There are a lot of books being written on witchcraft lately, almost everyone that calls themselves a witch (it seems) is writing a book about it.

Some don't really get to the spiritual core of the craft. Some are light hearted and meant for entertainment, some are filled with spells for the witch wannabes. Some think of witchcraft as recipes and want a cookbook to solve their problems. Publishers publish what sells, and there are a lot of people that buy a book on witchcraft for the 'weirdness' of having unusual books.

How does the serious searcher find books that give the information they are looking for?

I have included a list of the books that I have reviewed myself.

These are books that I have studied and used, many are on my bookshelf right now. In association with Amazon Books you can purchase any of them from the links provided with the book reviews. I hope this service will save you hours of searching in bookstores and a bookshelf of books that are just about useless. I have listed the recommended books in some loose categories to make it easier for you to find what you need.

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Wicca : A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner (Llewellyn's Practical Magick Series) by Scott Cunningham

This is a very good book for beginners, it explains the religion of Wicca, includes a working Book Of Shadows. Simply, but spiritually, Scott Cunningham explains the workings of ritual and magic for a solitary beginner to grasp.

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Drawing Down the Moon : Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today by Margot Adler

A reference from an observers point of view of witches and other pagans written for the non-pagan community. Margot interviewed, attended rituals, and studied many pagan traditions. This book covers her explorations. Margot is a National Public Radio correspondent; she covers the subject as a dedicated journalist.

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Spiral Dance by Starhawk

An absolute must in your library. This is an overview of the modern-day reemergence of Witchcraft as a goddess-worshipping religion. Starhawk, a teacher, lecturer, and best selling author, leads you through a series of exercises to reach the spirituality within you. This is the classic resource that transformed the woman's spirituality movement.

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Celebrate the Earth : A Year of Holidays in the Pagan Tradition ~Laurie Cabot

Celebrate the eight holidays in the Pagan tradition. Learn the wheel of the year by establishing your own holiday traditions. Here are suggestions for ritual, decorations, and recipes for the feast. Modern holidays have pagan origin, celebrate the ancient holy days, and learn the ancient lore. Light reading, good recipes.

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The Family Wicca Book - by Ashleen O'Gaea

Written for pagan families that want to introduce the principles of witchcraft to their children. How to explain questions about life, death, sex, with calm common sense. How to joyfully celebrate the passages in life, wiccaning (birth), puberty, handfasting (marriage), saging and croning (becoming an elder), and requiem (death). Ways to celebrate the Wheel of the Year. Filled with wonderful family activities and ways to pass on the old wisdom.

Wiccacraft For Families by Margie McArthur

For pagan friendly parenting and family ritual ideas this book has rituals, foods, music, crafts & activities broken down into the eight sabbats for quick reference to seasonal holidays. Includes informative chapters on various Rites of Passage: Women's Mysteries, Men's Mysteries, Youth Passages, Handfastings, Age, and Death rituals and observances. All in all a great book for a pagan parents' library.

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To Ride a Silver Broomstick by Silver Ravenwolf

This is a light reading book on the practice of modern witchcraft. It touches on all the basics in an entertaining and straightforward way. Silver Broomstick and its sequel have been popular sellers among the young witches and have introduced many to the craft.

To Stir a Magick Caldron by Silver Ravenwolf

The sequel to Silver Broomstick was written as a witches guide to casting and conjuring Continuing in an entertaining and anecdotal style Ravenwolf leads the reader through the arts of visualization, devotion and magick workings. Much practical knowledge is given about the day to day living as a witch, explaining covens, degrees, protocol, and ethics.

Spell Craft : A Primer for the Young Magician by Lilith McLelland

Teens sometimes email me asking about Wicca, I have included this book for young people searching for a path. It is important find good guidance in developing their concentration and using their energies ethically. McLelland's book is a valuable introduction, not limited to one religion. She emphasizes ethics and fun equally, and her writing style is accessible to teens without being patronizing

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The Farrar's are Gardenerian inspired, very good information if you are drawn to this tradition or if you want a well-rounded education in Wicca. Many witches recommend the Farrars for delving deeper into witchcraft.

Eight Sabbats for Witches   by Stewart Farrar

What Witches Do  by Stewart Farrar

The Witches' Goddess: The Feminine Principle of Divinity by Janet Farrar, Stewart Farrar

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The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries - by Z. Budapest

Feminist Witchcraft, Goddess Rituals, Spellcasting, and other Womanly Arts by a famous witch.

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I group these as "not for beginners" because a witch must have established ethics, devotion, and had some experience in working with the energies involved before using "magick books". No one wants a spell to backfire, so be certain your intentions are not for selfish gain, that there is no other way to solve the problem, and you are casting for the good of all. Although these books were written for anyone to use, I do not recommend using them before gaining the background found in the beginners' books. Ultimately we each take responsibility for our own actions, may your actions reflect wisdom.

 Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft

This book teaches the religion of witchcraft and how it is practiced in many covens. It covers the history of modern witchcraft, the basics of making robes, setting up the altar, using the tools, and classic liturgy. It is written as a study guide. Buckland was influenced by Gardener, even if you don't follow this tradition (I don't) it is good to be familiar with the rituals he discusses. This book is more liturgical than it is spiritual, but many modern covens use rituals that were influenced by the Gardenerians, modified to suit current sensibilities. I have moved this book to the "not for beginners" list because I feel Buckland is not someone I would recommend as an introduction to the religion of Wicca.

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A Book of Pagan Rituals. by Herman Slater (Editor)

No frills, no sugar coating, just what it says, a book of pagan rituals. For the serious practioner.

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Magical Rites from the Crystal Well - by Ed Fitch

This book has much useful material for one already on the path, for it does not explain enough to be a beginner's book. It is a nice source book to round out your Book of Shadows for it is filled with poetic rituals for all occasions, beginning spell crafting and path work. I use it for ideas when writing rituals.

Practical Candleburning Rituals - Buckland

This book is not recommended for new magic users, however it has useful information. See below on the Advanced book, for my recommendations on reading this book. In this first volume there is no mention of casting a circle for protection, or asking that the spell be for the good of all. In fact, some of the spells are of doubtful ethics. All the spells are done with candles, incense, and meditations. Buckland gives two versions to the meditations, one using bible verses, and the other pagan. Be Warned: if you are mixing Christianity with magic, using the Bible Verse version will NOT protect you from bad karma if your intentions are not good. This book only covers the practical part of spell craft, you must supply the common sense, and you must take precautions it doesn't backfire.

Advanced Candle Magic - Buckland

This book is much more helpful than the first. It covers right in the beginning what I criticized the first volume for not covering well enough, ETHICS and the workings of magic. Actually, I recommend you read the Advanced book first, then buy the Practical Candleburning Rituals to use for the spells. By then you will have a better understanding and will be able to handle them.

Earth, Air, Fire, and Water : More Techniques of Natural Magic by Scott Cunningham

Cunningham explains spell workings using the simple natural objects you find around you. He is careful to explain using it for good, using the powers in the universe to cause needed change. This is one of the first books on magic that I studied; I have used his suggestions and have gotten good results.

Earth Power by Scott Cunningham

More natural techniques to working magic with materials found around you and the energies of the Earth. It covers many classic spell methods, knot magic, mirror magic, wax images in magic, and casting magic using the elements, and much more. It includes good appendixes of runes, colors, and herbs.

"Embracing the Moon: A Witch's Guide to Rituals, Spellcrafts and Shadow Work" by Yasmine Galenorn

From traditional notions such as the idea that a mirror facing a door is a magical portal to contemporary ideas like the construction of a magical collage from magazine clippings, Galenorn successfully combines the old with the new in this accessible guide to witchcraft. Emphasis on witchcraft, because from the start, Galenorn firmly states that she is a witch, not Wiccan, and while she has nothing against Wicca, she strongly feels the two are not the same.

"The Crone's Book of Charms & Spells" by Valerie Worth

Poetic inscriptions and incantations evoking images of the wise old woman in an isolated cottage, these carefully crafted potions, spells, charms, and amulets. Use a little common sense and caution, some of her spells are of doubtful ethics.

"Pagan Rites of Passage" by Pauline Campanelli

Being brought up in a time when old ways are often forgotten, 20th-century pagans can find themselves at a loss for traditional ceremonies to celebrate the times in life that should be marked with great care. "Pagan Rites of Passage" fills this void with a collection of celebratory rites from varying cultures as far apart in time and space as the ancient Egyptians are from the Bulgarians. The breadth of coverage makes this a suitable book for most any tradition, group, or solitary practitioner. The rites discussed commemorate important moments on the wheel of life from birth through death and include ceremonies for important events such as initiation into a coven or the handfasting of two people embarking on a life together.

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The Magical Household : Empower Your Home With Love, Protection, Health and Happiness (Llewellyn's Practical Magick Series) by Scott Cunningham

Continuing on your path to make witchcraft a way of life this is good for anyone who wishes to bring more peace and spirituality into the home. Written in a personal and easy-to-follow style, this book gives ideas on how to empower and protect your home, yourself, and even your car with everyday Magick as well as ancient traditions and folklore.

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You have the basics, you are following the wheel of the year in ritual and celebration. You give devotion to the Lord and Lady and have asked their blessings in your attempts at spell casting. Now you want to learn more, to understand the old ways, to find the beginnings.

Witch Alone : Thirteen Moons to Master Natural Magic by Marian Green

This is an excellent book. It teaches Witchcraft the traditional way, the Old Religion as it has been in Britain (rather than the more political feminist version of many American authors). This is a book for Witches who want to connect to the land, to the moon, to nature and its powers, to the things Witchcraft has always been about. It is a powerful book, and if you follow its exercises you will indeed be a Witch by the end.

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Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom - a Celtic Shaman's source book by Caitlin & John Mathews

This book interprets the Irish Celtic Mythology from the view of the Celtic Shaman. It is a reference providing a grounding of Celtic Magic. Practical and Ritual work is provided.

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Glamoury - Magic of the Celtic Green World by Steve Blamires

Glamoury describes a practical application of the wisdom from the Celtic myths that is relevant to spiritual seekers today. Visualization exercises provided are a means of accomplishing inner growth. Journey to the Celtic Otherworld, where you meet mythical beings that reflect aspects of yourself.

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Faery Wicca - Book One by Kisma K Stepanich

Theory of Magick: A book of shadows and Light. Faery Wicca is relates the mystery teachings of the Oral Faery Tradition. This is the tradition that has greatly influences many other Celtic traditions; it is rich with ancient Gods and the ancestors. The book gives an overview and instruction of initiation in this ancient tradition.

Fairy Wicca - book two by Kisma K Stepanich

Book Two continues instruction in the Faery tradition with energy work, healing techniques, journeys to the otherworld, spellcasting, herbcraft, and "remembering".

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Enchantment of the Faerie Realm - Communicate with Nature spirits and Elementals by Ted Andrews

Yes, they are with us still, you can see and communicate with them.

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Being a witch is a way of life. Magic creeps into your everyday activities, cooking, cleaning, sewing. It's a known fact that witches are crafty people, they are the most creative, wise, and innovative. Here are some books you might enjoy.

Spell Crafts : Creating Magical Objects by Scott Cunningham, David Harrington

This book is solid Cunningham. Practical, creative, and clever, it offers wonderful ideas for decorating the home with functioning Magickal items. I have returned again and again to this for craft ideas.

A Bard's Book of Pagan Songs: Stories and Music from the Celtic World" by Hugin the Bard

A book that contains as much learning as fun, Hugin's book is a treasure you will certainly want to add to your collection. Part storybook and part songbook, "A Bard's Book of Pagan Songs" takes you on an adventure through the Mabinogion, celebrates the wheel of the year, and the pagan heritage. Sheet music and background stories.

"Magical Fabric Art: Spellwork and Wishcraft Through Patchwork Quilting & Sewing" by Sandra McCraw Scarpa

"Magical Fabric Art" shows you how to build on this foundation to create symbolic and practical talismans with "only the simplest cutting and sewing ... sharp scissors and new needles." By including some modest preparations to charge the materials with your intent and by giving some extra consideration to the timing of your project, you can construct a quilt for love, a quilt for protection, or many other possible projects that draw on the energies of your creative abilities and focus them into a fabric of your own design.

"Magical Needlework: 35 Original Projects & Patterns" by Dorothy Morrison

I just bought this book and I am very impressed. Any witch who loves to do needlework will want it; the author shows you how knot spells can be fixed as you as you sew, and done discreetly no matter where you are. It covers patterns for crochet, knitting, patchwork, embroidery, and sewing with magic in mind. The most mundane project can be transformed into a magical creation, infused with energy to bring forth your intent. Give a cozy crib cover charged with love and protection to a new baby or a stuffed animal for a room guardian. Make a crocheted vest patterned with the pentagram to wear at the next sabbat. The author includes charms to bless your sewing tools and the fabric you are using. Basic stitches and patterns for crochet, knitting, embroidery, and patchwork are included. There are 35 patterns for projects. The "blessed be" embroidered wall hanging caught my eye immediately, also the patchwork Book of Shadows cover.

A Home for the Soul : A Guide for Dwelling With Spirit and Imagination by Anthony Lawlor

Create magical space in your home, a guide to decorating your living space. Lawlor leads us on a journey through each room of the house, opening our vision to hidden possibilities. We discover, for example, how a stove expresses the transforming power of nature, how clothes closets reveal our inner personalities, and how home offices display our talents. Lawlor shows us the mythological and archetypal meanings within the common objects of daily life--such as a bed, a bathtub, a pair of shoes, or a loaf or bread. The author also offers practical suggestions for arranging or building soulful homes. He explains how to use wood, tile, brick, and stone to express qualities of the spirit and how to use furniture and personal objects as allies in creating meaning. This book is more New Age than it is Wiccan, but you will recognize much of what the author is saying.

Cooking Like a Goddess : Bringing Seasonal Magic into the Kitchen by Cait Johnson, Johanne Renbeck

Cooking Like A Goddess allows us to see the sacredness in the everyday. By bringing spirituality into the kitchen, Johnson deepens our connection of home, hearth, and heart! Her book is full of suggestions for decorating, meditating, living and cooking in the kitchen.  

A Kitchen Witch's Cookbook by Patricia Telesco

The kitchen stove or barbecue grill can become a unique way of having a fire festival any day of the year in your home. The hearth represents your home's heart, and each time you use it magically it can accent the energy of love in the home. This book is dedicated to that goal. Banish the ordinary in eating forever with this cauldron of culinary magic. A Kitchen Witch's Cookbook provides magical sustenance for family and guests with over 300 carefully selected recipes whose ingredients were especially chosen to promote magical goals--and plain good eating! Encourage psychic insight, prosperity, luck, creativity, and more--through the food that you eat.

 "Goddess in the Kitchen: 201 Heavenly Recipes, Spirited Stories & Saucy Secrets" by Margie Lapanja

When Margie Lapanja was just a wee child playing with her Susie Homemaker light-bulb oven, she imagined that she was casting magic spells with her fluffy concoctions. What do goddesses do in the kitchen? They heal the wounded spirit with Magic Double-Fudge Brownies, daydream with Mango Tapioca Pudding, comfort the downtrodden with Chipped Beef and Saffron Biscuits; and cast love spells with Casablanca Cheesecake.

Wicca Gardening by Gerina Dunwich. A modern witch's book fo magickal and enchanted herbs and plants.

Astrological Gardening by Louise Riotte. The ancient wisdome of successfully planting and harvesting by the stars. Tap the wisdom accumulated over centuries to plant more bountiful, nutritional, organic, and environmental gardens.

If you are looking for any special music or books you can do a search below. Amazon can supply almost any book or album that has been published.