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Wicca: A Comprehensive Guide to the Old Religion in the Modern World
With more than 75,000 copies sold, this book has become the classic, introductory to one of the oldest--and fastest growing--religions in the world. The new edition explains the way of the Witch and much more.
259 pages, Paperback
First published June 23, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 30, 2010
This is the first book I ever read specifically about a form of witchcraft, rather than having a small amount on that subject along with other matters, and it was a long time and a large amount of bookshelf space before I read a better.
The best thing about this book is that it is biased to a particular perspective and doesn't pretend otherwise. Ironically, the result is a much less biased book than many others on the topic: Crowley is writing as someone who is a High Priestess and also a Jungian and therefore does a good job of looking at Wicca from a Jungian perspective. While I personally think the Jungian point of view is over-represented in much Wiccan writing, and even more so in Neo-Wiccan writing, and often find that it grates on me (and when presented as the ONLY thing the gods are, irritates me greatly), this is not how I experience it with this book. Partly, this is because it doesn't pretend otherwise, unlike many books out there are there that treat Jungian archetypes as either undisputed fact or as if they were some sort of Wiccan dogma (which they aren't) or Neo-Wiccan dogma (which I suppose they quite possibly are). Partly also at least the author can actually write well about the Jungian perspective, rather than third-hand regurgitations of the idea of the gods as archetypes that doesn't really explore what that actually means.
The book also benefits from being focused largely on one way of looking at the Craft; in terms of the advantages it brings to it's practitioners (it's worth noting that the first edition was subtitled "The Old Religion in the New Age", and of course the New Age Movement differs from Wicca in being particularly concerned with what their practices can do for their practitioners' mental, physical and financial health). I'm not particularly interested in this view of what we do (for one thing, I think working the Craft solely for such benefits rather than in Their service would be a good way to lessen those incidental benefits) but for all that, I'm still much happier to read this book that tries to do one thing and does it well, than the libraries full of "the only book you'll ever need" that do so very little.
It's also why despite its wordier style than many books on witchcraft, this one has a lot more emotional resonance than most. It's rare to read a description of a ritual in a book on witchcraft, and to actually get any sense of why anyone would bother! Thankfully, this book is an exception to this.
I'd particularly recommend this to someone who had yet to read anything on witchcraft, and even more so to anyone who'd read about neo-Wicca and was interested in learning a bit about Wicca. I'd probably still put Gardner ahead in the list, but this would come in after that.
The best thing about this book is that it is biased to a particular perspective and doesn't pretend otherwise. Ironically, the result is a much less biased book than many others on the topic: Crowley is writing as someone who is a High Priestess and also a Jungian and therefore does a good job of looking at Wicca from a Jungian perspective. While I personally think the Jungian point of view is over-represented in much Wiccan writing, and even more so in Neo-Wiccan writing, and often find that it grates on me (and when presented as the ONLY thing the gods are, irritates me greatly), this is not how I experience it with this book. Partly, this is because it doesn't pretend otherwise, unlike many books out there are there that treat Jungian archetypes as either undisputed fact or as if they were some sort of Wiccan dogma (which they aren't) or Neo-Wiccan dogma (which I suppose they quite possibly are). Partly also at least the author can actually write well about the Jungian perspective, rather than third-hand regurgitations of the idea of the gods as archetypes that doesn't really explore what that actually means.
The book also benefits from being focused largely on one way of looking at the Craft; in terms of the advantages it brings to it's practitioners (it's worth noting that the first edition was subtitled "The Old Religion in the New Age", and of course the New Age Movement differs from Wicca in being particularly concerned with what their practices can do for their practitioners' mental, physical and financial health). I'm not particularly interested in this view of what we do (for one thing, I think working the Craft solely for such benefits rather than in Their service would be a good way to lessen those incidental benefits) but for all that, I'm still much happier to read this book that tries to do one thing and does it well, than the libraries full of "the only book you'll ever need" that do so very little.
It's also why despite its wordier style than many books on witchcraft, this one has a lot more emotional resonance than most. It's rare to read a description of a ritual in a book on witchcraft, and to actually get any sense of why anyone would bother! Thankfully, this book is an exception to this.
I'd particularly recommend this to someone who had yet to read anything on witchcraft, and even more so to anyone who'd read about neo-Wicca and was interested in learning a bit about Wicca. I'd probably still put Gardner ahead in the list, but this would come in after that.
November 10, 2009
If I were to make a top 5 of my pagan collection, this one would be number one. Let's just say I was happy to get it since this book is now out-of-print and I wish it would have been among my first ones to read on the subject. It has probably something to do with the author being a psychologist and a big fan of Carl Jung whom she quotes a lot in the book. I find psychology quite fascinating and I like Jung so I got very much the book and where she was heading with it. Some find it too wordy and too cerebral, I love it. She is from UK and her form of Wicca is more traditional which makes it even more interesting, her Wicca hasn't been mixed with other eclectic elements; that also means the informations in the book haven't been lighten up and fluffied too, she talks a lot about the darker aspects of Wicca. She writes very well too, her rituals are beautifully written, I wish she would write a book on rituals and prayers just to appreciate again her poetry.
March 6, 2016
Not an Old Religion,Wicca is not as old as the NHS!
May 14, 2023
Very basic beginner's book on Wicca; truthfully I'd recommend Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner over this one. Purchased on accident which is why I was never too enthused about it to begin with, it now sits in a box under my bed so I don't have to look at it again.
December 12, 2016
Libro molto interessante di un'autrice che, ormai, è diventata una garanzia. Approfondisce, fin dove possibile, alcuni aspetti della tradizione gardneriana/alexandriana che spesso non traspare dagli altri libri. Per questo mi sento di consigliarlo a chi possiede già una certa conoscenza di questa religione.
Per il resto, fa parte della bibliografia indispensabile per tutti coloro che vogliono approfondire l'argomento. Consigliatissimo!
Io ho letto l'edizione italiana del libro, edita da Armenia, che non compare nell'elenco.
Per il resto, fa parte della bibliografia indispensabile per tutti coloro che vogliono approfondire l'argomento. Consigliatissimo!
Io ho letto l'edizione italiana del libro, edita da Armenia, che non compare nell'elenco.
December 9, 2016
I cannot testify to its accuracy in discussing aspects of Wicca, only to the following:
- Strong but uncritical links to Jungian theory
- Uncritical and heteronormative, VERY gender binary reflection on ritual
- Inconsistent application of myth and archetypes.
Regardless of these observations, the text remains consistent with most texts on Wicca and to me at least it seemed to identify definitive characteristics in a distinct and clear fashion.
- Strong but uncritical links to Jungian theory
- Uncritical and heteronormative, VERY gender binary reflection on ritual
- Inconsistent application of myth and archetypes.
Regardless of these observations, the text remains consistent with most texts on Wicca and to me at least it seemed to identify definitive characteristics in a distinct and clear fashion.
January 2, 2026
The type of book that flourished before the internet. A very simple crash course on the practice.
I was very into Wicca when I was in middle school. My grandmother sent me a book called Teen Witch by Silver Ravenwolf. I liked nature and fantasy and folklore and thought it was neat. But then I realized…I didn’t really believe in magic or the mother goddess, so I stopped practicing.
I think now this is an example of autistic literal thinking. Most religious people practice their religion more symbolically, as a way of connecting with community and with their ancestors, and as a way of accessing self-care and mental health. What is candle magic, as described in this book, for example, but a form of meditation?
I’ve recently been mourning my lack of connection to nature and the land. This is common for colonizers in settler-colonial states. It leads to attempts to appropriate indigenous spiritual practices that we envy but don’t understand. I know quite a few people who were raised Christian who now practice non-Western religions, I think as part of trying to fill a similar sense of loss. I get it…I also am drawn to indigenous spirituality. But I also know it’s not mine to practice.
The indigenous European pagan traditions are mostly lost. That’s why Wicca cobbles together practices from multiple pagan traditions and spices it up with New Age-y woo-woo and more recent European mysticism and occultism. I’m not likely to start practicing Wicca again, but I do like seeing how others have gone about trying to reconnect to the earth and rediscover lost ancestral traditions.
Plus, I kinda dig the whimsigoth aesthetic 🌛🌞✨
I was very into Wicca when I was in middle school. My grandmother sent me a book called Teen Witch by Silver Ravenwolf. I liked nature and fantasy and folklore and thought it was neat. But then I realized…I didn’t really believe in magic or the mother goddess, so I stopped practicing.
I think now this is an example of autistic literal thinking. Most religious people practice their religion more symbolically, as a way of connecting with community and with their ancestors, and as a way of accessing self-care and mental health. What is candle magic, as described in this book, for example, but a form of meditation?
I’ve recently been mourning my lack of connection to nature and the land. This is common for colonizers in settler-colonial states. It leads to attempts to appropriate indigenous spiritual practices that we envy but don’t understand. I know quite a few people who were raised Christian who now practice non-Western religions, I think as part of trying to fill a similar sense of loss. I get it…I also am drawn to indigenous spirituality. But I also know it’s not mine to practice.
The indigenous European pagan traditions are mostly lost. That’s why Wicca cobbles together practices from multiple pagan traditions and spices it up with New Age-y woo-woo and more recent European mysticism and occultism. I’m not likely to start practicing Wicca again, but I do like seeing how others have gone about trying to reconnect to the earth and rediscover lost ancestral traditions.
Plus, I kinda dig the whimsigoth aesthetic 🌛🌞✨
February 4, 2019
4.5 enthusiastic stars. There’s no doubt that Dr. Crowley is a psychologist! While I liked her examination of Wicca via Carl Jung’s body of work, I did find it a touch too intellectual for me, given how emotional and experiential my Craft practice is. That’s a personal bias kicking in, as objectively it’s a solid way to try and better understand Wicca outside of the experience of the circle. Despite being a guide for folks who may not be familiar with traditional Wicca, I greatly enjoyed reading this book for the first time from the perspective of someone who has progressed through the degrees. The “basics” become new again through the lens of experiences within circle.
December 7, 2011
Interesting enough; a lot of little tidbits and pointers. Certainly a fun read, although i would have liked to read more about the history of Wicca. But still worth it.
December 11, 2025
Honestly, kind of mid. I had expected more. The ancient history part doesn't quite hold up anno 2025 but the 19th-20th century history is decent. I read this in a Dutch translation and appreciate the many texts Crowley shares. Even in translation, these are timeless and "nail it". What makes this book stand out (and what it's known for) is its marriage between Jungian archetype theory and the basic tenets of Wicca -- I am not convinced this always works out; in fact, it often is a bit forced and comes across as cherry picking to make it work. Still, the world was better with this book in it. When it first came out around 1990 as well as now, 35 years later. It's just that there have been so many other books that cover the same ideas that the book's surprisal value has been lowered for me personally.
September 7, 2021
I've read plenty of pagan books but this is the first Wiccan book I've read - and enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. Crowley writes with great clarity and depth about a tradition she clearly has a deep knowledge of and reverence for. The description of the journey through the wiccan degrees was fascinating.
The things I didn't enjoy are the things I knew I wouldn't enjoy and have more to do with wicca than this book particularly - the gender essentialism and the emphasis on a women's role solely in relation to fertility/child bearing (i.e. maiden, mother crone) really sticks in my craw.
Regardless, I enjoyed the book and can see myself reading it again - a great introductory but definitely not shallow read.
The things I didn't enjoy are the things I knew I wouldn't enjoy and have more to do with wicca than this book particularly - the gender essentialism and the emphasis on a women's role solely in relation to fertility/child bearing (i.e. maiden, mother crone) really sticks in my craw.
Regardless, I enjoyed the book and can see myself reading it again - a great introductory but definitely not shallow read.
November 30, 2025
Excellent overview of Wicca from Dr Vivianne Crowley who is a High Priestess (one of the few people initiated in both Alexandrian and Gardnerian traditions). She's also a Jungian Psychologist and this book reflects that. One to read and re-read. Mine is highlighted throughout. I also love the cover as I remember this vintage edition from my teenage years. A lot of wisdom in this book and highly recommended for anyone interested in not only British Traditional Witchcraft but also for anyone interested in the history of Wicca and its practices.
February 20, 2022
I have very mixed feelings about this book, which I will explain here.
The first third of the book starts off great -- a lot of solid historical background and factual information. This was in keeping with my assumption that this was a more academically-oriented book. My only complaint early on was that the author tends to site things as established science, when they are in fact not. Since this is not a book about science, I didn't really mind.
By about halfway through the book, it started to be a slow, dense read, but not in the sense that it was full of a lot of facts and information. On the contrary, the 3rd quarter or so of the book was full of long-winded, somewhat repetitive philosophizing that seemed out-of-place based on the the earlier tone of the book. The last quarter got marginally better, but was still a tough read.
Furthermore, the constant references to Jung were ANNOYING. Since this book was written by an academic and purported to involve psychology, I would have wanted a focus on modern psychology and science. Jung, while an important historical figure in the field of psychology, is not really taken seriously in the current field. To be completely honest, I don't know enough to say if it is fair of me to expect this of a book from the mid-1990's.
If you're looking for an introduction to Wicca, especially your first book, skip this one. If you are looking for an academic treatment of Wicca, also skip this one. It very unfortunately lies in an awkward intermediate area, and I found it to be too much for utter beginners but not robust enough for academic study.
The first third of the book starts off great -- a lot of solid historical background and factual information. This was in keeping with my assumption that this was a more academically-oriented book. My only complaint early on was that the author tends to site things as established science, when they are in fact not. Since this is not a book about science, I didn't really mind.
By about halfway through the book, it started to be a slow, dense read, but not in the sense that it was full of a lot of facts and information. On the contrary, the 3rd quarter or so of the book was full of long-winded, somewhat repetitive philosophizing that seemed out-of-place based on the the earlier tone of the book. The last quarter got marginally better, but was still a tough read.
Furthermore, the constant references to Jung were ANNOYING. Since this book was written by an academic and purported to involve psychology, I would have wanted a focus on modern psychology and science. Jung, while an important historical figure in the field of psychology, is not really taken seriously in the current field. To be completely honest, I don't know enough to say if it is fair of me to expect this of a book from the mid-1990's.
If you're looking for an introduction to Wicca, especially your first book, skip this one. If you are looking for an academic treatment of Wicca, also skip this one. It very unfortunately lies in an awkward intermediate area, and I found it to be too much for utter beginners but not robust enough for academic study.
July 25, 2022
Best book about spirituality and wicca I've ever read.
Vivianne Crowley really uses her knowledge and experience as a psychologist and both gardnerian and alexandrian wiccan to describe why wiccan works for people, and where the traditions and rituals come from.
Vivianne Crowley really uses her knowledge and experience as a psychologist and both gardnerian and alexandrian wiccan to describe why wiccan works for people, and where the traditions and rituals come from.
July 31, 2023
TBH, didn't finish it, but read enough to be like yes, this seems like a good guide to Wicca for an outsider. I will slowly work my way through it as the spirit moves me but needed it off my "reading" list as...it could take awhile.
December 24, 2023
Definitely a book I would recommend to anyone interested in Wicca. I like how it relates Wicca to Jung's psychology and the process of individuation. Different from most other books on Wicca, at least the ones I have read so far.
August 2, 2019
Very heavy on Jung which can be a little difficult to read sometimes but definitely worthwhile. Great overview of the history of Wicca and the actual reasoning behind the rituals.
March 16, 2020
This is a great introduction to the Wiccan Craft, easy to read and understand. A must for all who wish to follow the Wiccan path.
June 7, 2020
Very heavily focussed on the relationships between Jungian psychology and the Craft.
November 18, 2021
Nice addition to a collective.
June 17, 2023
Soms in plaats van elk woord te lezen en begrijpen neem ik een boek gewoon tot mij en absorbeer de vibe en kennis ervan🪄
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August 3, 2023complete guide to Wicca
A complete guide to Wicca written in a clear and precise style. A
must have for any person interested in the Wiccan path
A complete guide to Wicca written in a clear and precise style. A
must have for any person interested in the Wiccan path
January 21, 2026
che fatica
May 14, 2016
This was an extremely important book for me. It introduced a much deeper look at Wicca than the ones I had been getting from the likes of Cunningham and Conway. There is no doubt the latter authors inspire and lend important tools to the study and practice of the religion, but Crowley takes us deeper into the traditional meaning of the practices. She feels authentic in a way the others, with their "anything goes" attitude, do not. (I happen to be more of an "anything goes"-type person, but all the better to get a different perspective.)
Crowley takes Wicca so seriously, and she shows her love of its beauty and poetry. She speaks of it so much in terms of the coven practice, and I must say she makes it look very attractive. The only time I've been tempted to seek a coven is during the reading of this book. If one is looking for such an experience, Crowley is one to read for sure.
The book is full of practical, theoretical, philosophical, and poetic wisdom. Crowley writes well. This is a great resource for inspiration and grounding in a practice that is founded in more traditional ways. Personally, I did not ultimately steer my own practice in Crowley's direction after I finished the book, but I did very much deepen my appreciation for Wicca as a true religion. This is not Wicca lite, and serious practitioners will read it with interest and a hunger for more.
Crowley takes Wicca so seriously, and she shows her love of its beauty and poetry. She speaks of it so much in terms of the coven practice, and I must say she makes it look very attractive. The only time I've been tempted to seek a coven is during the reading of this book. If one is looking for such an experience, Crowley is one to read for sure.
The book is full of practical, theoretical, philosophical, and poetic wisdom. Crowley writes well. This is a great resource for inspiration and grounding in a practice that is founded in more traditional ways. Personally, I did not ultimately steer my own practice in Crowley's direction after I finished the book, but I did very much deepen my appreciation for Wicca as a true religion. This is not Wicca lite, and serious practitioners will read it with interest and a hunger for more.
March 7, 2014
Me costó encontrar la edición de los primeros 90 en castellano, pero una vez hecho resulta un libro esclarecedor en muchos aspectos sobre los rituales y significados en la Wicca. Como tantos otros libros es la visión de la autora, cuya formación como psicólogo se nota bastante a lo largo de toda la esplicación.
Es recomendable especialmente por que en él encontraras explicaciones explicitas de cosas que solo se encuentran implicitas en otros textos, y que tal vez solo hayas llegado a sospechar.
Bueno para todos los estudiosos y seguidores de una o varias tradiciones wicca y las personas que buscan algo más de comprensión sobre la temática wiccana.
De interesante lectura y aún más interesante estudio, solo lo dejo de recomendar para aquellos que no deseen leer que la wicca pueda ser algo distinto a lo que tienen pre-concebido, ya que ellos podran ver que los cimientos de su seguridad teológica se tambalean.
Es recomendable especialmente por que en él encontraras explicaciones explicitas de cosas que solo se encuentran implicitas en otros textos, y que tal vez solo hayas llegado a sospechar.
Bueno para todos los estudiosos y seguidores de una o varias tradiciones wicca y las personas que buscan algo más de comprensión sobre la temática wiccana.
De interesante lectura y aún más interesante estudio, solo lo dejo de recomendar para aquellos que no deseen leer que la wicca pueda ser algo distinto a lo que tienen pre-concebido, ya que ellos podran ver que los cimientos de su seguridad teológica se tambalean.
October 12, 2014
One of the best books out there on serious Wicca. Not a how-to book, but one that goes into meaning of British Traditional Wicca with wonderful analyses of what one goes through psychologically when advancing through the degrees. One word of advice: If you are planning on being initiated into a Gardnerian or Alexandrian coven, don't read the parts about the higher degrees until you've gone through them. Not that there are secrets given, but it's best you don't have pre-conceived notions of the inner changes you will be going through.
March 18, 2008
I've had this book for quite a while and recently picked it up again. I wanted to "get back to basics" as far as wicca was concerned and boy, did this book surprise me! I didn't remember it being so practical, psychological and balanced in its views of whether magick is "real" or not. It all depends on where your own mindset is - this can greatly influence what you bring away from the book. A very important read!
January 25, 2012
A very frustrating book. Filled with things a reader wants to hear, but really teaches very little more than a volume a 1/10th of the size. I have tried reading it many times and failed to really get stuck in. I might try again one day, but I prefer books packed with good information and facts, and this book seems to be lacking that.
February 7, 2014
So far I've found it very interesting in tying together a lot if historical information I've gleaned from different sources over the years. I wouldn't call it un-put-down able, I can go for weeks without picking it up and when I do only read one page, but it is however rather interesting and insightful. A good reference for beginners, or those who want to know more about the craft.
October 13, 2010
Not a practicioner's guide.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews