Ultimate book list

[teishabee]

So, I know that online is a good source to get information.

But I dont like to read alot online as it gives me headaches.

So what would your top ten list of books for new pagans.

On my wishlist so far is;

Drawing Down the Moon - Margot Adler

The Spiral Dance - Starhawk

A Witch Alone - Marion Green.

Any advise?

I know I should just get out there in nature but I also want reading material.

[Nitefalle]

Based on your prior choices, I would also recommend:

Embracing the Moon - Yasmine Galenorn

Natural Witchery - Ellen Dugan

Cottage Witchery - Ellen Dugan

Natural Witchcraft - Marion Green (if you can still find it)

Earth Magic - Scott Cunningham

Also, if you are interested in a specific culture or pantheon, supplement these books with the myths and legends of your interest, so you can put it into a context.

[Amythyst]

The books already mentioned are wonderful in themselves. My top ten would be:

1. Solitary Witch by Silver Ravenwolf

2. Witchcraft: Theory and Practice by Ly De Angeles

3. Green Magic by Ann Moura

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

5. Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, & Metal Magic by Scott Cunningham

6. Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham

7. The Elemental Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells by Jukida Illes

8. Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham

9. Nocturnal Witchcraft by Konstantinos

10. Utterly Wicked by Dorothy Morrison

[Rosana]

My pick would be "The Circle Within" by Dianne Sylvan.

[Astara Seague]

great ideas everyone!!
Id add To stir a Magick Cauldron by Silver Ravenwolf
Wicca for one by Raymond Buckland

[electricpeppers]

'Green Spirituality' by Rosa Romani

'Hedge Witch', 'Lamp of the Goddess', 'The Hedge Witche's Way' and 'Spellcraft For Hedge Witches' by Rae Beth

'Witch Alone' by Marian Green

'Earth Power' and 'Earth, Air, Fire, Water' by Scott Cunningham.

'Treading the Mill' by Nigel Pearson

[bellamandu]

idk, i dont really like silver ravenwolf. she seems to be more interested in selling a fashion statement then providing useful information.

[teishabee]

idk, i dont really like silver ravenwolf. she seems to be more interested in selling a fashion statement then providing useful information.

Ive never bought one of her books just because everyone is always so negative about her.

Well I suppose I cant judge until Ive read.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

[Nitefalle]

My pick would be "The Circle Within" by Dianne Sylvan.

Oh yes, this is an excellent book to help you develop a personal practice!! Don't be scared by the large proclamation of Wicca on the front cover, it really can be adapted to any path, it's not overtly Wiccan.

[LadyCelt]

I don't have a top ten, but I recommend:

Circle Round: Raising Your Children In Goddess Tradition (not just for children really, just an amazing book all together)

The Way of the Four (Maybe its "The Way of Four") Meditation book. it is about the four elements.

Wicca: A Guide For the Solitary Practitioner (I think that's the full name) by Scott Cunningham

books on herbs, gemstones, or anything really by Cunningham is good

Also, books on pantheons including deities you're into or pantheons you're into. Books on deities and places you are into.

[Adrasteia]

Honestly, I have found Scott Cunningham's books to be incredibly useful but I wouldn't go anywhere near Silver Ravenwolf. Her books 1/3 truth, 1/3 fantasy, 1/3 confusion. Her books should only be used to line bird cages.

On a lighter note however, "Drawing Down the Moon" is excellent and so is Scott Cunningham's Herbal Encyclopedia (in particular).


--Adrasteia

[Ambertree]

I have nothing to add all the books metioned are good!

[RubyRose]

Anything that's written by Anne Moura.

[patch]

ANYTHING by Ronald Hutton. If you want the history and origins of certain pagan traditions, he's amazing.

Starhwak is good if you want non-wiccan modern withcraft traditions.

The Farrars and great for Wicca, as is gardner(obviously).


I wouldn't reccommend anything by D.J conway- her lack of research is apparant when she talks about the celtic and norse pantheons.

I always encourage people new to paganism to get their teeth into history as well as modern stuff, to further understand certain practices.

[-Sky-]

Lovely suggestions everyone!^_^ Great books mentioned!

I want to second Anne Moura's Green Magick and Green Witchcraft. I love her perspective and the way she writes. Two of her Green Witchcraft books are set in lessons so that can be great help. Green Witchcraft 2 is called "Balancing Light and Shadow",so if you are interested in more shadowy magic,meaning working with the Crone,the Wild Hunt and experiencing the balance of the two elements you will love it.

Also i enjoyed the Mist-Filled Path: Celtic Wisdom for Exiles, Wanderers, and Seekers.Inspired book.

I didn't like The Witch Alone much.It is densely written and a bit unattractive.So i gifted it years ago to a friend.

[WarriorZhanna]

I have a lot of Pagan books but they're all in Estonia! lol. I'm in England atm so I can't remember all by heart but the memorable ones are:

Wicca/Sweep by Cate Tiernan
Power of Kabbalah by Yehuda Berg
The Shaman's Work (a book in Estonian language about a Shaman's knowledge)

There's more, definitely, but I just can't remember! grrr.

[Nitefalle]

Anything that's written by Anne Moura.

I like a lot of the meat of her rituals, but I would definitely recommend the OP read Moura for herself and take away her own opinions. Even though she's all about "green witchcraft", I find her to be very Wiccan with green overtones. Personally, that was just not something that I was looking for, but maybe others see her differently.

[teishabee]

I tend to want to shy away from wicca. I have enough books on the subject but it is a beautiful religion.

[Regulus]

Bucklands Complete Book of Witchcraft is a fine reference book. Lots of info. One of my first books.

[Lupabitch]

<i>21st Century Wicca</i> by Jennifer Hunter is the absolute most grounded introduction to Wicca I've read--and I say this as someone who cut her teeth on Cunningham. I highly recommend it!

[Fiamma]

So...is this a list for people new to pagan religions in general or new to Wicca?

I know the original question asked for people new to paganism, but Pagan=/=Wicca, and almost all of the books mentioned are specifically on Wicca or Witchcraft.

I would suggest Which Witch is Which by Patricia Telesco- it's mostly a collection of essays on different pagan religions written by the people who practice them.

Additionally, Devoted to You: Honoring Deity in Wiccan Practice by Judy Harrow (the title is unfortunately misleading, the book is not about Wiccan practice.0 is a very good book, especially for anyone looking for material coming from a polytheistic standpoint instead of the "all gods are just aspects of the one" thing.

For anyone interested in magic, Practical Solitary Magic by Nancy Watson...if you can get around some of her stuff like treating individual deities as archetypes (individual deities, no matter what you believe of them, are not archetypes, they're examples of archetypes. Archetypes are basically stereotypes or stock characters. "Love goddess", "earth mother", "sky father" "dying god"...these are archetypes.) and talking about the deities as "patron archetypes". Her approach to magic certainly won't work for everyone, but it will work for some people, and she's got some interesting theory.

I would also suggest reading mythologies from the original sources whenever possible, not from Bulfinch or Campbell.

Unfortunately, I don't really think there are too many really good general beginners books. There are a very few. And there are more subject-specific books out there, but most of the supposed "intro to paganism" books are really just "Intro to generic eclectic vaguely Wicca-flavored neopaganism" which may occasionally give a cursory nod to the fact that there are other pagan religions, but aren't often clear that there is no one pagan religion, misleading the beginner to believe that generic eclectic vaguely Wicca-flavored neopaganism is the sum total of paganism.

[RainInanna]

A Witch's Bible - Janet & Stewart Farrar
Wicca - Vivianne Crowley
Witchcrafting - Phyllis Curott
Evolutionary Witchcraft - T Thorn Coyle
The Spiral Dance - Starhawk
Philosophy of Wicca - Amber Laine Fisher
Living Druidry - Emma Restall Orr
Druid Priestess - Emma Restall Orr
The Inner Temple of Witchcraft - Christopher Penczak
A Witch Alone - Marion Green

[lightdragon]

I tend to want to shy away from wicca. I have enough books on the subject but it is a beautiful religion.

let's see someone new to paganism and to leave out Wicca.
Ok

The truth about Witchcraft by Scott cunningham
Drawing down the Moon by Margot Adler
Triumph of the Moon by Ronald Hutton
Encyclopedia of Wicca and Witchcraftby Raven Grimassi
The Encyclopedia of Witches & Witchcraft by Rosemary Ellen Guiley
Book of Shadowsby Lady Sheba
The Spiral Danceby Starhawk
Irish Witchcraft from an Irish Witch by Lora O' Brien
Magic of the Celtic Gods and Goddessesby Carl McColman and Kathryn Hinds
Glamoury Magic of the Celtic green worldBy Steve Blamires

[Selba]

I found that the first couple chapters of Drawing Down the Moon provided interesting things to think about, but by the time I got to the last few I found it a little repetative, bias, and frankly I just stopped caring. It's like it lost its steam. But I always enjoy the first bit!