Books on Wicca and/or Paganism?

Question

If you only had, say $75 to spend on books to fill out your collection, then what would you buy? My collection is ever growing, but I'm curious to see what others wouldn't live without. Keep it within the budget too. I want some good answers, none of that "god hates the occult" and "Wiccans are being mislead by the Devil" type stuff, OK?

Answer 1

"Contemporary Paganism" by Graham Harvey is an excellent introduction to a number of neopagan religions.

"Primitive Mythology" by Joseph Campbell is an excellent work that studies the theoretical mythology and religion of paleolithic cultures, and then goes into later hunter-gatherer and agrarian pagan cultures and their beliefs and myhtologies. It's a fascinating read.

"The Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed ben Clifford" by Lon Milo Duquette is by the far the best (and funniest) introduction to Qabalah/Kabbalah, a Jewish-derived magical/mystical system that ties into everything from Tarot to pathworking and so much more. Some pagans are a bit intimidated because of the complexity and the supposedly "Christian" framework of Kabbalah, but it really is a very useful system, and the basis of a lot of correspondences used in magic.

"The Science of the Craft" by William Keith is a great look at how Quantum physics supports the reality of magic; it's a much more user-friendly explanation than Peter J. Carroll's "Liber Kaos" (which is itself a good book, but if you don't have at least a rudimentary understanding of physics you may get a little lost).

"Gathering the Magic" by Nick Farrell is an absolute must-have for anyone thinking about joining or starting a coven, lodge, discussion group or any other magical organzation, formal or not. He's very thorough in tying group dynamics in with his own experiences. It's also good just for understanding the dynamics of the pagan community in general.

And, speaking of the pagan community, "Earthly Bodies, Magical Selves" by Sarah M. Pike is one of the few academic studies of the pagan subculture that's not only respectful, but is actually easy to read. She's quite thorough and for a non-pagan she really understands what the culture is about, especially at festivals.

"Ecoshamanism" by James Endredy is by far the best book on modern shamanism I've read in quite some time. Rather than taking the cultural appropriation of core shamanism, where you can learn to be a shaman with a weekend seminar (supposedly), Endredy takes shamanic techniques and makes them relevant to the environmental realities of today; the shaman's community isn't just th epeople around him, but all living things.

These are just a few suggestions; I have more at my book review blog, http://lupabitch.livejournal.com Make sure you scroll down the left sidebar to where I have other book reviewers listed--you don't want just one opinion ;) Also, a bit of a shameless plug, I'm an author myself, as it my husband; you can see our own works at http://www.thegreenwolf.com/books.html

Hope that helps! I know some of these are a bit unconventional, they're some of the books that are very important to me.

Answer 2

Something that no witch should live without? A good man. Just kidding! :)


Raymond Buckland's Complete Guide to Witchcraft (a.k.a. Buckie's Big Blue Primer)

Real Magic: An Introductory Treatise on the Basic Principles of Yellow Magic by Isaac Bonewits

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft (What? It's good!)

Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner (Scott Cunningham)

The Golden Bough (...not a magick book, but THE seminal book about magick. This one may be out of your budget.)

Answer 3

Witchcraft Today by Gerald Gardner $11

The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft by Ronald Hutton $13

The Book of Shadows by Lady Sheba $9.95

21st Century Wicca: A Young Witch's Guide to Living the Magical Life by Jennifer Hunter $10.17

Buckland's Complete Book Of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland $12.74

Way Of Four: Create Elemental Balance in Your Life by Deborah Lipp 13.10

$5.04 left to put towards Tax.

Answer 4

Some of the books on Lupa's list sound good. I agree that Joseph Campbell is a good investment.

To stretch your dollar a little more:
http://www.halfpricebooks.com/find_a_store.html
http://www.discountnewagebooks.com/index.asp

Some of my "must haves":
"Covencraft" by Amber K. An excellent source of information even for solitary folks.
"The Heart of Wicca: Wise Words from a Crone on the Path" by Ellen Cannon Reed A small book that is packed with insight.
"The Witches' Bible: The Complete Witches' Handbook" by Janet & Stewart Farrar. If I could only have one book by the Farrars, this would be my pick.
"The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft" by Ronald Hutton. A more scholorly book, very interesting. A classic.

I would also suggest a book of the translated myths of your deities. For example, for those who honor Irish deities, I'd suggest "Ancient Irish Tales" by Cross and Slover and "The Tain" by Thomas Kinsella and "Early Irish Myths and Sagas" by Jeffrey Gantz. For those who honor Welsh deities, "The Mabinogi and Other Medieval Welsh Tales" by Patrick K. Ford is great. Rather than reading about other people's versions of the myths, I feel it is better to invest in the translations and read them myself. They aren't expensive and are great references that will be used over and over.

The last book I'd recommend is "What's your Wicca IQ?" by Laura Wildman. I picked up this book because I thought it'd be fun light reading---sort of like a Cosmo quiz. I was very wrong! The book is a bunch of multiple-choice questions that are difficult and in the back she lists the answers with where to look for more information on each answer. It is an excellent way to gauge yourself to see where your strong points are and where you could study more. I keep my answers from year to year to see if I've improved. It's also a good learning tool in groups or with couples. I really love this book and have a hard time getting people to return it when thay borrow it.

Answer 5

I like Bucklands Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland. Also Scott Cunninghams Wicca and Living Wicca.

Raymond Bucklands Wicca for one is also a good one.

Answer 6

Uncle Bucky's Big Blue Book... otherwise known as Buckland's complete book of witchcraft. If you don't already have it, Scott Cunningham's Wicca: A guide for the Solitary Practitioner is also a staple.

Answer 7

I don't really have any specifics to give you, but try going to a book store near you (Borders is the best) They usually have awesome people that will help you find exactly what you are looking for. I love the Waldenbooks bookstore near me. One of the main cashiers is Wiccan, and she's awesome at showing me what books to buy, and which ones to stay away from.

Answer 8

Covencraft by Amber K is a great reference but not so great for the solitary, Cunningham's Encyclopedias of stones and herbs are a must to have on hand. The Circle Within by Dianne Sylvan is also a must to have something beyond the basics.

Those are my choices at least.

Answer 9

well i have Earth Air Fire and Water by Scott Cunningham. i think that's the book. and i have beginners crystals which i love. i also have one by Silver Raven Wolf its called something like the book of shadows for the modern day witch. the only other book of hers that I've been told isn't just BS for pop wiccans is called riding a silver broom stick. the first three should be able to be purchased under your budget.

Answer 10

Teen Witch
by Silver Ravenwolf

... the Elements of Ritual
by Deborah Lipp

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs
by Scott Cunningham