I was looking at books today and I found on by the author Scott Chuningham. Does anyone know if he is a reliable author?
2007-12-21 13:42:30 · 25 answers · asked by rosey 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You have your answer from most of the above answers, yes he is in my opinion about the best author you could read whilst starting your journey..
I just wish he was still with us, but he has completed what he was sent here to do and he has now returned to the Otherworld...
Blessed Be.. )O(
2007-12-21 16:34:17 · answer #1 · answered by Bunge 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Year-and-a-day Recommended Texts
These are books I recommend you read and have in your library to use as reference tests.
1890
Frazer, Sir James The Golden Bouh: A Study in Magic and Religion an e-book edition is available at www.sacred-texts.com/pag/frazer/
1979
Adler, Margot Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today
1889
Leland, Charles Godfrey Aradia: The Gospel of the Witches
1990
Bonewits, Issac Real Magic: An Introductory Treatise on the Basic Principles of Yellow Magic
1979
Starhawk (pseud. For Miriam Simos) The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Religion of the Great Goddess
1990
Caot, Laurie and Tom Cowan The Power of the Witch: The Earth, the Moon, and the Magical Path to Enlightenment
1990
Farrar, Janet and Stweart A Witch's Bible Complete
1990
Guiley, Rosemary The Encyclopedia of Witches & Witchcraft
1987
Cunningham, Scott & David Harrington The Magical Household: Spells & Rituals for the Home
1970
Gray, Eden A Complete Guide to the Tarot
1967
Cirlot, Juan Eduardo A Dictionary of Symbols (Date of English Translation)
1990
Woolfolk, Joanna Martine The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need
1980
Mountainwater, Shekina Ariadne's Thread: A Workbook of Goddess Magic
1986
Buckland, Raymond Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft
2005
Strmiska, Michael F -editor- Modern Paganism in World Cultures: Comparative Perspectives
1999
Hutton, Ronald The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft
2004
Potter, Richard Authentic Spirituality: The Direct Path to Consciousness
2007-12-22 09:08:28 · answer #2 · answered by slice39 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cunningham is fine. His herb books are among the finest, but his Wicca books, in my opinion, are not the best available. He has an approach that is a bit too airy fairy for my tastes and, more importantly, his history is very inaccurate. But he is much better than people like Ravenwolf so I would recommend him, just with some reservations.
Books I do highly recommend to new seekers are Jennifer Hunter's 21st Century Wicca, Essential Wicca by Tuitean & Daniels, anything by Vivianne Crowley, anything by Doreen Valiente, Amber K's True Magick and for something a bit different - Starhawk's The Spiral Dance. Some of them you may find things you disagree with or don't fit, but if you are going to explore this path you will need to develop a healthy dose of discernment early on.
2007-12-22 00:52:26 · answer #3 · answered by Passenger (wow widow) 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cunningham's books are good but vastly generalized, so you're going to get the most basics of basics there. He does make some generalizations that you'll come to loathe as you get more experienced, but that's not really because his books are bad so much as he was cut down before his tree went to full fruit. I think Gerina Dunwich's Wicca Craft is as worthwhile as Wicca, a guide for the solitary practitioner.
Oh, and avoid the Cunningham's Encyclopedias. Some of them were not written by him and some of them contain lousy info. They are good if you already know a lot about, say, herbalism or oils, but not good as primary texts.
Buckland's big blue book is also not a bad suggestion, ESPECIALLY since it speaks to a specific tradition and if you have questions you can seek online for Seax-Wicca and get help.
Hutton's Triumph of the Moon and Adler's Drawing down the Moon are no-nonsense approaches to the history and sociology of Modern Paganism, and they are must-reads for my students, and most legit Pagan groups. I belong to a Wiccan trad that said what Hutton said before he said it, so that was super-cool when it came out. Ignore Adler's stuff on Asatru, though.
I'd avoid Ravenwolf, as she would not know ethics if she was tied up and beaten with The Ethical Eclectic (A book so small I can't imagine it doing any harm) and When... Why... If....
I'd avoid McCoy for the whole ancient potato goddess fiasco and Conway for not knowing the difference between Asatru, Celtic Reconstructionism and Wicca.
Look for books that mention their tradition in their cover art or back cover matter. Seriously. I can think of four indispensable books on my shelf that say what trad they are speaking from right away.
Lastly, read the classics, Gardner, Valiente and Margaret Murray as FOUNDATIONAL documents, understanding their flaws.
Finding a tradition or a mentor can REALLY help here:
http://www.witchvox.com/xtrads.html
2007-12-22 12:08:29 · answer #4 · answered by LabGrrl 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He's good, especially for beginners. He gives a good general overview of Wicca and illustrates things very well to the non-Wiccan mind. It's never good to get too attached to one author though, and if you are a new learner you should learn from many sources. Except Silver Ravenwolf. Stay far away from her books.
Books on Wicca can be few and far between in some areas. I get mine from amazon.com, where you can find some really good deals. And, a further bonus, buying used books doesn't waste further paper.
2007-12-21 21:53:07 · answer #5 · answered by MiaOMya 4 · 8⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Scott Cunningham's book "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" is probably the most respected of the easy-to-understand books on beginner Wicca. I recommend it highly.
2007-12-21 21:48:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
Yes, he is a very good and reliable author. His books are great for anyone just starting out or even for those with experience.
2007-12-21 21:55:08 · answer #7 · answered by ghostwolf 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I recommend him without reservations or cautions (unlike most authors in the pagan community.)
Especially if you can find a copy of Wicca, a Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, as others have suggested.
Pick up any of them when you can.
2007-12-21 22:04:20 · answer #8 · answered by Aravah 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
"Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham is THE book I recommend for those just starting out. I don't agree with his point of view on every little thing, but overall he's quite solid and makes the religion accessible to the beginner.
2007-12-21 21:50:13 · answer #9 · answered by prairiecrow 7 · 11⤊ 0⤋
The Complete Book of Incense, Oils and Brews and Wicca in the Kitchen are both really good books by him.
2007-12-22 13:29:13 · answer #10 · answered by Ilona 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He is a very good author! I think his books are good books for those just starting in Wicca.
2007-12-21 21:47:11 · answer #11 · answered by ultraviolet1127 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋