I'm wondering if this will be any good:

Llewellyn is pleased to present a new Scott Cunningham book—a long-lost Book of Shadows. Recently discovered in a battered manila envelope, this previously unpublished manuscript was penned by Scott in the late 1970s or early 1980s. This rare book includes original spells, rituals, and invocations and an herbal grimoire. Featured in the design are Scott's actual hand-written notes and hand-drawn signs, symbols, and runes.

More than ten years after his passing, Scott Cunningham is still an iconic and highly regarded figure in the magical community. His books on Wicca are considered classics, and his writings continue to inspire and inform those new to the Craft.

Don't know but Samhuinn is almost upon us

Yes, it is!

Thank-you Ruth for this information! I was not sure if it was a new book or a re-release. I am looking forward to reading it,Cunningham is one of my favorite authors and a staple reference guide for any solitary practioner!

No problem. I was pretty excited when I heard about it and then I got the email from Amazon this morning about it. I'm just not sure there will be anything new in it, but I'm still going to buy it. I go back to Scott's books time and again. In fact, I may have to buy a new herb magick book as mine is falling apart.

I read your profile and I bet you are a wealth of information yourself.

I don't know anything about this stuff.I am just a little monkey

Hm,I think the tricky little monkey knows more then they are letting on! Always wonderful to share knowledge with new friends,some of my favorite spells and receipes have come from some very interesting people.

MirrorMirror may or may not know much about the subject. He is a tricky little monkey who likes to be vague and mysterious regarding his own personal opionions and beliefs.

However, I love him very much in spite of that.

MirrorMirror loves Ruth too

Mirror Mirror reflects for us
the spiritual issues that we discuss
he soaks them up without a fuss
and adds to them his Jedi thrust

He communes with forces dark and deep
and tiptoes past them as they sleep
herding them like ghostly sheep
as he sows the things he'll reap

The witches know he's on the prowl
they watch him from their chakra brow
they hear the echo of his howl
as he fades into the Tao

His saber sword for dragons slain
with blood and guts that spew like rain
his fighting's never done in vain
the man is quite insane

His book of shadows filled with lore
with gruesome brutal tales of war
and all the dungeons he'll explore
with the wholesome virgin girl next door

He lives a life of purity
in underground obscurity
with an essence of maturity
that bathes him in security

And when he's feeling incomplete
he'll surface to a cyber street
and find a witch in her retreat
to utter to her, "Merry meet!"

Bravo! A wonderfully entertaining poem Abracadabra! You all seem very fond of MirrorMirror and his wit,wisdom and highjinxs! It's refreshing to find such a well rounded and positive forum group. I look forward to getting to know all of you here in this community.

It's good to have you here Rosehaven, we need more witches around. I'm hesitant to actually call myself a witch yet for various reasons. I only became seriously interested in witchcraft about this time last year when Ruth introduced me to the books of Scott Cunningham and Christopher Penczak. I've become a great fan of Penczak's Temple of Witchcraft series books. I currently have all 6 of them now and I read them every night along with quite a few other books I've gotten since.

I'm not going to become a 'Wiccan' specifically because I'm not interested in supporting any kind of organized religion. But I have adopted witchcraft as a lifestyle now. I actually feel like I'm only just now starting out, even though I have been studying it for a year now. There was much to learn.

On the topic of a Book of Shadows, I'm just now starting mine. I actually did start one earlier back when I first started out. But I didn't understand the bigger picture so it was difficult to 'build up' my rituals and pantheon. So a lot of the stuff that is supposed to go into a book of shadows was quite unclear to me at that time. I now have a far better picture of where I'm heading and why I'm heading off in this particular direction.

One thing that I've learned above all else, is that solitary witches do indeed create their own spirituality including their choice of pantheons, rituals, spells, and so forth. In fact, most authors that I've read encourage the witch to create their own spells and rituals in a way that feels right for them. So I've taken that to heart and because of this I'm creating something that I feel is truly beautiful, and certainly unique. It is in-line with much of traditional witchcraft whilst simultaneously being a reflection of my own natural intuition.

So anyway that's enough about me, welcome to the forums.

Perhaps you can share a bit of your history with the craft?

My journey down The Old Path started with a growing curiosity when I was in grade school and happened to meet Laurie Cabot on a field trip to Salem Ma. I was totally captivated by her strength and presence. That impression stayed with me thru the years as I fought to find my own place of peace and comfort in the religion of my parents. My mother's death was actually the catalyst that freed me from the church.
I wandered thru the pagan side of life in nursing school and sampled differant beliefs and teachings,I adopted an eclectic spirituality that was for all intents and purpose,"just what felt good." After college I moved home to Hampton,passed my RN boards and discovered the wonderous underground of Portsmouth's pagan community. I started studying in earnest;Cunningham,Cabot,Dunwich,Ravenwolf,Grimassi,Gladstar and others.I followed the Celtic Wheel of the Year and dedicated myself as a Solitary to the Triple Goddess.Still,something was missing.
In 2001 I moved to a rural area of the state and met a wonderful woman,Wendy Fogg, who had an herb farm. I visited often and we became friends and she started sharing with me her own journey with the goddess and the plants. I was hooked! I became her apprentice and now I am a full fledged herbalist and green witch. My calling is as a healer and one who brings comfort to those in spiritual and emotional pain. I use herbs and plants for healing as well as magick. It is ancient and very powerful to feel the connection we have with the Mother. Nothing brings me more bliss than teaching and sharing the knowledge of the plants. My book of shadows is my materia medica! It is the record of my personal and spiritual growth.Sometimes the path ahead is clearer when I look back at where I've been!
I have started teaching my son and he also greatly enjoys the teachings of Christopher Penczak. Christopher was also an apprentice of Wendy Fogg and he has taught classes at Misty Meadows Herb Farm many times. He is a delight in person! Sons of the Goddess is a must have for all teenage boys who follow the path.
So that's me.A simple kitchen witch,gifted herbalist,dedicated nurse, and kick *** single mom! LOL...any questions?

I knew she was gonna be way cool!

Well, owl certainly be looking forward to hearing anything you wish to share on that topic. In fact, I highly encourage you to start a brand new thread in this "Other Religion forum" specifically on the topic of Herbal Medicia and Magickia.

People often start threads in here to share their bliss. I would be an instant follower of your recipes and comments to be sure. I love to garden and it would be great to have someone to share and help guide me in 'winter indoor gardening' over the winter months.

I have a few house plants that I'm going to try to get through this coming winter. I also have aquariums with living plants as well. It would be nice to know what kinds of herbs might be growable indoors during the winter months and how they can be used in cooking, medicine and magick.

So please feel free to host a thread on that topic, I'm sure you'll quickly gain a lot of followers. Ruth and I will being knocking each other over trying to get in the door first.

I suggest some of the basics: rosemary,basil,lavender,mint. all good for cooking and magick. If you can find some this time of year lemon balm,catnip,and chamomile. All of these work very well in a variety of receipes and spells. Sunny window sills and sliding doors are great for pots of herbs as long as not too cold and the cats can't get in them! My Orion is a fool for my herb pots,he keeps trying to roll in them! Is anyone interested in some seasonal herb info for Samhain? I can give a list and highlight some of the most popular if that would be helpful. I have a few simple spells and receipes to share if you like. Just let me know.

I would be very interested!