Scott Cunningham, book and video

The foundation of my Wiccan path was laid by reading many books. The most profound of these books, for me, are written by Scott Cunningham. I believe I have most of the books he wrote, some of which I have read so many times that they are dog-eared and worn. The words are as fresh today as when I began reading them years ago. Scott Cunningham wrote in a simple but passionate style, bringing alive the world of herbal magick, as well as other aspects of Wicca.

My son Nicarus gifted me with Cunningham's Book of Shadows recently. This is a recently published book. The book was not completed before the author's death in 1993. The publisher has done a wonderful job of bringing this book to us. As I read through the first few pages, I found myself becoming rather emotional, eyes welling up. Hard to explain. Cunningham's words move me.

Yesterday my son and I sat down together to watch a video. Another purchase by my son. It was produced in 1986 and as far as I know the only video Scott Cunningham made. A rather low-budget, low-tech production filmed in San Diego. The quality is not the best and Scott seems at times uncomfortable, a little out of his element. But he soldiers on. What I found exceptional about this video was watching Scott talk about magickal herbalism, seeing him harvest herbs, crush herbs and make blends for  incense, charms and oils. It was truly a pleasure, informative and amazing. We chuckled a few times as Scott stumbled over a few words here and there, made attempts at humor and looked at the camera through very large glasses. I think the intention of this video was to try to show how simple but sacred gathering herbs, learning about their properties and using herbs in magick can be. Scott's knowledge was well-rounded and researched meticulously. He wanted to show that magick is not a complicated undertaking. With intention and energy, using common tools, magick happens naturally.

The bottom line: practice magick. If you can, grow your own herbs, work with them, feel their energies; Scott shows you how do that in this video. The more you do it, the more confident you will become, the more you will learn and the stronger your passion for this Path will become.

Watching this video was a little surreal. Seeing Scott Cunningham talking about magick was so wonderfully amazing. Having only read his words, to see him speaking about all these magickal things was an interesting, moving experience for me.  A little funny due to its age and low-key production, but still a joy and privilege to view. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in herbal magick, and definitely for those who have read and love Scott Cunningham.

Bright Blessings. Robin.

Cunningham's Book of Shadows; The Path of an American Traditionalist by Scott Cunningham. copyright 2009 by Scott Cunningham. published by Llewellyn Publications, 2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, Minnesota 55125-2989 (www.llewellyn.com)

Scott Cunningham's Herb Magic (video), copyright 1989, 2010, Llewellyn Worldwide.

Finally, The Giveaway!!

For weeks now, I have been threatening you all with a Giveaway!! And now it is here. A beautiful Full Moon tonight (called many names: Beltane Moon, Willow Moon, Flower Moon, Seed Moon) makes me want to celebrate with a Giveaway.. This May moon will be 14% brighter! (how do they calculate these things, anyway?). This would be a spectacular time to charge all your magickal tools, stones, jewelry..whatever you wish. I like to charge water for ritual use during a Full Moon. Just place your items outside where they will receive the full glow of the Moon.

Back to the Giveaway...here is a photo:

Just click on the photo to see a better view.

Earth, Air, Fire & Water by my favorite Wiccan author, Scott Cunningham. An amazing and useful book for learning how to incorporate these four elements into spellwork and rituals. Scott was a gentle, down-to-earth person who wrote very personally and personably. His concern for his readers made his books genuine, accurate and unique.

Godiva Chocolate. Need I say more?

A butterfly book mark.

When is a book not a book? When it is a beautifully disguised storage box. You can put all kinds of trinkets into this neat box-that-looks-like-a-book.

A candle that smells like summery gardens: Lavender and Chamomile scented. And a folder of blank note cards and envelopes with beautiful summer flowers on the front of each card.. Let's bring the art of letter writing back into use. Don't you just love to get a handwritten note? Well, to get on, write one!!!

Here's a sweet little figurine of a robin. Just so you can have a reminder of someone who thinks the world of you.

There might be a few other things that wind up in the box. Who knows?

TO WIN::
Simple simple simple.   Be a follower. Leave a comment that you would like to be entered into the Beltane Moon Giveaway! That is it!! Open to everyone, including international followers. I will announce the winner on Wednesday, May 9th. I will need a way to contact you, either email or blog. (i do not tweet or FB or any of that). 
The winner must respond with their snail mail address within three days, or I will need to draw another winner.

Happy Beltane Moon, Flower Moon, Seed Moon, Willow Moon, Super Moon!!!!!!

My Wiccan Ways-- The God and the Goddess

I live Wicca every moment of every day.  It is not necessary to set aside a particular day of the week to offer worship or reverence for my religious beliefs. I live my beliefs constantly. The simple fact of being Wiccan is that the God and Goddess are with me all the time. They are everywhere, all the time. You can see them in the sunrise, hear them in birdsong, sense them in quiet moments. But they are also with me in heavy traffic, grocery shopping, cleaning house, during times of upheaval, events great and small.

To quote Scott Cunningham from his book Living Wicca A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner (Llewellyn Publications, Woodbury, Minnesota, copyright 1993 by Scott Cunningham):  The omnipresence of our deities isn't some exalted spiritual sentiment; it's true. The Earth isn't represented by the Goddess; it is a part of Her. She is everywhere. Similarily, She is also within us, as is the God. Remembering this fact may, once again, reveal the inherent spirituality in many situations. (page 48).

When I read that passage I am enthralled by this truth. In the most simple moments of my day, to complications or aggravations, laughter and sadness, and everything in between, the God and Goddess are there. This knowledge is comforting, supportive, encouraging and aids in accountability. What do I mean by accountability? Knowing that my Deities are always with me, I must, as the Wiccan way claims, accept responsibility for my actions. The God and Goddess will hold me accountable...the Universe is always ready to return to you what you send out.

It was not easy when I first took the Wiccan path to find the God and Goddess. I felt a little awkward actually. New to the Dual Deity aspect of my religion, one has to find their own way to connect to Deity. Sometimes through trial and error, sometimes through simple routines.  Meditation was my first way to connect with the God and Goddess. But I also like other ways, from a simple stop at my household altar for a few minutes. Handling my altar tools and other symbols and pondering being Wiccan, and sending thoughts to my Deity.

There are mundane ways to connect with the God and Goddess. Indoor and outdoor gardening..what better way than with living plants. Recycling and other ways of aiding Earth, such as picking up litter when you see it. Being outside, whether it be in your own backyard or neighborhood, or in a park. Adopting animals and supporting animal shelters, finding ways to serve the God and Goddess, in the community, sunrise and sunset rituals. Rituals in this case do not have to be elaborate or structured. Simply watching the sun rise and set is enough, as long as you are in that moment with the God and Goddess. The moon's phases are another time of ritual and connection. The moon rises and travels across the night sky. It can be a barely-seen crescent or full blown wondrous beauty. The Goddess is there for us to see and commune with.

Blogging is my newest way of staying connected with Deity. By writing about my path and the things that are special and important to me as a Wiccan, I am strengthening my bond with the God and Goddess. I have met many like-minded individuals on-line through my blog, and this has helped me to enhance my ways, or in some cases, reinforce my own beliefs.  The more I learn, the more I am fully aware of how Deity affects my daily life. And learning never stops.

Wicca is not just a religion for one day of the week. It is an "every day, in every way" lifestyle. The God and the Goddess embrace me, and I embrace them. It is a continuing relationship that never fails me, and only grows stronger every day.

Wiccan Reads--Scott Cunningham

Though I have a fair sized Wiccan library, there are two books I turn to time and time again. Wicca A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner and Living Wicca A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner.  Scott Cunningham is the author of these books, and quite a few more, that are essential for someone like me. I am a solitary practitioner of Wicca, and for the longest time knew no one else, either Wiccan or of any other pagan persuasion. These books taught me the basics of this religion and I like to think of Scott Cunningham as my "mentor".

First published in 1988 by Llewellyn Publications, Wicca A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner  has sold more than 400,000 copies and has had 36 printings.  It is a practical, common sense guide which explores Wicca from the "ground up".  If you have no prior knowledge of Wicca, this book will explain everything you would need to know to have a solid understanding of this religion and its spiritual and magickal practices. Scott explains history, deities, magick, tools, music, ritual, the Sabbats, symbols, spells, the use of herbs, crystals, runes, and gives an excellent guide to developing your own Book of Shadows.

Written in a style that is calm, informative, without being dry, Scott teaches his Wiccan way in a manner that exemplifies the loving, gentle nature of Wicca. If he feels he might be confusing  the reader, he will stop and explain in a different way. He was a wonderful writer and teacher, and I can not emphasize enough how important, essential, and valuable this book is.

In his introduction to Living Wicca A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, Scott Cunningham explains that in reading this book, he assumes that the reader has already become familiar with and has gained some experience with the practice of Wicca. He wanted to give the Solitary Practitioner as much information as possible, because at the time when Scott was writing this book in 1992, there was very little to be found for Wiccan solitaries.  Today, there are many authors writing for solitaries, which is both good and bad, because sometimes there can be so much contradictory information. Thus, when I become confused, I simply return to Scott's two books, and usually find the answers I am looking for.

This second guide explores further the everyday practice of Wicca, how it becomes an integral part of our daily lives. He discusses tools of learning, magickal names, self-initiation, effective prayer, wiccan rites, more magickal practices, rules and beliefs, ritual design and so much more. The essays are heartfelt words of wisdom and can be used not just for educational purposes, but for spiritual uplift in times when there is a need for added inspiration or encouragement.

Scott Cunningham writes in the introduction to Living Wicca that he wrote this book for those "...who have become enchanted by the moon shining through trees; who have begun to investigate the sublime world that lies out beyond the fabric of daily life, and who stand in smoke-shrouded circles, raising aloft their hands to greet the God and Goddess as the candles flicker on the altar."

I hope that if you have not read either of these books, and have an interest or desire to learn about Wicca, or would like to find other ways to live Wicca more fully, please read these books by Scott Cunningham. His words will delight your spirit, and inspire your practice.

You can find these books online at Amazon.com, Llewellyn.com or at most booksellers.