The Well Read Witch: Edition One

Witches love books! If you are like me, you have that nook of piled up reads, just waiting for a moment to fully indulge in. We all love knowledge and surely a good book can provide just that very thing. Of course with Witchcraft and Occult being such a hot topic these days, how does one sort though the good, the bad and the ugly? The answer is with time but to save on some of that, here are some of my all time favorites!

Getting Started

If you have been to Barnes and Noble lately, you may have noticed a sizable shelf of witchy delights in the form of books. The hard problem becomes knowing which ones are good in general, but more so, which one(s) should you start with as a beginner. Honestly, which book you pick as a newbie can be everything. It could literally turn you off or it could make you feel like you found the “home” you have been searching with. Here are some of my favs to start off with.

Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland (Classic)

“Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft” was the very first book in my collection. This book was mandatory for the training coven that I was working with early on. Often referred to as The Blue Book of Witchcraft or Uncle Buck’s Blue Book, this is a classic and must read. In his book, Buckland breaks it down step-by-step. There is information on rituals, divination, tool recipes and initiation guidelines. Everything a beginning witch should know. This is definitely an icon for our history and so much more!.

Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham (Classic)

Anything Scott Cunningham is acceptable for beginners. “Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner” is a great place to start and like Buckland’s, it gives you lots of information and hands-on material. This book is also a classic with newbies and Cunningham’s writings are easy to understand and follow.

To Ride a Silver Broomstick by Silver RavenWolf (Classic)

Silver RavenWolf has given us many titles to work with. The book “Teen Witch” was one that I gave to my own daughters when they were younger. “To Ride a Silver Broomstick” is the first of a three part series, with “To Stir a Magick Cauldron” and “To Light a Silver Flame.” All three are great additions to a budding witch library.

The Inner Temple of Witchcraft by Christopher Penczak

It is hard to believe that they just released the 20th year edition of this book, that is how popular this book has been. “The Inner Temple of Witchcraft” is set up much like a course. Each chapter is in essence a lesson. “The Outer Temple of Witchcraft“, “The Temple of Shamanic Witchcraft“, “The Temple of High Witchcraft” and “The Living Temple of Witchcraft Volume One” and “Volume Two“, all follow, each building upon the one before. There is a ton of information in each book and you will gain experience. There are many exercises included to home in on your craft.

The Power of the Witch by Laurie Cabot (Classic)

The Official Witch of Salem, Laurie Cabot, has a few notable works for the newbie witch. “The Power of the Witch” is a great introductory to the magickal realm. This was one of Laurie’s first books and it is definitely a classic. The material within is much of what she talks about in her Witchcraft 1 class. “The Witch in Every Woman” is also a notable classic. Focusing on some of the Goddesses, it is a worthwhile read, no matter what your gender.

Elements

Getting to know your elements is essential. Much of witchcraft relies on knowing each inside and how. Here are some good recommendations to help get you in touch.

The Wisdom of Elements by Margie McArthur

“The Wisdom of Elements” had been around for a bit but still contains much valuable information. This is one of the most in-depth books that I know of in regards to learning about elements. It can be a little bit of a challenge to find, but worth every second that it takes.

Fairies

Enchantment of the Faerie Realm by Ted Andrews

This is another one of my personal favorites. In the “Enchantment of the Faerie Realm,” Andres writes about his own experiences of contact with beings called the Fae. Examples are given to aid in inviting them into your life as well as finding out if they are already there. This author is definitely one to check out and you may see him more than once upon this list of good reads.

Faery Craft: Weaving Connections with the Faery Realm by Emily Carding

Faery Craft is a wonderful introduction to a whole world within the Faery Realm. Carding writes about special rituals and events to honor the Fae but also gets down right crafty between the pages. Though no heavy on witchcraft, it is a great book to get to know the Faery Realm.

Spellcasting

Laurie Cabot’s Book of Spells and Enchantments

This is without doubt, one of my favorite spell books on the market today. It’s content is easy to read, easy to follow and proven to actually work. Sections for spells of love, money, protection and so much more.

The Casting of Spells by Christopher Penczak

What I like most about this book is that there are not a whole lot of spell “recipes.” Instead, Penczak teaches you the fundamentals so that you can do them yourself, including writing the spell. Penczak also offers books in particular interest that include spell workings. There is “The Witch’s Shield” for protection, “The Witch’s Coin” for prosperity and “The Witch’s Heart” for Love. Another book that I would highly recommend from this particular author is “Instant Magick.”

Spell Crafting by Erin Murphy-Hiscock

Any book (and there are many) from this author are worth reading. This book is also good for fundamentals but also so much more. I visited this book for a review back in March of last year and glad that I did.

Hopefully, there is enough here to get you started until the next edition of the Well Read Witch.

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