Any good books on Paganism?

Question

After much research I feel I am most connected to the Pagan belief system. I am still learning and was wondering if someone could recommend some good, reliable books on accurate Pagan history and information. Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

I still stand by my recommendation of Silver Ravenwolf for a very basic primer, even though many consider her too kitsch and commercialized. Buckland's Practical Candleburning Rituals (and others) is awesome, as is some things by Cunningham. The Farrars are also good (The Witche's God, for example).

Just know that you really aren't going to get "accurate history and information." Things have changed so much over the years and much of the early history has been lost. People argue all the time over whether or not they are following the "Old Ways" or a new religion. Does it really matter?

If you are moved in certain directions, it is good to explore them. Runes, Tarot (look for Mary K. Greer), specific pantheons and their "mythology," etc. I used to go to the book store and spend two to three hours each trip just picking up different books and browsing through them. Of course, I also always bought way too much. Some libraries will have a decent section to peruse. I have come across rare and unknown authors that I really like just from browsing, so don't discount it.

Answer 2

As a Semi-Celtic Reconstructionist (although I am interested in learning I do not speak a Celtic language and I am not studding at present to learn one) I can tell you with extreme confidence that if you want true good history or otherwise you need to look outside of the Wicca religion. Unless you are interested in Wiccan history but that begins in the early 1950’s with Gardner.

The polytheistic religion that I follow is based on the Irish Celts of around 5 bce to 5 ce. Books that that I would recommend include:
Celtic Heritage by Alwyn and Brinley Rees
The Gods of the Celts by Miranda Green
The Druids by Stuart Piggott
The Celtic Realms by Myles Dillon and Nora Chadwick
The Druids by Peter Berresford Ellis
The Anceient Celts by Barry Cunliffe

Many of these Authors have other books that are equally as good.

Web sights to look at include:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/index.htm
http://www.imbas.org/
http://www.maryjones.us/jce/jce_index.html

These should give you a very good start.

Answer 3

Anything by Doreen Valiente. Weiser Books, or Phoenix Publications Then there are your basics, The Three Books of Occult Philosophy, The Golden Bough, The Key of Solomon.
Also try The Egyptian Book of the Dead, Then look up The Gardnerian Book of Shadows up on the net and down load it that is a great beginning. Books specific to Paganism all the books by the Farrars Janet and Stewart and in the later years Gavin Bone are great they have huge thorough and extensive bibliographies and appendixes to read through to expand your library. The specific book "A Witches Bible" By Janet and Stewart Farrar is indipensible. I hope this reaches you. Be safe, Blessed Be, and good luck. :)

Answer 4

Here are a few:
Spiral Dance by Sarhawk, Complete Book of Witch Craft by Raymond Bucklnd, The Magick of Isis by M Isidora Forrest, Complete Idiots Guide to Voodoo by Shannon R. Turlington, Hereditary Witchcraft by Raven Grimassi, Mother God by Sylvia Browne, Kali the Black Goddess of Dakshineswar by Elizabeth U. Harding

Answer 5

Here are my three of my favorites:

"21st Century Wicca" by Jennifer Hunter - the most grounded intro to Wicca I've found, not just the usual "stuff"
"Contemporary Paganism" by Graham Harvey - a basic overview of some of the more common neopagan religions
"The Four Powers: Magical Practice for Beginners of All Ages" by Nicholas Graham - takes an even broader view of neopaganism, ceremonial magic, shamanism, occultism, and others, and is a *really* good book for helping you to figure out where to take your path next

You can find other books reviewed at http://lupabitch.wordpress.com

Answer 6

Paganism, The Way to the Rainbow by Shell Bagerfield

Answer 7

Heathenry is the reconstruction of the practices of the ancient pre-Christian indigenous Northern European (aka Germanic which includes, but is not limited to, Norse). Heathenry is also sometimes referred to as Asatru or Forn Sed.

Try the website of the Asatru Folk Assembly.

http://www.runestone.org

They have a good online basic introduction primer on Asatru for beginners:

http://www.runestone.org/introduction/primer.html

Wicca was invented by Gerald Gardner in the 1940's and 1950's. While inspired by ancient European pagan religions, much of his material came from Freemasonry, 19th and early 20th Century Western ceremonial magick (Golden Dawn and Crowley which is where circle casting, calling quarters, athames, etc. came from), and Theosophy as well as the academically discredited theories of Margaret Murray (Horned God and Goddess duality, ancient universal "matriarchal" agrarian society claims, etc.). He cobbled it together into a workable system which many folks find useful.

Answer 8

Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham

Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland

Hit the internet and start exploring what pagan branch you might be drawn to and also Wicca. Get some good mythology books on Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Celtic, Germanic, Indian, etc. There are reconstruction religions around those pantheons.

To Ride a Silver Broomstick by Silver Ravenwolf is tolerable - avoid the rest.


www.witchvox.com
www.wikipedia.com (reconstruction paganism, Wicca, paganism)

Answer 9

I've never found a great book on just paganism- it's always been specific to a pagan religion. I suggest you try to figure out which section of paganism appeals to you more so that you can focus on that instead of trying to cover it all.

Answer 10

I read many books during my journey to faith.

Many that explained and taught Paganism.

These all ended up being empty and vain.

Here is a link that shows many of the religions ideas in short quite educational.

Starts with Christianity and the goes into dualistics and on...

enjoy -T2T