 |
|
|
| Home - Upcoming Events - Links |
|
|
| Suggested Reading on Paganism and Wicca List created by Lady Susannah Ravenswing with additions by RavenHarte |
|
|
| The book I've listed are ones which I have personally read or which have been recommended to me by trusted sources. This limited selection reflects my personal biases, and many good and helpful books exist which are unfamiliar to me. Presently, there is a flood of magical and Pagan-oriented material on the market, much of it sensational, absurd or even purely fabricated. Please be discriminating in what you read and your beliefs. |
|
|
| Mythology Aradia: Gospel of the Witches by Charles Godfried Leland Arthur the King: The Themes Behind the Legends by Graeme Fife Bulfinch's Mythology Greek Mythology for Everyone: Legends of the Gods and Heroes by Donald Richardson The Hero With a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell Legends of the World edited by Richard Cavendish Le Morte D'Arthur by Sir Thomas Mallory Mythology by Edith Hamilton The White Goddess by Robert Graves Contemporary Wicca / Neo-Paganism ANY BOOKS by the late Scott Cunningham Although some of Scott's work is basic "This is how you do this...", he's an easy read and did much to support and sustain the modern Pagan movement. Great for novices to The Old Ways, good resource books. Ancient Ways: Reclaiming Pagan Traditions by Dan and Pauline Campanelli Coven Craft: Witchcraft for Three or More by Amber K Wonderful guidance for finding or creating Pagan community. A how-to book. Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today by Margot Adler A classic survey of the nature and origins of modern American Paganism. Dreaming the Dark by Starhawk Magic as a revolutionary force, and how our convictions and values can help shape society more positively. The Pagan Book of Living and Dying by Starhawk and the Reclaiming Collective A wonderful, powerful work on that aspect of Life we all must face: Death. The Spiral Dance by Starhawk This classic of modern Witchcraft is my favorite basic text. Her scholarship is solid, and her writing accessible and thorough, with a wonderful eco-feminist slant that isn't too "rabid". If you only read one work on modern Wicca, read this one! A how-to book. The Wheel of the Year by Pauline Campanelli A lovely folksy book on integrating magic and history with the changing earth and seasons. Great ideas for bringing the Sacred into family life. A how-to book. To Ride a Silver Broomstick by Silver Ravenwolf An accessible, down-to-earth introduction to the Craft. A how-to book. Wicca: The Old Religion in the New Age by Vivianne Crowley Traditional Witchcraft West Country Wicca: A Journal of the Old Religion by Rhiannon Ryall A curious little book on the traditional ways of English Hereditary Craft. The Witches Bible Complete (a combined edition encompassing both Eight Sabbats for Witches and The Witches Way), The Witches God and The Witches Goddess, all by Janet and Stewart Farrar Janet and Stewart are superb historians, folklorists and wonderful authors. Among the world's best known and loved practicing Witches and Elders of the Gardnerian Tradition, they have tirelessly traveled, lectured, taught and shared with others. These charming folk are unquestionably the authorities on the Craft traditions of the British Isles. A how-to book. Witchcraft: A Tradition Renewed by Doreen Valiente and Evan Jones This text looks to practices of the Craft in pre-World War One Britain, prior to the resurgence of interest in Witchcraft brought on by Gerald Gardner. Women's Spirituality The works of Starhawk, listed above. The Book of the Goddess edited by Carl Olsen Essays on various Goddess traditions. The Great Cosmic Mother: Rediscovering the Religion of the Earth by Monica Sjoo and Barbara Mor An intense, sometimes disturbing, very deep book. In the House of the Moon: Reclaiming the Feminine Spirit of Healing by Jason Elias and Katherine Ketcham Women and healing from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Language of the Goddess by Miriam Gimbutas Goddess symbolism in Old European iconography. The Once and Future Goddess by Elinor Gaddon Great illustrations and text on Goddess imagery in art. The Song of Eve: An Illustrated Journey into the Myths, Symbols and Rituals of the Goddess by Manuela Dunn Mascetti A lovely exploration into Goddess archetypes. When God Was a Woman by Merlyn Stone Feminist classic. Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom by Christiane Northrup, M.D. If you're a woman or love a woman, read this incredible book. The Women's Book of Healing and The Women's Spirituality Book by Diane Stein One of the first authors from the Dianic Tradition of Witchcraft, Stein writes from a strong Feminist perspective that affirms the innate strength and power of women. 'How-to" books. The Woman's Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects by Barbara Walker A resource book. Also, the writings of Z Budapest. Celtic Studies and Spirituality The Celtic World edited by Miranda Greene This is a big, serious, dry scholarly text. Very detailed but not for the novice. The Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom: A Celtic Shaman's Sourcebook by Caitlin and John Matthews The Matthews are wonderful scholars, although their works can be slow reading. For the more experienced student of the Celtic traditions. Fire in the Head: Shamanism and the Celtic Spirit by Tom Cowan An excellent and thoughtful exploration of Celtic Shamanism. Pagan Celtic Britain by Ann Ross Scottish Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland Concerning the ancient Pictish spiritual traditions of Scotland. he works of R. J. Stewart. Herbalism and Healing The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood An excellent resource book, although written from an English perspective. A how-to book. Hands of Light by Barbara Ann Brennan The quintessential work on the Human Energy System (Aura) and energetic healing work. Required for any serious Healer. Her followup is Light Emerging, which provides in-depth practical support for Energy Healers. Herbs and Things by Jeanne Rose An older text (1970's) with a mishmash of good recipies and bizarre stuff. Her more current work is probably stronger. A how-to book. The Magical and Ritual Use of Herbs and The Magical and Ritual Use of Aphrodisiacs by Richard Miller For the more experienced ritualist. Magical Herbalism and Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham Excellent resource books for those new to The Craft. A how-to book. The New Age Herbalist by Richard Mabey A beautifully illustrated and very well written resource book - recommended. A how-to book. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs Thorough and helpful, with good information on cultivation and storage. A how-to book. The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra Good basic text. Shamanism The Four-Fold Way by Angeles Arrien, Ph.D. A great practical application of Shamanic principles in every-day personal life. Very insightful. The Four Winds by Alberto Villoldo Ph. D. This Cuban-born psychologist and anthropologist has extensively studied the spiritual traditions of the people of the Andes. Plants of the Gods: Their Healing, Sacred and Hallucinogenic Powers by Richard Evens Schultes and Albert Hofmann A well-illustrated and very accessible exploration of the traditional use of plants by indigenous people for health, insight and spiritual purposes. Sastun: My Apprenticeship With a Mayan Healer by Rosita Arvigo N. D. A Wonderful and inspiring tale of an a American woman's efforts to preserve the traditional lore of Belize's Maya Indians and her studies with the late Don Elijo Panti, legendary Master Healer. Secrets of the Talking Jaguar: A Mayan Shaman's Journey Into the Heart of the Indigenous Soul by Martin Prechtel This passionate, vivid, luscious book takes the reader on Martin's journey to find his lost Soul. Wonderful and evocative. Tales of a Shaman's Apprentice by Mark Plotkin, Ph.D. The story of an ethnobotanist's search for medicinal plants in the Amazon rain forest. Fascinating, with some important insights into the perspectives of indigenous people and the need for bio-diversity. When Santa Was a Shaman: The Ancient Origins of Santa Claus and the Christmas Tree by Tony van Renterghem An amusing and very thorough exploration of the ancient traditions underlying "That jolly old elf..." |
|
|
| Additions by RavenHarte |
| In addition to the wonderful selections given by Susannah, I add a few of my own personal choices for basic books, including some that are specific to the Arthurian Tradition. These choices reflect only my own personal opinion and some of the required reading for my trainees. |
|
|
| Wicca / WitchCraft ANYTHING by Janet & Stewart Farrar - See above ANYTHING by Dion Fortune She has many works in fiction that will be interesting for beginners, particularly Sea Priestess and Moon Magic. The Non-Fiction is generally geared more for the more advanced practioner or Ceremonialist. ANYTHING by Doreen Valiente - particularly Witchcraft for Tomorrow and The ABCs of Witchcraft ANYTHING by Vivianne Crowley - especially Wicca - The Old Religion In the New Millenium Book of Shadows by Phyllis Curott. A sensitive true story of a NYC lawyer's journey into Wicca. Her other two books Witchcrafting and Love Spell are also very good Lammas Night by Katherine Kurtz This is fiction but VERY good. Magical Gateways by Alan Richardson True Magick by Amber K Very concise but EXCELLENT overview of Wicca. Wiccan Warrior by Kerr Cuhulain A personal acquaintance of mine. This book deals with the true Warrior self, and how to live this in everyday life. His book Full Contact Magick is also very good as well, taking a different perspective htan other sources on the Witches Pyramid Pagan Children and Families Circle Round: Raising Children in Goddess Traditions by Starhawk The Pagan Family: Handing the Old Ways Down by Ceisiwr Serith I've found this to be the best book I have to work with my kids. It has many Sabbat rituals and activities to do with children, plus background information. Mountains, Meadows, and Moonbeams by Mary Summer Rain A wonderful book for Pagan children to read to give them some ideas about the God and Goddess, and aspects of Paganism. Male & Female Mysteries Earth God Rising: Male Mysteries by Alan Richardson The Pagan Man by Isaac Bonewitz The Masks of God by Joseph Campbell Daughters Of Eve: Women's Mysteries by Dolores Ashcroft-Novicki A close personal friend to my Witch Queen and Clan, her books are excellent in all areas she covers. Women's Mysteries by Esther Harding This is very difficult and only recently back in print, but will give the reader food for thought. Goddesses In Every Woman by Jean Bolen Celtic Wicca & Mythology ANYTHING by John and Caitlin Matthews Especially Elements of The Celtic Tradition, Tales of the Celtic Otherworld, and Celtic Shamanism. Celtic Myth and Legend by Charles Squire Celtic Myths and Legends by T. W. Rolleston This book is very dry and difficult to read, but is very good. Glamoury: Magic of the Celtic Green World by Steve Blamires Though I would not recommend to novices because of his use of personal opinion stated as fact, if one already has a good personal base on Celtic myth and Spirituality this book is very good. Mysteries of Britain by Lewis Spence Difficult but excellent. Practical Celtic Magic by Murray Hope This is a good synopsis for the beginning practioner. Has been republished as Ancient Wisdom of the Celts. Arthurian ANYTHING by John and Caitlin Matthews - especially Elements of The Arthurian Tradition, Arthurian Book of Days, and Ladies of the Lake. Arthurian Romances by Chretien de Troyes Chronicles of King Arthur by Andrea Hopkins History of the Kings of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth Le Morte D'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory The Arthurian Quest by Amber Wolfe Wonderful Arthurian pathworkings. The Mabinogion translated by Lady Charlotte Guest Traditional myth. The Secret Tradition in Arthurian Legend by Gareth Knight This is advanced, mainly geared towards the Esoteric study of Arthurian mythos. |
|
|
| Contact the Webmistress:pathoftthemoon@yahoo.com |
|
|
| Copyright Path of the Moon Collective |