Paganism -Witchcraft,-Magic and More-The books and practices

Have you read a book on witchcraft?

yes	74.8%	[ 419 ]
no	19.8%	[ 111 ]
burn in hell you witches	5.4%	[ 30 ]
Total Votes:			[ 560 ]

[Loona Wynd]

Introduction

Welcome to the witchcraft and paganism book thread. It occured to me the other day that while there are so many topics on books, there are none just for books related to paganism, witchcraft, and other related topics. Now I posted one about a specific book, but got to thinking, why not have a thread where all books on witchcraft and paganism can be discussed. I have read a multitude of the books out there and would like to discuss more of the books and practices here. So this thread was born.

This thread is here primarily for the discussion of witchcraft and paganism as is written in the books. While people who have not read a book on the subject are welcome, it is better if you (the reader/poster) has some idea about witchcraft or paganism. While some authors are better than others, no book is unwelcome in this discussion. Just expect to be questioned a lot of your source is one of the "questionable" ones.

[Loona Wynd]

Books

Here are the books:

Wicca specific

Witchcraft Today by Gerald B. Gardner
The Meaning of Witchcraft by Gerald B. Gardner
Witchcraft for Tomorrow by Doreen Valiente
ABC of Witchcraft Past & Present by Doreen Valiente
Wicca: The Old Religion in the New Millennium by Vivienne Crowley
Principles of Wicca by Vivienne Crowley
Lid Off the Cauldron by Patricia Crowther
High Priestess by Patricia Crowther
Witch Blood by Patricia Crowther
One Witches World by Patricia Crowther
What Witches Do by Stewart Farrar
The Heart of Wicca by Ellen Cannon Reed
Circle of Fire by Sorita d'Este and David Rankine
The Elements of Ritual: Air, Fire, Water & Earth in the Wiccan Circle by Deborah Lipp

Neo-Pagan religious witchcraft

Wiccan Beliefs and practices by Gary Cantrell
Wicca for Beginners by Thea Sabain
Wicca A guide for the Solitary Practioner by Scott Cunningham
The Real witches Handbook by Kate West
Progressive witchcraft by Janert Farra and Gavin Bone
The Wiccan Way by Rae Beth
Wicca for One by Raymnod Buckland
Exploring Wicca by Lady Sabrina
Book of Shadows by Migene Gonzles-Wippler
The Truth about witchcraft Today by Scott Cunningham
The circle Within by Dianna Sylvan
Earth Magic by Marion Weinstein
**Teen witch by Silver Ravenwolf
21st Century Wicca by Jennifer Hunter
**If You want to be a witch by Edain McCoy
The Spiral Dance by Starhawk
The Outer Temple of witchcraft by Chris Penczak
** To ride a silver Broom Stick by Silver RavenWolf
**To stir a Magick Cauldron by Silver Ravenwolf
**To light a Sacred Flame by Silver Ravenwolf
Witchcraft and Alternative Path by Ann Moura

Magic/witchcraft

Green Magic by Ann Moura
Practical Solitary Magic by Nancy Watson
True Magick by Amber K

Traditional Witchcraft

(list to be added later)

Otherworld spirituality/practices

The Shamanic Temple of Witchcraft by Chris Penczak

History

Triumph of the Moon by Ronald Hutton
Drawing down the Moon by Margret Alder

Germanic Paganism (Includes Asatru and Heathenry)

Our Troth Vol 1 History and Lore
Our Troth Vol 2 Beliefs and Practices
Essential Asatru by Diana Paxxon
Exploring the Northern Tradition by Kraskova
**Norse Magic by DJ Conway
**Rites of Odin by Ed Fitch

Mythology

(list to come)

Greek Paganism

Apostolos N. Athanassakis, ed. & trans., The Orphic Hymns: Text, Translation and Notes (Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1977).

Hesiod, Theogony/Works and Days/Shield (various editions)

Homer, Iliad (various editions)

Homer, Odyssey (various editions)

Homer, Homeric Hymns (various editions)
Academic Sources

Walter Burkert, Greek Religion (Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP, 1985) A comphrensive overview of ancient Greek religion. While not an easy read, this is probably the book to start with.

Drew Campbell, Old Stones, New Temples: Ancient Greek Paganism Reborn (Philadelphia: Xlibris, 2000). Comprehensive introduction to Hellenic Reconstructionist Paganism, with emphasis on scholarly sources. Includes annual rituals, life cycle events, polytheology, and ethics.

Robert Garland, The Greek Way of Life (Ithaca: Cornell UP, 1990) and The Greek Way of Death (Ithaca: Cornell UP, 1985). These books provide a survey of rites relating to birth, childhood, adolescence, marriage, and death.

Georg Luck, Arcana Mundi: Magic and the Occult in the Greek and Roman Worlds (Baltimore/London: Johns Hopkins UP, 1985). A collection of essays and primary sources on magick in the ancient world.

Martin Nilsson, Greek Folk Religion. A collection of lectures on the religious practices of the common folk of ancient Greece.

Roman Religion

Tarot Books

An illustrated guide to the Tarot by Johnathan Dee

Other forms of divination

(list to come)

Psychic development

The Inner Temple of Witchcraft by Chris Penczak

Gems,herbs, and other mis

(list to come)

Kablah/Ceromonial Magic

The High Temple of Witchcraft by Chris Penczak
Ascension Magick by Chris Penczak

Mysteries/advanced work

The Living Temple of Witchcraft by Chris Penczak

Egyptian Paganism

Egyptian Paganism by
Circle of Isis by
The Sacred Tradition of Ancient Egypt by

Books marked with a ** are questionable/not reputable sources, for questions why please ask in the thread!

[Loona Wynd]

Definitions

Definitions are important in keeping every one on the same page. So here we go:

Witchcraft:
Religion:

witchcraft

A nature based life affirming religion that follows a moral code and seeks to build harmony among people and empower the self

Practice:

witchcraft

The art of using spells and rituals that are powered by magic (which is energy in this context), to purposely affect the world or the reality in which the person using the art is living.

Magic:
Practice:

Magic

The art and science of causing change in conformity with will

Thing:

Magic

Energy used with in spells and rituals

Wicca:

Defiinition of Wicca

lineaged, initiatory mystery religion with roots in the New Forest region of Great Britain, manifested today through various "traditions" all linked with a common ancestry back to the New Forest area. "Wiccans" or "The Wica" are the properly lineaged, properly initiated members of those Traditions.

Cult:

Cult

1. a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
3. the object of such devotion.
4. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
5. Sociology. a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.
6. a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.
7. the members of such a religion or sect.
8. any system for treating human sickness that originated by a person usually claiming to have sole insight into the nature of disease, and that employs methods regarded as unorthodox or unscientific.
–adjective
9. of or pertaining to a cult.
10. of, for, or attracting a small group of devotees: a cult movie.

source

Pagan:

Pagan

1. one of a people or community observing a polytheistic religion, as the ancient Romans and Greeks.
2. a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim.
3. an irreligious or hedonistic person.
–adjective
4. pertaining to the worship or worshipers of any religion that is neither Christian, Jewish, nor Muslim.
5. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of pagans.
6. irreligious or hedonistic.

source

[Loona Wynd]

FAQ

Here will be a section of Frequently asked Questions

[Loona Wynd]

Topics

So here are a list of topics that are appropriate for this discussion thread:

Nature of deity
Polytheism
ways of viewing deity
Ritual structure
Spell creation
Sabbats
Esbats
Ethics
Reincarnation
Soul
Divination
Astrology
Energy work
Astral Travel
Cosmology
Otherworlds
Spirit Guides
Mythology
History/archeology
Metaphysics
Mythological creatures

[Loona Wynd]

Helpful Links

So here are some helpful links:

Gaia

Wiccans on gaia a chat thread
Witchcraft Thread General discussion about witchcraft
Pagans on GaiaLifestyle discussion forum
Witches on Gaia a chat and discussion thread
Wicca FAQ That is the Wicca FAQ in the Morality and religion forum-its a debate thread so be careful

Off Gaia

Wicca for the rest of us general accurate information about witchcraft and Wicca
Witchvox.com a good place to network and meet new people
Traditionalwitch.net A forum for traditional witchcraft

[Loona Wynd]

Rule

1: Follow the ToS
2: Be respectful of other views
3: No flaming
4: Keep discussion on topic-referencing sources if you can
5: Debate is encouraged, but provide sources for claims
6: Be civil and welcome every one that comes in

[God_of_Skills]

Heyyyy Neko!!!! First post!!!!!!

EDIT: Now that I have first post, I have only read one book on wicca called "The complete idiot's guide to Wicca and witchcraft". lolz I know. The rest of what I've learned is from the internet.

[Loona Wynd]

Who are the authors? I'll add them to the list. I just listed the books I've worked through in the last few months, I will be adding more over time.

[God_of_Skills]

Denise Zimmermann and, Katherine A. Gleason It just gives a basic overview of paganism. I'm not sure it's really specifically wicca. It's got a few charts that show colors, sybols, herbs, ect.

[Loona Wynd]

God_of_Skills

Denise Zimmermann and, Katherine A. Gleason It just gives a basic overview of paganism. I'm not sure it's really specifically wicca. It's got a few charts that show colors, sybols, herbs, ect.

Still fits. It would be in the second list. I have a two of those sorts of books. I have the Everything Witchcraft and Wicca book and one of the either dummies or idiots guides. I just haven't worked through either of them yet,

[God_of_Skills]

Daaaanng man! I need to get a hold of some books.

[Loona Wynd]

At least you have some frame of rerfernce. Now, which topic shall we discuss?

[Miss Will V]

God_of_Skills

Heyyyy Neko!!!! First post!!!!!!

EDIT: Now that I have first post, I have only read one book on wicca called "The complete idiot's guide to Wicca and witchcraft". lolz I know. The rest of what I've learned is from the internet.

I've read that smile It wasn't too bad.

[Loona Wynd]

Miss Will V

I've read that smile It wasn't too bad.

I haven't read it yet, but would like to. It's not a mainstream book on witchcraft and Wicca so it could be interesting.