Pagans/Wiccans: Best and worst books?

Question

Lately I've been casting around for some new religious reading material, and I'm curious about what other Pagans and Wiccans consider to be (a) the best books they've read on the subject of Pagan religions, and (b) the worst books they've read on the same subject. After all, there are things to learn from both types of writing...

So, what would you nominate as the best books and the worst books about the practice of Paganism?

Answer 1

I started out with Scott Cunningham and Ted Andrews. I'm also quite fond of Raven Kaldera's works, especially his self-published works. And while it's not strictly pagan, and the writing style is a little old-fashioned, I highly recommend William G. Gray's "Magical Ritual Methods". I also liked Graham Harvey's "Contemporary Paganism" as an introduction to neopagan religions and Sarah M. Pike's "Earthly Bodies, Magical Selves" for a study of the neopagan subculture in general.

I recommend avoiding books on "plastic shamanism"--basically, people pretending to be Native Americans to try to make a few bucks. Jamie Sams, Brooke Medicine Eagle and Mary Summer Rain are three of the worst (plug "plastic shaman" into your search engine to find more info). I do like Michael Harner's "The Way of the Shaman", James Endredy's "Ecoshamanism" and Hillary S. Webb's "Exploring Shamanism"; however, understand that they are neoshamanism, not traditional shamanism.

If you want to read more of what I think about different books, check out my book review blog at http://lupabitch.wordpress.com

Also, I'm obviously biased, but I think the books that my husband and I wrote are pretty darn good ;) You can see them at http://www.thegreenwolf.com/books.html

Cheers :)

Answer 2

I think that Scott Cunningham's Wicca:Guide for the Solitary Practitioner is an excellent book to get started with. It discusses the basics without conflicting coven perspective. It can give you a good idea on how to research what you want to know. You can use it in correlation with Raymond Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft, which can be used as a reference book too. I tend to avoid white magick books because it seems just as selfish as black magick(but that's just me). There are also a few Wiccan books for parenting such as Circle Round. Very well written. For more experienced reading, I would suggest Gerald Gardner, Ann Moura, and any author that strikes your fancy. Just keep in mind that they are guides not dictations. Let your mind be your own as you explore other perspectives.

As for the worst book I've ever read on the same subject...there was this old book on witchcraft I read, but it demonized paganism(I don't remember the title). Dunno how helpful that would be for you.

Good luck on your search. Blessed Be.

Answer 3

Best is hard to choose--I've liked a lot. On the subject of Wicca, I liked "The Heart of Wicca" by Ellen Cannon Reed. I also like Amber K, the Farrars, and Vivianne Crowley. On connecting with animals, I like Ted Andrews. My personal path is Celtic and requires learning about the ancient Celts. My favorite author in this subject is probably Miranda Green--but Barry Cunliffe is a close second. For Celtic mythology, I like "The Mabinogi and Other Medieval Welsh Tales" by Patrick Ford. Also "Ancient Irish Tales" by Tom Peete Cross and Clark Harris Slover.

I've also read plenty of books I've disliked. The worst was probably "Celtic Magic" by DJ Conway. Other authors that I don't care for include Ravenwolf, McCoy, Monroe, Stepanich, and Konstantinos.

Answer 4

I think the best books are The Pagan book of Living and Dying and The Spiral Dance, both by Starhawk. The worst books are anything by Silver RavenWolf.

Answer 5

Initially I would say anything by Silver Ravenwolf would be the worst, but she's got nothing on DJ Conway. Holy Wow.

As far as the best books.. well, for whom and for what? I enjoy Don Miguel Ruiz, Starhawk, Ron Hutton, Debra Katz and Karri Ann Allrich.
Of course, they each write on completely different subjects.

Answer 6

The best? I like many of the books by Diana L. Paxson and Edred Thorsson.

The Worst? That's easy, any book by Sliver Ravenwolf , Ed Fitch, Edain McCoy, etc.....

Answer 7

The worst, a tie between McCoy's Witta, the 21 lessons of Merlyn and anything by Ravenwolf.

the best? Gardner and Buckland, read in context, for practices.

For history and numbers, Adler and Hutton.

Answer 8

The worst would be the 21 lessons of Myrlin as it is based solely on fiction.

The best for pretty much anything by Cunningham, D.J. Conway, or Ted Andrews. They are all very good authors. Depending on what topic interests you most.

Blessed Be )O(

Answer 9

Worst, anything by Ravenwolf.

Best, Scott Cunningham.