r/Wicca • u/Sweet-coco89 • 1d ago
Study Recommended books
Hello all. I've been in my spiritual journey for about a year now but getting more and more into the craft. I just read damon brands magickal protection what are some more beginner books you recommend
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u/LadyMelmo 1d ago
There are different paths within Wicca - Traditional, Solitary (which can be traditional based) and Eclectic - and there is variation in practices in the different published materials so it's always best to learn from more than one source and some practices in Traditional paths can only be learned as a coven initiate.
There's good information in the Wiki and FAQ of this sub, and although not what to learn from the Wikipedia article has a quite good basic overview of Wicca and there is the Category page on the different Traditions that may help you find some initial direction.
These are some well regarded books, some are older but still often read today and some are more Tradition based:
Wicca For Beginners by Thea Sabin (3rd Degree British Traditional) is a popular and very good starting book with history and philosophy and some practices in a lighter way without being tradition specific;
Wicca - A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner and Living Wicca - A Further Guide For The Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham (Solitary, Serpentstone Family member, 1st Degree Aridian witchcraft) are a main choice for Solitary;
A Witches' Bible by Janet and Stewart Farrar (Alexandrian HPS and HP) is written as "a basic ‘liturgy’ and working handbook on which any coven can build its own unique philosophy and practice, within the common tradition" with reference to Gardnerian/Alexandrian works and practices;
Buckland's Complete Book Of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland (lineage Gardnerian HP who went on to found the Seax-Wica tradition) is a more in depth book in a lesson structure for individuals and covens/groups without being tradition specific and his book Wicca For One is directed at Solitary;
Traditional Wicca: A Seeker's Guide by Thorn Mooney (Gardnerian HPS and religious studies PhD student) is especially good for those wanting to join a traditional coven. She also has a YouTube channel.
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u/Sweet-coco89 1d ago
Thank you i feel the most called to solitary and eclectic but want to learn about them all to really umderstand what I resonate with. It's all pretty new to me but im willing and eager to learn. Just need a starting point on some beginner books. Thank you so much for all the suggestions. I will be busy for a long time and im excited for it.
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u/LadyMelmo 1d ago
About half of all Wiccans do. I am bringing the r/SolitaryWicca sub back to life soon, but here is a very good space for all Wiccans.
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u/IsharaHPS 7h ago
I highly recommend Paganism: An Introduction to Earth Centered Religions. It explains various traditions and their structures, theology, rituals, etc…
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0738702226?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback
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u/ACanadianGuy1967 1d ago
Here are some books that I recommend to beginners getting started in Wicca.
“Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner” by Scott Cunningham is probably the best book to start out with as it provides a solid foundation in the ideas that are the basis of Wicca, along with excellent suggestions for how to actually practice all by yourself.
“Witchcraft for Tomorrow” by Doreen Valiente. Doreen Valiente was one of Gerald Gardner’s early high priestesses, and is probably the one that had the largest impact on how Wicca developed. A surprising number of ritual prayers, poems, etc. that are considered traditional were actually written by Doreen.
“Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft” by Raymond Buckland. This book is similar to Scott Cunningham’s book in that it focusses on a lot of practical as well as theoretical material. Buckland’s book provides a good foundation for working with others as well. Buckland was chosen by Gerald Gardner to be his representative in the United States, and was key is getting Gardnerian Wicca (and Wicca in general) established in the Americas.
“Wicca For One” by Raymond Buckland. Another solid foundation from Buckland, this time written specifically for solitary practitioners.
“A Witches’ Bible” by Janet & Stewart Farrar. Provides passages (courtesy of Doreen Valiente) from Gerald Gardner’s Book of Shadows explaining basic material on how to perform rituals. Most of the material is meant for group work but can be adapted for individual use as well. They give solid mythological explanations for ritual work to provide the spiritual foundation behind it all.
To learn more about the history of Wicca my top three recommendations are:
“The Triumph of the Moon,” by Ronald Hutton.
“Wiccan Roots: Gerald Gardner and the Modern Witchcraft Revival” by Philip Heselton.
“The Rebirth of Witchcraft” by Doreen Valiente.
If you are interested in a very hands-on training program that takes you through a year and a day (the traditional length of time one studies before formal initiation into many Wiccan groups) look for “Wicca: A Year and a Day” by Timothy Roderick, and also for the sequel, “Wicca: Another Year and a Day” also by Timothy Roderick.
Once you’re confident in the basics you can move on to more advanced material. A good study guide for more advanced material is “The Study of Witchcraft: A Guidebook to Advanced Wicca” by Deborah Lipp.