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 Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 10:51 am
So I have a very good friend who's been doing a lot of soul searching and self discovery lately and she's started looking into paganism. She doesn't have any specific focus, just a general sort of exploration at this point, and she's been looking for some good books for a curious beginner. So, can anyone help me out with some suggestions?
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 1:02 pm
I tend not to recommend pagan books to beginners, simply because it's sort of putting the cart before the horse. Pagan books tend to be specific, how-to manuals for various paths. I don't think that serves exploration well.
If she's super-new to the whole idea, she should start reading about ancient cultures and their pantheons - get into some mythology, cosmology, etc. It will help her understand where her interests lie somewhat clearer if she has affinity for a culture or pantheon to work with.
I think Frazier's the Golden Bough is a great read for people interested in pagan witchcraft. Margot Adler's 'Drawing Down the Moon' is a bit dated at this point, but does do a good job of describing various pagan paths.
If she's already past that point, what I'd recommend depends on what interests her more specifically.
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 1:37 pm
I second what Morg said. I am also interested in what suggestions you guys make as it would help me too.
As someone new I think the thing that helped me most get to the point of being less new was exposing myself to other cultures, and being able to ask a crude ton of questions.
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 2:59 pm
Morgandria I tend not to recommend pagan books to beginners, simply because it's sort of putting the cart before the horse. Pagan books tend to be specific, how-to manuals for various paths. I don't think that serves exploration well. If she's super-new to the whole idea, she should start reading about ancient cultures and their pantheons - get into some mythology, cosmology, etc. It will help her understand where her interests lie somewhat clearer if she has affinity for a culture or pantheon to work with. I think Frazier's the Golden Bough is a great read for people interested in pagan witchcraft. Margot Adler's 'Drawing Down the Moon' is a bit dated at this point, but does do a good job of describing various pagan paths. If she's already past that point, what I'd recommend depends on what interests her more specifically. I can understand this. In fact, when she first asked, I gave her a book on Norse mythology. I figured even if it's not her path, it'll help her understand a little about mine. As for other stuff, I believe that Triumph of the Moon was recommended by a friend and we were looking at Drawing Down the Moon the other day but haven't picked it up just yet.
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 4:15 pm
CalledTheRaven I can understand this. In fact, when she first asked, I gave her a book on Norse mythology. I figured even if it's not her path, it'll help her understand a little about mine. As for other stuff, I believe that Triumph of the Moon was recommended by a friend and we were looking at Drawing down the moon the other day but haven't picked it up just yet. is a great book, but it can be very dry in places - it's more scholastic in slant than most books on Paganism. It's totally worth reading, but it can be a real brick if you're not used to that level of material.
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 4:17 pm
The Higginbothams have some big issues, but they're okay as a general overview of Paganism. I mean, as much as one can be done, they do try. I think it's their book "Pagan Spirituality" that has a few exercises for helping determine a direction to go in, but I've been getting their books mixed up for ages and ages. I'm not even sure I've read both of them.
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 9:36 pm
I found that when I first started going down my path, I found that the Idiots guide to Pagaism was very helpful. It has a lot of good information on the different possible paths as well as rituals and some basic magic.
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