Jun 27, 2009

Today In Wiccan History


"Call upon the Goddess and God to protect you and teach you the secrets of magic. Ask stones and plants to reveal their powers - and listen. "

Scott Cunningham
June 27, 1956 – March 28, 1993


He was born in Royal Oak, Michigan in the united States of America and published "The Truth About Herb Magic", "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner", "Earth Power: Techniques of Natural Magic", and "Shadow of Love" and numerous books that are still widely read today.

In high school he became associated with a girl whom he knew to deal in the occult and covens. This classmate introduced him to Wicca and trained him in Wiccan spirituality. He studied creative writing at San Diego State University, where he enrolled in 1978. After two years in the program, however, he had more published works than several of his professors, and dropped out of the university to write full time.

During this period he had as a roommate magical author Donald Michael Kraig and often socialized with witchcraft author Raymond Buckland, who was also living in San Diego at the time. In 1980 Cunningham began initiate training under Raven Grimassi and remained as a first-degree initiate until 1982 when he left the tradition in favor of a self-styled form of Wicca.

It is difficult to discuss Wicca or paganism without Scott Cunningham's name coming up in conversation and his contributions paved the way for our ability to openly practice the spiritual beliefs we hold dear today. I myself own several of his books, well worn and somewhat dog eared but an important part of my library to which I use as reference quite often.

3 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Yes, Scott Cunningham had a wonderfully clear and simple writing style. His books are classics. He died much too young, alas.

Hibiscus Moon said...

I love his books and teachings too. Do you know why he died so young? I never heard that story.

Anonymous said...

Scott Cunningham has written a lot of great books. I own a few myself too. I love the way he wrote, so open and not complicated at all. That is what makes him so great as a writer.
Have a magical day !!