(Part 2) Best products from r/witchcraft

I can't imagine why she would publish false information, but I guess maybe-possibly-potentially she did this to further an agenda of some sort? I haven't read much of her work as I'm not Wiccan, but it's enough to know she and people like Koetting (A grim-dark edgy emo occult author who charges like 800$ for his books) are to be avoided like the plague.

Any other books I could suggest?

• Call of the Horned Piper by Nigel A. Jackson Is a great read if you're interested in "traditional craft". He details the making of several important witching tools, from the stave (A staff of sorts, usually forked at the top) to the besom (a broom) to the athame (A Ritual Knife) and a bunch of other things.
  
  
• Treading the Mill I have not yet gotten my hands on this, but I see it often enough in trad. circles and even other authors recommend it so much for beginners, it's worth including.
  
  
• The Devil's Dozen: 13 Craft Rites of the Old One by Gemma Gary Gemma Gary is a highly respected author in the field of trad craft and Ye Olde British/Celtic traditions. Her books are eloquent, delightful, and historically sound, and honestly I consider her fairly unmatched in the field of British craft. I don't know if I would necessarily suggest her as the first author you should read, but she's definitely good and you should check out her works if you have the chance.
  
  
• Animal Speak by Ted Andrews A book on animals and the spirits of animals, it's a good solid read especially for beginning work with animal spirits and familiars. Once again, if you're into that.
  
  
• Sarah Anne Lawless's Blog - If you want to do some reading on the subject of Trad Craft, Sarah Lawless's blog is a good source. I believe her blog also has a list of recommended books for beginners too, if you want to check that out. :)
  
  I have other suggestions as well, but they're much more specified to trad craft, like Liber Nox, The Visions of Isobel Gowdie, Cunning Folk and Familiar Spirits, or New World Witchery's Blog, but I think you've got a good handle so far!
  
  Good luck on your path. :)
  
  
  

The Following list is taken from the Witches & Warlocks FB page. (This is Christian Day's group)

Witches and Warlocks Recommended Reading List
This is a collection of books recommended by our admins and participants in the group. Books must be approved by the admins so if you'd like to see one added to the last, please post it in the comments at the bottom of this list and, if it's something we think is appropriate, we'll add it! We provide links to Amazon so folks can read more about the book but we encourage you to shop at your local occult shop whenever possible! :)


BEGINNER'S WITCHCRAFT BOOKS

Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft
by Raymond Buckland
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0875420508

Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America
by Margot Adler
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0143038192

Grimoire of the Thorn-Blooded Witch: Mastering the Five Arts of Old World Witchery
by Raven Grimassi
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1578635500

The Inner Temple of Witchcraft: Magick, Meditation and Psychic Development
by Christopher Penczak
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0738702765

The Kybalion: The Definitive Edition
by William Walker Atkinson (Three Initiates)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1585428744

Lid Off the Cauldron: A Wicca Handbook
by Patricia Crowther
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1861630328

Mastering Witchcraft
by Paul Huson
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0595420060

Natural Magic
by Doreen Valiente
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0919345808

Natural Witchery: Intuitive, Personal & Practical Magick
by Ellen Dugan
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0738709220

Old World Witchcraft: Ancient Ways for Modern Days
by Raven Grimassi
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1578635055

The Outer Temple of Witchcraft: Circles, Spells and Rituals
by Christopher Penczak
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0738705314

Power of the Witch: The Earth, the Moon, and the Magical Path to Enlightenment
by Laurie Cabot
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0385301898

Solitary Witch: The Ultimate Book of Shadows for the New Generation
by Silver RavenWolf
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0738703192

Spirit of the Witch: Religion & Spirituality in Contemporary Witchcraft
by Raven Grimassi
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0738703389

Witch: A Magickal Journey
by Fiona Horne
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0007121326

Witchcraft for Tomorrow
by Doreen Valiente
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0709052448

Witchcraft Today
by Gerald Gardner
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0806525932
The Witches' Craft: The Roots of Witchcraft & Magical Transformation
by Raven Grimassi
http://www.amazon.com/dp/073870265X
The Witching Way of the Hollow Hill
by Robin Artisson
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982031882

WITCHCRAFT HISTORY AND RESOURCE BOOKS

Aradia or The Gospel of the Witches
by Charles Godfrey Leland
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982432356

Encyclopedia of Mystics, Saints & Sages: A Guide to Asking for Protection, Wealth, Happiness, and Everything Else!
by Judika Illes
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0062009575

The Encyclopedia of Witches, Witchcraft and Wicca
by Rosemary Ellen Guiley
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0816071047

Etruscan Roman Remains
by Charles Godfrey Leland
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1494302519

The God of the Witches
by Margaret Murray
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0195012704

The Weiser Field Guide to Witches, The: From Hexes to Hermione Granger, From Salem to the Land of Oz
by Judika Illes
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1578634792

ADVANCED BOOKS ON WITCHCRAFT AND MAGIC

Blood Sorcery Bible Volume 1: Rituals in Necromancy
by Sorceress Cagliastro
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1935150812

The Deep Heart of Witchcraft: Expanding the Core of Magickal Practice
by David Salisbury
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1780999208

Teen Spirit Wicca
by David Salisbury
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1782790594

Enchantment: The Witch's Art of Manipulation by Gesture, Gaze and Glamour
by Peter Paddon
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1936922517

Initiation into Hermetics
by Franz Bardon
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1885928122

Letters from the Devil's Forest: An Anthology of Writings on Traditional Witchcraft, Spiritual Ecology and Provenance Traditionalism
by Robin Artisson
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1500796360

Magical Use of Thought Forms: A Proven System of Mental & Spiritual Empowerment
by Dolores Ashcroft-Nowick and J.H. Brennan
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1567180841

Magick in Theory and Practice
by Aleister Crowley
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1500380679

The Plant Spirit Familiar
by Christopher Penczak
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982774311

Protection and Reversal Magick
by Jason Miller
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1564148793
Psychic Self-Defense
by Dion Fortune
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1578635098
The Ritual Magic Workbook: A Practical Course of Self-Initiation
by Dolores Ashcroft-Norwicki
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1578630452
The Roebuck in the Thicket: An Anthology of the Robert Cochrane Witchcraft Tradition
by Evan John Jones, Robert Cochrane and Michael Howard
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1861631553

The Satanic Witch
by Anton Szandor LaVey
http://www.amazon.com/Satanic-Witch-Anton-Szandor-LaVey/dp/0922915849
Shadow Magick Compendium: Exploring Darker Aspects of Magickal Spirituality
by Raven Digitalis
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VS0N5K
The Tree of Enchantment: Ancient Wisdom and Magic Practices of the Faery Tradition
by Orion Foxwood
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1578634075
The Underworld Initiation: A journey towards psychic transformation
by R.J. Stewart
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1892137038

HERBALISM, CANDLES, INCENSE, OILS, FORMULARIES, AND STONES

A Compendium of Herbal Magic
by Paul Beyerl
http://www.amazon.com/dp/091934545X

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs
by Scott Cunningham
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0875421229

The Enchanted Candle: Crafting and Casting Magickal Light
by Lady Rhea
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0806525789

The Enchanted Formulary: Blending Magickal Oils for Love, Prosperity, and Healing
by Lady Maeve Rhea
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0806527048

Incense: Crafting and Use of Magickal Scents
by Carl F. Neal
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0738703362

Magickal Formulary Spellbook Book 1
by Herman Slater
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0939708000

Magickal Formulary Spellbook: Book II
by Herman Slater
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0939708108


SPELLCASTING AND SPELLBOOKS
Crone's Book of Charms & Spells
by Valerie Worth
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1567188117

Crone's Book of Magical Words
by Valerie Worth
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1567188257

Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells
by Judika Illes
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0061711233

Everyday Magic: Spells & Rituals for Modern Living
by Dorothy Morrison
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1567184693

Pure Magic: A Complete Course in Spellcasting
by Judika Illes
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1578633915
Utterly Wicked: Curses, Hexes & Other Unsavory Notions
by Dorothy Morrison
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0979453313
The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook
by Denise Alvarado
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1578635136

The Voodoo Doll Spellbook: A Compendium of Ancient and Contemporary Spells and Rituals
by Denise Alvarado
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1578635543


THE ANCESTORS AND WORKING WITH THE DEAD
The Cauldron of Memory: Retrieving Ancestral Knowledge & Wisdom
by Raven Grimassi
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0738715751

The Mighty Dead
by Christopher Penczak
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982774370

Speak with the Dead: Seven Methods for Spirit Communication
by Konstantinos
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0738705225
The Witches' Book of the Dead
by Christian Day
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1578635063
_____
TAROT

78 Degrees of Wisdom
by Rachel Pollack
http://www.amazon.com/dp/157863408

I'm so glad you asked! There's actually a really affordable book called Modern Magick which I recommend to anyone starting out. In this book, Donald Michael Kraig gives clear and well-sourced information on the high magickal arts including a history of the tarot, a history of the Qabalah, magickal techniques, philosophy and much more. This book has been essential to my learning and understanding what magick really is. Within its pages you will also find many references to source material which you may find interesting as well! He encourages the reader to explore and form their own opinions based on scientific experimentation. The reader is also encouraged to take their time. I've had the book for a little over 2 years now and have only made it through the first 3 lessons..

I guess the main question for you would be, what are you interested in? There are so many books for so many veins of magick. You may be interested in black magick, spiritual growth, historical or philosophical curiosity, or perhaps you are interested to tip the scales ever so slightly in your favor. Whatever the case may be, there are many books with which you will find what you are looking for. I prefer the occult vein of magick myself.

Buy this book: https://www.amazon.es/Magickal-Protection-Against-Bullies-Violence/dp/1508842787

By Damon Brand.

In my opinion is it better if you learn to protect yourself because I think magick is about empowering yourself. If you go to another witch for help you always gonna depend on others to help you got better, and that is not true freedom.

I was cursed so many times in my life, the last one I was extremely suicidal and that book saved my life!!!! You don't need nothing but that book. It doesn't required any other tools (not even candles!). Gallery of magick and specially Damon Brand is the best magick teacher you could ask for if you are a begginer!

Good look, lots of blessings and be strong!! Don't be afraid, that just make htings worse. Trust your own power to get out of this.

Not sure if you're looking for something more New-Agey, but this is a great book that was recommended to me about faery tradition: http://www.amazon.com/Cunning-Folk-Familiar-Spirits-Shamanistic-Traditions/dp/1845190793/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458325340&sr=1-1&keywords=cunning+folk+and+familiar+spirits

Wilby examines specific recorded accounts of interactions between humans and the Good People, draws comparisons in connection to kinds of witchcraft (cunning folk specifically working as benevolent mediators), and then also relates these workings to the shamanistic tradition in Europe and the New World.


Another great book is R.J. Stewart's translation and commentary on Robert Kirk's "The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns, & Fairies": http://www.amazon.com/Robert-Kirk-Walker-Between-Worlds/dp/0979140242/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458326038&sr=1-7&keywords=r.j.stewart

This provides Kirk's relatively short manuscript of studies and theories on the Good People, which he skated a thin line of heresy on as a minister of the church. He worked to collect word of mouth instances and stories and applied them to what he knew regarding science and the church's world outlook. Stewart provides commentary and helps to round out the text, as well as speaks about Kirk's mysterious death and the possibility that he was actually taken to the Otherworld.

I have this Very Big Sketchbook as my Book. I hot glued in scrapbook paper from michaels, those are like .87 cents. And I print off all my work (spells pictures rituals) because I’m not sitting here writing everything down when I’ve already made my documents look nice.

I like this method because I can tear the paper out and the scrapbook background may be damaged a little, but I can always glue something back over it and tada like new. Also, I’m the only one whose ever gonna see it so I do what I want.

Edit: I LOVED watching charmed and always wanted a Book as thick as theirs so I really love this sketchbook and it was only $27.

Emma Wilby also wrote The Visions of Isobel Gowdie: Magic, Witchcraft and Dark Shamanism in Seventeenth-Century Scotland which is highly regarded in and out of magickal circles. But good luck getting your hands on a copy that costs less than an arm and a leg.

>“In this bold and imaginative book, Emma Wilby attempts to understand Isobel by taking us deeply into her culture and spiritual worldview. . . . With meticulous attention to detail, she reconstructs Isobel’s life as a poor, illiterate farmwife: her cultural horizons within the fermtoun, or small agro-pastoral community where she lived; her spiritual worldview, which combined Christianity with many aspects of folklore rooted in earlier cosmologies; and the likely sequence of events that led to her arrest and imprisonment. Wilby gives equally careful attention to the personalities and agendas of the men who questioned her, showing how a unique combination of personal, religious, and political ideologies came together in the small interrogation room, culminating in her remarkable performance. . . . No other author to date has come up with such a cohesive interpretation of Isobel’s confessions. In the end, this book does what good research should: provide us with provocative, original interpretations and raise questions for further exploration. Wilby’s book will be of great interest to folklorists, anthropologists, historians of witchcraft, and of course modern Pagan Witches.” —Sabina Magliocco, California State University, Journal of Folklore Research

Ohhh! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm totally over the moon with this style. I've learned on a traditional Rider-Waite tarot deck but I've never found one that had a nicer art style I liked without changing the actual deck structure. Most of them keep the traditional medieval style art which is not really my style.

Thank you again!

Link for the others!

Mmm... the sun, the empress, and the well made me think immediately of the three aspects of Triple Goddess. She goes by many names, and depending on her current phase, she may go as a maiden (sun), a mother (empress), or a hag (well). The fact you’ve got the well so many times may mean you’re forging a strong bond with the Dark Mother. She’s the powerful witch, she who reigns the underworld, the guardian of death. Depending on the pantheon, she may be the Morrigan, Hecate, La Santa Muerte, Persephone...

This is actually quite interesting!
I recommend you read this book: The Great Cosmic Mother: Rediscovering the Religion of the Earth
There’s a part that explains the connection of underground waters with the goddess, which may explain why you’ve got the symbol of the well.

You might consider the book Dark Moon Mysteries (link). Much of the book involves exploring the darker aspects of our psychology. This has nothing to do with giving in to dark urges, it has everything to do with developing a truly deep and comprehensive sense of self, including learning about and overcoming our psychological hang-ups.

Best of luck to you.

Living Runes by Galina Krasskova states that you have to earn the runes. You can pick them up and use them for readings beforehand, but to work well with them and use them easily in spells, you have to earn their respect and understand every nuance of their meaning. She writes that the spirits that correspond to the symbols are older than even the Norse gods, and even Odin had to hang on Yggdrasil for three days to earn the knowledge of how to work with them.

Living Runes: Theory and Practice of Norse Divination https://www.amazon.com/dp/1578636663/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3nZ2DbEQRMQCC

"The chief scientist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) turns a critical eye toward such practices as telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, and psychokinesis. Are such powers really possible? Science says yes. "

​

great book, great author, and it's awesome.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Real-Magic-Ancient-Science-Universe/dp/B07BGCQDR2/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=real+magic&qid=1554218054&s=gateway&sr=8-2

Anyone who feels called to do so :) I'm also a Filipina who feels called to practice magic, I recommend researching the Babaylan, the 'witches' of pre-colonial times in the Philippines.

This is a great book to familiarize yourself with the Babaylan spirit: https://www.amazon.com/Babaylan-Indigenous-Leny-Mendoza-Strobel/dp/1492247901/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=4W2GJXQ36HKFPSZPKWCP (Amazon is terrible but I can't find any other place that sells the book...) Or just doing research on the internet can turn up some really good free resources.

​

The Babaylans were the first that the colonists killed and fed to the crocodiles as she was/is the pillar of the community. I believe those of us (pilipinx) who feel a calling to magic are being reached by the Babaylan spirit :)

This makes me feel like we need a thread to talk about what we’re currently reading. I think that’d be cool.

I’m reading Magic, Witchcraft and Religion and re-reading Urban Shaman right now. First one’s a textbook so it’s really dry but it’s fascinating anyway. Second one is a personal favorite I keep going back to. And I was just gifted In the Devil’s Snare which I’ve been meaning to read for a while, so I’ve got my hands full too.

We just got out of Mercury Retrograde, went direct on the 28th. Here is my suggestion, get a copy of Utterly Wicked, Dorothy included a "Swifting Spell" that is fantastic for knocking out all of the bad crud. Another thing you can do is to open at least one window in every room and burn Dragon's Blood and Frankincense....start from the back or top floor of the abode and waft the mixture (in a fire proof dish/bowl) through every room, then leave it to burn out in a central part of the house. Carry Hematite, Carnelian, Amethyst, Aventurine and Moonstone in whatever color bag that you feel gives you power or are drawn to. Also, be sure your karma is clean. If you feel you've wronged someone, apologize for it ;)

Hope things get better for you.

I just bought this deck https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1572819251/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and so far it's been super nice to work with. Time will tell, though, as we're just getting adjusted.

if anyone is looking for a full size - i LOVE this one i got on amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00019H602/?ref=idea_lv_dp_ov_d

Plants are living things, so I don't see why not.

I haven't read this book myself, but from the reviews, it sounds like it could be helpful for you.

https://www.amazon.com/Llewellyns-Complete-Book-Correspondences-Cross-Referenced/dp/0738732532 is pretty great - cross-referenced and thorough. I don't follow a particular tradition and neither does this book, but you might like it anyway.

I'm not a witch, in fact I came here because I'm interested in witchcraft, but I found a book on Amazon that is precisely what you are worried about and has good reviews. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1508842787/ref=mh_s9_acsd_zgift_b3J0_c_x_7_w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=mobile-hybrid-12&pf_rd_r=ZCJHV1EJ5D5WBWSQE2CW&pf_rd_t=30901&pf_rd_p=6ea437b3-39b8-5161-96b1-b3e0f505d26c&pf_rd_i=12710

If she doesn't already have Donald Kraig's Modern Magick, it's a good and well rounded primer to a variety of topics. http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Magick-Twelve-Lessons-Magickal/dp/0738715786/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449722433&sr=1-1&keywords=donald+kraig

Scott Cunningham's The Magical Household is one of my all-time favourites, though anything by him really is excellent.

Can't recommend these enough:

Witchcraft in Europe, 400-1700 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0812217519/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_seDXDb5367ERH

Cunning-Folk and Familiar Spirits: Shamanistic Visionary Traditions in Early Modern British Witchcraft and Magic https://www.amazon.com/dp/1845190793/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_nfDXDbZWXFQX8

The Visions of Isobel Gowdie: Magic, Witchcraft and Dark Shamanism in Seventeenth-Century Scotland https://www.amazon.com/dp/1845191803/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_NfDXDbBKC83F0

My favorite right now is The Goddess is in the Details! https://www.amazon.com/Goddess-Details-Wisdom-Everyday-Witch/dp/0738714860

https://www.amazon.com/Masks-Misrule-Horned-Cult-Europe/dp/1898307679


https://www.amazon.com/Horned-Piper-Nigel-Aldcroft-Jackson/dp/1898307091

Good place to start.

I found them, thanks to another redditor below. mystic manga tarot

The Magical Household: Spells & Rituals for the Home (Llewellyn's Practical Magick Series) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0875421245/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Y509AbZGQP9V4

(That's not an affiliate link or anything, I just figured it might be helpful to link you directly to it.)

Lots of anthropology departments have a global magic and witchcraft course. You could flip through one of the textbooks as a starting point.

This is a later edition of the textbook from my college days. It's a solid, comprehensive look at magic practices from different cultures, including modern neo-pagan magic and Wicca: https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Witchcraft-Religion-Reader-Anthropology/dp/0078034949