Scott Cunningham - The Path Taken - Signed Copy

Purchase a copy of this wonderful book signed and personalized by author Christine Cunningham Ashworth.

A moving portrait of the iconic figure who led the way in establishing Wicca in North America—with remembrances of his life by his sister, Christine Cunningham Ashworth, and appreciations written by key figures in today’s world of witchcraft, magic, tarot, and astrology.

The iconic and renowned bestselling author Scott Cunningham (1953-1993) was the central figure in establishing Wicca in North America. His pioneering book Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner radically altered the practice of Wicca, enabling practitioners to self-initiate. Scott’s books, especially his encyclopedias, remain popular today, years after his death. In recent years, Scott has also emerged as a celebrated queer icon, especially in the witchcraft world. Although so many people have come to Wicca and Paganism through his books, little is actually known about Scott Cunningham as a person and about his spiritual life.

His little sister, Christine Cunningham Ashworth, seeks to remedy that. Her book is offered as a gift to all those influenced by Cunningham’s work. Christine grew up with him, laughed with him, learned with him, fought with him, and shared joys and sorrows. This book is not a biography as much as it is a memoir. The author writes about their childhood, gives a peek into their parents’ lives, and brings to life what it was like to grow up in the Cunningham household. She explores the trajectory of Scott’s magical path and affirms his legacy. She shares family photos and lifts the veil from Scott’s life.

Featuring a foreword by Mat Auryn, author of Psychic Witch and Mastering Magick, the book contains contributions from other key figures in today’s world of witchcraft, magic, tarot, and astrology, including:

• Stephanie Rose Bird
• Amy Blackthorn
• Storm Faerywolf
• Nancy Hendrickson
• Dorothy Morrison
• Nicholas Pearson
• Benebell Wen

“It is impossible to overstate Scott Cunningham’s influence on the world of Western witchcraft, as well as on Wiccan spirituality. He was not the founder of modern Wicca; that’s Gerald Gardner. He did not introduce Wicca to the United States; that was Raymond Buckland. Instead, Scott transformed Wicca and witchcraft by making them accessible to all in a way that had previously not been possible. Although the impact of Scott’s work continues to grow, too many are unaware of Scott, himself, as a person. This brilliantly moving book by Christine Cunningham Ashworth, Scott’s younger sister, seeks to remedy that.”
—Judika Illes, editor, and author of Encyclopedia of Witchcraft

“Like so many other witches, my first witchcraft books were those written by Scott Cunningham. I still use much of what I learned from him in my own books. He was a huge influence, personally and professionally irreplaceable and unmatched. It has always been a great sorrow to me that I never met Scott, but through this wonderful new biography, I feel as though I finally have. Thank you, Christine Cunningham Ashworth, for sharing him with me and the world. It is a gift beyond measure.”
—Deborah Blake, author of The Everyday Witch’s Coven and The Eclectic Witch’s Book of Shadows

“Christine Cunningham Ashworth has created a loving and insightful written journey to understand the many influences and experiences that shaped the man who would reshape Wicca—her brother, Scott Cunningham. Scott Cunningham—The Path Taken is a beautiful book.”
—deTraci Regula, author of The Mysteries of Isis

“There are those who are legends from the early days of the modern Pagan movement. Many are well remembered, still beloved, their books still treasured. Scott Cunningham is such a legend and this new biography is by someone who loved him, his sister Christine Cunningham Ashworth. Beautifully written, Scott Cunningham—The Path Taken is a warm, funny, insightful portrait of a legend. Add this book to your shelf or book stack, and meet the man you thought you knew. It’s brilliant.”
—H. Byron Ballard, author of Seasons of a Magical Life

“This book ought to come with a warning label: ‘Do not open unless your schedule is free for the next several hours.’ It’s a hackneyed old trope to say, ‘I couldn’t put this book down,’ but in the case of Scott Cunningham—The Path Taken, it’s absolutely accurate. Christine’s story is a truly compelling page-turner that reads like the best fiction, but even better, as it’s all true! Whether you are a Scott Cunningham aficionado or are just getting introduced to his legacy in the world of witchcraft, you will be fascinated with this story of his courage, curiosity, and magic, written by one of the people who knew him the best—his sister. Just make sure you are ready to settle in for a nice, long, thoroughly enlightening, and enjoyable read.”
—Madame Pamita, author of Magical Tarot, Baba Yaga’s Book of Witchcraft, and The Book of Candle Magic

Christine Cunningham Ashworth is the younger sister of author and witchcraft pioneer Scott Cunningham. Since 2017, Christine has become an established part of the cartomancy, witchcraft, and tarot communities. She presents regularly at conferences, primarily discussing her brother and his life’s work. Christine was a headliner at Trees of Avalon in 2019 and again in April 2022, as well as at the Northwest Tarot Symposium in 2020 and 2022, and the inaugural International Divination Event (TIDE) in 2022. She is scheduled to present a workshop about her brother’s life and work at StaarCon 2024. For the past three years, Christine has penned the “Stepping Stones” column for The Cartomancer magazine. Christine is a published author, primarily in the romance genre. She lives in southern California.

240 pages

Illustrated

6″ x 9″

Softcover