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Solitary Wicca for Life: A Complete Guide to Mastering the Craft on Your Own
A complete guidebook for the serious--and solitary--Wiccan practitioner.
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
165 people are currently reading
1027 people want to read
About the author
Arin Murphy-Hiscock
51 books869 followersCurrently a resident of Montreal, Canada, Arin works as a freelance writer and editor. She is the author of Power Spellcraft for Life: The Art of Crafting and Casting for Positive Change (2005), Solitary Wicca for Life: A Complete Guide to Mastering the Craft on Your Own (2005), The Way of the Green Witch (2006), The Way of the Hedge Witch (2009), and Pagan Pregnancy: The Journey From Maiden to Mother (TBA). She is also the editor of the anthology Out of the Broom Closet (2009).
Arin is a third-degree Wiccan High Priestess in the Black Forest Clan, a tradition linked both by lineage and practice to several other branches of Wiccan thought and philosophy including the Caledonii Tradition, Druidism, Gardnerian practice, Seax-Wicca, general Celtic Wicca, and German witchcraft. She works as a priestess in her community performing rites of passage and giving occasional workshops, and leads a private coven.
Her hobbies include playing the cello, handspinning, and weaving.
Arin is a third-degree Wiccan High Priestess in the Black Forest Clan, a tradition linked both by lineage and practice to several other branches of Wiccan thought and philosophy including the Caledonii Tradition, Druidism, Gardnerian practice, Seax-Wicca, general Celtic Wicca, and German witchcraft. She works as a priestess in her community performing rites of passage and giving occasional workshops, and leads a private coven.
Her hobbies include playing the cello, handspinning, and weaving.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 24, 2011
Solitary Wicca for Life from its first sentence distinguishes itself from Wicca 101 books. The author establishes from the onset that this book is targeted towards the intermediate practitioner, pledging to delve further beyond the practices and rituals, offering an alternate point of view to challenge the pre-existing assumptions we hold. With bated breath, I turned to Chapter One, preparing to be thoroughly enlightened and inspired. To my disappointment, neither occurred.
Murphy-Hiscock provides an outline of the origins of Wicca that for those who are familiar with the debate about whether or not Wicca is, as Gerald Gardner purported, handed down from an ancient lineage, or adapted by Gardner from Co-Masonry and Aleister Crowley’s rituals, this section will seem one-sided. The author compares Wicca with wisecraft (a vast leap in history and theology) and ponders that it “probably honoured a moon goddess and a hunter/vegetation god” (p. 1). She then continues to provide the potential etymological roots of the word “Wicca” that has been presented by Wicca 101 books ad nauseum and does little to consider the possibility that the word was formed arbitrarily, and thus all discussions of etymology are perhaps only retrospective prescriptions of meaning.
It is of significance to note that the author is not ignorant of the contentious sources of Wicca’s basic tenets and refers to the similarities with Aleister Crowley’s work and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in her discussion (but refraining from supporting the idea that Gardner intentionally derived his ideas from them). However, in a book that explicitly defines its target audience as more advanced practitioners and aspires to become a guide for “mastering the Craft on your own”, I believe it would have been beneficial for the author to undertake even more extensive and rigorous research on the history and origins of Wicca so that she may begin the book on a more solidly intelligent and considered approach.
I understand the value in providing a brief overview of the basics of Wicca although I continued reading to Chapter Seven (almost half the book) and did not gain the impression that the contents were particularly original or novel. While I would presume that many of the exercises, recipes and visualisations mentioned throughout are composed by the author, I did not find that they would have been either challenging for an intermediate Wiccan or something that they could not have just as easily developed to more personal and rewarding effects over their own years of practice.
As such, for intermediate to advanced readers, Solitary Wicca for Life will most likely not be original or challenging enough for you. When I think about an ideal intermediate book, I believe it should take a more micro-level perspective of ritual and spellwork to reveal as Murphy-Hiscock promised, “the inner working[s]” (viii). This is the second self-purported “intermediate” book that has promised to tackle this in its preface only to leave me cold. The first was Deborah Lipp’s Elements of Ritual. For example, the author discusses the practice of spiritual record-keeping (p. 80) and includes a list of the details that she counsels ought to be included, comprising of points such as the weather and health (and menstrual cycle if you are female). Most of these details are widely advised by introductory Wiccan books, however, I would have liked to read Murphy-Hiscock’s impressions on why each of the points she listed is necessary and how exactly these details can benefit future ritual work. She is prescriptive to the point of noting that the name of the ritual and its type “should be [recorded] at the top of the sheet” (p. 81). It would have been even more illuminating to understand why because that would have distinguished this book from its countless introductory predecessors that have explicated little more than Solitary Wicca for Life did.
You may wonder then that perhaps the value in this book is not to tell us what to think, but in providing the author’s own framework, prompt us to do the same for our practice. This is a justified reasoning, however, once more, the explicitly stated purpose of this book as one to challenge the intermediate reader, renders that reasoning insubstantial. Intermediate practitioners can gain an equal amount of inspiration by simply having a conversation with an experienced friend or reading publicly available rituals and recipes online to gain new ideas and adapt their practices, assuming that they have not done so beyond the scope of this book already.
Solitary Wicca for Life would have been much more unique and provocative if it ventured as deep as it established itself to do, leaving fewer statements unjustified, rather than expecting the reader to make the cognitive leap on their own.
Murphy-Hiscock provides an outline of the origins of Wicca that for those who are familiar with the debate about whether or not Wicca is, as Gerald Gardner purported, handed down from an ancient lineage, or adapted by Gardner from Co-Masonry and Aleister Crowley’s rituals, this section will seem one-sided. The author compares Wicca with wisecraft (a vast leap in history and theology) and ponders that it “probably honoured a moon goddess and a hunter/vegetation god” (p. 1). She then continues to provide the potential etymological roots of the word “Wicca” that has been presented by Wicca 101 books ad nauseum and does little to consider the possibility that the word was formed arbitrarily, and thus all discussions of etymology are perhaps only retrospective prescriptions of meaning.
It is of significance to note that the author is not ignorant of the contentious sources of Wicca’s basic tenets and refers to the similarities with Aleister Crowley’s work and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in her discussion (but refraining from supporting the idea that Gardner intentionally derived his ideas from them). However, in a book that explicitly defines its target audience as more advanced practitioners and aspires to become a guide for “mastering the Craft on your own”, I believe it would have been beneficial for the author to undertake even more extensive and rigorous research on the history and origins of Wicca so that she may begin the book on a more solidly intelligent and considered approach.
I understand the value in providing a brief overview of the basics of Wicca although I continued reading to Chapter Seven (almost half the book) and did not gain the impression that the contents were particularly original or novel. While I would presume that many of the exercises, recipes and visualisations mentioned throughout are composed by the author, I did not find that they would have been either challenging for an intermediate Wiccan or something that they could not have just as easily developed to more personal and rewarding effects over their own years of practice.
As such, for intermediate to advanced readers, Solitary Wicca for Life will most likely not be original or challenging enough for you. When I think about an ideal intermediate book, I believe it should take a more micro-level perspective of ritual and spellwork to reveal as Murphy-Hiscock promised, “the inner working[s]” (viii). This is the second self-purported “intermediate” book that has promised to tackle this in its preface only to leave me cold. The first was Deborah Lipp’s Elements of Ritual. For example, the author discusses the practice of spiritual record-keeping (p. 80) and includes a list of the details that she counsels ought to be included, comprising of points such as the weather and health (and menstrual cycle if you are female). Most of these details are widely advised by introductory Wiccan books, however, I would have liked to read Murphy-Hiscock’s impressions on why each of the points she listed is necessary and how exactly these details can benefit future ritual work. She is prescriptive to the point of noting that the name of the ritual and its type “should be [recorded] at the top of the sheet” (p. 81). It would have been even more illuminating to understand why because that would have distinguished this book from its countless introductory predecessors that have explicated little more than Solitary Wicca for Life did.
You may wonder then that perhaps the value in this book is not to tell us what to think, but in providing the author’s own framework, prompt us to do the same for our practice. This is a justified reasoning, however, once more, the explicitly stated purpose of this book as one to challenge the intermediate reader, renders that reasoning insubstantial. Intermediate practitioners can gain an equal amount of inspiration by simply having a conversation with an experienced friend or reading publicly available rituals and recipes online to gain new ideas and adapt their practices, assuming that they have not done so beyond the scope of this book already.
Solitary Wicca for Life would have been much more unique and provocative if it ventured as deep as it established itself to do, leaving fewer statements unjustified, rather than expecting the reader to make the cognitive leap on their own.
October 17, 2017
It's decent.
There are some good ideas in here, but there is also much of the usual Wicca 101 topics covered.
Honestly it reminded me of a streamlined version of Silver Ravenwolf's "To Stir a Magick Cauldron."
I think that it would likely be useful for practitioners who are still at the beginning of establishing a practice that makes sense, and working to understand how all this hunter/gatherer and agricultural focus has meaning for them as people living in the 21st century.
Definitely worth a look if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription. Arin's "Power Spellcraft for Life" is a much better book, and was one of my favorite spell composition guides.
There are some good ideas in here, but there is also much of the usual Wicca 101 topics covered.
Honestly it reminded me of a streamlined version of Silver Ravenwolf's "To Stir a Magick Cauldron."
I think that it would likely be useful for practitioners who are still at the beginning of establishing a practice that makes sense, and working to understand how all this hunter/gatherer and agricultural focus has meaning for them as people living in the 21st century.
Definitely worth a look if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription. Arin's "Power Spellcraft for Life" is a much better book, and was one of my favorite spell composition guides.
March 1, 2020
Not what I thought, but better
When I picked up this book I don’t know what I was expecting but it has surpassed whatever hat was greatly. An excellent book for a solitary trying to figure out where to go next.
When I picked up this book I don’t know what I was expecting but it has surpassed whatever hat was greatly. An excellent book for a solitary trying to figure out where to go next.
February 24, 2022
Great information to further understanding
I liked the breakdown between the mentions of "Wicca 101' and this step up information in this book. More details on step by step on how things are done. Good add to collection to read to further your knowledge in Wicca.
I liked the breakdown between the mentions of "Wicca 101' and this step up information in this book. More details on step by step on how things are done. Good add to collection to read to further your knowledge in Wicca.
October 30, 2022
I liked this book. I've read tons of these types of books, and this didn't have anything super new, per se, but I liked the approach. And it did give me a couple of additional things to consider which was nice.
October 11, 2017
Very informative excellent read and great if you’re new to the Wiccan path. Absolutely recommend this to anyone interested in the craft.
February 3, 2019
Clear and informative. A look back at basic principles but with a more experienced eye, and some more advanced concepts. Engaging and readable.
December 29, 2020
A little bit more advanced than a beginner book
August 21, 2022
Definitely a good book for someone who likes to practice alone! Has some great ideas and information for solitary rituals
April 16, 2025
Solitary Wicca For Life
This book was supposed to be a guidebook to the person that is interested in getting involved with Wicca, but for whatever reason doesn't plan on joining a group or a coven, and just wants to go at it solo. Thus making it a little more difficult without being led.
This was informative, but I think the problem I have reading this was it read like a textbook. A lot of times, I felt like I was taking in words but I wasn't absorbing anything. And I think that's because even though this is meant to teach the solitary Wicca, here's the issue. Some of the rituals described I felt like I really would have gained more being experienced.
I was attracted to this book's title because I am an introvert. I don't do much socializing or get out much. And mostly I'm good with that. However, the people I do come in contact with seem to only represent one religion. That being Christianity. It's EVERYWHERE! Try getting up the courage to tell someone that's STRONGLY into Christianity that you're no longer interested in it and you're following another path.
Needless to say, I don't know any Wiccan's and have no earthly idea how to find any to discuss how to proceed. I looked up a site online and sent a message but never got a response back. So I thought ok. Maybe it's meant for me to take this path in my life alone. I'm no stranger to that. Yet, I don't think I'm any more clear after reading this.
It did give some things I embraced immediately. Such as in the chapter about cleansing, it talked about a lavender scrub. Which I did purchase on Amazon. And I gotta say if you want some good sleep INSTANTLY get SLEEP from Aromatherapy.
I also looked at healing stones to buy in the future. I wish the book would have gone into which stones are good for what.
I also wish it would have gone more into the Gods and Goddesses and which ones to petition for certain areas and with what.
There were things that I kind of read through quickly that I understood in general but without it actually making much impact because honestly though I’d like to experience it I couldn’t see myself trying alone. Like casting a circle.
And even with spells. I would love to try a spell but I just think I'd get more out of it I in a group that was just as passionate about Wicca as I am.
I think I'm at that point in the journey where I really want to believe in spells. I just need to see one cast in action that actually has the desired effect. And that's a step up because I used to didn't believe in spells at all.
The same goes for the rituals, esbats, and sabbats. I think I enjoyed reading about how to celebrate these the most. Mostly they all sound powerful and enriching, and I'm sure they'd be like nothing I ever experienced. It's just that trying them on my own seems like an intangible concept.
There were things that honestly left me with an odd sensation. Such as the chapters on invoking a deity or an ancestor. I think the first time I got a sense of this was from watching the Craft and the invoking of Manu. And if that wouldn't turn you off to this concept then you haven't watched the Craft. The thought of another being inhibiting my body I think I'd pass on.
I hope to be a Wiccan you don't have to experience ALL of these! I was weirded out by the concept of speaking in tongues in Christianity. Something I also didn't want to experience.
It also went into talks about the importance of meditation and influenced me to add an app to my IPAD called CALM. I also found the section interesting that spoke about our Shadow Self (the areas of ourselves we hide of repress).
Some things were a little (how to describe this) "abstract" (closest I can come). Such as creating a sacred space in your mind (in detail) and it sinks in so much that even unconsciously you visit the place in your dreams. Since dreams fascinate me I wondered would this really work.
Overall, the book was a decent reference. But I just didn't find it as insightful as the previous one I read (Everything Witchcraft and Wicca)
RATING: 51/2
This book was supposed to be a guidebook to the person that is interested in getting involved with Wicca, but for whatever reason doesn't plan on joining a group or a coven, and just wants to go at it solo. Thus making it a little more difficult without being led.
This was informative, but I think the problem I have reading this was it read like a textbook. A lot of times, I felt like I was taking in words but I wasn't absorbing anything. And I think that's because even though this is meant to teach the solitary Wicca, here's the issue. Some of the rituals described I felt like I really would have gained more being experienced.
I was attracted to this book's title because I am an introvert. I don't do much socializing or get out much. And mostly I'm good with that. However, the people I do come in contact with seem to only represent one religion. That being Christianity. It's EVERYWHERE! Try getting up the courage to tell someone that's STRONGLY into Christianity that you're no longer interested in it and you're following another path.
Needless to say, I don't know any Wiccan's and have no earthly idea how to find any to discuss how to proceed. I looked up a site online and sent a message but never got a response back. So I thought ok. Maybe it's meant for me to take this path in my life alone. I'm no stranger to that. Yet, I don't think I'm any more clear after reading this.
It did give some things I embraced immediately. Such as in the chapter about cleansing, it talked about a lavender scrub. Which I did purchase on Amazon. And I gotta say if you want some good sleep INSTANTLY get SLEEP from Aromatherapy.
I also looked at healing stones to buy in the future. I wish the book would have gone into which stones are good for what.
I also wish it would have gone more into the Gods and Goddesses and which ones to petition for certain areas and with what.
There were things that I kind of read through quickly that I understood in general but without it actually making much impact because honestly though I’d like to experience it I couldn’t see myself trying alone. Like casting a circle.
And even with spells. I would love to try a spell but I just think I'd get more out of it I in a group that was just as passionate about Wicca as I am.
I think I'm at that point in the journey where I really want to believe in spells. I just need to see one cast in action that actually has the desired effect. And that's a step up because I used to didn't believe in spells at all.
The same goes for the rituals, esbats, and sabbats. I think I enjoyed reading about how to celebrate these the most. Mostly they all sound powerful and enriching, and I'm sure they'd be like nothing I ever experienced. It's just that trying them on my own seems like an intangible concept.
There were things that honestly left me with an odd sensation. Such as the chapters on invoking a deity or an ancestor. I think the first time I got a sense of this was from watching the Craft and the invoking of Manu. And if that wouldn't turn you off to this concept then you haven't watched the Craft. The thought of another being inhibiting my body I think I'd pass on.
I hope to be a Wiccan you don't have to experience ALL of these! I was weirded out by the concept of speaking in tongues in Christianity. Something I also didn't want to experience.
It also went into talks about the importance of meditation and influenced me to add an app to my IPAD called CALM. I also found the section interesting that spoke about our Shadow Self (the areas of ourselves we hide of repress).
Some things were a little (how to describe this) "abstract" (closest I can come). Such as creating a sacred space in your mind (in detail) and it sinks in so much that even unconsciously you visit the place in your dreams. Since dreams fascinate me I wondered would this really work.
Overall, the book was a decent reference. But I just didn't find it as insightful as the previous one I read (Everything Witchcraft and Wicca)
RATING: 51/2
August 17, 2010
I came into this book with low expectations. I'd read The Way of the Green Witch: Rituals, Spells and Practices to Bring You Back to Nature, also by Murphy-Hiscock, had been underwhelmed, sold the book, and then kicked myself when I realized I owned another book by her. I put off reading it for years until I finally decided to get it over with and get it off my bookshelves. Surprise: this book is quite good! (So good in fact, that I looked up The Way of the Green Witch to see if I'd misremembered the author).
The book's subtitle might be a bit confusing if it leads readers to think that this is a beginning book on Wicca. This is a Wicca 201 book, intended for people who already know the fundamentals and are wondering what happens next. The author goes over all those fundamentals, discussing them in more depth, and pointing out distinctions that tend to get blurred in beginning texts (the differences between creating sacred space and casting a circle or between consecrating an item and dedicating it, for example). She offers variations in circle-casting (triple-axis: whee!), drawing down the moon, and other techniques. The author also breaks down the steps of creating a ritual in order to explain each part.
The last part of the book covers more general Wiccan topics, including rites of passage, aspecting deities, and spiritual archetypes. Many of these topics could be books on their own, so here her discussions do become more general. Other helpful features of the book: each chapter begins with a summary of the contents, which makes the book easier to look things up in as a reference work. The appendix contains many of Wicca's basic texts, conveniently brought together in one place.
By the way, despite the title, I'd recommend this book for Wiccans who work with groups. What, you're not going to need to know the difference between consecration and dedication just because you're in a coven?
August 23, 2013
I cannot say to be satisfied with this book, I wasn't throughout reading it, but the real last straw came with the list of wicca principles, in which the author expresses complete disregard ( if not disrespect) for tradition, and for the History of the Craft. To be concerned about present and future is fine, but nothing just springs into existence from nowhere. As most things, the Craft has a long and honoured tradition and fascinating history that shouldn't , in my opinion, ever be disregarded.
April 21, 2012
Lots of great advice for a Practitioner and solitary witch who is looking for information on spells, history and the outlines of the holidays. It gives one a deeper depth than is usually available to the solitary witch.
January 19, 2021
Awesome
As one who endeavours to live a magical life daily, this book has given me fresh insights into the how's, whys, & where's. Excellent read from cover too cover & is now side by side with Scott Cunningham as a favourite go to book. Awesome
As one who endeavours to live a magical life daily, this book has given me fresh insights into the how's, whys, & where's. Excellent read from cover too cover & is now side by side with Scott Cunningham as a favourite go to book. Awesome
March 9, 2016
I was able to get some good information out of this book. However, the writing came off as condescending. Not to mention self-contradictory at times.
December 28, 2018
A lovely book for anyone wishing to begin to walk a Wiccan path. This book is well organized and quite detailed. Definitely worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews