There is a huge number of books available, describing both 'traditional' and 'modern' Witchcraft. Most good booksellers, such as Borders, Waterstones and, of course, Amazon.co.uk, will have a good selection in the 'Mind, Body, Spirit' section of the store. Also, don't forget your local library. It can be quite surprising what may be lurking in the 'County Store' section.
 
The titles below are a selection of my personal favourites, by both English and American authors. Where possible, I have included the ISBN numbers, should you need to order these titles. The book list also includes links to Amazon.co.uk for those titles which are available generally.
 
A word of advice
 
There are a number of books which will give the impression that they provide the 'true' version of Witchcraft or Wicca. Bear in mind that choosing a pagan path is a personal decision, and the path will vary for each individual. If one particular author sounds right to you, then that is fine. However, if you find that bits and pieces from various authors also work for you, then that is also fine.

Also, please bear in mind that, whilst it appears that 'pagan author bashing' is becoming a popular sport, these authors are people who have put a lot of thought and work into their titles. Please give them the respect that they deserve as teachers.

   

Recommended Authors

 

General Spirituality and Witchcraft

 

Phyllis Currott, “Book of Shadows”, ISBN 0749918594

Phyllis Currott, “Witchcrafting”, ISBN 0007132395

Konstantinos, “Nocturnal Witchcraft”, ISBN 0738701661

Emma Restall Orr, “Druid Priestess”, ISBN 0007107692

Rachel Pollack, “Body of the Goddess”, ISBN 1852308710

Rae Beth, "Lamp of the Goddess", ISBN 0709068840

Venecia Rauls, "The Second Circle", ISBN 0806525592

 

Tarot and Other Divination

 

Rachel Pollack, "Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom" ISBN 0722535724

Banzhaf & Theler, "Keywords for the Crowley Tarot", ISBN 1578631734

 

Herbalism, Aromatherapy and Incense

 

Scott Cunningham, “The Complete Book of Incense, Oils and Brews”, ISBN 0875421283

Thomas Bartram, “Bartram’s Encyclopaedia of Herbal Medicine”, ISBN 1854875868

Dieter Podlech, “Herbs and Healing Plants of Britain and Europe”, ISBN 0261674056

Valerie Ann Worwood, “The Fragrant Pharmacy” ISBN 0553403974

 

The Quabalah

 

Ted Andrews, "Simplified Qabala Magic", ISBN 073870394X

Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki, "The Shining Paths",  ISBN 1870450302

Dion Fortune, "The Mystical Qabalah", ISBN 1578631505

Vivianne Crowley, "A Woman's Kabbalah", ISBN 0722538790

 

Favourite Authors

(Any of their books are worth reading)

 

General spirituality and witchcraft

 

Starhawk  - rituals in the Reclaiming tradition, feminist eco-spirituality

Marion Green – down-to-earth witchery, simple nature magic

Vivianne Crowley – Wicca and Jungian psychoanalysis

 

Celtic studies

 

John and/or Caitlin Matthews

 

Fiction

 

Jean M Auel – “Earth’s Children” series, particularly the fifth book “Shelters of Stone”

 

David Gemmell – “Dark Moon”, an interesting exploration of the 'magic within' and its meanings.

 

 Mercedes Lackey - "Arrows" series has some good advice on grounding and centering

 

      Please click on this logo to go straight to Amazon.co.uk. Yes, I do earn referral fees for having this here, but it does mean I can buy even more books myself! Thanks.