Wicca for Beginners by Thea Sabin

Each chapter covers one specific topic, or group of related topics including what Wicca is; some basic principles and ethics; energy tools; energy working; creating a circle; the four elements and quarters; getting to know the gods; physical tools “toys,” and altars; the wheel of the year; tying it all together; magic; and where to go from the basics. The progression is logical. Each “practical” chapter has some suggestions for things to do for practice, and no attempt is made to mystify the student. Practicality and common sense are the keys to Ms. Sabin’s approach. She freely admits that not everyone will agree with her perceptions and definitions and leaves it to the reader to find out what works for them, and what makes them comfortable. There is none of the “This is the right way to do it” attitude so often encountered

Her presentation is fair and balanced showing both sides of issues such as eclectic versus traditional (easy to do as she has stood on both sides); public versus private (ditto); and solitary versus group (again, ditto). This book is one that I am proud to recommend to the new seekers out there. Her “Further Reading” list might have been more extensive, but since it was based, as she says, on what was on her shelves, I won’t quibble. Overall, this is an excellent book; one of the best in recent memory.