Wiccans I need you're input!?

Question

I wanted to tap into the Wiccan religion and I need to know what books I should get for a solatairy begginer. I read Silver Raven's Teen Which book; but that was years ago when I was a teenageor, and now I'm in my 20's, so I didn't know if it was ok to re-read it over again or that I might need something more advanced. Please help me if ya can.

Answer 1

I'm not a huge fan of SRW, for a number of the same reasons that are listed at http://wicca.timerift.net/ravenwolf.shtml .

I started out with Scott Cunningham's "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner". It's very down to Earth and explains things without condescension or agendas. I also really like jennifer Hunter's "21st Century Wicca"; it deals with a lot of practical, day-to-day concerns. A friend of mine has a book coming out in the next couple of weeks, too; his name is Nicholas Graham, and the book is called "The Four Powers". It's an excellent 101 guide that goes over many different paths, not just Wicca, and the exercises are designed to help you figure out what paths interest you.

You can see some reviews I've done on books on various pagan topics at http://lupabitch.wordpress.com and there are also a lot of good reviews at http://www.davensjournal.com/review.xhtml

http://www.twpt.com/ also has a bunch of reviews, as well as some articles. And there are reviews galore at http://magickware.wordpress.com/

Also, check the customer reviews at Amazon.com on various books; those are a really good indicator of what the various reactions to a book have been. And Amazon has a bunch of lists of recommended books at the bottom of each book page; these are put together by customers, too.

The thing is, you want to get opinions from a bunch of people, not just one or two. We all come from different backgrounds, and that affects our personal preferences, what we like adn what we don't like. Take what others have said, pick some things that interest you, and then read them. Form your own opinions as you go along, and refine your further research from that. Bounce your ideas off of others for perspectives.

Good luck on your journey :)

Answer 2

When you have enough experience under your cord, then go back and you can pick out what of Silver's is Bull and what isn't. In the meantime, try some real authors.

Pagans and the Law by Dana Eilers

The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft - Ronald Hutton

Witchcraft Today - Gerald B. Gardner.

Witchdom of the True - Edred Thorsson

Wicca: the Old Religion in the New Milennium - Vivianne Crowley

Advanced Wiccan Spirituality - Kevin Saunders

The Elements of Ritual: Air, Fire, Water & Earth in the Wiccan Circle - Deborah Lipp

Witch Crafting: A Spiritual Guide to Making Magic - by Phyllis W. Curott

Positive Magic - Marion Weinstein

The Circle Within: Creating a Wiccan Spiritual Tradition - Dianne Sylvan

Book of Shadows - Phyllis Curott

The Second Circle - Venecia Rauls

The Heart of Wicca: Wise Words from a Crone on the Path - Ellen Cannon Reed

Evolutionary Witchcraft - T. Thorn Coyle

The Wiccan Path: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner - Rae Beth

21st Century Wicca - Jennifer Hunter

Witchcraft: A Concise Guide - Isaac Bonewits

Way of Four - Deborah Lipp

Answer 3

My favorite author is Scott Cunningham--in fact, I once sold back his "Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" because I needed money so badly, and found it again months later at a completely different used bookstore; I recognized my own margin notes and handwriting! So of course I bought it back; it was meant to be.

Starhawk is also an excellent author. I have nothing against Silver Ravenwolf, and the whole Llewellyn stable of works are generally easy to read--the more you read, the more you can separate the wheat from the chaff. Happy reading!

Answer 4

Silver Raven can still be useful even if you're an adult. (I use the frost giant spell from time to time...don't laugh at me. It works!) I guess it depends on your own personality as to which books or writers would appeal to you the most.
Instead of listing the writers that work for me, I would like to suggest that you go to the book store in your area and flip through some books until you find one that calls out to you. I would even try some "new age" stores, because they might be able to sit down with you and advise what would be best for you. There is even a witchcraft store in my neighborhood that teaches Wicca 101, spellcraft, herbology and tarot. If you hunt around I'm sure you can find something like this, even if it's online.

Answer 5

I still have most of my students start with
To Ride a Silver Broomstick-by Silver Ravenwolf-just don't get bogged down in the details. I know she gets a bad rap but her work is easy to read and understand.
Wheel of the Year-by Campanelli
Wicca:A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Cunningham
Start with these three. After you read them you will be able to pick what interests you on your own.

Answer 6

look through silver ravens other books, "to ride a silver broomstick", "to stir a magic cauldron","to light a sacred flame" and i think theres another, but remember she is still only one person. other authors i would recommend are laurie cabot, scott cunningham, ray buckland and edain mccoy. but remember the most important person to listen to is yourself. if you don't like a part of a ritual don't do it. if you feel there is something to add do it. the nice thing about Wicca is it embraces the fact that not everyone feels spiritual in the same way. some people find spirituality in massive Sabbat celebrations. others find it on a simple moonlit walk at night. this should be about you and how you most feel connected to the God and Goddess. feel free to create rituals and experiment. and believe in the power of creative visualization. i have seen it work.

Answer 7

Books I'd recommend:

Wicca For One: The Path Of Solitary Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
The Spiral Dance by Starhawk

I would stay away from Silver Ravenwolf, at least until you have enough knowledge to be able to separate her garbage from her good stuff.

Answer 8

I read Silver Raven's book of shadows, Stir the Magick Cauldron, and to light the sacred flame. There is also a witches bible and a wiccan bible. I sugest you get the Witches bible as it explaines the ceremonies in the best way.

Answer 9

Scott cunningham is excellent
any by doreen valiante

which ever you read rememember to take the info that feels right to you and disregard that which does not for the time being go back to it later

You may also wish to join a couple of the pagan forums on the net and here you will find s differing of opinion on some subjects allowing you to increase your knowledge andcome to your own interpretations

Answer 10

Scott Cunningham's Book for the Solitary Practitioner.