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Recommended Reading List 21st Century Wicca: A Young Witch's Guide to Living the Magical Life by Jennifer Hunter. Citadel Press, 1997. Explores Wiccan history, magic, the sabbats, tools, initiation, community, college life, and speaking for the Craft; the modest resource appendix lists Pagan churches, advocacy groups, occult suppliers, festivals, and Websites. The Alyson Almanac compiled by the staff of Alyson Publications. Alyson Publications, 1989. Includes "A Gay Man's Guide to Coming Out" and other useful information. Not a Pagan book itself, but helpful for coming out of the broom closet. 1555830196 American Indian Ceremonies: A Practical Workbook & Study Guide to the Medicine Path by Medicine Hawk and Grey Cat. Inner Light Publications, 1990. Includes a discussion of vision quests, spirits and totems, ceremonies, meditation, tools, and more. 0938294725 Buffalo Woman Comes Singing by Brooke Medicine Eagle. Ballantine Books, 1991. A nice introduction to Native American and related paths; features insightful "workbook" sections and exercises. 0345361431 Candle Magick: A Guide for the Novice by J.E. Auer. Eschaton Productions, 1996. An excellent sourcebook for spells which use candles; also has some Tarot and Christian elements, but suitable for any tradition. 1573531103 Castings: The Creation of Sacred Space by Ivo Dominguez, Jr. SapFire Productions, 1996. The definitive guide to energy manipulation; teaches the standard "Four Quarters Circle" plus seven other formations. Celtic Myth & Magic: Harnessing the Power of the Gods and Goddesses by Edain McCoy. Llewellyn Publications, 1995. Lists 49 systems of Celtic derivation; includes much useful information on Celtic deities and other figures, as well as ritual practices and symbolism. 1567186610 * A Change of Heart: An Evaluation of Personal Relationship to the Wellness of Our Planet by Meryn G. Callander and John W. Travis, M.D. Arcus Publishing, 1993. Explains how individual human actions affect the world; features insightful quizzes so you can rate yourself in the areas of recognizing, conserving, water, consuming, food, moving, spending, respecting, caring, relating, stepping out, and celebrating. Circle Round: Raising Children in Goddess Traditions by Starhawk, Diane Baker, and Anne Hill. Bantam Books, 1998. Features stories, crafts, recipes, games, songs, and other fun things to do in a family that reveres Nature. The Crafting and Use of Ritual Tools: Step-by-Step Instructions for Woodcrafting Religious & Magical Implements by Eleanor & Philip Harris. Llewellyn Publications, 1998. Discusses types of wood, woodworking tools, construction techniques, magical decoration, and so forth. 1567183468 Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic by Scott Cunningham. Llewellyn Publications, 1988. Explores the properties and uses of stones; includes a lot of nice supporting material and correspondence guides. 0875421261 Dancing with the Sun: Celebrating the Seasons of Life by Yasmine Galenorn. Llewellyn Publications, 1999. Features rituals for all eight sabbats plus numerous rites of passage and other holidays. 156718300x Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler. Beacon Press, 1979. For a more scholarly approach, try this one; it covers history and modern issues more thoroughly than the others, but can be slower reading. 014019536x Earth Power: Techniques of Natural Magic by Scott Cunningham. Llewellyn Publications, 1989. Along with its sequel Earth, Air, Fire & Water this book is the definitive text on Elemental magic of all kinds; covers the basics, the four primary Elements, and various applications. 0875421210 The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft by Rosemary Ellen Guiley. Facts On File, Inc. 1989. Contains detailed entries on assorted systems, persons, divine and legendary figures, practices, etc. Another good place to look up symbolism, this one also includes history and associations of altar tools and other objects. 081601793x * The Goddess Celebrates: An Anthology of Women's Rituals edited by Diane Stein. The Crossing Press, 1991. Enjoy material by most of the top writers in women's spirituality, including Z. Budapest, Starhawk, and Shekinah Mountainwater. Offers sample rituals from many traditions. 089594460x The Goddess in the Office by Zsuzsanna Budapest. HarperSanFrancisco, 1993. How to take care of yourself in a stressful environment: lots on grounding, plus a variety of meditation and visualization pieces. Delightful ideas for practicing your spirituality at work in subtle ways. 0062500872 The Grandmother of Time by Zsuzsanna E. Budapest. Harper & Row, 1989. Study the goddesses and holidays of many cultures in this book, which is organized like a calendar. Detailed descriptions of holy days, each month featuring a particular goddess. 0062501097 The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries, Part 1 by Zsuzsanna Budapest. Susan B. Anthony Coven, 1979. Covers politics, tools, esbats, spellcasting, herstory, divination, and more. Offers some arguments for the use of righteous hexing in Dianic Wicca and related traditions, plus general feminist ethics. 0914728679 Imagine a Woman in Love with Herself: Embracing Your Wisdom and Wholeness by Patricia Lynn Reilly. Conari Press, 1999. A wonderful woman-positive, Goddess-centered book full of stories, poems, meditations, and tidbits from the evocative "Book of Woman." * Inside A Witches' Coven by Edain McCoy. Llewellyn Publications, 1997. Topics include coven characteristics, networking and group dynamics, the sensible way to join or create a coven, initiation, magic, festivals, and inter-coven networking and witch wars, secrets, and conflict resolution. Also includes a nice networking directory in the appendix section. 1567186661 Jambalaya: The Natural Woman's Book of Personal Charms and Practical Rituals by Luisah Teish. Harper & Row, 1985. This religion features up-close, personal relations with patrons and ancestors, great discussion of ethics, very powerful. The book offers an excellent argument for the use of judicious hexing in Voodoo and related traditions, plus much on the ethics and practice of community. 0062508598 Know Your Rights edited by Pamela Thomas. Reader's Digest, 1995. Broad coverage of rights including how to deal with harassment in the workplace and religious discrimination; useful in exploring privacy/disclosure issues. 0895778319 Lord of Light & Shadow: The Many Faces of the God by D.J. Conway. Llewellyn Publications, 1997. A fine counterpoint to any of the goddess guides, this book covers archetypes like the Divine Child, Lord of the Forest, and the Magician. 1567181775 The Magick of Aromatherapy: The Use of Scent for Healing Body, Mind, and Spirit by Gwydion O'Hara. Llewellyn Publications, 1998. Features a basic introduction followed by a guide to the oils and numerous recipes. 1567183484 Mother Nature's Herbal by Judy Griffin, Ph.D. Llewellyn Publications, 1997. Touches on the use of herbs in Native American, Mediterranean, Chinese, and other cultures; includes tips on cultivation, harvesting, preparation, and much more. 1567183409 * The New Book of Goddesses and Heroines by Patricia Monaghan. Llewellyn Publications, 1997. Good for sampling individual patrons you may wish to pursue -- use the Index of Associations in the back to find out who looks after your special interest areas. 1567184650 The Pagan Path by Janet & Stewart Farrar and Gavin Bone. Phoenix Publishing, 1995. Overview of modern Paganism and its interactions with the mainstream, including sections on Satanism, Christianity, and community. 0919345409 * People of the Earth: The New Pagans Speak Out by Ellen Evert Hopman and Lawrence Bond. Destiny Books, 1996. Excellent introduction to many Pagan systems; has interviews with a variety of leaders, priests and priestesses, artists and writers, organizers, and key members of the Pagan community. Useful sections on privacy/disclosure include "Pagans and the Law," "Pagans and the Politics of Persecution," "Military Pagans," and "Pagan Students." Extensive resource list including organizations, tapes, electronic contacts, books, magazines, and other publications. 0892815590 The Rites of Odin by Ed Fitch. Llewellyn Publications, 1996. A good introduction to Norse-inspired religions. 0875422241 Runic States: The Shamanic Perception of Quantum Realities by Kevin Steffen. Eschaton Productions, 1995. Explains the history of runes, their qualities and properties, uses in divination and spellcraft, etc. 1573531081 Sister Moon Lodge: The Power & Mystery of Menstruation by Kisma K. Stepanich. Llewellyn Publications, 1992. A beautiful and affirming guide to Women’s Mysteries. * Spellcraft: A Primer for the Young Magician by Lilith McLelland. Eschaton Productions, 1997. Hands-down the best manual for young people interested in magic, and entertaining for older readers too; covers the laws of magic, spells, color magic, charms, wands, stones, herbalism, the Elements, spirits and guardians, ethics, journals, and suggestions for further study. 1573531154 The Spinning Wheel: The Art of Mythmaking by Gwendolyn Endicott. Attic Press, 1994. Features exercises on working with myths; especially, try the one where you tell your own life story as a myth or fairy tale. 096411870x * The Spiral Dance by Starhawk. Harper & Row, 1979. If you only read one, read this one; it's the best beginner's guide to Witchcraft. Buy the new "millennial" edition if possible. Features many different exercises for grounding, centering, shielding, meditation, visualization, and related skills. Includes a description of a classic Wiccan initiation. Powerful deconstruction of censorship, political pressure, and other forms of oppression. Contains a generous section on the Elements as they relate to casting a Circle and to the ritual tools of Witchcraft. 0062516329 (20th Edition) Tarot in Ten Minutes by R.T. Kaser. Avon Books, 1992. Covers Tarot readings from single-card types to full spreads, along with helpful lists of good questions to ask and extensive commentary on card meanings. 0380766892 * To Ride A Silver Broomstick by Silver RavenWolf. Llewellyn Publications, 1993. This covers the Neo-Pagan angle with a light-hearted touch. Offers an entire chapter on meditation, visualization, and dreaming plus numerous index references to grounding, centering, and shielding. This book has the best section on altars and tools, including not only standard items but extras as well. Covers both initiations and dedications, with a list of questions to ask before performing a dedication and a special section on coming out. Features a chapter on webweaving with details on etiquette, introduction letters, workshops, courses, and festivals; the resource guide lists Pagan newsletters and services with special attention to the Wiccan/Pagan Press Alliance. 087542791x Ways of the Strega: Italian Witchcraft: Its Lore, Magic, and Spells by Raven Grimassi. Llewellyn Publications, 1995. Includes an overview and history of this ancient tradition plus lots of "workbook" material. Lays out "The Covenant of Aradia" and "The Teachings of the Holy Strega" which detail the obligations and benefits of Stregheria and related traditions. When, Why ... If: An Ethics Workbook by Robin Wood. Livingtree, 1996. Guides you through the process of developing a personal system of ethics, with many thoughtful questions and exercises. * The Woman's Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects by Barbara G. Walker. Harper San Francisco, 1988. This picture dictionary illustrates and explains holy images from cultures around the world, including such symbols as the spiral, vesica piscis, dragon's eye, labrys, manu in cornu/fica, and triskelion. 0062509233
Additional Resources * Llewellyn's Magical Almanac edited by Cynthia Ahlquist. Llewellyn Publications, issued annually. Lists times for all sabbats and full moons, plus holy days from many systems; also includes numerous articles by popular writers. 1567189504 (2000 Edition) * Pagans: The Wheel of the Pagan Sacred Year produced by Ernest Urvater with videography by James MacAllister and music by Paddy Keenan, featuring Ellen Evert Hopman and other Massachusetts Pagans. Sawmill River Productions, 1999. Beautiful footage of all eight Sabbats in assorted traditions, including commentary from various participants. An excellent audiovisual introduction to Paganism in general. The Queen of Earth and Sky by Lady Isadora. Guenevere’s Music, 1990. A fine collection of Pagan songs with diverse topics. * This Winter’s Night: A Celebration of the Winter Solstice by MotherTongue. EarthSpirit, 1994. Exquisite Yule carols and Solstice music by one of the most famous Pagan bands.
Link List "Advanced Book Exchange" is a wonderful service listing the inventory of numerous used-book stores, especially handy for locating out-of-print titles. They offer a free search service too. Check them out at: http://www.abebooks.com/ "The Craft 101 Mailing List Website" describes the Craft 101 project, its objectives, and how to join it; this study group provides a forum for beginning and intermediate Pagans to discuss a selection of excellent Pagan books. Visit it at: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/4536/index.html "The Green's List of Regional Sites" lets you search for Pagan Websites related to where you live; look here if you want to find a group in your area. Listings include most states in America and many countries around the world. Visit it at: http://pw1.netcom.com/~ladykat/sites/region.html "The Neopagan Archive" features an index of individual traditions such as Asatru, Druidism, Egyptian, and Shamanism plus skills and tools; this site also has a nice link list. Check it out at: http://www.lysator.liu.se/religion/neopagan/ |
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