The weather is cool and crisp, with a slight hint of humidity that holds the chill in the air. When this weather comes around, I can’t help but anticipate days of hot drinks, warm blankets, soft couch cushions, and comforting books as snow swirls around our house. In preparation, I picked up a few books today, then realized I had a decent-sized Pagan library. Then I figured I’d share some with you!
Below is but a part of my library. Have you read any of these before? How do you like them? And be sure to comment with your favorite books, too!
Being a Pagan (Ellen Evert Hopman, Lawrence Bond)
The Body Sacred (Dianne Sylvan)
By Candlelight (Janina Renee)
Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs (Scott Cunningham)
The Folk Remedy Encyclopedia (FC&A Medical Publishing)
Llewellyn’s 2012 Witches’ Companion (Llewellyn)
Llewellyn’s Sabbats Almanac (Llewellyn) (Samhain 2011 to Mabon 2012)
The Magical Household (Scott Cunningham, David Harrington)
Out of the Broom Closet (Arin Murphy-Hiscock)
The Pagan Book of Days (Nigel Pennick)
Pagan Every Day (Barbara Ardinger)
The Power of the Witch (Laurie Cabot, Tom Cowan)
Teen Witch (Silver Ravenwolf)
To Ride a Silver Broomstick (Silver Ravenwolf)
A Witch’s Halloween (Gerina Dunwich)
The Witch in Every Woman (Laurie Cabot)
Witchcraft: Theory and Practice (Ly de Angeles)
“To Ride A Silver Broomstick” is in among the books I plan to be curled up reading this Winter too.
I can’t remember right now what the others are, but I can tell you that “Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner” by Scott Cunningham is a favourite of mine.
That was actually the first book on Paganism/Wicca I’ve ever read! You’re going to really like it; let me know your impressions when you do read it.
And that’s an excellent book! I haven’t read it in ages, but it’s always been recommended as a go-to book for solitary Wiccans. I really should reread it…!
Yep, I’ll let you know what I think when I read it.
And, yes, you should read it again!
I totally own The Magical Household and several of the Silver Raven-Wolf books, including the one you show. <3 I like picking them up at Half Price Books. Have you read the Folk Remedy Encyclopedia? That sounds like a book I'd like to look at too, since my husband refuses to see a doctor, EVER.
Haha, you’d love the Folk Remedy Encyclopedia.
I dislike a lot of modern medicine (especially when some of the ailments can be helped through diet, exercise, and other such means), and that’s a great book for alternatives. Of course, there are some arenas where modern medicine is top notch, but if you’re looking for something to help a burn, quicken a cold, or anything else like that, you’ll love the book!
Also, awesome on The Magic Household and SRW books! I know many Pagans tend to shun SRW, but I think she has a very specific audience, and while some of her stuff is a bit more anti-Christian than I would like, she can serve as a great stepping stone to more advanced Craft work.
I also own “To Ride a Silver Broomstick”, it was one of my first go-to books (still is, actually). It’s handy when you need a quick reference to a topic or need to look up a basic correspondence table. I have Cunningham’s “Guide for the Solitary Practitioner” as well as one other that I’ve lost from moving around so much. I think I may have hid them in a box at my parents house while I was traveling to keep things from getting awkward with my very Catholic dad…he wasn’t thrilled with my new spiritual explorations. I’ll have to dig them out next time I go back. I did find a copy of Phyllis Curott’s “WitchCrafting” at a local used bookstore, which was a nice surprise given the small conservative town it was in
I admit, it sometimes is a go-to for me, too! I hate admitting that, but her tables and correspondences are to the point and leave no fluff; those are my favorite parts of her books.
And yes, Cunningham’s was brought up above, too! That one is great, and should be in every Wiccan’s library.
Whoah, and WitchCrafting! Talk about a more esoteric find!
I think I’d be thrilled if I had that!
It’s funny what books get lost in the shuffle, too. I was raised in a Catholic home as well, and when I was able to read Spanish decently enough, I owned a book written in Spanish about witchcraft. Fully thinking that my parents wouldn’t know what it was, I’d read it whenever I got the chance and didn’t hide that one as well as the others… but it was eventually discovered. And I live around the block from Hispanic neighbors. Who were good friends of mine. And, uh… my parents’. Sooooo guess who translated it, and guess which book I never saw again. LOL
Haha, aww! That’s too bad!
I almost didn’t buy WitchCrafting when I found it as I had never heard of it or the author before. I’m glad I did, now.
It happens, yanno? Everyone’s gotta go through their own schizz to find out who they really are.
And seriously, what a find! So glad you came across it; I’ve heard it’s a fantastic book!
Scott Cunningham was a very well intentioned writer, but gives the erroneous impression that you can read his books and be a Real Witch. Lovely man, but only use his books as a starting point. Forget Silver Ravenwolf- she’s a publisher’ hack. Period.. Do try Ly De Angeles, though she’s a bit strange. Look for The Elements of Ritual by Deborah Lipp. Quality stuff.
Thanks, Ashe! This is great advice for beginners all the way through more experienced witches.
While you don’t want to get me started on SRW, I agree with you entirely and will leave my opinion at that. I’ll keep a lookout for that book you recommend!
I love Laurie’s book and Scott Cunninghams books. Also Dorothy Morrison and Raymond Buckland.
Ellen Dugan writes some very “down to earth” beginner Wiccan books and is also a great writer with some good info. Chris pentzcak is another one.
Z Budapest and Fiona Horne as well. So many amazing Wiccan writers!