Several years ago, I was asked to provide a recommended reading list
for those attending the first meeting of our local Pagan Council. I
took to this in a very serious manner. It's not just about what books I felt
were good or the authors whose style I enjoy reading; we're talking
about books that teach the most, have the most unique voice, and offer
insights not found elsewhere. And when I decided that I would make my
list only for Intermediate studies (since I was fairly certain the other
offerings wouldn't be), well, things really got cooking.
The
reason that there are so many 101 books on the market is because we all
like to help those who are clueless (they tend to be the most
appreciative) and--quite honestly--writing intro stuff is a cinch.
Think about the differences between discussing addition and
trigonometry. Which one can you illustrate with apples? How long do
you think you'll spend explaining 2+2 versus 2 Sin2X + 2 SinX CosX - 1=
0?
Now I'm not busting on 101 book authors. They do
their thing because not everyone will respond to the same methods, so
new books come out to show old information from a new angle (or to just
put a new coat of paint on it). But being a witch who sees a greater
number of intro books than advanced ones on the shelves every year, I've
grown tired of them even sharing such precious real estate. So, I
chose to dedicate my reading list to those who, like me, had to work
irritatingly hard to find books which would offer useful information in
an accessible way to those who already have spellcasting experience
under their belt.
Naturally, this list became
complex, featuring whole books beside scattered chapters, old grimoires
beside those freshly printed, references for learning the community and
those for learning the practice. But it's all here--the books I feel
that I've learned the most from, the ones that made the greatest impact
on how I use magic and why.
History of Magic, Witchcraft, Occultism and the Neo-Pagan Movement and General Information
Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler
Mastering Witchcraft by Paul Huson
Natural Magic by Doreen Valiente
Witchcraft at Salem by Chadwick Hansen
The Complete Book of Spells, Ceremonies and Magic by Migene Gonzolez-Wippler
Not in Kansas Anymore by Christine Wicker
Clues, Myths and the Historical Method by Carlo Ginzburg
“Witchcraft and Popular Piety” (pg. 1-16)
“The Theme of Forbidden Knowledge in the 16th and 17th Centuries” (pg. 60-66)
The Triumph of the Moon by Ronald Hutton
The Satanic Mass by H.T.F. Rhodes
Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P. Hall
Practical Information, Various Types of Magic
Complete Book of Magic and Witchcraft by Kathryn Paulsen
(Excepting the following, due to irrelevance in practical magic --)
“The Rites of Satanism and Witchcraft” (pg. 17-21)
“The Magic Ceremony” (pg. 22-37)
“Divination” (pg. 38-41)
Long Lost Friend by John George Hohman
Crone’s Book of Charms and Spells
} by Valerie Worth
Crone’s Book of Magical Words
The Black Pullet (Author Unknown)
The Three Books of Occult Philosophy by Agrippa
Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic by Catherine Yronwode
The Element Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells by Judika Illes
The Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey
The Anna Riva Books, especially:
The Modern Herbal Spellbook by Anna Riva
Secrets of Magical Seals by Anna Riva
Techniques of High Magic by Francis King and Stephen Skinner
Charms, Spells and Formulas by Ray Malbrough
Chapters --
3: Dolls and Magic
5: Folk Spells and Miscellaneous
Formulas Section (chapters 6, 7, 8, 9)
“Using Psalms for Solving Problems” (pg. 146-148)
The Complete Book of Incense, Oils and Brews by Scott Cunningham
Correspondences
Secrets of Modern Witchcraft by Lady Sabrina
Chapters --
4: Air, Fire, Water, Earth
6: Beneath a Silver Moon
11: The Color of Magic
12: Herbal Lore and Wisdom
13: Treasures from the Earth
14: Objects of Power and Domination
Everyday Magic by Patricia Telesco
Chapters --
1: Magical Boosters, (the sections of) The Winds, Days of the Week, Colors
2: The Gifts of Nature, (the sections of) Trees, Stones
Appendixes A and B
American Folk Magic by Silver Ravenwolf
Chapters --
10: Indigenous Herbs
16: Magical Psalms, Seals
The Magician’s Companion by Bill Whitcomb
Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham
A Dictionary of Symbols by J. E. Circlot
Self-Help, Mental Exercises
12 Positive Habits of Spiritually Centered People by Mark and Sarah Thurston
The Orange Book by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh
The Grimoire of Shadows by Ed Fitch
Part VII: Magical Training
The Satanic Witch by Anton LaVey
Evolutionary Witchcraft by T. Thorn Coyle
Especially the Devotional Dances
Creative Visualization
} by Shakti Gawain
Developing Intuition
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