Congratulations! You finished the Wicca Self-Initiation Course!
Where should you go from here? There are many paths to follow, but reading is the primordial way to learn the Craft! It’s important to note that in Western Paganism, many times the borders between Wicca and other forms of Witchcraft can be blurry.
Besides books about Wicca, on this page you’ll find a complete list of books about Traditional Witchcraft, history of Wicca, Solitary and Eclectic practice, and books about Paganism, gods, goddesses, prayers, spells, and more.
On this page:
- Best Books for Beginner Wiccans
- History of Wicca & Traditional Witchcraft Books
- Solitary and Eclectic Wicca & Witchcraft
- Gods, Goddesses & Dianic Wicca Books
- Wicca Spell Books
Best Books for Beginner Wiccans
The first list includes a selection of the best books for beginning Wiccans to start learning and develop their path. Once you finish reading them, you can always gift them to a pagan friend and move onto the books in the following lists.
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner
By Scott Cunningham
Scott Cunningham practiced Wicca for over 20 years and published more than 50 books. He passed from this life on March 28, 1993.
Cunningham provides an excellent guide to Wicca for beginners, one that covers all the basics-what magick is, how it works, and, more importantly, provides a deep understanding of the spiritual roots of the religion. He has injected a spirit of individuality and freedom into the craft that does not bind one strictly to his way as the only way.
Traditional Wicca: A Seeker’s Guide
By Thorn Mooney
Drawing a clear and respectful distinction between eclectic Wicca and its older, more traditional sibling, Thorn Mooney takes us on a personal journey exploring the powers and the pitfalls of the initiatory inner court, revealing the persistence of a thriving and dynamic craft.
Whether you intend to seek initiation or not, this book is full of valuable gems that will enhance any practice at any level.
The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess
By Starhawk
One of the most influential books on Witchcraft to date. Starhawk writes from a strictly Dianic view, placing emphasis on the Divine Feminine. Even though this is a Wicca 101 book, it goes deeper into the philosophy of Magic and the Goddess’ worship than a lot of other similar books.
Starhawk is a compelling writer, with a lyricism that accompanies her research and documentation. For a beginner, the numerous exercises could be a great foundation, and still inspire and motivate those slightly further along their path, whether it is Wiccan or otherwise.
Video: Witch Exercises from The Spiral Dance
Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America
By Margot Adler
A clearly written history of paganism in America, including witches, druids and heathens. The book was first published in 1979, and has become a classic, undergoing a couple major updates.
Adler is a journalist and an insider to everything Pagan. This is a wonderful book that is easy to read and can make you feel closer to your path than ever before.
Video: 5 Lessons from Drawing Down the Moon
The Inner Mysteries
By Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone
A look into the underlying principles behind modern magic in Witchcraft, this investigation provides an integrated training system for both solitary Witches and coven-based trainees in the form of magical energy practice and cosmology. By fully explaining the values of Witchcraft, this work makes numerous Wiccan practices approachable, including Circle casting, raising energy, elemental work, and drawing down the moon. Illustrating how Wicca is a modern, nondogmatic, and dynamic tradition still in a state of evolution, this book also features a history of the spirituality of Witchcraft. (less)
Wicca for Beginners: Fundamentals of Philosophy & Practice
By Thea Sabin
This book is incredibly helpful, informative, and easy to read. It’s written in an engaging style that makes it a fun experience. If you would like an introduction to Wicca, this is the book to read. Informative and concise, Sabin takes your through Wicca in a logical manner, progressing at appropriate stages. Even more so, this book has an extensive reading list that doesn’t leave you clueless after the book.
Witch Crafting: A Spiritual Guide to Making Magic
By Phyllis Curott
In Witch Crafting, Phyllis Curott digs deep into the practices and principles of Witchcraft to provide a comprehensive guidebook that anyone “novices and seasoned practitioners alike” can use to incorporate the beauty and power of Wicca into their own daily lives.
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History of Wicca & Traditional Witchcraft Books
The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft
By Ronald Hutton
Deeply academic yet totally fascinating, Ronald Hutton turns his considerable historical expertise to unraveling the roots of Britain’s only home-grown religion.
Hutton explores every single religious movement, occult organization, art trend, and mistakes that went into Gerald Gardner creating Wicca. It is a brilliantly documented piece that puts to rest many of the false mythologies of Wicca and its foundation.
Witchcraft Today
By Gerald Gardner
Gardner, who is often called “The Father of Wicca” explains the historical meaning of superstitions and myths surrounding witchcraft. While this book is regarded a classic and a must-read by many Wiccans, Witchcraft Today is in fact, outdated, considering the original publication date is from 1954 by Rider and Company.
A History of Witchcraft
By Jeffery Russell
This book is a history of the concept of witchcraft, one that avoids many of the more hysterical pitfalls of other books in this category. It charts how sorcery became associated with charges of heresy in the Middle Ages and the rise of Wicca in the modern era. Jeffery Russell does a good job of pricking the bubble of upheaval that usually surrounds the subject and gives us a thorough historical account.
The Meaning of Witchcraft
By Gerald Gardner
Gerald Gardner published The Meaning of Witchcraft in 1959, not long after laws punishing witches were repealed. It was the first sympathetic book written from the point of view of a practicing witch. While this is a groundbreaking work which helped spread Wicca around the world, this book is not considered to be especially accurate by 21st century standards.
Pagans and the Law: Understand Your Rights
By Dana Eilers
This book touches upon constitutional law, employment discrimination, family law, land use, landlord/tenant issues, and other areas of the law that are of interest to Pagans. It helps you understand your rights as a Pagan. It also provides an overview of the American court system and how it works, with some hints on finding and working with attorneys.
Where Witchcraft Lives
By Doreen Valiente
Doreen Valiente was one of the most respected English witches to have influenced the modern day Pagan movement. In this book, a re-visit of her first literary outing of 1962, she examines Witchcraft in Sussex, the role of the Horned God, hares and the Moon, folk-rites and the powers of Witchcraft. She is hereby laying the foundations of the modern day Witchcraft movement. As Gerald Gardner is now commonly thought of as the ‘Father’ of contemporary Witchcraft, so Doreen is known affectionately as the ‘Mother of Modern Witchcraft’.
A Witches Bible: The Complete Witches’ Handbook
By Janet and Stewart Farrar
Written by Gardnerian Craft authorities, Janet and Stewart Farrar, it encapsulates much of what the Farrars wrote in previous books, “Eight Sabbats for Witches” and “The Witches’ Way”. It is a very good overview and outline of how formal covens work, the structure behind them and a basic framework for these Rites within Gardnerian Wicca are included.
The Complete Art of Witchcraft
By Sybil Leek
Packed with revealing anecdotes and information, this rich, enticing portrait of witchcraft presents the engrossing, fiery history of the ancient religion kept alive despite centuries of horrifying persecution. Drawing a sharp line between true witchcraft sacred rituals and sinister satanic rites, this remarkable book outlines the basic tenets of white magic, offering fascinating information on reincarnation, alchemy, ritual, invocation, and much more.
Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft
By Raymond Buckland
The “Big Blue Book” is designed for someone who wants a serious, orderly, introductory study into the esoteric arts of the occult and a basic understanding of many of the celto-centric, reconstructionist pagan beliefs in practice today. Buckland’s book, while not perfect and certainly preachy at points, is still the best starting point, along with the books by Cunningham.
In any case, each of these books are interpretations of what Wicca is. For example, Cunningham’s Wicca is entirely solitary and eclectic while Buckland’s book is based on his own tradition of Seax Wicca.
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Solitary and Eclectic Wicca & Witchcraft
A Book of Pagan Prayer
By Ceisiwr Serith
Serith suggests how to approach the gods, and the theology/history behind prayer. Not only does he include lovely prayers for a variety of occasions and deities from different cultures but also gives tips on how to create your own prayers. Gathered from many traditions – including Celtic, Germanic, Egyptian, Greek, and Zoroastrian – this guide includes nearly 500 sample prayers organized by purpose: for the family and household; times of the day, month, and year; life passages; thanksgiving, grace, and petition
Eight Sabbats for Witches
By Janet and Stewart Farrar
Each Sabbat is covered in detail, with ample folklore and historical references which serve to enrich the symbolism of the holiday, as well as the ritual practice itself. The rituals are all written with a coven in mind, but a resourceful Solitary can adapt them for individual use with a little bit of creativity and serious thought. Using their Book of Shadows as their starting point, practicing witches Janet and Stewart have added mythological and folkloric material, much of it personally gathered.
Wicca for One: The Path of Solitary Witchcraft
By Raymond Buckland
As a solitary practitioner, this book gives you everything you need to know and teaches you how to develop your Craft on your own. Great for beginners, it covers becoming a witch, improving your life through magic, and mastering spells, rites, traditions, and celebrations.
Natural Witchery: Intuitive, Personal & Practical Magick
By Ellen Dugan
This is a great book for those who aren’t entirely certain where their path lies, or for those who are trying to determine if this is indeed the path for them. In Natural Witchery, Ellen brings the simplicity of native magic straight to us. We are taught how to develop our own innate intuition, practice lunar magic, and strengthen our personal power and magical development.
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Gods, Goddesses & Dianic Wicca Books
New Larousse Encyclopedia Of Mythology
By Felix Guirand
This book gives an overview of many of the world’s myths. An interesting piece of work, this book tells the stories from pre-Biblical Egypt and pre-Homeric Greece all the way to Africa, the Pacific, and the Americas. It’s all gathered into one mammoth volume of unprecedented scope and beauty, and illustrated with an incomparable assemblage of authentic paintings, sculpture, symbols, idols, ritual and sacrificial objects.
Earth Magic: A Dianic Book of Shadows
By Marion Weinstein
Although this volume contains some advanced work for a new practitioner, the beginning is more of a primer for the person who is just learning. The instructions are clear and conscise, as well as the explanations of the ideas and work that go into the lessons she is imparting. This book has a few nice practical tips for ritual design, especially for focusing on Goddess based ritual and Dianic Wicca.
The Witches’ Goddess: The Feminine Principle of Divinity
By Janet and Stewart Farrar
A glorious testament to the power of the feminine in creation and life, in nature and society. This book lists Goddesses from around the world, their forms, their features, what they cover & rule over, and other traits. From Ishtar to Isis, from dark Hecate to Aphrodite.
The Witches’ God: Lord of the Dance
By Janet and Stewart Farrar
A companion volume to the The Witches’ Goddess, this work of research sets about re-establishing the ancient balance between God and Goddess. Great for any male practitioners or readers interested in the masculine side of Pagan deities.
The Isles of the Many Gods: An A-Z of the Pagan Gods & Goddesses Worshipped in Ancient Britain During the First Millennium CE Through to the Middle Ages
By David Rankine
With a clear and concise writing style, this book discusses a wide variety of Gods and Goddesses that were worshiped in the British Isles. It also discusses those that moved there via the Romans and Vikings.. If they were worshiped in the UK, then there is a really good chance that they will be listed in this comprehensive book. From well known gods like Apollo, Brigit, and Freya to lesser known deities like Abandinus, Arianrhod, and the Wheel God.
100 Characters from Classical Mythology: Discover the Fascinating Stories of the Greek and Roman Deities
By Malcolm Day
This compendium lists the major Gods and heroes from Greek/Roman mythology with one-page summaries of their myths, nature, emotions, and history. It includes very useful family trees and classic art illustrations to give you a mental picture of each character. This entertaining and mind-expanding book charts 100 of the most prominent characters from Greco-Roman mythology, including the primordial deities, the great gods of Olympus, and the shadowy inhabitants of Hades.
Following the Sun: A Practical Guide to Egyptian Religion
By Shabron LaBorde
This is an excellent book for modern Pagans who are seeking to make a connection to the gods of ancient Egypt. This is NOT a book for Kemetic (Egyptian) Reconstructionists. This is a book about the modern expression of devotion to these ancient deities. The author acknowledges that even with the best archaeological efforts we can only know a small amount of the manner in which the ancients saw the world and practiced their faith. If you are looking for a book to get started on the path of practical Egyptian religion in a contemporary context, this book is a perfect reading.
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Wicca Spell Books
The Craft: A Witches’ Book of Shadows
By Dorothy Morrison
This book is an overview of Wiccan beliefs, laws, rules, and principles. It contains directions for creating and using basic tools of the Wicca such as an athame, a wand, and a broom. It has easy-to-follow instructions for altar setup, circle-casting, building power, deity invocation, and more. If you are interested in Wicca and are a beginner and seriously wanting to start practicing then get this book. This will help you along your journey.
A Little Book of Candle Magic
By D.J. Conway
D.J. Conway describes the magical uses of candles, color correspondences, herbs, and so much more. There are spells and rituals for improving your life spiritually and physically. It is easy to understand and includes figures in the back of the book to help set up the altar for each spell. This is a great little book for an introduction to candle magic.
Crystal Enchantments: A Complete Guide to Stones and Their Magical Properties
By D.J. Conway
This book explains the history, folklore, and magical properties of various gemstones and crystals. Listing their physical properties and magical uses, Crystal Enchantments will help guide you in your choice of stones from Adularia to Zircon. This book will also appeal to those who simply love stones and want to know more about them.
Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs
By Scott Cunningham
Written for practitioners at any level, this is a great reference book to align known medicinal properties with spiritual and energetic properties. While this book is great as a quick reference, it will not tell you why a plant is related to a specific planet or deity. This book also provides a very basic introduction to working magic, the basic principles of magic, and how to use herbs to make oils, ointments, sachets, and more.
Herb Magic for Beginners
By Ellen Dugan
The herbs discussed in this book are very common and easy to grow or find at your local metaphysical shop. Ellen Dugan uses her humorous and conversational tone to discuss herb growing, proper tools and gathering times, and a slew of herbal spells for any practical situation. While it may be a little too Wiccan for some practitioners, it is an ideal book for beginners in Magic and Green Witchcraft.
Did we missing anything? Suggest a book in the comments!
Don’t like reading? Watch Videos for Solitary Witches!
