Reading List for Pagan Men

Druid at The Burren in Ireland.
powerofforever / Getty Images

Although the exact percentages aren't clear, you'll probably find that in the Pagan community, many more women are drawn to Pagan religions than men. Why is this? It's often because Pagan religions, including but not limited to Wicca, embrace the sacred feminine alongside the power of the masculine. This sometimes puts our men in a position where they feel overlooked or diminished, simply by virtue of the numbers. However, you'll find that there are in fact many men involved in the Pagan community, and equally important, there are books available aimed specifically at male practitioners. Here's a list of books our readers have offered up for the men:

01
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"Sons of the Goddess: A Young Man's Guide to Wicca" by Christopher Penczak

SonsGoddessPenczak
Photo Credit: Llewellyn Publications

Penczak, the author of numerous books on Wicca and Paganism, says in the Llewellyn Journal, "A lot of pagan men find it tough to be a man in Wicca. The popular misconception of Wicca, one among many, is that it is a Goddess religion only for women. Such thoughts are simply untrue." His book Sons of the Goddess: A Young Man’s Guide to Wicca is a response to the notion that Wicca is a "woman's religion," and it's a useful tool for any man, young or old, who is interested in a Pagan path.

02
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"Wicca For Men: A Handbook for Male Pagans Seeking a Spiritual Path" by AJ Drew

WiccaForMen
Photo Credit: Citadel Publishing

From the publisher: "Wicca for Men offers an understanding of the god and goddess; ritual tools and their use; the significance of ritual and preparation of the temple; sabbats and the wheel of the year (along with appropriate practices to enhance the celebrations); sample spells; sources and resources; and much more."

Although this is indeed a useful and practical book, it's important to note that since its publication, AJ Drew has renounced Paganism and converted to Catholicism.

03
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"Sacred Paths for Modern Men" by Dagonet Dewr

SacredPaths
Photo Credit: Llewellyn Publications

From Llewellyn publishing: "Hip, funny, and direct, this pagan belief guide explores twelve powerful male archetypes and their relevance for men today: Divine Child, Lover, Warrior, Trickster, Green Man, Guide, Craftsman, Magician, Destroyer, King, Healer, and Sacrificed One. Stories of characters from mythology, fantasy, and pop culture illustrate different expressions of masculine energy. With pagan rituals and magickal workings, this pagan book offers a visceral, hands-on way to connect with archetypal energies and honor male rites of passage such as coming of age, seeking a partner in love, or becoming a father."

04
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"The Path of the Green Man" by Michael Thomas Ford

PathGreenMan
Photo Credit: Citadel Publishing

The subtitle of this book is "Gay Men, Wicca and Living a Magical Life," and author Michael Thomas Ford is one of the early founders of the Green Man tradition of Wicca. Although this book is aimed predominantly at gay male Pagans, it's got some useful nuggets in there for everyone.

05
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"The Wild God" by Gail Wood

WildGod
Photo Credit: Spilled Candy Publications

Author Gail Wood creates a collection of rituals and ceremonies that celebrate the sacred masculine, honoring the god not just as companion to the goddess, but as an embodiment of the Divine in his own right.

06
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The Hidden Spirituality of Men: Ten Metaphors to Awaken the Sacred Masculine by Matthew Fox

Hidden Spirituality of Men Cover

New World Library

In The Hidden Spirituality of Men, Matthew Fox presents a book designed to show men how to shake off toxic stereotypes and embrace their inner, sacred selves by welcoming spiritual values that liberate the divine masculine. He covers how to heal and transform from trauma and societal expectations, but also how to work in tandem with partners embodying the divine feminine for powerful, respectful, and loving relationships. Although Fox's background is Episcopalian Christianity, his accent on archetypes and mythology make this a valid read for any Pagan, male or female.

07
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"The Pagan Man" by Isaac Bonewits

PaganManBonewits
Photo Credit: Citadel Publishing

From the publisher: "Isaac Bonewits, one of America’s leading experts on ancient and modern Paganism, breaks new ground with this fascinating portrait of the fastest growing religious movement in the Western world. Drawing on interviews with over forty Pagan men—and his own forty years in the Neopagan community—he explores the issues and desires that have led tens of thousands of men to embrace Pagan spirituality. He examines the ways in which men have created, added to, and benefited from the Pagan experience, incorporating their own rituals, rites of passage, and symbols. The Pagan Man offers novices and experienced practitioners a wide range of practical information on every aspect of the Pagan lifestyle."

In November 2019, the Druid organization Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF) that Bonewits founded, formally repudiated him. Bonewits, who died in 2010, was accused of the sexual molestation of at least one child. The group's public statement said, "Isaac Bonewits will no longer be named as a beloved ancestor of ADF, nor is he welcome at our sacred fire."

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Your Citation
Wigington, Patti. "Reading List for Pagan Men." Learn Religions, Feb. 8, 2021, learnreligions.com/reading-list-for-pagan-men-2562620. Wigington, Patti. (2021, February 8). Reading List for Pagan Men. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/reading-list-for-pagan-men-2562620 Wigington, Patti. "Reading List for Pagan Men." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/reading-list-for-pagan-men-2562620 (accessed March 19, 2024).