Wicca: A Guide For The Solitairy Practitioner by Scott Cunningham

Raising Witches by Ashleen O'Gaea

Crone's Book of Charms & Spells by Valerie Worth

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Merry Meet,

May I make a suggestion? I usually buy my books through www.addall.com

It searches dozens of book sites for the cheapest price.

Bright blessings

Jewel

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Thank you for the tip!

Altariel Thank you for the book suggestions.

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What books do you recommend from

Silver RavenWolf?

Doreen Valiente?

The Farrars?

Raymund Buckland?

I am unfamiliar with any other authors.

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I enjoyed "To Ride A Silver Broomstick" by Silver Ravenwolf

and "The Power Of The Witch" by Laurie Cabot.

I have found Raymond Buckland to be a bit dry ... but that is merely my humble opinion.

Scott Cunningham is probably my favorite author of pagan topics. The pagan community suffered a great loss when he passed ... I am grateful that his wisdom remains!

D.J. Conway has written a few on Celtic traditions.

Jewel, thank you for the suggestion ... I will surely be checking it out!

Blessed be, Angela

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dorien valiente- A,B,C of Witchcraft gives some great overall view on definitions and resources of things that pertain to many follows of the craft. Natural Magick is a good choice for some very basics on several topics pertaining to the craft.

buckland's -Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft has a lot of good information on some of the basics that pertain to many 'traditions' within the craft. i haven't seen the new and improved version of this book, so no judgement on it.

conway.......well many people question her 'accuracy' on celtic history.

ok, this is where i have to please ask that you take everyone you read with a grain of salt. think about what you read, question it, exam it and in the end, go with the things that 'feel' right for you. no one is perfect and no one has all the answers. we are learning all of the time. something i may have felt to be 'true' for me 15 years ago, may or many not be true for me today.

blessings )O(

moonskrye

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altariel,

Embracing the Moon by Yasmine Galenorn is absolutely fantastic!

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"Totem Magic: Dance of the Shapeshifter" by Yasmine Galenorn

or

"Wicca: The Complete Craft" by D.J. Conway

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^{I personally don't like D.J. Conway, but am going to be adding Totem Magic to my "library" I hope to eventually get all of Yasmine's books.}

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Merry Meet:

Have read all the all the reccomendations and it seems that i have read and have all the books reccomended. Any new ones that some one will reccomend.

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Subtitle: A spiritual guide to making magic

I am working my way through her book slowly, enjoying every moment. It isn't just a how-to book or reference at all. It explores the philosophy and practice of Wicca and is such a pleasure to read.

I particularly enjoyed her chapter dedicated to the God and the Scottish term of expression, (paraphrasing big time here), "Never give a sword to a man who won't dance." In other words, if someone doesn't appreciate the joy life has to offer, they should not have the responsibility of taking that joy away from another living being.

She also discusses an aspect of the God I had never heard of before, his joy of life and how dancing and singing is a way to connect with the God. Also, the forest God and connecting to the power of the woods...All amazing stuff! She helped me think of the God as a male deity I would be interested in communing with, the wildly wicked and wonderful fun male energy I adore in men and have found (lucky me) in my husband.

She also wrote the book Book of Shadows: A Modern Woman's Journey into the Wisdom of Witchcraft and the Magic of the Goddess but I couldn't get into it as much. It is an amazing account of how she found a coven and discovered the magick in herself, I guess I'm just not that into covens.

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   MM, ALL!!!

               As far as books go,my favorite author is Scott Cunningham..In my opinion,he tells it straight foward with no BS!!  I also like these authors...Edain McCoy,Silver Ravenwolf,Raymond Buckland....

                                                   "BLESSED BE"

                                                                                "LISA"

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  Here is a few more books that I have and recommend: 1) The Supermarket Sorceress by Lexa Rosean  2) A Little Book of Altar Magic by D.J. Conway  3) Light Up Your Life with Candles,Meditation and Healing by Charlene Whitaker....Let me know what you think if anyone gets them!!  Thanx!!

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Merry Meet. These are the books I feel are very informative.

 Wicca, The Complete Craft. by D.J.Conway

Living Wicca, by Scott Cunningham ( all of his books are wonderful)

Eileen Holland is another good Author.

Brightest Blessings and Blessed Be

Shawna

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Ditto on the Scott Cunningham books Recognize many of the books listed here,and look forward to the ones I haven't read yet.

I think I mentioned this on another site, but  I would like to recommend Ted Andrew's 'School of magic and Mystery' series. It's for kids, but I found useful excercises for myself as well.

BB, Tina

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Warm Greetings,

I would love to recommend a book called "Shadows of a Witch, For the Witch that Seeks Balance and Truth" by Shewolf Silver Shadows

The book is over 700 pages and distinguishes the differences between Witchcraft and Wicca in a loving and tolerant manner. The book is FANTASTIC for a beginner to the Pagan Path, or even a non Pagan that just would like to truly learn more.

The author shares personal experiences, successess, faliures and never trys to force you to believe as she does, but think for yourself, make up your own mind.

She is also the founder of the Circle of Light Craft College, but only takes on a smallhandfull of students at a time because she teaches one on one.

Warm Blessings

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I really like Scott Cunningham and Dorothy Morrison

I seem to relate to them,although I like SilverRaven Wolf more and

more,didnt like her books at first.

               BB...Ostara

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Alterial,

On the books by Yasmine Galenorn, is it Embracing the Sun or is it Dancing with the Sun?  I can find Dancing with the Sun, But cannot find Embracing the Sun.

Thanks

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I'm sorry I misspelled your name.

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Embracing the Moon and Dancing with the Sun. Did I type them wrong?? If so, sorry.

Altariel

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Not a problem.  I went ahead and bought both of them.  I just have a bit more reading before I can get to them.

DARN!!

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I have some of her books but havent read them yet for my friend gave me some cd's by Starhawk which were really good,you listen to her and really know where she is coming from.

I guess to listen to someone like that is really inspiring for me.

The cd I have is "Wiccan Rituals and Blessings"

It goes into the meaning of Wiccan/Pagan/Witchcraft,the rituals,handfasting,children of this spirituality,prayers,how to creat charms,and meditations

Her book the Spiral Dance I heard was a good book,I have it but havent read it yet...

        BB....Ostara

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MM All,

Here are more books.

Wicca-The complete Craft by D.J Conway

The Complete Book of incense, Oils and Brews by Scott Cunningham*

Positive Magic by Marion Weinstein

Inside a Witch's Coven by Edain McCoy

A Witch's Bible by Janet and Stewart Farrar*

The ones with a * beside the author means it is a must read.  A Witch's Bible is a complete Book of Shadows.  It contains many rituals...literally.  The book of incense, oils and brews tells you of how to make your own incense, oils and brews.  For me, this was a MUST.  I can't tell you just how many oils i've made...some for friends some for myself.  I also use this book to make perfume oils...the roll on kind.

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i have Cunninghams as well...

which are your favorite recipes?

wendy wendy

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Wendy,

I actually have several.  But my number one is the healing bath herbal brew.  I have made up my own variation of this.  The one I make for myself is the strongest.  I have given my family and friends a little bag of the herbal so they can make it themselves.  What is your favorite?

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I would like to add that many seekers should look at some of the "older" writings for information not limiterd to "wicca".

Dion Fortune

Gerald Gardner

Doreen Valiente

M Blavatsky

Waite

Budge

Farrar

m Adler (how I wish she would update this)

Frazer

Leland

Viviane Crowley. These authors have essential information, and ideas even if some of them have been debunked (ie Frazer). I have worked in library services for over 10 years and have a passion for good old books. these are some that grace my shelves. I do not really care for any book written since 2000, and the ninties were in my mind inindated with regurgitated information from these older texts. Veronica

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Merry Meet Terri!  that could be loaded question for some.  From my understanding  Pretty much all cultures across the globe have some aspect of witchcraft in their cultures.  So I would have to ask,  what culture are you interested in learning their magical practices.  I was raised that Wicca,  is  a specific path,  a tradtional oath bound path  pretty exclusive to the Gardnerian.Alexanderian path.  Wicca  has sorten fallen into a more exceptable word for witchcraft in alot of places.  I have studied wicca and read the book,  but I am not a Wiccan as I have not made Oathss to their Dieties,  nor been introduced/ initiated in a coven.

I recommend reading a great book called North Star Road,  and Drawing down the Moon for an overview of the different paths.  ANy of teh books I had previous posted can be halpful.  Buckland is not Wiccan,  but draws from them, and I found all of his books insightful and thought provoking.

Explore your libraries shelves in the mythology section too-lots of hidden goodies lie there.

peace love and happiness

Sharing IS fun

Veronica

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I am a bookaholic and I have books by all the above writers some of my favorites are:

Ellen Hawke; Frost & Frost; Konstantinos; Grimassi; Morrison; Ted Andrews; Amber K; Silver Ravenwolf; Laurie Cabot, Buckland, and on and on

I found Drawing Down the Moon to be a very dry read and very long and not necessarily pertinent to today, but I have it as a part of the well rounded library.  I enjoy Buckland as a workbook format since I love self discovery tests and such, his other books are pretty clear and concise. Silver Ravenwolf's Solitary Witch and Amber K's Covencraft are very good resource books not the kind you just pick up and read cover to cover but excellent reference material.  I met and participated in a workshop presented by Ted Andrews and I love his books and find his information very helpful I especially use the animal totem books and nature books of his. The Farrar's Witches Bible did not appeal to me in the least, it was very dated and not very usable in it's current format. I did find that Vivanne Crowley's book Paganism a very wonderful book to give to those who are "afraid" of this path we wander down so lovingly. I loaned it to a friend who had no idea of witchcraft and is born again Christian and she was fascinated and wanted to know when she could join me in circle work.  It's very clear but not to detailed it gently lets those who are nervous, into your world. A highly recommended "get to know the craft" book. I then have lots of various books on the different areas of interest such as tarot, runes, celtic, tree wisdom, candle workings, stones, crystals and lots more.

The books I reach for most are Covencraft, Solitary Witch, Grimoire for the Green Witch, Elements of Ritual, Progressive Witchcraft and Advanced Witchcraft, Melody's stone books, The Cambridge Planetary Handbook, mineral/gemologist books. I just recently got the book A witch's Notebook by Ravenwolf since I like her style and it appears to be another good book.  I just love to talk books. Although I find myself looking through the witch books at the store to see what is new most of my books come from the history sections and science sections. As an artist I have ordered and received boo-coos of books containing printer typographic borders, lettering, frames etc. to draw from for decorating my books of inspiration, transition and shadows. I found them beautifully inspiring.

Can't wait to see what others mention....

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The Spiral Dance by Starhawk.

Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler.

Working Inside Out: Tools for Change by Margo Adair.

The Truth About Witchcraft Today by Scott Cunningham.

Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practioner by Scott Cunningham.

Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practioner by Scott Cunningham.

Power of the Witch: The Earth, the Moon, and the Magical Path to Enlightenment by Laurie Cabot.

Celebrate the Earth: A Year of Holidays in the Pagan Tradition by Laurie Cabot.

The Family Wicca Book: The Craft for Parents and Children by Ashleen O'Gaea.

Family Wicca: Practical Paganism for Parents and Children by Ashleen O'Gaea.

Raising Witches: Teaching the Wiccan Faith to Children by Ashleen O'Gaea.

Celebrating the Seasons of Life: Lore, Rituals, Activities, and Symbols by Ashleen O'Gaea.

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For moderate to advanced level work...anything by the late Ellen Cannon Reed.

I also love Edain McCoy for things Celtic.

D.J. Conway for beginner's stuff; anything by Scott Cunningham; and Ray Buckland's big blue book (Complete Guide to Witchcraft I think)

The Pagan Book of Living and Dying by M Macha Nightmare (& StarHawk)is a must for any library.

All of StarHawk's books are well worth a read.

Ted Andrews for Animal Magick

Ed Fitch ha a book (something from the Crystal Well) that is awesome.

For Men's mysteries, The Flowering Rod.  It's out of print but well worth the hunt.

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Although not Wiccan, these are excellent too...

The Essential Kabbalah,

The Essential Rumi,

The Bhagavad-Gita,

The Tao Te Ching,

The Tibetan Book of the Dead.

Books by Thich Nhat Hanh and the Dali Lama are great too.

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Covencraft by Amber K

Pagan Homeschooling by Kirsten Macfadden

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Covencraft is an excellent book; so are Raven Grimassi's books...all titles.

Be careful with the "Crone's book of words" & the "Crone's Book of Spells".  There are a number of spells and charms in those books that cross a line from strictly harmless magick (no matter how historical they may be).  Some of them are downright unethical and can cost big Karma.

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Natural Witchcraft; the timeless arts and crafts of the natural witch by Marian Green

(http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0007120214/ref=sib_dp_pt/102-9162864-5195368#reader-link)

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Which ones Ruth Ann?? I haven't found any unethical (well by my standards) spells in there yet.

Altariel

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By my trad's definition anything that might interfere with the free will of another, or cause harm or distress to self or others is unethical.

I bought the crone's book of words and was surprised by how many of the spells in it were hexes.

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In my beliefs everything has it's place, and need. There must be balance, light/dark, good/bad, spell/hex, or chaos takes over.

JMHO,

Altariel

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I have Elemental Magic by DJ Conway.

I also just started reading a book called Clan of The Goddess by CC Brondwin.

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Sounds like a great book!

I am also reading right now the Craft of the Wild Witch, by Poppy Palin

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For fun reading (fiction)

The Goddess Summoning Series

 ie. Goddess of the Rose

Goddess of the Sea

Goddess by Mistake ...and more  by PC. Cast

Awesome short stories "The words of the Witches" for us, about us, by us.

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The Complete Book of Magic and Witchcraft, by Kathryn Paulsen

Earth, Air, Fire, Water: More techniques of Natural Magic, by Scott Cunningham

Earth Magic, by Scott Cunningham

Green Witchcraft, by Ann Moura

Hereditary Witchcraft, by Raven Grimassi (Stregheria, arcane scripts)

Practical Candleburning Rituals, by Raymond Buckland (gave a good basis for candle magic)

Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner, by Scott Cunningham

Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard, by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart (good references)

Oriental Magic, by Sayed Idries Shah (from Ancient Near East to Far East)

Out of the Shadows: An Exploration of Dark Paganism and Magic, by John J Coughlin (presents the dark side of living Paganism, dark goddesses, and dark subcultures)

Ancient Religions, by Vergilius Ferm

A History of Pagan Europe, by Prudence Jones & Nigel Pennick (wide array of Pagan European history)

The Golden Bough, by Sir James Frazer

Magic, Witchcraft and Paganism in America: A Bibliography, by J. Melton

Paganism in the Roman Empire, by Ramsay Macmullen

The Sumerians: Their History, Culture and Character, by Samuel Noah Kramer (Sumero-akkadian myth and life)

The Witch Cult in Western Europe: A Study in Anthropology, by Margaret Murray (whatever the reader thinks of her is irrelevant. Reading this account, and then considering the torture methods of the time period is of utmost importance)

Walkers Between the Worlds: Western Mysteries From Shaman to Magus by John & Caitlin Matthews (Traces the development and remnants from tribal spirituality to organized religion and shares discourse on the cultural value of both)

The Great Cosmic Mother: Rediscovering the Religion of the Earth, by Monica Sjoo (is not without feminist bias, but has some very good information about symbolism in paleopaganism).

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I'm not sure if they've been mentioned already, but I found Gus diZerega's Pagans and Christians to be very insightful; it changed my life. Raven Grimassi's Italian Witchcraft is excellent, too; I find it enlightening. And, of course, anything by Scott Cunningham. Raymond Buckland is good if you want to learn about the Romany way of life and magick; he put out a Gypsy tarot that I find extremely accurate.

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