A History Of Pagan Europe (1999) by Prudence Jones and Nigel Pennick is a book to be read from cover to cover by any serious student of paganism. It is especially informative about the see-saw of power after Christianity gained a mass following in the heretofore polytheistic Mediterranean area. It is an eye-opening account of reciprocal cruelty, linking all of European descent to violent forebears.

Black Elk: Sacred Ways Of A Lakota (1991) by Wallace Black Elk and William S. Lyon is a rich biography of a Native American “Earth Man.” Sharing his knowledge and wisdom about working through prayer with Spirit entities, this work is relevant to witchcraft and remains one of the most humorous reads authored by a renowned energy mover.

Celebrate The Solstice (1993) by Richard Heinberg is a book that puts lists of ideas for rituals and a pan-global history of solstice practice into a quick, basic format. It is not a research text, but a good possibility to grab the day before a ritual when the preparation is just beginning.

Contemporary Paganism (1997) by Graham Harvey, is very general, as all books must be which endeavor to span the breadth of a large topic without becoming cumbersome, this one provides about one page of information on dozens of topics. This would be a marginal first book to read by someone called to witchcraft. It is written in a straightforward voice, well researched and is non-critical. It is a book one may never pick up again after finishing, but good to pass along to other interested students.

Cosmic Trigger, Final Secret Of The Illuminati (1997) by Robert Anton Wilson, when it finds you, will, by design shake any and every belief you think you have about the self and humanity. This is the kind of work that strips open the mind, shocks the psyche and lays bare the vessel of process, perfect for any would-be witch who does not know the scope of The Mystery. This book is especially relevant for the example of how forces energized (when one works on an increased vibration) have a tide and possibly a purpose that sweeps one up into the wave of destiny.

Earth Air Fire Water (1990) by Robin Skelton and Margaret Blackwood, is a large volume of songs from British writers collected in one place. Witchy, pagan, rustic rhymes and ballads read like poetry on nearly 300 pages. With no musical notation the original melodies and format can only be guessed at or intuited. Many are written in a singsong meter, which makes voicing or singing a cappella entirely possible. Spells, charms, curses, blessings, invocations and more are to be found in this text.

Kahuna Magic (1981) by Brad Steiger is an easily digested foundational work discussing why magick, the craft of the witch, works from the perspective of Hawaiian adepts. Much of modern knowledge and understanding of the psychological dimension of witchcraft will be traced to the inspiration of this book, Max Freedom Long, who was a vanguard in 20th century magickal studies. The author has a broad journalistic knowledge base, and writes on specific studies with attempted detachment.

Lost Goddesses Of Early Greece (1994) by Charlene Spretnak, tells us nearly all of our modern exposure to Western mythology, the only means by which many pagan topics have been kept alive for the last two centuries, has been through Greek mythology. However, virtually all the stories are Olympian as presented by Hesiod or Homer. This small book re-creates the pre-Hellenic, pre-patriarchal stories of the well-known names Athena, Pandora, Diana, and more in a positive light to the Feminine Divine.

People Of The Earth (1996) by Ellen Evert Hopman and Lawrence Bond, contains interviews with over 50 of paganism’s current leaders and teachers. Categorized in 17 traditions, a broad spectrum of opinions, biographies, and explorations are presented. Through responses to simply stated queries, the reader can learn about the nuances of today’s choices within the realm of Earth Spirituality and which of these resonates most harmoniously with themselves. Knowing who your leaders are and where they came from, along with what their personal beliefs are, is advisable to any person in any walk of life.

Psychedelic Shamanism (1994) by Jim DeKorn is a useful text to any who explore mind and consciousness altering plant medicines. This book emphasizes the history and current cultural uses of psychotropic plants, along with empirical experimentation of nearly all known available psychedelics. A distinction of this work is the inclusion of “how to” preparations for the many other psychotropic books that shy away from this. Illustrations, and clearly written first-hand knowledge, guide readers toward coming to their own decisions on which, if any, of the psychotrops they might use for spiritual exploration.

Sacred Pleasure (1996) by Riane Eisler is a book that presents our modern connection to the human past in an attempt to discover a healthful relationship with sexuality. Probing history and facing current manifestations of pleasure, the reader is led to reaffirm the sacredness of our capacity to “feel” within the sexual context. Mythology, prehistory, and gender issues, along with politics, all fill the pages of this well researched work by the author of one of witchcraft’s most influential titles The Chalice And The Blade. Love and sex are sacred. This book explains why as it shows us where we’ve been and where we’re going.

Shakti Women (1991) by Vicki Noble, explores the reemergence of the Divine Feminine and earthly feminism is critical to modern witchcraft. This book is one of the top three most influential handbooks for understanding what has been suppressed for nearly 5,000 years: the power of the female. Empowered modern Shakti women need to be well informed in history, mythology, Shamanism, and the art of wielding power. This text delivers fundamental information on these topics and more. A confrontation with the whole picture of the feminine is necessary to re-establish personal and Universal balance for both women and men of today.

The Pagan Book Of Living And Dying (1997) by Starhawk is an extensive text reclaiming traditional views, rituals, songs, prayers and more regarding the death experience. As this tradition is an amalgamation of other pagan styles, this book offers a wide array of ideas and gifts. Musical notation and step-by-step ritual suggestions, along with guided meditations, fill the pages with clear dissertations on most pagan topics.

The Spiral Dance (1989) by Starhawk is one of the modern cornerstones of The Craft. This book is an essential reference guide. The author has established herself as the pre-eminent voice and teacher of viable witchcraft whose influence reaches all the eclectic and quasi-traditional aspects of today’s Craft. Both well researched and imaginatively creative, the exercises, verbalizations, and explanations are presented with exactitude, and are tempered with an invitation to co-create any and all aspects of one’s personal spirituality. Starhawk presents witchcraft as a Goddess religion with both facts and fancy selected from the best that is currently available on the subject. She combines this with decades of self-involvement in magick and related culture.

Dreaming The Dark (1997) also by Starhawk, explores the context of a magick-using person, both the politics of personal power and societal issues. Today’s witches and their issues are well covered by the author in this work. Ethics are re-examined and contrasted with the prevailing cultural paradigm, revealing an opportunity and a responsibility to move into a present and future of sustainable existence both spiritually and materially. This book contains an Appendix dedicated to “The Burning Times" which is seminal to neo-pagans and fundamental to magickal feminists’ belief.

Entering The Summerland (1996) by Edain McCoy is a book like many on the shelves these days, offering a variety of semi-specialized rituals for certain aspects of paganism, dying and death being the forte here. The psychological, psychic, and spiritual aspects of death and loss within a magickal worldview are visited. A Pan-global history of death beliefs and exercises throughout the pages may be useful to readers, especially those who have, or soon will, experience loss or death.

Way Of The Peaceful Warrior (1980) by Dan Millman is not a text associated with witchcraft. Rather its story is informational and inspirational to any who are called to work on a higher level of vibration. Similar to The Teachings Of Don Juan by Carlos Castaneda, the theme blossoms as a student learns to live in a completely different way, a way which is absolutely compatible and ideal for any witch to aspire to. This book is a mystical, humorous and inspiring read, truly “a book that changes lives.”

A WiseWoman’s Guide To Spells, Ritual And Goddess Lore (1995) by Elisabeth Brooke is another basic text on witchcraft from a feminine perspective. Brief descriptions of ritual, tarot, festivals, and herbalism are included, along with an emotionally written “herstory.” This is not a heady, heavily embellished researched work, but a rustic hands-on guide written from a place of experience with thoughtful care and a well-rounded perspective. The illustrations are original and may prove helpful to those who benefit from visual representations.

The Witch Book (2002) by Raymond Buckland is a true encyclopedia of all things magick. This A-Z guide written by one of the best-known names in paganism is the quintessential reference text witches have long awaited. Drawing from his library of research material, detailed explanations and illustrations abound within this book. Being recently published, the information is up to date. The author’s experience spans 40 years of personal involvement in The Craft at the highest level, assuring a breadth of understanding not available in most of today’s available sources. A turn to any page in this book will avail one the opportunity to delve deeply into the witch’s world, both past and present.

Witches And Wizards (2000) by Anton Adams and Mina Adams is a great reference book. Of the many available books on witchcraft, this slick presentation can be handy as a quick reminder of various aspects of witchcraft. The photos and paintings are particularly well presented while the verbiage is curt and tertiary.

Year Of Moons, Season Of Trees (1991) by Pattalee Glass-Koentop is a book that brings modern magick users to a cyclical system of observance and ritual that centers around an interpretation of Celtic tree magick. The trees sacred to British Celts are interwoven into a 13-moon format, including some correspondence charts that may be useful for those interested in the Ogham. A short selection of songs and chants round out this book. The illustrations by Robin Wood are an inspiring addition.

Sacred Art, Sacred Earth (1993) is the visionary autobiography of Heyoka Marrifield, a master jewelry artist. His birth as an artist is a journey into the process of exploration that touches many magickal elements. Choosing Earth based and mythological images to reflect the magickal training he undergoes, Heyoka is able to inspire others and channel Spirit and beauty, which are the fruits of witchcraft. The wisdom of his words completes this stunning book while the photographs chronicle a premier jeweler of our day.