This is the classic tome for solitary-practicing Wiccans, and a pretty good choice for anyone who wants to explain what Wicca is to the uninformed. The author immediately begins to outline key points about Wicca in the first couple of paragraphs of the preface, addressing such issues as the facts that Wicca is a new religion (established in the mid-twentieth century) and that there is no one true way to practice it.

The first half of the book outlines, in sensible and easily-understood chapters, the "how" and "why" of various aspects of Wicca: the religious/spiritual aspects, the use of magic & ritual as methods to experience communion/communication with the divine, acknowledging the dark aspects of Nature and the Goddess & God as well as the light, outlining the types of magic/power & the ethics of its use, the basic uses of tools, the use of music and dance/gesture in ritual, the procedures & components of rituals, the reasons & uses of the altar & circle-casting, the basics of the Wheel of the Year & the Esbats, some information on reincarnation & karma, and the basics of initiation & self-dedication.

The second half of the book is a lovely collection of writings, rituals, invocations, chants, prayers, and spells. I have always been especially moved by the writings titled "Words to the Wise" and "The Nature of our Way" -- both of which celebrate the joy of Wicca while offering cautionary advice to those who seek.

Some criticize this book as being "fluffy" -- by which I imagine they mean it lacks enough warnings or discussions of the potentially negative aspects of Wicca, or focusing "too" much on sweetness & light. It can be easy to overlook the acknowledgement and warnings within the book, as they are addressed in a very positive manner. I was once told that the human subconscious often fails to "hear" negatives, which is why it's better to phrase what you want to say in a positive fashion -- to say "I will" instead of "I can't," and so on. Certainly in parenting this is true: a child learns better when told pleasantly to "Touch softly," rather than when angrily admonished, "Don't hit." And so the same philosophy and outlook makes perfect sense in this book.

Some criticize this book as being "too" oriented for beginners, and too simple. To this, I respond yes and no. Yes, it's written for beginners, and therefore covers a lot of basics rather simply. But no, this is not a simple -- or simplistic -- book. While it does touch rather lightly on many concepts, rather than delving deeply into subtleties that might be lost on a beginner, the concepts touched upon are not at all simplistic.

The ethics and mysteries of Wicca are things that cannot only be read about to be understood, but must be experienced. One of my teachers explained to me that, in the context of Wicca (or any other mysteries religion), the difference between a "secret" and a "mystery" is that a secret can be explained to another in ways they can understand, but a mystery can only be understood and truly comprehended through personal experience. Much like nobody can truly comprehend, regardless of how fully they've researched and studied it in theory, the experience of making love -- or sculpting a clay pot, or swimming in the ocean, or any of a thousand experiences! -- until they have experienced it first-hand. The author (brilliantly!) takes that idea as a given, rather than attempting to explain that which must be experienced to be understood.

This simple yet profound concept is what makes this book a classic, for all too many books on Wicca try to explain it down to an exact science. But Wicca is not an exact science; it's a living religion. No matter how many (or few) years you have been walking the path of Wicca, there is always something to learn and experience and understand and be reminded of -- and for all these reasons, this book is a valuable companion along that path.