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WICCA BY GERALD GARDNER

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Witchcraft Today by Gerald B. Gardner
A non-fiction book written by Gerald Gardner. Published in 1954, Witchcraft Today recounts Gardner's thoughts on the history and the practices of the witch-cult, and his claim to have met practicing Witches in 1930s England.

 

The Meaning of Witchcraft by Gerald B. Gardner
A non-fiction book written by Gerald Gardner, the "Father of Wicca", based around his experiences with the religion of Wicca and the New Forest Coven. It was first published in 1959, and proved to be Gardner's final book. It is a sequel to Gardner's previous book on the subject, Witchcraft Today, which was published in 1954.

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High Magic's Aid and A Goddess Arrives by Gerald B. Gardner

Fiction books written by Gerald.

 

 

WICCA HISTORY

 

Wiccan Roots by Philip Heselton

This book reveals a remarkable picture of the revival of witchcraft in England during the 1930s and 40s. Through years of research, the author has pieced together the story of how retired civil servant, Gerald Gardner, became involved in the worlds of naturism and folklore, which led him to discover a strange theatre run by an esoteric magical group known as the Crotona Fellowship. Here, he made contact with a family of hereditary witches, whom the author has been able to identify, whose lineage dates back to Napoleonic times. The personalities of two key figures in the story, 'Old Dorothy' Clutterbuck, in whose house Gardner was initiated, and Dafo, his High Priestess, are brought to life, and photographs appear for the first time. Whatever the truth about Dorothy's involvement with witchcraft, extracts from her diaries, never before made public, reveal her as a pagan at heart. New light is shed on the momentous ritual the witches carried out in 1940 when invasion threatened, including the probable identity of those who gave their lives in the cause.

 

Cauldron Of Inspiration by Philip Heselton

 

Witchfather Vol. 1 and 2 by Philip Heselton

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In Search of the New Forest Coven by Philip Heselton

In 1954 a book was published which claimed that witches were not just some historical oddity but that the author, retired civil servant, Gerald Gardner, had been initiated into a witch coven in the New Forest, Hampshire, England in 1939.

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Many dismissed his claims, but Philip Heselton, who has been investigating the story for over 20 years, is convinced that what Gardner wrote about the witch coven was essentially true.

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WITCHCRAFT (NOT NECESSARILY WICCA)

 

​The Call of the Horned Piper by Nigel Aldcroft Jackson
The symbolism, archetypes and myths of the Traditional Craft, or Old Religion, in the British Isles and Europe. An exploration of the inner symbology, sacred cycles, working tools, incantations, spells and pathworking of the ancient Witchcraft.

 

Witchcraft In England by Christina Hole
Witchcraft in England. Case histories survey the rites and practices of the Black Arts and illustrate ancient English superstitions.

 

Traditional Witchcraft: A Cornish Book Of Ways by Gemma Gary
A 21st century version of traditional Cornish witchcraft, of the kind recorded by Hunt, Bottrell and others. This is no neo-pagan or modern wiccan manual, but rather a deep drawing up into modern times of some of the ancient practices of lore and magic practiced by the white witches, charmers, conjurers and pellars of the Cornish villages. Their presence was still current when the 18th and 19th century antiquarians and collectors recorded them, and, although the 20th century largely put paid to their activities, nevertheless their lore never completely disappeared, and it continues to provide inspiration for practitioners today. Gemma draws on this knowledge, not only from published material, but also from the experiences and workings of ‘wise women’ and country witches living today. This book gathers much material together, some of which has not been seen in print before, and thus provides a sourcebook of magical workings in Cornwall today, which will be an invaluable reference
 

Aradia: Gospel of the Witches by Charles Leland
First published in 1899, Charles Godfrey Leland's ARADIA, OR THE GOSPEL OF THE WITCHES is one of the earliest documentary testaments to the genuine survival of ancient European witchcraft and pagan goddess religion well into the 19th Century, and has become a seminal inspiration for the 20th Century resurrection/reconstruction of magickal beliefs in the modern practices of Wicca and NeoPaganism.

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Mastering Witchcraft by Paul Huson

An enduring classic since its publication in 1970, Mastering Witchcraft is one of the best how-to manuals for those wishing to practice traditional European Witchcraft as a craft rather than a New Age religion.

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The Night Battles by Carlo Ginzburg
Carlo Ginzburg's The Night Battles is a remarkable tale of witchcraft, folk culture, and persuasion in early modern Europe. This book represents a huge step forward in our understanding of European shamanism. Ginzburg burrows deep into the 16th century Inquisition archives from the Friuli region of Northern Italy (where Latin, Slavic and Germanic traditions come together). He returns with a fascinating discovery of an ancient fertility cult, whose participants (the benandanti) represented themselves as defenders of harvest and fertility of the fields.

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Witchcraft and the Shamanic Journey by Kenneth Johnson (First edition was “North Star Road”)
This is an inspiring guide for those who seek to reclaim the ways and lore of their ancestors. Witchcraft and the Shamanic Journey reveals the spiritual experience at the core of the world's religious traditions―shamanism.

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Witches by T.C. Lethbridge

Being an investigation of an ancient religion involving the worship of Diana.

 

 

WICCA

 

An ABC of Witchcraft by Doreen Valiente

A fantastic book that approaches a variety of subjects relating to Witchcraft from A to Z.

 

Lid Off The Cauldron by Patricia Crowther
Patricia Crowther lifts the lid off the cauldron and reveals the truth about witchcraft, sharing its history and the methods and theory behind magic. This book also includes several interesting rituals.

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Witchcraft For Tomorrow by Doreen Valiente

Now reissued again due to popular demand, "Witchcraft for Tomorrow" answering many of the most frequently asked questions about witchcraft, such as How can I find a witches' coven? and How can I become a witch?, Doreen Valiente explains what the old religion of witchcraft has to offer the new age of Aquarius, how the age-old Craft of the Wise can be practiced in the modern world.

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The Elements of Ritual: Air, Fire, Water & Earth in the Wiccan Circle by Deborah Lipp

Many books may tell you how to cast a Wiccan circle, but none really bother to explain why. When you finish reading The Elements of Ritual, you'll know what each step of the circle-casting ceremony means, why it's there, and what it accomplishes.

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Traditional Wicca: A Seeker's Guide by Thorn Mooney

If you are looking to get involved in Traditional Initiatory Wicca this book is essential and necessary reading.

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Witch Amongst Us: The Autobigraphy of a Witch by Lois Bourne

Lois Bourne is that most fascinating of all figures, a proper English witch complete with psychic abilities, a treasure house of occult lore, and a lifetime of experience in this age-old craft. Here, she speaks openly about her adventures in the occult - taking care to explain the secrets behind these powers and to offer new insights into the realm of witchcraft. is an intimate, often witty and always wise look at an exceptional woman who has followed an exceptional way of life.

 

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MAGIC

Natural Magic by Doreen Valiente
This book helps you tap the magic of: herbs and flowers; amulets and talismans; Water, Air, Earth, and Fire; card reading; numbers and colors; weather predicting; love relationships; dreams; birds and animals; traditional Spells; and much more. Magic is meant to help people and "Natural Magic", essentially a practical treatise revealing the magic inherent in human life and nature, shows that magic can be for everyone. Both those who are new to the practice of magic and those with experience will find it to be delightful reading and an informative handbook for use in daily life.

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Psychic Self-Defense by Dion Fortune

Learn to protect yourself from psychic attack.

 

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PLANTS, HERBALISM AND BOTANY

 

The Secret Life of Plants by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird

In this truly revolutionary and beloved work, drawn from remarkable research, Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird cast light on the rich psychic universe of plants. Now available in a new edition, The Secret Life of Plants explores plants' response to human care and nurturing, their ability to communicate with man, plants' surprising reaction to music, their lie-detection abilities, their creative powers, and much more.

Witchcraft Medicine by Claudia Müller-Ebeling, Christian Rätsch and Wolf-Dieter Storl
"Witchcraft medicine is more than factual knowledge of medicinal herbs, poisonous plants, psychedelic compounds. It is the ability to converse with the animal and plant spirits and to forge friendships." So begins this manual on traditional European folk medicine, first published in German in 1998. The work of four writers including fluid translator Lee, this volume is not the pagan whirlwind concoction of recipes and how-to instructions that it might seem at first. It is instead a highly desirable reference work for people of many stripes: cultural anthropologists, gardeners, historians, ethno-botanists, mythologists and those broadly interested in Wicca. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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The Witching Herbs: 13 Essential Plants and Herbs for Your Magical Garden by Harold Roth

Harold Roth has always been an inspiration to me. His knowledge of plants and herbs is beyond comparison. I waited years for this book to be published and I was not disappointed. The information within this book is invaluable to the Witch who works with plants. The Witching Herbs, is an in-depth exploration of 13 essential plants and herbs most closely associated with witchcraft. The plants are poppy, clary sage, yarrow, rue, hyssop, vervain, mugwort, wormwood, datura, wild tobacco, henbane, belladonna, and mandrake.

 

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PAGANISM

Celtic Wisdom by Vivianne Crowley
This text describes the demise of the Celtic peoples and the reawakening of interest and awareness of the Celtic language, heritage and spirituality. It covers the eight major seasonal festivals of the Celtic calendar, and looks at the myths, gods, rituals, songs and traditions of the Celts.

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Ancient Ways: Reclaiming the Pagan Tradition by Pauline and Dan Campanelli

Wheel of the Year: Living the Magical Life by Pauline and Dan Campanelli
I recommend these two books for anyone new to Paganism. They are perfect books to get in tune with and to familiarize yourself with the Wheel of the Year.

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NEOPAGAN RITES

A Grimoire of Shadows by Ed Fitch

Magical Rites from the Crystal Well by Ed Fitch
First published in 1984, Magical Rites from the Crystal Well is a single, elegant source for NeoPagan lore, rites and celebrations. From the pages of the magazine Crystal Well, which in the 1960s and 1970s helped to shape the face of modern Earth-centered spirituality in America.

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OTHER PAGAN RELATED STUDIES

 

The Goddess Obscured: Transformation of the Grain Protectress from Goddess to Saint by Pamela Bergen
Recounts the story of the grain protectress, an image that has persisted from the ancient Near East to the classical world and still survives in folksongs and village celebrations today.

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The Stations of the Sun by Ronald Hutton

Comprehensive and engaging, this colourful study covers the whole sweep of ritual history from the earliest written records to the present day. From May Day revels and Midsummer fires, to Harvest Home and Hallowe'en, to the twelve days of Christmas, Ronald Hutton takes us on a fascinating journey through the ritual year in Britain.

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GAY / QUEER / TRANS

 

Outside the Charmed Circle by Misha Magdalene

Witchcraft and the Gay Counterculture: A Radical View of Western Civilization and Some of the People It Has Tried to Destroy

Queering Your Craft: Witchcraft from the Margins by Cassandra Snow

Postcolonial Astrology: Reading the Planets Through Capital, Power, and Labor by Alice Sparkly Kat

Arcane Perfection: An Anthology by Queer, Trans, and Intersex Witches 

Casting A Queer Circle: Non-Binary Witchcraft by Thista Minai

Queer Magic by Lee Harrington

All Acts of Love & Pleasure: Inclusive Wicca by Yvonne Aburrow

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HANDFASTING

 

Handfasting and Wedding Rituals: Welcoming Hera's Blessing by Raven Kaldera, Tannin Schwartzstein

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TAROT

Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom: A Book of Tarot by Rachel Pollack

A top tarotist's secrets to personal growth, one card at a time. The two volumes of Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom have inspired a whole generation of tarot students. It has often been described by readers, booksellers, and teachers as the "Bible of tarot readers."

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Tarot Made Easy by Nancy Garen

If you've ever been intrigued by the tarot but were confounded by the complexities of multi-card spreads and the vague interpretations given in most books, this is the guide for you.

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Tarot Plain and Simple by Anthony Louis

This book uses the Robin Wood deck as a reference which is a great book for Pagans or Witches. As the title indicates, this book presents the Tarot in clear language that anyone can understand. If you've had trouble learning the Tarot, this book gives the meaning of each and every one of the 78 Tarot cards―both in simple terms and in-depth ones, both upright interpretations and those for when a card is drawn reversed.

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