Books on Wicca and Paganism
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The links below will allow you to purchase these items through Amazon.com. I also encourage you to visit your local independent bookseller. Such stores are often places where Pagans can find community and information, and deserve our support.
Three excellent books:
- The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles, Ronald F. Hutton.
- Outlines what we do know about ancient religion, directly tackling some of common pseudo-historic. Takes the Wiccan/Pagan movement seriously while calling for a rigorous approach to facts.
- Celtic Rituals: An Authentic Guide to Ancient Celtic Spirituality, Alexei Kondratiev.
- While not specifically Wiccan, Kondratiev’s rituals are based in a deep scholarly and spiritual understanding of Celtic history. Also published as The Apple Branch.
- Symbol and Image in Celtic Religious Art, Miranda Green.
- A very useful look at the available evidence of Celtic religions.
Three good books about Wicca for newcomers and young people:
- Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner, Scott Cunningham.
- Many people start with this book. Pleasant and simple spells and ideas for crafting your own.
- Spell Craft: A Primer for the Young Magician, Lilith McClelland.
- Written specifically for younger audiences, this book is a favorite among teens but has value for the older novice as well.
- The Wiccan Path, Rae Beth.
- Outlines Wiccan religion in the form of letters by a priestess to her students.
Three good books about the history of Wicca and neo-Paganism:
- Triumph of the Moon, Ronald F. Hutton.
- Hutton, a historian, traces the roots of the modern Wiccan movement, shattering some myths and providing much food for thought. Focuses on Britain.
- Drawing Down the Moon, Margot Adler.
- An American journalist’s view of Wicca and related movements. Somewhat dated now, but a useful look at the roots of modern American worship.
- Persuasions of the Witch’s Craft, Tanya Luhrmann.
- Luhrmann, a sociologist, studied modern Wiccans and magicians in Britain.
Three good books about magic:
- Psychic Self-Defense and Well-Being, Dion Fortune.
- A classic text on the subject, outlining a technique that can be adapted to many circumstances.
- Inside a Magical Lodge, John Michael Greer.
- Traces the history of the lodge movement and provides an excellent template for a working magical group.
- Dancers to the Gods, Alan Richardson.
- A valuable in-depth look at a long-term magical working involving two experienced practitioners.
Three good books for Wiccan families:
- Pagan Parenting: Magical, Spiritual and Emotional Development of the Child, Kristen Madden.
- Excellent resource including information on community and legal topics, plus unique ideas on helping children develop their own magical abilities.
- Celebrating the Great Mother: A Handbook of Earth-Honoring Activities for Parents, Cait Johnson and Maura D. Shaw.
- Good ideas and activities. Oriented more towards goddesses than gods.
- Circle Round: Raising Children in Goddess Traditions, Starhawk, Diane Baker and Anne Hill.
- Hands-on approach with songs, stories, recipes, crafts and activities for family learning and growth.
More books: Jane Raeburn | History
(Celtic and other) | Relationships
| Other/Fun