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Books : Religion & Spirituality : New Age : Occult : Witchcraft
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Some books on being a witch seem trivial, more about fashion than faith, slightly dubious. Others ring out with authority. Kate West's The Real Witches' Handbook is in the second category. West has been a witch for over thirty years, is high priestess of her own group of covens and, in a wider context, is former vice president and media coordinator of the well-respected Pagan Federation. She knows what she's talking about.West's book is simple, straightforward and down to earth. She describes what witchcraft is actually about, what witches believe and what they do, and how to make the first steps, whether on your own or with others. She emphasises throughout that this is a spiritual path, and is careful to correct common misunderstandings and to avoid any sensationalism.
Although witchcraft, Wicca or the Craft is growing rapidly, and is gaining more acceptance in wider society, many people are still uneasy about it, for all sorts of reasons. West suggests caution and common sense in letting others know that you're a witch, even providing a sample letter as an example of how to explain your beliefs to concerned friends.
While this book is written for anyone interested in becoming a witch, West is clearly aware of the growing interest of teenagers in witchcraft. She is very firm about saying that most reputable covens will not accept anyone under 18, and provides guidance on where to go for further information. This is one of the most sound and sensible introductory books on becoming and being a witch, and is highly recommended. --David V Barrett
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This 1986 classic is not only an excellent introduction to the Wiccan religion and earth-based religions in general, but a workbook which can take the serious student to the equivalent level of third degree Gardnerian. Though Raymond Buckland was a student of the late great Gerald Gardner, this manual does not adhere to a specific branch or denomination of witchcraft, but seeks to teach the elements and philosophies common to all whether Celtic, Saxon, Finnish or what have you. Buckland is credited with bringing the "old religion" to the US and covens and solitary witches practising the craft in the US today have him to thank for getting it out of the closet. While Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft is a must-have for any serious Wiccan practitioner, it is full of down-to-earth spiritual wisdom which makes it a wonderful addition to the library of any broad-minded seeker on the path toward the One. --P Randall Cohan
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Until recently Wiccans--the name that present day witches prefer--used to claim that their religion was a recreation, even a continuation of ancient beliefs widespread in Europe before Christianity drove them out. Most of today's Wiccans are more honest, more ready to accept that theirs is a new religion, self-consciously created to serve a need not met by existing mainstream religions.Ronald Hutton's The Triumph of he Moon is a history of modern pagan witchcraft, examining not only its origins half a century ago but the many ideas and enthusiasms of the last few centuries that paved the way for it. He finds powerful influences in 18th and 19th-century Freemasonry, 19th-century Rosicrucian-type societies, including the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, as well as in the tradition of wise women, dispensers of herbal remedies and folk wisdom. Interestingly, these last, who many Wiccans would see as the main forerunners of themselves, Hutton finds to have little real significance. With the benefit of scholarly insight, he also points out the unreliability of the most influential literary and / or supposedly academic works supporting the idea of ancient European religion, such as Charles Leland's Aradia, Margaret Murray's The Witch-Cult in Western Europe and The God of the Witches, J.G. Frazer's The Golden Bough and Robert Graves' The White Goddess.
Hutton, a regular contributor to TV documentaries about Neo-Pagansism, is Professor of History at Bristol University. The Triumph of the Moon is that rarity, a very readable academic book, which will be fascinating to anyone with an interest in the history of witchcraft. --David V. Barrett
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