Recommended Reading
There are many excellent bibliographies for the student of Witchcraft on the
world wide web. In addition to the books commonly found on these bibliographies,
I have a few to add that I think deserve your attention. Some of them are:
Heart of Tarot: An Intuitive Approach, by Amber K and Azrael Arynn K, with
foreword by yours truly (although it doesn't say that on the cover, as is
customary with forewords). This book describes a Gestalt method of Tarot
reading developed my my late friend John Patrick McClimans and passed on
to Amber through other friends. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 2003.
Spiritual Mentoring: A Pagan Guide, by Judy Harrow. Montreal: ECW Press,
2002. As a priestess, Judy Harrow examines, weighs, tastes, blends and
stirs a potent brew. Using inclusive language and respecting all our
intertwining and diverging Pagan paths, the author adds depth, breadth and
maturity to our Pagan faith traditions, and she does it with erudition and
grace.
Devoted to You: Honoring Deity in Wiccan Practice, by Judy Harrow, Alexei
Kondratiev, Geoffrey W. Miller and Maureen Reddington-Wilde. Citadel
Press/Kensington Publishing Corp., New York: 2002. Judy Harrow and her
three colleagues have mined four precious, and singularly unique, jewels
from the rich ground of contemporary Paganism. Each stone has been cut
and polished with the care and perfection of a fine jeweler, and now their
glittering, multicolored splendor can be enjoyed by all.
Irish Spirit: Pagan, Celtic, Christian, Global, Patricia Monaghan,
editor, Dublin, Ireland: Wolfhound Press, 2001. I have a piece in this
book called "Bridey in Cyberspace." This book will soon be published in
the U.S. Check this site for updates.
Deepening Witchcraft: Advancing Skills and Knowledge, by Grey Cat.
Montreal: ECW Press, 2002. With this book, Grey Cat takes a keen look at
many of our attitudes and assumptions. While we may not agree with
everything she says -- which is as it should be -- this book takes us one
more giant step towards maturity as a movement, and as spiritually
satisfying faith tradition(s). She then reflects them back to us in a way
that calls for us to look at ourselves and our ways with a clear eye and a
sharp mind. And she does so with her unmistakable Southern 'tude. As we
move out of the shadows of the broom closet and into the bright light of
our wider communities, each of us can benefit from reading the thoughts,
experiences, observations and wisdom of this Crone.
Wiccan Meditations: The Witch's Way to Personal Transformation, by Laura
Wildman. New York: Citadel Press/Kensington Publishing Corp., 2002.
Pathworking is one of the easiest and most difficult, the most accessible
and the most mysterious, of priest/ess skills to master. Drawing from her
remarkable depth and breadth of experiences as a high priestess, Laura
Spellweaver offers, with lucid analyses and creative recommendations, a
rich source of material for all of us to draw upon to deepen our practice.
What a gift Laura has given to magical folk everywhere! A thorough and
impressive teaching and learning text.
What's Your Wicca IQ?, by Laura Wildman. New York: Citadel
Press/Kensington Publishing Corp., 2002. This is a book for the curious
who are entirely unacquainted with Witchcraft and Paganism. It's also a
book for people new on the path and learning more about us. And it's for
old-timers who might think they know a thing or two. Drawing from a array
of sources both common and obscure, this High Priestess displays a breadth
of knowledge to challenge readers' knowledge of our practices, history,
heritage and a vast spectrum of Craft-related topics, such as divination
and herbalism. She also includes humor and trivia, making this book a
great resource for Witchen parlor games. Best of all, she provides lots
of resources for those who are inspired by its contents to dig deeper.
Enjoy!
Seasons of the Witch: Poetry and Songs to the Goddess, by Patricia
Monaghan. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2002. Includes CD. In
this exquisite little volume, Patricia Monaghan upholds the noble bardic
tradition wherein the words of the poet give voice to the ineffable. Her
poetry offers glimpses of the great mysteries. Evoking laughter, love,
tears, and insights, she speaks in the voice of the Divine.
The Twelve Wild Swans: A Journey to the Realm of Magic, Healing and
Action. Rituals, Exercises and Magical Training in the Reclaiming
Tradition, HarperSanFrancisco, 2000. This is a treasure. The ore is an
old folk tale, mined for its basic magical Elements, refined with deep
personal work, and set as brilliant stones in shining precious metals for
the World to see, admire, pick up, enjoy, wear, and use. The wealth that
has arisen from the work, insights and creativity of many women and men
all over the country that has contributed to what has emerged as
Reclaiming tradition Witchcraft fills me with gratitude for our unique and
diverse community.
At the core of the Reclaiming tradition is the insight that spiritual
practice, personal healing and political activism are the three legs of
the cauldron in which wisdom and magic are brewed.
-- Starhawk and Hilary Valentine
Witchcrafting: A Practical Guide to the Spirituality of Witchcraft, by
Phyllis Curott. New York: Broadway Books, 2001. Like any Witch worth
her salt, Phyllis both outrages and delights her co-religionists. She
courageously takes many shibboleths held dear to Witches out of the broom
closet, dusts them off, polishes them up, and looks at them afresh. This
book goes a long way towards bringing Craft into the bright light of a
healthy post-patriarchal world.
Ethics for a Small Planet: A Communication Handbook on the Ethical and
Theological Reasons for Protecting Biodiversity, published by The
Biodiversity Project. This book is
comprehensive, accessible, practical, thorough and attractive. In addition
to the text, it also contains a comprehensive list of resources, including
speakers, a glossary, a bibliography, journals, organizations, videos and
websites. If your coven, tradition or other Pagan organization wants a
copy of this excellent publication, contact The Biodiversity Project, 214
N. Henry Street, Suite 201, Madison, WI 53703; voice: 608 250-9876; fax:
608 257-3513
Women in Leadership in Faith: Voices of Hope and Healing in a Troubled
World, a book containing all the interviews, photographs and prayers
documenting a year-long (2002-03) project identifying the major religions
practiced in Marin County, California: independent voices representing
those exploring faith from alternative directions and spiritual expression
as well as Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Thirty-four women, identified
by the project director, Roberta Swan, as "cultural creatives," those
people who question existing social structures and find new means of
expression, were interviewed and profiled. Among the interviewees are a
Sufi leader, Catholic nuns, Jewish rabbis, Buddhist teachers, a Lutheran
minister, a Presbyterian pastor, a Buddhist abbess, a hospice chaplain, a
police chaplain, a housing advocate, a Tibetan lama, a Quaker activist, an
Episcopal priest, a choir director, a Witchen priestess (yours truly,
called Pagan ambassador), and many others. Available from Roberta Swan,
P.O. Box 2460, Mill Valley, CA 94941. 415 389-0566; fax: 415 383-8210
e-mail: raswan@attbi.com. Also available is a small prayer book called
Hope and Healing in a Troubled World: Prayers Selected by Women Faith
Leaders (2003).
Pagans & Christians: The Personal Spiritual Experience, by Gus
diZerega, Llewellyn Publications, 2001. In writing Pagans & Christians, Dr. diZerega has made a valuable
contribution to the enrichment of interfaith dialogue. And even more, to
the vibrancy and sustainability of our own precious Pagan faith
traditions. He articulates Pagan experience with clear vision, loving
heart, subtlety of feeling, and solid facts. In accessible language,
supported by documentation, he dispels many misconceptions. He draws upon
his considerable erudition and experience to present clear, insightful,
thought provoking explanations. From this book, Pagans and Christians
alike can gain a more balanced and complete understanding of our own
diversity, and of our commonalities. May his open-minded and open-hearted
approach serve to enrich us all, and dispel any remaining climate of
intolerance based on fear of the unknown. We Pagans are fortunate to have
a Witch of Gus' distinction contributing to the enrichment of our culture.
This book is an important addition to the curriculum of seminaries and
chaplaincies, and useful to all who are engaged in interfaith work. As a
Witch involved in the field of death and dying (a universal experience
regardless of religion) I plan to use it in my own interfaith work.
Daughters of the Goddess: Studies of Healing, Identity,
and Empowerment, Wendy
Griffin, editor. Walnut Creek, CA: Alta Mira Press, 2000
Wicca Covens, by Judy
Harrow, Secaucus, NJ: Citadel Press, 1999. Judy is a thealogically liberal
Witch within the Gardnerian family whose own coven is hierarchical and very
structured, but she takes into account the entire spectrum of coven structures,
from the self-taught, self-generated kind to the hardcore lineage-based groups,
and makes no value judgments as to which is "better." The book includes perspectives
from coven leaders of many kinds, the point being that their ideas come from
observation and direct experience and aren't just theoretical. So get thee to
thy local independent bookseller, either neighborhood or online, and
get this book for your permanent collection. It's excellent.
Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches, by Charles G. Leland, Blaine,
WA: Phoenix Publishing, Inc., 1998. A new translation by Mario Pazzaglini. Ph.D.
& Dina Pazzaglini, with additional material by Chas S. Clifton, Robert Mathiesen
& Robert E. Chartowich, and a foreword by Stewart Farrar. Originally published
in 1899, this is a fascinating look at a significant part of our Craft heritage.
The Goddess Path: Myths, Invocations & Rituals, by Patricia
Monaghan. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1999
Earthly Bodies, Magical Selves: Contemporary Pagans and the Search for Community,
by Sarah M. Pike, UC Press, Berkeley, CA, 2001.
When, Why . . . If: An Ethics Workbook, by Robin
Wood. Dearborn, MI: A Livingtree Book, 1996. Another book no Witch should
be without, Robin presents accessible and straightforward topics - honesty, self,
love, help, harm, sex, will and ethics - for anyone - Witch, Pagan or anything
else - to help you know yourself and your motives better, and to proceed through
life with an awareness of your conduct and its potential effects on others.
You think the Rede is simple? This will help you interpret it for yourself.
