Question 13 (in the list of 44 questions that some Pagan Blogs are answering this month) is:
What are some of the Books that influenced you?
The Spiral Dance by Starhawk
This is the book that first introduced me to Paganism. It is very feminist but fair. A very good read from a historical point of view and for explaining each of the different elements.
Wicca: A guide for the solitary practitioner by Scott Cunningham
This book showed me how to put everything I learned in Spiral Dance together. It included simple spells, simple rituals and helps you to understand that Wicca is a place in your heart. Scott Cunningham was a very gentle soul and it came across in his writing.
A Witches' Bible: The Complete Witches Handbook by Janet and Stewart Farrar
This reads like a textbook - which is its intent. It can be very critical of society and of Christianity. For all of this it is essential to have this book in your library. It explains every precept of Wicca and gives historical references. It has wonderful rituals and pictures laid out to show you how to set up an altar or how to make a robe. It gives all the words for specific chants and magickal workings. It explains all sorts of beliefs like reincarnation, the Summerlands and the Law of Three.
The Witches' Goddess and The Witches' God by Janet and Stewart Farrar
These 2 books are also essential for your library as they have a quick summary of almost every myth imaginable. They do a great job of introducing you to The Gods and they leave enough of an opening for you to explore on your own.
Have a beautiful day!
DM
Laugh at me, go ahead. My first book was Teen Witch by Silver Ravenwolf. I read through the book with great interest. It was the ONLY book I'd ever found on witchcraft/wicca. It finally told me that witches do not worship the devil, they don't even believe in the devil, because that's a Christian belief. I also learned that you can be a Wiccan AND another religion at the same time. WHA??? I was enamored. From there I've read Scott Cunningham, Gardner, more Ravenwolf, Dorothy Morrison, and so many others I can't even say. I do own "Big Blue." :) You've got some good one's there. The only one I haven't gotten is the Witches Bible.
ReplyDeleteKari, I wanted to respond personally to you but Blogger is not letting me.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say that I would never laugh at anyway that you found The Path - Even the trashiest of books may lead you somewhere wonderful!
Blessed Be!