A comprehensive book to study?

[Wingéd Mermaid]

So when I first started thinking of following this path, I was showed a comprehensive book of Wicca- it seemed it had EVERYTHING in it! Quite a large book, it seemed very very useful. When I decided to see where Wicca would lead me, I bought it and started to study it.

The book was The Solitary Witch by Silver Ravenwolf. Shortly after I get this book, I am told that Silver Ravenwolf is probably one of the worst authors you can buy a book from when it comes to Wicca. It's a controversial thing, I realize. However what got to me is the claims that a lot of the facts in her books are straight up wrong. Being new to the path, I don't want to study just to learn the wrong things! Maybe if it was a few sections that people could point out that would be fine, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

I had a little break from religion as it was confusing and I was in a dark place, but am ready to try and pick up again. Perhaps go a little slower this time, instead of trying to dive in and do everything at once.

Anyhow, my question is this:
Where can I find a comprehensive book similar to The Solitary Witch that is accurate?

[WanderlustAfar]

Wicca: A Guide For the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham. I'm not Wiccan but I've read the book; it's pretty comprehensive. And I always mention this book, but it helped me understand the theological and philosophical aspects of Wicca: Philosophy of Wicca by Amber Laine Fisher.

[Simply Puzzled]

The problem is that Wicca are not "people of the book". There is, in fact, no one book you can study because the tradition is passed orally person-to-person. There are books than can provide information, but if you want one-stop-shopping, it's really best to look elsewhere.

[WanderlustAfar]

The problem is that Wicca are not "people of the book". There is, in fact, no book you can study because the tradition is passed orally person-to-person. There are books than can provide information, but if you want one-stop-shopping, it's really best to look elsewhere.
...Say what?

[OneGreyOwl]

The short answer is: There isn't one. Why? Because we are not Moslems or Christians or Jews.

If Silver Ravenwolf's work resonates with you, don't let the opinions of others turn you off. However, be aware that there are many other perspectives. There are many, many good published wiccan teachers (not all necessarily popular or well know) and there are also many oral/family traditions. Often people start with the work of one person and discover other resources as their path draws them further in their studies.

Wicca, in its many guises, can draw from MANY cultural sources including (but not limited to): Egyptian, Celtic, GrecoRoman, Babylonia, Faerie, Mystical Hebrew, Christian, Native American, etc., etc., etc. Depending on what type of Wicca you are drawn to practice there can be any number of, well, lets say "Flavors" used to adjust that particular recipe.

I belong to a syncretic tradition, so as far as I'm concerned, basically, whatever works. Someone from a traditional path will say something different but I doubt if anyone is prepared to say "Just one book holds all the keys." Heck, if nothing else you want to learn something about astrology, right? That's a whole other book (or dozen). Then there's herbs, again, you could virtually get yourself a whole library if you wanted on that subject alone ... well, you get the point.

[Simply Puzzled]

...Say what?

That should have read "no one book". I've edited my post accordingly. That's what I get for posting at two in the morning...

[Erebos]

So when I first started thinking of following this path, I was showed a comprehensive book of Wicca- it seemed it had EVERYTHING in it! Quite a large book, it seemed very very useful. When I decided to see where Wicca would lead me, I bought it and started to study it.

The book was The Solitary Witch by Silver Ravenwolf. Shortly after I get this book, I am told that Silver Ravenwolf is probably one of the worst authors you can buy a book from when it comes to Wicca. It's a controversial thing, I realize. However what got to me is the claims that a lot of the facts in her books are straight up wrong. Being new to the path, I don't want to study just to learn the wrong things! Maybe if it was a few sections that people could point out that would be fine, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

I had a little break from religion as it was confusing and I was in a dark place, but am ready to try and pick up again. Perhaps go a little slower this time, instead of trying to dive in and do everything at once.

Anyhow, my question is this:
Where can I find a comprehensive book similar to The Solitary Witch that is accurate?

Solitary Witch isn't a terrible book, although I wouldn't say it's the best. There is some useful stuff in there, but it's aimed at teens, so she's "cleaned" Witchcraft up a lot, taking out all of the sexual symbolism and darker aspects of Deity.

I highly recommend The Spiral Dance by Starhawk. It tells you pretty much everything you need to know about Witchcraft, although she's a Feri initiate, so it isn't strictly Wicca. Like someone else mentioned, Wicca: A Guide For the Solitary Practitioner is another good one, and Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland is a good one too. I would suggest just going to a good bookstore or occult shop, browsing through some books, and finding one that resonates with you.

[David19]

I can't say if it's completely good, but, from the parts I've read, I think Eileen Holland's 'The Wicca Handbook' (http://www.amazon.com/Wicca-Handbook-Eileen-Holland/dp/1578631351) is quite a good resource, like Simply Puzzled said, one book won't provide all the answers, but, I think 'The Wicca Handbook' is both a good intro to Wicca, and a good resource too, just in my own opinion anyway.

Hope this helps.

[WolfyJames]

I agree with Erebos about Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland, it is a good book to start with.

I'd like to add A Witches' Bible: The Complete Witches Handbook by Janet and Stewart Farrar, Wicca: The Old Religion in the New Millennium by Vivianne Crowley, the serie "The Temple" by Christopher Penczak (all four books on the elements and the other two on the God and Goddess), Wicca for Beginners: Fundamentals of Philosophy & Practice by Thea Sabin.

[Crom]

All those books listed above are good.

I also like some of Silver's stuff, but like any other writer I read, I tend to read between-the-lines so to speak a lot of times. Some people do not like her because of a few statements in some of her books, others think she is to "fluffy". Either way she still has some valid points and ideas.

I will mention an author no one above did, that ahs a series of books out I find interesting. The "Temple" series of books by Christopher Penczak. (Inner temple of Witchcraft, Outer Temple of Witchcraft, etc)

Spiritwalker

[~*Sacred*~]

When I was Wiccan, I read various books (a couple cunnigham) and googled any questions I had and.... signed up to message boards! *gasp* I just read anything that came to me pretty much and you start to see the bigger picture.

[Wingéd Mermaid]

Wicca: A Guide For the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham. I'm not Wiccan but I've read the book; it's pretty comprehensive. And I always mention this book, but it helped me understand the theological and philosophical aspects of Wicca: Philosophy of Wicca by Amber Laine Fisher.

I borrowed A Guide For the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham from a friend, and I really loved it! It really helped clarify a lot of the beliefs I already had about the workings of magic and other things as well and also taught me a lot. I'm thinking about finding the sequel next :)

[Ben Gruagach]

Deb Lipp's "The Study of Witchcraft" provides an excellent guidebook for getting in depth into Wicca. She based at least some of it on discussions that happened here at MW. Warning though: while it does provide summaries of the topics it suggests other books to read to get the real info.

[TheRiverDaughter]

Other books to check out are Doreen Valiente's Witchcraft for Tomorrow and Timothy Roderick's Wicca A Year and a Day - though both have a very traditional flavor, much like the Farrar's book The Witches' Bible.