Reading Lists and Recommendations
Book Recommendations for a Variety of Paths
Here at About.com's Pagan/Wiccan website, we get a lot of emails from folks asking for suggestions about what to read. I've put together a few lists -- and will continue to create more -- but I thought it might be of use to consolidate all our lists into one place. Here's our index of recommended book lists, depending on what you're interested...
Reading List for Pagan Men
Although the exact percentages aren't clear, you'll find that statistically, many more women are drawn to Pagan religions than men. Why is this? It's often because Pagan religions, including Wicca, embrace the sacred feminine alongside the power of the masculine. This sometimes puts our men in a position where they feel overlooked or...
Reading List for Celtic Paganism
If you're interested in following a Celtic Pagan path, there are a number of books that are useful for your reading list. Although there are no written records of the ancient Celtic people. there are a number of reliable books by scholars that are worth reading. Some of the books on this list focus on history, others on legend and mythology....
Recommended Reading for Hellenic (Greek) Paganism
If you're interested in following a Hellenic, or Greek, Pagan path , there are a number of books that are useful for your reading list. Some, like the works of Homer and Hesiod, are accounts of Greek life written by people who lived during the classical period. Others look at the ways that the gods and their exploits int
What Makes a Book Worth Reading?
There are thousands of books out there on Wicca and Paganism. But how do you know which ones are full of valuable information and which ones are a bunch of hooey? Learn how to sort the good from the bad with some simple common sense tips.
Thirteen Books Every Wiccan Should Read
Now that you've decided you want to learn about Wicca, what should you read? After all, there are literally thousands of books on the subject -- some good, others not so much. This list features the thirteen books that every Wiccan should have on their shelves. A few are historical, a few more focus on actual Wiccan practice, but they're all...
Charge of the Goddess
Charge of the Goddess, first published by Doreen Valiente, is one of the cornerstones of many Wiccan paths. Poetic and powerful, the Charge has been adapted into many variations, but Valiente's original work remains a favorite of many Pagans today.
The Wiccan Rede
Used as a guideline in many Wiccan traditions, the concept of the Wiccan Rede encourages practitioners to be cautious about harming others, and in fact delivers the warning, "Harm None."
Aradia, Gospel of the Witches
First presented to the world by folklorist Charles Leland, "Aradia" is alleged to be a collection of information passed down from an old Italian witch cult. Although some of Leland's accuracy has been questioned by scholars, the fact remains that "Aradia" is beautiful and poetic, and worthy read, whether you accept Leland's history or not.
The Malleus Maleficarum
The Malleus Maleficarum, or Witches Hammer, was written in 1486 and is known as one of the most infamous books ever written. During the Middle Ages, it was used as standard operating procedure for Inquistors, as a tool in the identification and punishment of suspected Witches. This site contains original text from a 1928 reprint of the work.
Share Your Favorite Witchy Fiction
Got a favorite novel that includes witches, wizards, magic or Paganism? Share it with our other readers here!
Summer Reading: Witchy Fiction
It's summertime, which means there's ample opportunity to do some reading. For fun, I put together a list of my favorite Pagan Fiction books and series. Although not all of these are written by Pagan or Wiccan authors, all include elements of magic, witchcraft, Paganism, or a combination of the three. Titles are presented in no particular order.
The Gardnerian Book of Shadows
This is the text of the Book of Shadows composed and handed down by Gerald Gardner. In one sense, this is the central sacred text of the Wicca religion. However, there is no 'official' Book of Shadows, and each coven usually has a hand-written copy of a Book of Shadows, sometimes in cypher or code, which reflects its own practices and knowledge.
Herbalism Reading List
Many Pagans and Wiccans are interested in magical herbalism. There is a lot of information out there on magical herb use, so if you're looking for books to guide you in your herbalism studies, here are some useful titles to add to your collection! Bear in mind that some focus more on folklore and medicinal history rather than Neopagan practice,...
Reading List for Roman Paganism
Interested in a Roman Pagan path? There are a lot of books out there, and it's hard to know which ones are worth reading. Here's a list of ten reliable titles you can check out to get started on your studies of Roman magic, history and legend.
The Norse Eddas and Sagas
Are you interested in the legends and history of the Norse people? One good place to start learning about their gods and goddesses is in the Eddas and Sagas, collections of stories that go back hundreds of years. You can read nearly all of them online via these links.
NeoWiccan Texts and Reading
Are you interested in some of the popular NeoWiccan texts? From Leland's "Gospel of the Witches" to Gerald Gardner's Book of Shadows, there are a variety of documents you may want to explore if you're interested in following a NeoWiccan path. You can read nearly all of them online via these links.
Is There a Witch's Bible?
A reader asks a question - he's seen several books for sale, all claiming to be some sort of "bible" of witchcraft, and he wants to know if one is the "right" one.