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Recommended Craft Reading
Adler, Margot. Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers and Other Pagans in America Today. Penguin, revised edition, 1997, $16.95. A well-known journalist’s study of the modern Pagan movement. Already out of date on some topics, but still an essential classic.
Amber K. Covencraft: Witchcraft for Three or More. Llewellyn, 1998, $17.95. Invaluable reference for anyone interested in starting or running a magical group. Covers mundane subjects, such as applying for tax-exempt status, and magical ones, like initiation requirements and rituals, in equal detail -- a rarity.
Amber K. True Magick. Llewellyn, 1991, $4.95. Introduction to the basics of magick, written in a readable, clear style. Excellent choice as a first book, or as an overview for non-Wiccan relatives or friends.
Ardinger, Barbara. A Woman's Book of Rituals and Celebrations. New World Library, l995, $12.95. Basic eclectic rituals.
Budapest, Z. The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries. Wingbow, l989, $17.50. Classic of Dianic Craft. Rollicking, inimitable and packed with misinformation.
Campanelli, Pauline. The Wheel of the Year: Living the Magical Life. Llewellyn, 1989, $12.95. Seasonal activities and recipes. We can't all live in the country, but we can dream about it.
Clifton, Chas. S., editor. Witchcraft Today, published by Llewellyn. Volume I: The Modern Craft Movement, 1992, $9.95. Volume II: Modern Rites of Passage, 1993, $9.95. Volume III: Witchcraft and Shamanism, 1994, $9.95. Good essays on topical issues in modern neo-Paganism: not specifically Wiccan.Cunningham, Scott. Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner. Llewellyn, 1990, $8.95. A BOS and guide for the solitary beginner. General eclectic Craft principles and ethics.
Crowley, Vivianne. Wicca: The Old Religion in the New Age. Thorson’s, revised edition 1996, $16.00. An excellent introduction (from the perspective of a Witch who is also a Jungian therapist) to British Traditional Craft.
Curott, Phyllis. Book of Shadows: A Modern Woman's Journey into the Wisdom of Witchcraft and the Magic of the Goddess. Broadway Books, l998, $25.00. Insightful and helpful beginner’s book.
DeGrandis, Francesca. Be a Goddess! Harper San Francisco, l998, $14.00. Practical do-it-yourself mysticism.
Eisler, Riane. The Chalice & The Blade: Our History, Our Future. Harper San Francisco, 1987, $10.95. A re-examination of our past, present, and future; weaving together evidence from art, archaeology, religion, social science and history. As the New Age Journal said, "The greatest murder mystery and cover-up of all time."
Elsbeth, Marguerite & Kenneth Johnson. The Silver Wheel: Women's Myths & Mysteries in the Celtic Tradition. Llewellyn, 1996, $14.95. Meditations, exercises, and tests to uncover the archetypal Goddess within you.
Farrar, Janet and Stewart. The Witches’ Way. Bookpeople, 1984, $27.95 and Eight Sabbats for Witches. Bookpeople, l988, $16.95. Materials from the authors’ Alexandrian Tradition. These two titles have been published in one paperback volume, A Witches’ Bible Compleat, by Magickal Childe; although this edition is more easily available, the authors recommend that readers avoid buying it because of difficulties over their royalties.
Farrar, Janet and Stewart. The Witches' Goddess, Phoenix Publishing, l987, $14.95, and The Witches’ God, Phoenix Publishing, l9879, $15.95. Basic mythological background for Wiccans.
Green, Marian. The Elements of Natural Magic. Element Books, 1997, $9.95 and A Witch Alone: 13 Moons to Master Natural Magick, Thorson’s, 1991, $16.00. Green provides an outstanding introduction to natural magic and solitary work.
Iglehart, Hallie. Womanspirit: A Guide to Women's Wisdom. Harper & Row, 1983, $7.95. Practical, down-to-earth feminist approach to spirituality.
Johnson, Kenneth & Marguerite Elsbeth. The Grail Castle: Male Myths & Mysteries in the Celtic Tradition. Llewellyn, 1995, $14.95. Quizzes, meditations, ritual work and mythic stories to integrate the Father, Warrior, Lover and Wise Man within you.
Libera, Caitlin. Creating Circles of Power & Magic: A Woman's Guide to Sacred Community. The Crossing Press, 1994, $12.95. Ritual scripts, exercises, meeting suggestions and advice on group dynamics.
Morrison, Dorothy. In Praise of the Crone: A Celebration of Feminine Maturity. Llewellyn, 1999, $14.95. An upbeat handbook to menopause and introduction to your Personal Crone. Won my heart when she called her own Crone "She-Who-Nags!"
Simms, Maria Kay. The Witches’ Circle. Llewellyn, 1996, $19.95. Speaks of the author’s personal journey to find Wicca. Details how she began her own circle, which revolves around astrology. Original rituals and instructions on making robes and masks.
Starhawk. The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Religion of the Great Goddess. Harper, 1989, $17.00. This classic of feminist spirituality has been a bestseller among Witches for more than twenty years.
Starhawk, Anne Hill, Diane Baker. Circle Round: Raising Children in Goddess Traditions. Bantam Doubleday, l998, $25.95. A comprehensive parenting guide for people of all faiths and beliefs, based on the Goddess tradition's appreciation of the Earth (the Goddess) and the view that life is a never-ending cycle of birth and death.
Starhawk, M. Macha Nightmare and the Reclaiming Collectiive. The Pagan Book of Living and Dying. Harper, San Francisco, l997, $17.00. Practical rituals with prayers, chants, blessings, meditations, essays, and insightful personal stories to offer a new understanding of death and a powerful new approach to the various stages of dying and grieving.
Valiente, Doreen. Natural Magic. Phoenix Publishing, 1985, $11.50, and An ABC of Witchcraft Past and Present. Bookpeople, 1988, $16.95. Both are excellent introductions, composed of short interesting essays on a wide variety of witchy topics.
Weinstein, Marion. Positive Magic: Occult Self-Help. Earth Magic Productions, 1994, $15.95. Widely respected feminist Craft manual. Excellent on magical ethics.
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This page last updated March 10, 2004