don't have access to it right now so I don't know for sure if that's the one or not if not sorry.

Answer 6

Doesn't even sound familiar, and I'm an archivist.

BTW: Could it be "Laughter of Aphrodite"?
That's a feminist book, I think from the late 1970s, and it's not Wiccan, but I seem to barely recall the author saying something like that in an interview....Carol Christ, I think...

Answer 7

I've never heard of such a book and I usualy am pretty good at finding stuff online, but this book seams pretty rare and unheard of -- nothing on the internet. If you come across any more detailed information, let me know and I'll do as much as I can to help you...
Take care

Answer 8

No, I haven't heard of the book either, but like Prairie Crow, I starred it in the hopes that one of my contacts knows it.

You got a few hateful answers, not surprising, but sad. To them, I say, Wicca is not a game to us either. This is a serious religion, and one that we hold very sacred.

BTW have you read the Farrars? Good stuff, especially if you like old-school Gardnerian and Alexandrian Wicca.

Answer 9

I'm sorry to say I don't know it. You might want to try http://www.llewellyn.com/ or www.witchvox.com. You might be able to find a reference to it on one of those sites. Llewellyn may actually have the book.

Good luck and good journeys! I'm glad you didn't listen to all the nincompoops who don't know anything about Wicca, but continue to believe what they are spoon fed about it. Hang in there!

Answer 10

Have you tried a search at books.google.com? I got several hits when I searched on it, but I don't know enough about the books to identify the right one.

Please let us know the name of it here when you find it, ok?

Bright Blessings,