"A book is a present; you can open it again and again"

There is a great deal you can learn from books; be eclectic and glean information and ideas from everything you read. Don't become disheartened by the message that you will find in every good Witchcraft book you read; that what is before you isn't the Witches Lores set in stone, that it is not the one true way. I would be cautious of any book claiming to be the "real" way of doing things; during the Burning Times, many innocent men and women, and witches alike were killed on suspicion of witchcraft and with them went most old spells and rituals and handed down secrets. What was contained in those Witches Books of Shadows no one can be sure, for they were either burnt along with the Witch and her possessions by the Inquisitors, or burnt by the Witch herself to delay her persecution.

Of course one must remember that most people who were burnt as witches were Christians, who were targeted for being strange. Many would not admit to Witchcraft and defended their faith to the death. Of course we should try to prevent any such slaughter happening again, but not because we are "poor, persecuted pagans", but because nobody should be victimised for being different, regardless of their beliefs.

Secrets were handed down by mouth or closely guarded journals mostly until the repeal of the Witchcraft Law in 1951. Most of what is known about Witchcraft today stems from two key practitioners; Gerald Gardner and Alex Sanders.

Below is a catalogue of my own personal library and my thoughts on each of the books. They are not in any particular order, mainly in the order I purchased and recorded them in my Book of Shadows.

I would argue that books are more important buys than expensive robes, cauldrons or athames. Honest spells don't need elaborate props, just your complete involvment, and where better to get inspiration for your own rituals than a book that has been written especially to help you?

 

Archduchess Beliya'al's most wanted: Books

Fiona Horne - Witch; A Magickal Journey

A very personal book about being a Witch, and the first book I bought after returning to the Wiccan path. It has wonderful informative sections on rituals, herbs and oils, as well as some spells to start you off and some fab recipes for Witchy Cosmetics. A good all round book and essential for any beginners library. Those more advanced may be put off by its seeming simplicity, but it has lots of little gems in it as is well worth a read.

Vivianne Crowley - Wicca; the Old Religion in the New Millenium

A more advanced book with plenty of useful diagrams and references to Jung. Can be a tough read but persevere, this book covers all aspects of the Craft and will really get things organised in your head. This book is mainly aimed at Coven Witches, but has something for followers of all paths.

Witchcraft; Theory and Practice - Ly de Angeles

I ordered this book from Amazon and became very impatient in the time it took to ship. I was entranced by its gothic black cover and the promises of forgotten spells and practices. It has some very emotive self-dedication and preparation rituals ad pathworkings written by de Angeles and encourages further exploration of your path. The promised spells are someting that I have not yet found anywhere else, but I would not dive straight into the spells without doing the extensive preparation rituals first.

The Modern Witches Book of Herbs and Healing - Sarah Lyddon Morrison

A veritable feast of age old cures and concotions as once dealt out by the village wise woman. No spells, no rituals just good old natural cures. A must if you have an inherrent distrust of doctors (as I do) but in matters of health I must urge you to consult a doctor concerning any serious issues, as Lyddon Morrison does also. Medical science is the decendant of the witch throwing herbs into a cauldron to create cures, do not discount it.

Herbs, a concise guide in colour - Hamlyn

As with many of my books, this was turned up in a charity shop. A Witch can furnish her altar and library (and wardrobe!) with some very interesting items from charity shops, so don't sneer! Any guide to herbs is essential if you want to grow or pick your own herbs, it gives you an idea of what to pick and what not to, and hows, wheres and whens. This just happens to be the one that I found.

The Book of Shadows - Lady Sheba

This is the publication of Lady Sheba's private journal and is an example of the ideas passed down though generations. Each coven will do things differently and every BoS is sure to be different, but this set of rules gives some insight into Coven rituals and the fear of persecution during the Witch Craze.

Crystal Wisdom - Stephanie Harrison and Barbara Kleiner

My mother bought me this book when I first showed Witchy inklings aged about 11. It came with a set of crystals, which I still use, and some very in depth fortune wheels and explanations. If you are into divination then a book on crystals will be of great use to you.

The Book Of Spells - Nicola de Pulford

A lovely little book tied closed with a silver ribbon and a sealed section of "emergency spells". You won't find elaborate rituals calling for a harem of dancing girls and 13 fully paid up witches here, this is spellcasting for everyone, with a brilliant section on basic numerology; colour, crystal and herb associations. This is an Eclectic must for spells from diverse backgrounds.

New Larousse Encylopedia of Modern Mythology - Robert Graves

This one was procured from my mother's bookshelf. Find yourself any good book on mythology to gen up on the powers of different aspects of the Goddess and God.

The Book Of Spells 2- Marian Green

This book comes from more of a Wiccan perspective than its predecessor and gives some good tips for creating a sacred space and paying homage to the deities. Again a wonderful book, aesthetically pleasing as the first with its purple cover and ribbon tie, as well as more "sealed section" spells.

Tarot - Jonathan Dee

This was a publishers clearing house find, with a deck of major and minor arcana cards (think the court cards and the number cards in playing card decks) and a book explaining their interpretations. However, the deck and interpretations are quite Christianised; for me this rankles a little as occult practises are seen as a pact with the devil that surely no good Christian would enter into. This was the first set of cards that I had come across that included the minor arcanum, so the interpretations of these cards were something I wasn't familiar with and I wanted a book to explain them to me. This one fitted the bill, but now I'm on the lookout for some cards that sit better with me (try local "new age" shops and some branches of Waterstones for inspiration).

The Witches Qabala - Ellen Cannon Reed

See the Qabala from a Wiccan perspective with this book. Cannon Reed describes this book as a sort of filing cabinet for life, but not so simple. If you like everything to have a place in your life (like me!) I really do recommend this book. Its not simple reading, you will need to immerse your whole brain in it, and may need to read bits over and again, but you will be well rewarded. Reading this book helped my own understanding of the "bigger picture" and has helped me on my way to becoming a calmer and happier person. Don't read this and then expect the book to create miracles, as with all magick, you create the miracles!

 

Wicca: A guide for the Solitary Practitioner - Scott Cunningham

I will recommend this book to anyone who will listen to me, especially non-Wiccans. Cunningham takes the role of a sort of Wiccan ambassador, explaining everything, so I will ask that anyone who intends on lambasting me, or any other Witch, for their religion does us the courtesy of reading this book first; as Cunningham is very eloquent and I am prone to losing my temper and swearing at people when I can't think because they are whinging at me. In short - great total Wicca book for all, even the experienced as it contains a few timely reminders...

White Magic - Titania Hardie

Another great spell book. This one contains spells from several of Titania's publications and like all her other books, comes in a strokable velveteen cover! My copy was a present and came with a white ribbon, a bottle of jasmine oil and a white candle to allow you to perform the self dedication ritual inside. Brilliant spells and lovely artwork and graphics. Use Titania's spells as they come, or adapt them for your use.

Like Water for Chocolate - Laura Esquivel

A Love story, recipes, magick and tears. A wonderful combination for a book that left me weeping and wiping my nose on the cat.

Dictionary of Dreams - Brockhampton Reference

Combine these folklore-based interpretations with your own understanding of your dreams. Remember not to take every dream at only the meaning shown in the book, because only you know what is happening in your life and how you feel about it, and dreams are your body's way of telling you about it.

The Little Book of Pocket Spells - Akasha Moon

Cutey cutey cute! Small enough to lose ten minutes after buying it, this was a complete impulse buy, but has some suprisingly pleasing ideas in it.

Hedgewitch - Rae Beth

This book is made up of Rae's correspondences with two budding hedgewitches. Her letters are written throughout the wheel of the year and give insight into ritual practices and some wonderful ideas for solitary ritual in the way of the hedgwitch.

Living Wicca - Scott Cunningham

The follow-up to A Guide... this book is also a must for beginners and adepts alike.

A Witch Alone - Marian Green

Termed "13 moons to natural Magick" this book is designed to be read over the course of a year. The book chose me rather than me choosing it. My fiance was approached in Waterstones by a Witch who asked him if he was a solitary. He said no, that he was buying for me and she replied "Of course. I've been told to give her this." and handed him the book! Why do I never meet these people?!

The Fortune Telling Book - Gillian Kemp

A lovely little book with folklore, interpretations of omens and divination using playing cards, tea leaves and apple pips. A great book to introduce you to more diverse methods of fortune telling.

Spells and Rituals Using Candle Magick - Sally Love

Another fab publishers clearing house find. Although some may dismiss it as "Spells for Dummies", it is a smart kit with three candles, a candle holder and a sachet of herbs. Love gives good ideas for candle spells and includes easy to understand tables of time and colours to go with each type of spell. Unlike many commercially available spellkits, it definitely accomodates a Wiccan perspective. The RRP for this book was £25, but at just over a fiver, it was worth having.

Who's who in Classical Mythology - Jessica Hodge

A "Look up and Learn" lexicon of deities from popular myths. An understanding of deities and their powers is essential for successful spellcrafting.

The Complete Handbook of Astrology - WHSmith

I turned this one up in Oxfam, and it is a goodie for understanding of astrology. It gives traits of star signs and instructs on how to create your own birth chart and tell your own fortunes. Any guide such as this is a must for those who want more than a newspaper prediction and would rather interpret their own than phone up the dubious (and expensive!) horoscope lines.

Magickal Sex - Fiona Horne

It's sex, it's magick, it's the charismatic Fiona Horne. A wonderful book for shaking off the last vestiges of any notion that sex is taboo left over from a dogmatic upbringing. See the Great Rite from a new, sexy perspective!

The Witches Formulary and Spellbook - Tarostar

This book concerns itself with New Orleans voodoo, a topic that has always interested and excited me. Interesting tables of magickal correspondences and recipes for incense. However some of Tarostar's voodoo spells sit completely at odds with Pagan beliefs, one in particular involves the sacrificing of a chicken, but the book has interest as curio value and many of the spells could be adapted for Wiccan needs.

The Real Witches Handbook - Kate West

Kate is a truly spellbinding author. I met her at PaganCon North West this summer, and to hear her speak her ideas is even more entrancing than reading them!

Book of Spells - Soraya

Absolutely gabrillions of spells and some different correspondences that can allow an adept spellcrafter to add more depth to their ritual though consideration of different aspects of the desired outcome. Soraya comes in for a pasting in some Pagan forums and chatrooms, but she does provide valid information and a variety of spells that often aren't covered in other books. Ideal for those who wish to work from preformed ritual or who would like to adapt new ideas into their existing practises.

Spellweaving - Sally Morningstar

A miniscule book that is another basic how-to, but not specifically aimed at Witches. Again, I picked it up in a publishers outlet, and it contains some lovely ideas for charms. Established Wiccans may sneer at my inclusion of books such as this, but I believe that just because the work has been published and is commercially available, it does not make it any less valid. Few books should be turned down out of snobbery; as they may just teach us something new.

The Real Witches Kitchen - Kate West

Here Kate combines my two favourite subjects: food and witchcraft! With recipes for feasts for the 8 festivals, as well as for non-edible things such as candles and soap, this is a practical book for the hands on witch... plus my copy is signed by the lady herself! Oh I'm so, so fickle...

A Companion to the Myths, Folklore and Customs of Great Britain - Marc Alexander

A lexicon of all kinds of customs and practices in Britain, many with Pagan origins. A good read.

Drawing Down the Moon - Margot Adler

OK, I admit I haven't actually read this one yet. But I do have it, and it was recommended to me by Ellie (of Ellie's Nest). So its probably good. It has a reputation as being one of those staples that you must read, so I really should get round to it...

The Spiral Dance - Starhawk

A pillar of feminist Paganism, and another one that I haven't finished reading yet. Starhawk is a very active protestor and demonstrator and often hits the Pagan headlines for being arrested for standing up for her beliefs. Well; no one else is going to champion your cause if you don't do it yourself.

Hubble Bubble - Titania Hardie

Holding Titania's books is a bit like stroking a peach, because of the fuzzy cover, which is very apt as this is Titania's book of magickal feasts, and I love it! Everything about this book is a treat, and it is full of great recipes and ideas for the 8 feasts of the year.

Enchanted - Titania Hardie

Yes, another Titania book, but I don't believe you can have too many; they are beautifully printed and produced, the photography in them is magickal and the whole book is spell-binding from start to finish! When I read this book I felt like I was really being involved and it was something I really enjoyed reading (Yes I know, I'm a complete book fiend and will read anything, but this is really good.)

Secrets of Palmistry - Peter West

Ha ha, guess what I'm learning to do! And this little DK gem is my guide, now who wants to get their hands all inky so I can practice? No please, stop running away... I'll be gentle! But if palmistry is not for you, why not try cromniomancy, which is the reading of onion sprouts, or omphilomancy, divination through belly buttons. I kid you not...

Mysteries and Secrets of Magic - C. J. S. Thompson

I picked this up in a publishers clearing house at the weekend as I wanted something to read while I was waiting for someone in the car and I thought it might be interesting. It nearly got thrown from the top floor of the biggest bus station in Europe when Thompson decided to share his belief that practitioners of magic are intellectually inferior to those "of higher and wiser intelligence" who depend on God to sort out their affairs. A highly biased account that places all witches in league with satan (who?). Closed minds and closed mouths? Closed minds and closed doors of the publishing houses would be a good one. Although we all have our right to free speech, even if we are narrow minded and misled. I suppose you have to laugh....