Some of the flashy books coming out lately such as, The Complete Illustrated Guide to the Tarot, Complete Illustrated Guide to the Runes, and the Complete Illustrated Guide to Numerology, though overviews, these books do not skimp on the information they provide their readers.
This book is no exception. The Illustrated Guide to Wicca contains both practical and breathtaking graphics, and just about all the information you need to understand Wicca, from the legends and lore, to all the basic how-to information.
Everything is covered, beliefs, practices, techniques, Wheel of the Year rituals, other ritual ideas including first, second, and third degree initiations.
The authors reveal the diversity among Wiccans by having each Wheel ritual in the book focus on a different pantheon (Yule invokes the energies of Isis and Osiris; Beltane invokes Thor and Sif, for examples). They also include some nice pages devoted to charges and invocations to other deities. It's no great multicultural assortment, but it provides just enough to stimulate the beginner's interests.
The book is ideal for the curious, those at the introductory level and young people. Those beyond being just curious should, of course, supplement this with other books, such as the Spiral Dance by Starhawk, or Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner, by Scott Cunningham.
This book might also be nice for more experienced practitioners to have around, if they need a non-threatening source to answer questions about the craft to those on the outside. This is a nicely organized, carefully constructed, beautifully illustrated resource.
