Mark's Recommended Reading List

The Witches’ Goddess: The Feminine Principle of Divinity by Farrar and Stewart Farrar

The Witches’ God: Lord of the Dance by Janet Farrar and Stewart Farrar

These two books are excellent companions to the Farrars’ earlier works, but they also stand alone as great guides to different Pagan Gods and Goddesses throughout different cultures and how you may be able to incorperate them into your practices.
Also includes some interesting cooking ideas.


The Witches Bible by Janet Farrar and Stewart Farrar

Probably the Farrar’s quintessential work (so far, at least). It provides an excellent basis for any practitioner by laying out all the essential information about the Sabbats, rituals, tools, beliefs and even some helpful insight on running your own Coven.


The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess by Starhawk

Not a book about Wicca specifically, but certainly drawing from it and lending to it. However, it does touch on witchcraft and energy workings as well.
This book still remains one of the most influential books in Paganism today and has been from the moment it was published in the 70’s.
Although this book takes a very feminist approach, it has done a great job at reviving and spreading the idea of the divine feminine.
These days, it may not be the best book on the market for those interested in Wicca, but it is definitely worth a read and quite empowering in it’s own way, especially for those seeking a connection to a Goddess based spirituality.


Circle of Fire - The Symbolism & Practices of Wiccan Ritual by Sorita D’Este and David Rankine

A good book discussing the why rather than the how of Wiccan ritualism. This book discusses the personal and ethical implications of magic through Wicca, as well as giving keen insights to the meanings behind Wicca’s ritual components.


Witchcraft for Tomorrow by Doreen Valiente

Following in the tradition of Gardner’s "Witchcraft Today", the first lady of Wicca explores the modern witch tradition and draws comparrisions witht he practices of other cultures throughout time.
This book is also a helpful "how to" guide that answers many of the questions that a new practitioner may be left asking.


Natural Magic by Doreen Valiente

Natural Magic is an instructional book that gives the reader knowledge in how to practice traditional forms of witchcraft, while keeping in time and allignment with the ways of the natural world. This book explores that natural side of magic, as well as the magical side of nature.


The Charge of the Goddess by Doreen Valiente

This is a book of Valiente’s collected poetry and it gives a real sense of the passion and artistry that lay behind her beliefs.
Depending upon what edition you get your hands on, this book also has images of her magical artefacts and a Theban witches mass.


Triumph of the Moon by Ronald Hutton

This book explores the history and theology of witchcraft right the way through to the Wicca of today. This book is the real counterbalance against the masses of fluffy books out there that attempt to make ridiculous claims about Wicca and it’s history.
Hutton is a genuine scholar and his recorded histories are both accurate and honest. He is easily the most well regarded historian in this field.


Witchcraft Today by Gerald Gardner

Gerald Gardner is the founding father of Wicca and so no collection of Wiccan books would be truly complete without this first Wiccan book.
Although this book in itself is absolutely terrible and contains some very bad attempts at scholarly investigation, it is nonetheless useful in that it reveals to the reader the origins from which Wicca has grown.


The Meaning of Witchcraft by Gerald Gardner

The meatier follow up to his earlier book "Witchcraft Today" in which he more boldly discusses his witch religion of Wicca and expresses his personal theories about the history of witchcraft in Europe.


Wicca by Vivianne Crowley

A very well respected author and High Priestess of both Alexandrian and Gardnerian traditions. She approaches all aspects of Wicca from a spiritual perspective as well as the perspective of the trained psychology. Interesting discussions on how Wicca works on the psyche as well as general psychological principles.


Hedgewitch by Rae Beth

Although not a specifically Wiccan book, it does discuss the more conceptual ideas common to solitary witchcraft and Wicca with regard to seasonal ideas and deities. An enjoyable book that is easy to read book. But be aware, this book was written prior to the dispelling of the "burning times" myth and so does have few bits of misinformation, by modern standards.


Fifty Years of Wicca by Fred Lamond

I am not afraid to say that I love this book. It is so easy to read and Fred Lamond is wonderfully insightful. He is one of the original members of Gardner’s coven and this book takes the reader on a personal journey that charts his life in Wicca and his relationship with the divine. He gives great opinions on magic and Wiccan practice, as well as an insiders view of the development of Wicca from the beginning to now, along with some interesting memories concerning it key movers and shakers.
I would recommend this book to anyone that wants a genuine insight into Wicca.


Gerald Gardner and the Cauldron of Inspiration by Philip Hestelton

Yet another history book but one of the few that is actually well researched and thoughtful in its approach to the background of Wicca.


Wiccan Roots by Philip Heselton

Another marvelous read from a very well respected researcher. Although Heselton seems to take a different opinion regarding the earliest origins of Wicca, as compared to other great historians such as Ronald Hutton, he is certainly fair and presents a great deal of interesting evidence. His approach is scholarly and the forward of this book is written in great respect by Hutton himself.
If nothing else, this book gives the reader some unique and previously unpublished insights into the lives and personalities of those who may have formed the New Forest Coven, into which Gardner claimed to be initiated.