From: amadeus@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Susan Harwood Kaczmarczik)
Subject: Re: looking for book reccommendations...
Date: 3 Mar 1993 15:20:21 GMT

Most everything by Marian Green is quite lovely and (to me) often
covers the more simplistic approach (less fancy-dress CM and more
little wisewoman or cunning man at the edge of the village).  If you
don't live in Europe, sometimes it's vaguely frustrating to read
things like "Step outside your house and go to the nearest ancient
sacred site", but for the most part it's both lovely and practical.  I
especially recommend _A Witch Alone_, but any of them will be good.

Another good book to start with is Scott Cunningham's _Wicca: A Guide
for the Solitary Practitioner_.  It's definitely not hard-core
anything, but it has some very nice simple practices and rituals for
people who are just starting to study seriously, as well as those who
have been at it for a while and want to try something different.

That's what I can think of off the top of my head... hope it helps!
===

From: amadeus@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Susan Harwood Kaczmarczik)
Date: 11 Mar 1993 18:15:36 GMT

Books on Wicca & Paganism

Adler, Margot.  Drawing Down the Moon.  Beacon Press, $14.95
(softcover).  An extensive study of Neopaganism in America today.
Full of interviews, anecdotes, and resources, this book provides one
of the most detailed histories of the Neopagan movement in America to
date.  Adler, as well as being a Gardnerian priestess, is a reporter
for National Public Radio.

Ardinger, Barbara, PhD.  A Woman's Book of Rituals and Celebrations.
New World Library, $14.95 (hardcover).  This is a lovely book designed
to help the reader incorporate the presence of the Goddess in his/her
everyday life.  It is written in a highly readable style, and has very
practical advice concerning altars, spells, rituals, and really living
the life of a witch or pagan.  Despite its title, this book is
recommended for women and men.

Buckland, Raymond.  Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft.
Llewellyn, $12.95 (softcover).  One of the most direct how-to manuals
of modern Wicca.  Buckland is an initiate of the late Gerald Gardner
and is largely responsible for bringing British traditional Wicca to
the United States.  All areas are explained in layman's terms.  This
book is in an easy-to-follow workbook format.  (Caution: some of the
information on herbalism may be incorrect.  Do not use this book for
herbal lore.)

Budapest, Zsuzanna E.  The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries.  Wingbow,
$11.95 (softcover).  This book is an introduction to Dianic Wicca -- a
women-oriented, often separatist tradition that varies in many ways
from British traditional Wicca (Gardnerian, Alexandrian, et cetera).
The author is very outspoken, and many find parts of her work
offensive, but her contribution to women's Witchcraft in the United
States cannot be underestimated.  This was originally published as a
two-volume set, but is now only available in one volume.

Crowley, Vivianne.  Wicca: The Old Religion in the New Age.  Aquarian,
(softcover; available in America).  This is a well-written study of
Wicca written by a Gardnerian and Alexandrian high priestess who is
also a doctor of psychology.  Although parts of the book delve into
Jungian theory rather than Wicca, this book is an articulate
introduction to the Craft of the Wise.

Cunningham, Scott.  The Truth About Witchcraft Today.  Llewellyn,
$3.95 (softcover).  A very good introductory survey on Wicca and its
practices.  Dispels many misconceptions about the Craft; includes a
glossary and bibliography.  Although a little "light" for the more
serious scholar, this book is very good for people who know little or
nothing about Wicca other than what they have learned via Hollywood.

Cunningham, Scott.  Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner.
Llewellyn, $9.95 (softcover).  Just what its title suggests: a book
for the solitary Wiccan.  The first half of the book is devoted to
explanation and theory, kept in simple terms.  The second half is a
book of shadows full of rituals for one person (although most could
easily be adapted for a group).  This book is perfect for those
students of the Craft who have not yet found a tradition and who want
to explore their spirituality in a more general sense first.  It's
also a healthy corrective for those whose rituals have become too
complicated.

Farrar, Janet and Stewart.  A Witches' Bible Compleat.  Magickal
Childe, $19.95 (softcover).  This book is a combination of the
Farrars' earlier works The Witches Way and Eight Sabbats for Witches.
The first book talks about the Craft and its practice in both ancient
and modern times.  The second is a book of shadows of sorts, and
contains rituals for the holidays and for rites of passage
(inititations, weddings, Wiccanings, et cetera).  Although these books
focus more on British traditional Wicca than American neo-paganism,
the scholarship is impressive, and the information is valuable.

Farrar, Janet and Stewart.  The Witches' Goddess and The Witches' God.
Phoenix, $10.95 and $13.95 (softcover).  These companion volumes
comprise an in-depth study of the Goddess and the God in their many
aspects, including history, rituals, and alphabetical listings of over
1000 deities from all parts of the world.

Gimbutas, Marija.  The Goddesses and Gods of Old Europe.  University
of California Press, $16.95 (softcover).  This book discusses the
mythical imagery of southeastern European civilization between 6500
and 3500 B.C.E. (Before Common Era), and the culture from which it
comes.  It contains many pictures and line drawings, and includes
important information about the mythic and social significance of
hundreds of artifacts.  There are those who dispute Dr. Gimbutas'
claims and conclusions, but the book is still one that should be read
by all who are interested in pre-Christian Goddess cultures.

Graves, Robert.  The White Goddess.  Noonday, (softcover).  This book
has come under fire in recent years for not being the scholarly work
it purported to be when first published.  However, the fact is it was
never meant to be a work of scholarship, but rather a work of poetic
metaphor.  With that said, it is still an important book and one that
has had a large influence on many Celtic-based Wiccans and other
pagans (indeed, for that reason alone it should be read, if only to
know where these people are coming from and what they're talking
about).  It includes fascinating and useful information on European
tree-lore and ancient practices, as well as Graves' resulting
conclusions about them.

Green, Marian.  A Witch Alone.  Aquarian, (softcover).  A guide to
practicing witchcraft in the style of the old village wisewoman or
cunning man.  Divided into thirteen lessons, one for each moon of the
year.  As is the case with all of Green's books, this is a
well-written and easy to use manual.  Americans may have to adapt
somewhat to advice such as "Go outside and walk to one of the ancient
sacred sites in your neighborhood," but otherwise this book is a very
good addition to the solitary's library.

Guiley, Rosemary.  The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft.  Facts
on File, $19.95 (softcover).  A compendium of information on
Witchcraft, written by an journalist who is not a Witch.  Makes clear
the distinction between Wiccans and Satanists, and is full of highly
accurate information.  This book is an excellent reference for
journalists.
   
Jade.  To Know: A Guide to Women's Magic and Spirituality.  Delphi
Press, $13.95 (softcover).  This book is the Drawing Down the Moon of
the Dianic movement.  It discusses women's spirituality, Dianic Wicca,
and the differences between these and more "traditional" types of
Wicca.  It is also a resource for information on publications,
workshops, retreats and ritual groups of the women's spirituality
movement.

K, Amber.  How to Organize a Coven or Magickal Study Group.  Nine
Candles, $4.00 (paperback).  A short, clearly-written guide to forming
covens and circles.  It includes sections on how to make contacts (and
how to avoid the ones you don't want), and ways to build group
connections.  It also has a good essay about looking at yourself to
see just why you want to be a high priest/ess.

K, Amber.  True Magick: A Beginner's Guide.  Llewellyn, $4.95
(softcover).  One of Llewellyn's "Practical Magick Series."  This book
explains what magick is, what it's not, and how to develop your skills
in magickal practice.  It is written largely using the Wiccan
tradition, but it includes elements of American Indian shamanism,
Huna, Brujeria, and Qaballa.  This is a "get your magickal feet wet"
book.

Mariechild, Diane.  Mother Wit.  The Crossing Press, $10.95
(softcover).  A beautifully-written guide to meditation techniques and
psychic development.  Some of the topics covered include healing,
energy and vibration, reincarnation and past life regression, dream
work, psychic skills for children, Witchcraft and spirituality.  It
also includes rituals for things like house protections and
self-blessings.  Feminist-based, but not separatist.

Mountainwater, Shekhinah.  Ariadne's Thread.  The Crossing Press,
$14.95 (softcover).  This is another workbook, divided into thirteen
moons, containing rituals, herb lore, divination techniques, and
exercises for women exploring their spirituality and "witchiness."  It
discusses cycles of all kinds, and different aspects of the Goddess.
It also contains suggested projects, journaling questions, and a
bibliography for each subject.

Starhawk.  The Spiral Dance.  Harper and Row, $12.95 (softcover).
Perhaps the most complete and easily readable of the modern works on
Wicca.  The author discusses the beliefs and practices of modern Wicca
within her Celtic-based, feministic tradition.  Starhawk is a
wonderful writer, and her book is a joy to read (as well as being
possibly the most influential book on Wicca written in America).  This
is the tenth-anniversary edition (the original is now out of print),
and is revised and updated.

Stein, Diane.  The Women's Spirituality Book.  Llewellyn, $9.95
(softcover).  This book covers the women's movement of Wicca, giving
an overview of the holidays, practices, and background of this aspect
of modern paganism.  If you are at all interested in the feminst
branch of Wicca, you need to read this book.

Stone, Merlin.  When God Was a Woman.  Harcourt, Brace and Jovanovich,
$8.95 (softcover).  Deals with the history of the goddess religions.
Examples and explanations of much of Judeo-Christian tradition given.
This is not a book about Wicca, but rather a cross-cultural study of
ancient goddess worship.

Valiente, Doreen.  The ABC's of Witchcraft.  Phoenix, $11.95
(softcover).  A basic encyclopedia of terms important to modern Wicca.
It has been written for the beginner, but it also has value for the
more experienced practitioner.  Valiente was responsible for creating
much of Gardnerian ritual, and anything written by her is most
valuable to any serious student of the subject.

Weinstein, Marion.  Positive Magic.  Phoenix, $9.95 (softcover).  This
book is a guide to the ethical practice of magic -- and is very
valuable whether the pratitioner is Wiccan or not.  It explains how
magic works in simple, non-intimidating terms.  It also includes a
good (but not in-depth) study on the different occult areas (tarot,
astrology, et cetera).


Magazines

Circle Network News, Quarterly publication.  P.O. Box 219, Mt. Horeb,
WI 53572.  News, views, notices, rituals, and other information
related to Wicca, paganism, Shamanism, Goddess worship, positive
magick and related pantheistic ways.  Sample issue free with request
for information about Circle's networking services.

Green Egg, Quarterly publication.  P.O. Box 1542, Ukiah, CA
95482-1542.  Official publication of the Church of All Worlds.  Gaian
theology, paganism, Goddess worship.  Information about events
affecting the pagan community, a large and active reader's forum, and
beautiful artwork and poetry make this an interesting read for just
about anyone.  Write for sample issue.

Of a Like Mind, Quarterly Publication.  P.O. Box 6021, Madison, WI
53716.  A womyn's spiritual newspaper and network which brings
together female practitioners all over the country.  Wicca, paganism
and goddess worship from a feminist perspective.  Sample issue $3.00.

SageWoman Magazine, Quarterly publication.  P.O. Box 641, Point Arena,
CA 95468.  Strives to share women's spirituality through ritual,
artwork, meditation and articles from women around the United States.
Each issue focuses on a theme.  This is probably the most beautifully
formatted and artfully done pagan magazine available.  Sample issue
$6.00.