Before I start answering your questions, I want to point out that you are pretty fixated on magic in your questions. I think it should be noted that magic, while it does have a relationship with paganism and some pagan traditions use it very heavily, is separate and distinct from the religious practices of paganism. Not all pagan traditions practice magic and its debatable that this sub is meant for the the discussion of the religious aspects of paganism rather than discussion of magic. You should by all means feel welcome to seek information about paganism here, but if magic is what you are interested in, you might have more luck asking in more magic oriented subs like r/occult or subs like r/Wicca or /r/witchcraft that cater specifically to the traditions that do use magic. I should also mention that I'm by no means an expert on paganism or magic, but I know a thing or two about a thing or two. On to the answers!

1. I recommend you start by reading as much as you can. There is a lot of information out there, specifically for wicca but applying pretty broadly to paganism, that you can find for free on the internet that should serve as an adequate introduction to paganism and the pagan magical practices. As you read those and learn more, you will be able to better discern good information from less useful information and better choose for yourself which tradition you feel is right for you, but as a beginner I'm of the opinion that even bad information will serve its purpose and later be discarded. I specifically recommend this book as an introduction to paganism (I know you have issues with your family, but if you can get a hold of it I personally recommend this book): https://www.amazon.com/Paganism-Introduction-Earth-Centered-Religions/dp/0738702226. Books by Cunningham, Buckland, and Oberon Zell are also pretty beginner friendly, albeit somewhat specific to their traditions. For a digital source, I recommend this: http://www.witchology.com/contents/opensourcewicca/gardnerianindex.php. It is digital collection of (supposedly) Gardner's book of shadows and it should serve as a good launching point into Wicca. I also recommend this guide: http://bluefluke.deviantart.com/gallery/52627976/THE-PSYCHONAUT-FIELD-MANUAL. It's specific to Chaos Magic (I'll talk about it in a bit) and not really pagan, but it covers the basics of magic very eloquently and succinctly. Even if you plan on following a more involved tradition, I think this document is a pretty good launching point.
   
2. It's easy to get caught up in the different traditions of magic and I think its important to understand that magic is not a D&D class. Its a practice for spiritual growth and, sometimes, for obtaining material gain. As such, I recommend you don't get hung up on the differences between different magical traditions or try to master all of them. Try out as much as you want and find a path that feels right for you. Having said that, you seem to already to be familiar with witchcraft, as exemplified by Wicca and the less popular Stregheria. This is a folk tradition of magic, more pagan than other paths and based on using tools that are already on hand. The hermetic tradition, as exemplified by the Order of the Golden Dawn, is a tradition that supposedly was created by Hermes Trismegistus, was heavily influenced by Cabalah, passed through Platonic philosophy for a while, and was eventually rediscovered in the Enlightenment and heavily Christianized. It is a very western school of magic and is very abrahamic in flavor and ideally involves a lot of props, specific incantations, and steps. It's also worth noting that Gerald Gardner borrowed many elements from the hermetic tradition when he was founding Wicca and drafting his original book of shadows. Thelema is the magical tradition of Aleister Crowley and was started when he decided that the Order of the Golden Dawn just didn't have enough Crowley in it. I don't know much about this tradition, apart from the fact that originates in hermeticism, but that's definitely a name you'll see around. Chaos Magic is a relatively new paradigm in magic, originating with the Illuminates of Thanateros and emphasizing that it doesn't matter what trappings you use in magic as long as you personally believe that they will work. There are of course various indigenous practices of magic and you might find them interesting to read about, but I recommend you stay clear of them if you aren't a member of that culture. Its a respect thing and, if you're approaching these traditions as an outsider, there's a lot that you won't understand anyway. If you do seek out these traditions, I recommend you find a teacher who can properly initiate you, and one that is actually a member of the culture in question. I definitely recommend you don't seek out Shamanism unless you're called to it (and you'll know if you are).
   
3. Other people have said this, but Witchcraft and Wicca are actually not synonymous. Wicca is a tradition of witchcraft, as are other traditions like Stregheria and arguably Voodoo, but witchcraft itself is separate from these and there are many witches who prefer not to associate with such labels. You can call yourself a witch if you feel that the term applies to you. Or you can call yourself simply a pagan if you choose to generally follow a pagan path.

This stone was placed in Jonestown, Pennsylvania. This is my twenty-first placed stone in the United States. See my history for the others, placed in different states.
I’m an over the road trucker (Semi Truck) so this is how I’m able to travel quickly.

Two people were involved in calling child protective services on my wife while I’m away traveling. My wife is a stay at home mother who has cancer. The two people spread vicious rumors that I had abandoned my wife and children, called Child Protective Services, and then claimed they were going to personally adopt our children.

1. The 33 days to completely neutralize the two individuals involved are up. The one who was close friends with my wife lost her job. She was later seen mowing her own and her neighbors yards to have her rent reduced by her landlord.
   The second individual involved deleted her Facebook, reported to mutual friends that she was “backing down from her CPS threat” and was now “scared”.
   After completing this 33 Stone Ritual I will be solely focusing on mass healing rituals for my wife and putting this specific retribution ritual behind me. I don’t believe I will be doing revenge rituals again.
   
   
2. Who knows about my magic practice/ curse?... Absolutely no one knows I practice any form of magic. My wife knows I meditate and thinks I’m a bit woo, but that’s it.
   
   
3. I’m using sharpie to draw King Paimon’s sigil on a palm size stone that I find at or near the location. This is a show of appreciation for King Paimon who’s gone out of his way for me.
   
   
4. How did I evoke King Paimon?.... I meditated into gnosis and called upon King Paimon, I do not use physical means of doing so. This is just MY method. I commented this to a fellow Redditor:
   My wife called me sobbing while I was it of town for traveling. She told me everything that was happening. After we got done talking I went into a rage where I I wanted to hurt someone. I don’t remember ever being that angry but I laid down and just meditated. I eventually called on King Paimon begging for help. This ritual flashed into my head, along with the number 3.
   I added 33 stones in 33 States to go big and I wanted plenty of time to do it, so 333 days. It just felt right.
   So I just focused all of my energy on these two people involved. I asked for them to be tormented, suck their health and energy and give it to my wife as retribution.
   
   
5. If you think this is going to disrupt your own magical practices by me placing these sigilized stones in your neck of the woods then place your own and fight back. I’m not going to stop until this is done. And I have more rituals planned after that which will span the entire country. There are quite a few magicians talking and acting witchy, but only a handful doing something. Are you a magician or just a bum who shares edgy witchy memes?
   
   
6. Why King Paimon? ....I chose King Paimon because he’s the most powerful entity I’ve been working with for the longest and he’s been patient and understanding with me. You go to those you know when you have a big favor.
   
   
7. What are the basics or how to summon entities?...
   I am not an expert. I’m an eclectic magician that uses what works and tosses what doesn’t. This ritual works for me, it might not for you. If you are a beginner you need to get your basics down. You wouldn’t make a paper airplane then suddenly decide you’re ready to fly fighter jets. Please for your safety read the basics.
   But here is a very basic appetizer to give you a little edge to the machete that you’ll need to carve your own path in the jungle that is occult information:
   
   Start here: This is an easy comic to give you the basics and get your feet wet.
   
   https://www.deviantart.com/bluefluke/art/The-Psychonaut-Field-Manual-FOURTH-PDF-EDITION-530005584
   
   The Last Podcast on the Left
   (a podcast... hail yourselves....) has episodes on the occult, the right hand path, the left hand path, chaos magic, Aleister Crowley, and a few others I’m forgetting, it’s beginner friendly. And it’s hilarious.
   
   This is kind of a text book that you can follow if you want a thelemic approach.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0970449607?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_yo_pop_mb_pd_t2
   
   Also I recommend Gems of the equinox.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1578634172?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_yo_pop_mb_pd_t2
   
   This is very beginner friendly and highly recommended:
   https://www.amazon.com/Prometheus-Rising-Robert-Anton-Wilson/dp/0692710604
   
   This is a fantastic meditation app, free, and very beginner friendly.
   https://www.insighttimer.com/meditation-app
   
   I also use Cryo Chamber records to put myself into the setting I need:
   http://www.cryochamberlabel.com/allreleases/?a=776
   It’s ambient sounds like space, polar wastelands, lovecraftian beings in the middle of the ocean. Very good stuff. And most can be found on YouTube.
   
   **
   
   I do not recommend summoning powerful entities without first summoning “safer” beings such as ancestral spirits, but you are going to do what you want. I did. And it’s worked for me. But PROTECT yourself.
   
   You need to get meditation and focus down pat. I’d recommend evoking an ancestor first since they should have your best interests. Then moving onto other entities.
   The Goetia can be friendly, indifferent, malevolent, or simply plain alien. (Think lovecraftian incompressible)
   I know King Paimon and Duke Bune are friendly to beginners, overly patient and open as long as you recognize their rank, are humble and respectful.
   This doesn’t mean try to enslave them. That’s not going to work out great for you. What would happen if you blackmailed a powerful head of state of a country? It’d annoy him and in turn people would find you suicided with a double shotgun blast. Approach them like you would meeting a friendly CEO and you should be fine.
   
   Ultimately realize that you can follow in the footsteps of someone else, but that’s only going to put you on the path devoid of what will really fulfill you. You eventually need to fly, baby bird, And ever off cutting your own path. Don’t get to smug when you get a little practice under your belt.
   There’s always someone better than you, mr. 3rd level armchair wizard who collects 1st edition books from the bookstore only three people in Portland know about.
   
   
8. Thank you for all the kind words and support! And to people who disagree with this ritual, and have been amicably in their disagreement, thank you as well!

It's amazing how quickly the Mahayana course has gone by, as we're nearly at the end of the third of four units. As of last night the opportunity to take the bodhisattva vow has appeared on the horizon, and I am delighted by the fact that it's an intensive process. Within Dharma Ocean one's participation is considered totally in preparation of the vow, and if the staff coordinating the ceremony has concerns they'll voice that within a meeting with you. It's a serious commitment and they remind you every step of the way. I had been planning on taking this vow since taking refuge earlier this year, but upon hearing about it on the call last night I feel as though sucked in by a karmic vortex. Feeling the heart center and energy flare in response, there's a joyful sense of choicelessness. Once one takes the vow there's a 300 hour training program one undergoes with the guidance of a mentor, which I anticipate will give practice that much more focus and grounding (in terms of taking the full Dharma Ocean journey). Granted, there's other requirements preceding Vajrayana training, so I still have a long ways to go.

Elsewhere, imaginal practice is dovetailing with magick very elegantly. I recently read Six Ways, which offers a ton of different practices from various traditions, and having done so lots of dimensions opened up. Basically, I'm practicing magick as a means of deepening spiritual practice, cultivating artistic tendencies, and also enlivening enchantment with perception. In imaginal practice / journeying, the sense of being able to traverse other places feels very solid physically and vivid visually. Interacting with certain imaginal figures has been very profound, and a certain experience lead me back to dream practice once more. In previous reports where I've had a go at writing and dreamwork, I was coming from a place of intellectual fascination (especially with Dream Yoga) and a sense that I should (have to) do them. And since I've been keeping a daily practice log the habit of logging dreams is easier to take on.

The Diamond Approach work has been very subtle, usually with Inquiry being an orientation that arises improvisationally within practice or off-cushion. Haven't been able to meet up with my dharma friend as often as we had been due to scheduling conflicts. However, I had a video chat with the DA student in my Mahayana class, and it was awesome to pick his brain about what the last ten years of practicing with the DA has been like. It's incredibly compelling but requires an intense dedication to. No clue how that'll pan out long term given my commitment to Dharma Ocean, but for now seeing a teacher regularly has been a lot of fun and helpful too.

A few weeks ago my spouse mentioned how dramatically I had changed for the better ("a 180") in the last year regarding specific patterns of interaction. Given that deeper meditation work is so subtle and not glamorous to talk about, satisfaction in growth and change is usually a private pleasure. But being a softer, more open, loving, and less reactive person is definitely what I'm in it for, so it was uplifting to hear such feedback.

>I would also like to start 'working' with a higher entity. I'd like to make contact with my HGA, but am not adept enough to perform The Abramelin Operation (seems very scary).

The Abramelin Operation is a bit dated and a lot of people (not all though) use Crowley's Liber Samekh Ritual to establish contact with the HGA. It's supposed to be performed astrally several times a day. Lon Milo Duqette wrote a clearer explanation than Crowley did of how to perform the ritual in his book A Handbook of the Rituals of Thelema. However, that's not usually the first step in contacting the HGA. In Crowley's system, a person must :

1. Gain control over the body of light and rising on the planes. This is often assigned due to the fact that, as I already said, the ritual is not suppose to take place on the physical plane, rather in the astral one after rising on the planes.
   
   
2. Master Asana and Pranayama. Asana is being able to sit completely still in a single position without moving a single muscle for a prolonged period of time and Pranayama is breath control. This is because the HGA is often seen as your subconscious mind and these meditative practices are necessary to be able to quiet your conscious mind so that you may better hear and listen to your subconscious. If you'd like to read more about this, I'd recommend Liber ABA
   
   
3. Master ceremonial magick techniques (i.e. Star Ruby, Star Sapphire, lesser rituals of the pentagram and hexagram, greater rituals of the pentagram and hexagram, etc.) and develop a better understanding of ritual. This is obviously assigned due to the fact that in order to successfully perform a ritual to invoke the HGA, you need to have an understanding of ritual and ability to do it.
   
   
4. Perfect the art of Bhakti. Bhakti is complete devotion to a deity. It includes such things as devoting all acts (i.e. eating, drinking, sleeping, working, breathing, etc.) to the chosen deity, developing a mantra for the deity and reciting it constantly in your head every second of the day without stopping, developing an invocation to the deity, performing ritual service for the deity several times in a 24 hour period including the middle of the night, modeling yourself to behave like the chosen deity, etc. This is necessary as it helps develop the one-pointed focus and devotion needed to successful invoke the HGA. If you'd like, you can read more about this in Liber Astarte
   
   >I would love suggestions from you all regarding anything that would help me practice low-level ritual work!
   
   I'd recommend trying out
   
   The Star Sapphire
   
   The Star Ruby
   
   The Greater Ritual of the Hexagram
   
   The Lesser Ritual of the Hexagram
   
   The Solar Adorations
   
   The Threefold Eucharist
   
   The Mass of the Pheonix
   
   The Form of Hoor-pa-kraat
   
   >Are there any other ways to do this? I feel an affinity toward Angelic forces and have a keen interest in Enochian but am unsure where to begin.
   
   If you're looking to get into Enochian magick, (which I would highly recommend; it's one of my favoritae systems of magick) I'd recommend reading Enochian Magick in Theory and Enochian Magick in Practice by Frater Yechidah.
   
   >I have stayed away from Goetia thus far and would like to focus a little more on white magick (not because I think Goetia is 'wrong'; its just not for me right now). However, I am curious if The Key of Solomon would provide any use for someone wanting to learn about white magic? Am I correct in stating that the astrological pentacles are of use for the magus to use at their will?
   
   I wouldn't classify the Goetia as black magick. Demons in the occult are not the same as demons in Abrahramic religion. In fact, I (as well as others I have talked to) have noticed that the Enochian angels are very similar in character and personality to the Goetic demons. I would also not characterize the Key of Solomon pentacles and sigils as black magick.
   
   But to answer your questions; yes, anyone could use the pentacles (with or without conjuring any of the Goetic demons; the consecration rite for them does not include any evocation, just a blessing) and see results.
   
   As for general books I would recommend to a beginner:
   
   The Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed Ben Clifford by Lon Milo Duquette
   
   the Golden Dawn by Israel Regardie
   
   The Mystical and Magical System of the A .'. A .'. by James A. Eshelman
   
   777 And Other Qabalistic Writings by Aleister Crowley
   
   Gems From the Equinox by Aleister Crowley and edited by Israel Regardie
   
   
   
   

You can most certainly think of some prayers on your own— after all the Gods do want to hear from YOU. I use a few different books to help me out with set prayers. They are these books:

1. https://www.amazon.com/Hellenic-Polytheism-Household-Worship-1/dp/1503121887/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=hellenic+polytheism+household+worship&qid=1565962177&s=gateway&sprefix=hellenic+pol&sr=8-1 (a wonderful book to help get you started. Lists prayers, how to make offerings, etc.)
   
   
2. https://www.amazon.com/Orphic-Hymns-Translation-Occult-Practitioner/dp/0738753440/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=orphic+hymns&qid=1565962224&s=gateway&sprefix=orphic+h&sr=8-1
   
   
3. https://www.amazon.com/Praise-Olympus-Prayers-Greek-Gods/dp/1105553272/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=hellenic+prayer&qid=1565962244&s=gateway&sr=8-4
   
   The last two list hymns and prayers to different Gods and they’re just wonderful. My prayer routine at night for example consists of praying some of the prayers in these books to the Gods Im closest too, then I i pray this prayer (https://pieandhotdogs.tumblr.com/post/129529920089/daily-hellenic-polytheist-prayer-evening) and then I say different prayers to the different Gods—I talk to them personally, thank them for all the blessings, ask them to protect me, any special petitions, etc. Usually I pray with a candle lit and some incense burning. Offerings can consist of different things—food, coins, wine, etc. I use sea shells and rocks for Venus since she came from the sea, plastic little dolphins for Neptune since he’s the King of the Sea, olives for Athena. Basically, things that mean something to the Gods. Doesn’t have to be too elaborate :)
   
   Your last question is a really good one and one I can’t immediately explain. Sometimes you just feel it— i always feel sooo calm when praying to Hestia and Venus. And sometimes you see manifestations of things you pray for under the realms of certain Gods. I ask Apollo for help with writing at times and when the inspiration comes I feel very connected to him. I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful on that question—although it is a good one!

This is exactly why I decided not to go into the sciences. They're just so devoid of meaning in most areas unless you get really lucky. Otherwise you're stuck with a 9-5 working for some corporation that isn't doing any kind of meaningful work, or even work with a big payoff waiting at the end like curing a disease you're passionate about eliminating, or creating a wonderful piece of technology. I wouldn't work with spirits, personally, if by that you mean angels and demons or ghosts.

There is a place for the essence of consciousness in things, for example m1thr0s once told me that he would not been able to divine the secrets of the I Ching so readily if he did not, on some level also love and respect Fu Hsi or King Wen, as there is a kind of consciousness link going on there that lives in infinity.

Some deities have been very helpful to me, not so much with finding a very lucrative career, but in aiding me financially so I had the time and energy to both manage a household and an occult business (The Abrahadabra Institute) the goddess of happy households, Hestia. She is helpful in a way that is not time consuming or intrusive and her presence is only asserted when she thinks it is very important, for example, getting married to the right person or calling attention to things to refocus on the happiness of the family, like making a special dinner or freshening up the decor. Anyone who has been to my house knows I'm basically Suzie homemaker and most of this I would attribute to her influence and my natural Yin inclinations. I sort of invoked her on a whim one day and she has stuck with me ever since then, much to my surprise. So yeah I would recommend Hestia since it doesn't sound like you're in need of anything "occult" right now, and she deals with the basic desires and happiness of earth-bound life.

With Hestia, in the traditional way which can be acquired from the LABRYS Polytheistic Community in Hellas:
https://www.amazon.com/Hellenic-Polytheism-Household-Worship-1/dp/1503121887

You want to always have a flame going in the house, somewhere. If that is a gas stove, great, that is also her traditional location, the cooking fire. If not, you can use those cheap mexican candles they sell for witchcraft at the grocery store in the glass vials, unless you have a cat they will burn for a week and not go out.

Hi, not Wiccan, but eclectic druid, which is also a subset of Paganism. There are loads of online communities to check out! Firstly, I'd say browse the r/wicca, r/pagan, and r/druidism (shameless plug lol) subreddits, as they're filled with loads of info and opinions. Be warned on r/pagan, since there are LOADS of different types of pagans, you'll get some wildly different opinions. There's plenty of other subreddits (r/witchcraft, for example), but those were the ones I started with.

I also love the Pagan channel on Patheos, which if you haven't browsed before, is a really interesting conglomeration of religious blogs. While I don't use it very often, WitchVox is also referenced as a really good online hub for finding local groups.

For books, this one is a fucking fantastic introduction to Paganism as a whole. It was my first real read on the topic. For Wicca in particular, Scott Cunningham is typically the one people point to for learning how to practice solitary. I also found Wicca for Beginners to be a super quick but useful intro. If you want a more general history of witchy goddess nature-worshipy religions, I am currently reading Drawing Down the Moon and love it.

Finally, if you have any Unitarian churches in your area, reach out-- they frequently have pagan or earth-centered study groups you can always visit!

Like I said before, I'm way more druidy, so if you want suggestions for learning about that (or just want to talk pagan-y things to admittedly a baby pagan), lemme know! :)

Yes. I became interested in Viking culture not long before I heard of the show, but the show has definitely helped keep my curiosity going. My interest in Norse history goes like this:

• Interest spiked after realizing Immigrant Song by Led Zepplin is about Vikings (around mid 2012-ish)
  
  
• Started looking into the culture, discovered Wardruna
  
  
• Bought a book about runes, the myths, etc
  
  
• Vikings comes out on History channel (I remember thinking, "Man, Wardruna should do music for this show!" And then mfw)
  
  
• Recently started looking into Asatru and stuff that is still going on in this age that can be tied to Vikings
  
  My interest in the Vikings isn't necessarily about the specific dates, locations, etc. It's more about the lifestyle, the myths, the attitude they had. And Vikings does a great job, IMO, of keeping that interest going. It's inspiring me to get in touch with nature again, learn how to do things I've never done, etc. Plus it's entertaining!
  
  EDIT: Here's the two books I've bought (so far) regarding Viking history. You'll note that they're basically children's books. The first one deals with the myths on a children's story level, the second has more in depth analysis on the myths, but without the pictures. I think simply reading about the things the Vikings may have lived by is better than just learning what date Bjorn raided "whatever-land". Anyways, here's the two books I have:
  
  Book of Norse Myths: Kid's book with pictures, walking you through the myths on an introductory level
  
  The Norse Myths: A much more comprehensive book about the myths
  
  I also have two other books related to Norse history or culture:
  
  Practical Guide to the Runes
  
  Practical Heathen's Guide to Asatru: For learning about the way a heathen's mind works and how he lives his life. I don't follow the stuff in the book, but I'm putting some of it into practice as I explore my ancestral connections

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law!

I will answer some of your questions in random order. I am a Thelemite but in no way do I speak for all Thelemites, or for Aleister Crowley.

First off, I would start by contacting Seven Spirits Camp in Tucson. They will no doubt be able to answer many of the questions you have. I would also consider purchasing a copy of "Liber ABA: Book 4" which is arguably one of the most important books any magickian could own. It contains, among others, "The Book of the Law" and "Magick in Theory and Practice"; the latter being a book that will answer many of the questions you asked in your post (and many other questions as well). MTP is, in my opinion, the best book on the subject of magickal practice ever written. Liber ABA is an expensive book but believe me when I tell you it is worth every penny and a whole lot more!

As for other occult groups, you will find people from all of them associated with Thelema. Thelema is not a doctrine that pushes out other beliefs and all of us began somewhere else before coming here. I myself came to the OTO as an ordained Gnostic Luciferian priest. Thelema fit well with my existing beliefs and complimented them nicely. I've met Wiccans (which, by the way, Crowley had a hand in helping to found), Satanists, and even ex-Jehovah's Witnesses if you can believe that! We all share one thing. We are each looking to understand the truth within ourselves. You must do the same for "Thou hast no right but to do thy will. Do that and no other shall say nay."

Good luck in your journey!

Love is the law, love under will.

1. You end up interacting with the spirit world as part of Wiccan practice. The Gods are part of the spirit world so we don't "believe in" so much as work with them.
   
   
2. Probably the best easy to read beginning book ever, True Magic: A beginners Guide by Amber K: Llewellyn Publications; , 2nd Edition (2006). For more complete and extensive reading our coven has a recommended book list we want our witches in training to read.
   
   
3. Tarot cards from good artists are better than most hand made cards. A hand made athame or other item is really good. However do not turn away from those who make and sell their art and craft work. But, do not haggle over the price.
   
   
4. Doing magic together is a big part of being in a coven. A coven is a group Wiccan friends who celebrate, party, and do magic together. A bigger group of witches makes more powerful magic.
   
   
5. Wiccan altars are a place to put your working tools during ritual. They are NOT a sacred shrine. In the last few years quite a few solitary wiccans are creating shrine altars which are really not from traditoinal Wiccan practice. It helps the solitaries feel connected since they have no other connections.
   
   
6. I've never found those monikers useful. Witches I know all do some of this or some of that depending on what's going on this week.
   
   
7. Don't wear a big silver pentacle to your day job, especially if the company owner is of another religion.
   
   
8. Many questions is one of the reasons I always recommend finding a local coven (group of Wiccan friends). Those who have been practicing for a few years can answer your questions and guide your path.

I am a recovering Christian (grew up Southern baptist, eventually went non-denominational) who is looking for a path of some kind.

My wife has always related to and followed paganism and very easily went back to it after our schism from the church. My mother very strongly associated with Celtic beliefs (our family way back was from the Isles) but she passed away before I was able to talk to her about them in depth. I'm struggling to define what I feel, believe, and desire.

I mention my previous Christianity because that is all I've ever known. I practiced for 39 years of my life by devoting myself to one figure head, reading from one specific book, and channeling one specific spirit. The switch to paganism and its leniency on such practices is both freeing but also a huge adjustment for me to make. I'm not saying I want to devote, read, or channel paganism the same way I did Christianity but I just don't know where to begin. I would love to meditate and see visions of something to lead me where I should be or have dreams that introduce me to something or someone to guide me.

My apologies if this comes off as more of a word vomit than anything else. I would love and appreciate some insight or advice on how to begin this journey. The Seeking website linked above is already open in my browser and I plan to read that. I've also been reading Paganism: An Introduction to Earth- Centered Religions as well. But nothing beats Reddit and hearing from people who have been there themselves.

You could try summoning Orobas, and asking him. He's supposed to be relatively friendly and doesn't usually lie to the mage and doesn't try to fuck you over. He is #55 in the Lesser Key (The Crowley, Mathers, Conybear one). His shit says "The Fifty-fifth Spirit is Orobas. He is a great and Mighty Prince, appearing at first like a horse; but after the command of the Exorcist he putteth on the Image of a Man. His Office is to discover all things Past, Present, and to Come; also to give Dignities, and Prelacies, and the Favor of Friends and of Foes. He giveth True Answers of Divinity, and of the Creation of the World. He is very faithful unto the Exorcist, and will not suffer him to be tempted of any Spirit..."

I think he is usually one of the first entities people summon for this reason. I know, like, Lon Milo DuQuette summoned him for help and he helped him get out of some dire financial straights. So if you're up for working with demons again I suggest giving him a shot.

I think this is supposed to be the better version of the Lesser Key https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/157863220X/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

That's all I can think of at this moment, hope it is helpful.

777's great to have on standby as a handy reference, especially when you're constructing rituals & operations, at the most basic level it helps to get things just so 😃
I'd say 'Living Thelema' is an excellent intro to the subject and always good to get different perspectives on things-even if some it is the similar info. It's packed with really good explanations of and guides to basic and some more advanced ritual & practice & lots of advice concerning self-motivation & personal daily practice etc. No better or worse, but for me slightly more approachable is Lon Milo Duquette's 'The Magick of Aleister Crowley; A Handbook of The Rituals of Thelema'

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1578632994/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_5SuTzbDZ5ZDM6

They actually work well in tandem & compliment each other nicely. There's a 'Speech in the Silence' collection of lectures & podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/speechinthesilence

Lots of groovy stuff on there covering a wide range of Thelemic subjects. David Shoemaker does a lot of podcasts on the channel lecturing on much of the ground that's covered in 'Living Thelema' It's not exactly an audiobook but great to listen to whilst you're doing the washing up! Lon Milo Duquette does a few on there too along with IAO131 & others. Well worth a listen to get a handle on contemporary Thelemic thinking.
Enjoy & good luck! 👍

It sounds like you have the vibration thing figured out, but if you struggle with it, you could practice out loud when you have privacy to get a feel for it.

Yes, those are the tools I was talking about. If you can store that stuff discretely, then you should be good to go for continuing with the book.

For book recommendations, I will first give the disclaimer that I’m not an expert/adept/whatever, there are many books to choose from, and different people would recommend different books. Also, it is a common mistake (that I’ve made myself many times) to jump from one book/system to another without working any of them long enough to make meaningful progress. The key to progress is putting in the work and sticking with it—not finding the best book. If you like Modern Magick, you should continue to work with it until you've gotten everything from it that you can.

With that in mind, I will say that I am fond of John Michael Greer as an author. While I’m more interested in his work on Druidry, he does have a trio of books, which I've seen recommended, that relate to the kind of magick in Krieg's book:

Learning Ritual Magic

Circles of Power

Paths of Wisdom

Israel Regardie's The Golden Dawn is probably also worth reading for the original GD teachings that JMG and DMK learned from.

Like what?

My statement was probably overly strong, but the point is that chimeric legendary creatures are fairly rare. There's obviously tons of supernatural powers in North American Native mythology - shapeshifting, spirits, etc. But most creatures or spirits are man-like or animal-like or abstract (the wind, the dawn, etc.) Sometimes giant or otherwise unnatural, but rarely chimeric like winged horses, lions with man heads, etc.

A great example is Lakota mythology. Everything is spirit or ethereal or is represented by a known animal - eagles, frogs, beavers, bison, etc. The only abnormal ones are usually human - having two faces, for instance.

This runs directly opposed to a lot of Eurasian Mythologies that are full of fantastical creatures like the Manticore, the Chimera, Dragons, Qilin, Phoenix, Simurgh, etc. etc.

It would be very, very odd that 90%+ of the spirits, gods, etc. of native american tribes are represented by known animals except for ones that strongly represent Sasquatches.

The only other example I can think of off the top of my head are 'horned serpents' - snakes that have horns growing out of their head. And most of those, iirc, are tribes that were closer in proximity to Mesoamerican tribes which did have a lot of fictional creatures in their pantheon.

Lastly, I'm not an expert in Native American folklore and there are a lot of various tribes on the continent. Could definitely be some legends I'm not aware of. But I have heard the same argument before by people more knowledgeable than me, especially about tribes that traditionally inhabited places that are now strongly associated with 'bigfoot'.

Kathy Strain, an anthropologist, has a great book about the wealth of Native American legends that strongly tie into the Bigfoot legend.

Ok, having been down this road many years ago there are a few things I would do. First invest in this book. It will help answer a large amount of the questions you are about to get.

Two, remember that all paths are valid. With this in mind attacking your parents belief isn't going to win you points, rather explaining that "While Christianity may be right for you, I don't feel it's right for me." Will most likely get you a little farther.

Three, your parents are going to be upset, but only if you make it a fight and dig your heels in. Approach it slowly, give them time to get used to this idea. Let them know you will still respect their holy days, if they insist that you go to church tell them that you are willing to go on holy days (Christmas/Easter) for the family, not because your christian anymore (after all if your secure in your faith what harm will it do to make your family happy?) In the mean time though do things that include your family in your choices, make a nice dinner for your family on December 21st. Use a yule log as the center piece at Christmas dinner. At Easter, play up the bunny and eggs.

I was a lot like you once. My mother and I both dug our heels in and fought about this for a long time. It was only later after years that my mother and I reconciled and it took her learning about Wicca, and me willing to accept that just as I loved craft, my mother loved Christianity and despite what the church has turned it into overall the original intent of Jesus was for everyone to try to get along and love each other even though sometimes people are jerks. Remember to see beyond today and tomorrow, take it slow, let people get used to it and don't become ridged, this is a time to be like the willow, not the oak.

I love esoteric stuff!

The 19th century occultist Joséphin Sar Peladan wrote in his work Comment on devient mage:
"Do not look for another measure of magical power than that the power within you, nor for another way to judge a being than by the light that he sheds To perfect yourself by becoming luminous, and like the sun, to excite the ideal life latent around you—there you behold all the mysteries of the highest initiation." There's merit in that.

Mind you many esoteric subjects as well as occultism are riddled with a lot of bullshit and many critics take advantage of that to discredit it altogether - but there are gems to be found.

I'm reading a book at the moment called Learning Ritual Magic: Fundamental Theory and Practice for the Solitary Apprentice - it's quite interesting.

Any reading recommendations and resources will be appreciated if linked in this thread. Things like mentalist and good magic tricks (not cheap gimmicks), showing people cool stuff and having them ask "how did you do that?!" is really enjoyable and people remember it.

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

Buckland's book is huge and essentially reads like an encyclopedia. You might not subscribe to a subset of the material, but it's great to get ideas.

I can attest that Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham is a good read. That might have been the one you read. Also, Wicca for Beginners is pretty good if you're still looking for intro material.

I've also found Full Contact Magick to be useful, though there isn't really anything about altars in there.

Handfasting and Wedding Rituals has some Greek weddings, and some specifically gay Pagan weddings. Hellenic Polytheism: Household Worship also contains a wedding ritual as well.

Are there deities you feel exceptionally close to? They should be a part of it. If not, Hera, Aphrodite, Eros and Hymen are certainly important, as they are deities of love, and you may also wish to call upon gods of gay love (Aphrodite again, Dionysus, Antinous).

As a gay man who also hopes to one day get married (At the theatre of Dionysus, if it works), please feel free to share your ideas!

Hello mate, I would recommend you this order: First of all, The Norse Myths:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0394748468/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687622&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B002HLAF32&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=5ST3KMPDJ47HVWWV2AW4

The who´s who in nordic pantheon. Has the most known myths plus a superb introduction to cosmology. Myths are in chronological order, from Ginnungagap to Ragnarok. The writing is very good, adult-oriented with some touches of dry humor.

After it go for the 2 Eddas. Why is important to know about the myths or the gods? Because all the books you are going to read name or make references to the gods or to myths or both. You will want to know what on Midgard are they talking about.

After that, if you want to know more about Asatru specifically, read in this order:
The Asatru Edda
https://www.amazon.com/%C3%81satr%C3%BA-Edda-Sacred-Lore-North/dp/1440131783/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1473832369&sr=1-1&keywords=asatru+edda

The Norroena Society made a superb job publishing this Edda taking away all the christian influence. Really great job. They made with the Eddas what Dr. Viktor Rydberg did with the teutonic myths.

Next in line:
A Practical Heathen's Guide to Asatru

https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Heathens-Guide-Asatru/dp/0738733873/ref=pd_sim_14_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=8M3GCMHG28EVGP5090FX

Exactly what it says.

Now, if later on your path you feel the itch to learn more about teutonic myths, their social construct, history etc etc let me know that I can recommend more books depending on your needs.

You have a tiny fraction of the bases covered, but you're better off than many people. Some people only read Scott Cunningham's Wicca: A Guide and call it a day.

You really ought to learn of the history of religious witchcraft in the 20th century, the many layers of symbolism and tradition in Gardnerian and Alexandrian witchcraft of the 50s and 60s, then the spread and change of the newly arrived Pagan and witchcraft scene of the 70s and 80s in America, which leads to Dianic Wicca, Eclectic Wicca, and finally the form presented in Scott Cunningham's books and most, if not all books published in the past ten years (and continuously) by Llewellyn.

Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler: https://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Down-Moon-Witches-Goddess-Worshippers/dp/0143038192/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469827845&sr=8-1&keywords=drawing+down+the+moon

Then eventually learn of the history not of the religious traditions of witchcraft which have caught on by many, but the figure of the witch as a religious follower (as opposed to an evil baby-killer, a Halloween decoration, or something dreamed up in the minds of the Catholic church with no foundation in actual religion).

Aradia: Gospel of the Witches by Charles Leland: https://www.amazon.com/Aradia-Gospel-Witches-Charles-Godfrey/dp/0982432356/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469828055&sr=8-1&keywords=aradia

Ecstasies: Deciphering the Witches' Sabbath by Carlo Ginzburg: https://www.amazon.com/Ecstasies-Deciphering-Witches-Carlo-Ginzburg/dp/0226296938/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1469828085&sr=8-4&keywords=carlo+ginzburg

The Witch Cult in Western Europe by Margaret Murray: https://www.amazon.com/Witch-Cult-Western-Europe/dp/1515244024/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1469828141&sr=8-2&keywords=witch+cult+western+europe

and then, in a timeline-fashion,

Witchcraft Today by Gerald Gardner: https://www.amazon.com/Witchcraft-Today-Gerald-Gardner/dp/0806525932/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469828213&sr=8-1&keywords=witchcraft+today

Then learn how religious witchcraft, as presented by Gerald Gardner and his covens, was and is practiced, the meaning behind the practices, and why the meanings matter.

A Witches Bible by Janet and Stewart Farrar: https://www.amazon.com/Witches-Bible-Complete-Handbook/dp/0919345921/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469828310&sr=8-1&keywords=witches+bible

Also inserted in this section might easily be Buckland's Book of Witchcraft, but I don't personally recommend that book as it does stray from Gardnerian tradition in many respects, sometimes changing whole chunks of traditional texts to a more Pagan or celtic format, and conveniently brushes over the use and symbolism of an important tool, the scourge, in witchcraft. But there are many good pieces of knowledge in that book.

Its also important to read up on influential figures in the Craft movement, and their thoughts, opinions, and reasonings behind their beliefs.

Firechild by Maxine Sanders: https://www.amazon.com/Fire-Child-Magic-Maxine-Sanders/dp/1869928784/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469828518&sr=8-1&keywords=maxine+sanders

King of the Witches by June Johns: https://www.amazon.com/King-Witches-World-Alex-Sanders/dp/B000NT7OYI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469828547&sr=8-1&keywords=king+witches+june

And there's so much more, probably more books than anyone could ever read and find all of.

And one of the best sources of knowledge of the Craft is an experienced High Priest(ess) within a coven that knows their stuff. Much of witchcraft's knowledge comes from its mysteries, which must be experienced to understand.

Good luck on your journey.

Most pagan religions — reconstructionism, Shinto, Shenjiao, Hinduism — have much the same approach: you share food and drink and make symbolic offerings like fire and incense. Actions can also be offerings, like song, music, and dance. A bunch of flowers is always nice. Then there are gifts like statues, paintings, or just nice objects. Ancient Greeks offered everything from pottery animals to sea-shells. Of course votives like that do tend to build up: temples used to bury them eventually! Gifts to charity can be vowed as offerings to appropriate gods — I give annually to a hospice in honour of Hades and Persephone and to a veterans' charity for Ares.

A good book is

Hellenic polytheism: household worship

and you can find more advice on specific gods at

https://neosalexandria.org/the-pantheon/

My two favorite books on this subject are

The Witches Bible by Janet and Stewart Farrar -- This is actually a complation of two books. The first of which is "Eight Sabbats for Witches" which gives a great and very detailed explanation of each of the Sabbats. It helps that I'm a big fan of their writing. This is big on history and where we get some of what we do. The differences between Candlemas and Imbolc for example.

The second is Laurie Cabbot Celebrate the Earth: A Year of Holidays in the Pagan Tradition a very sensible lay out of celebrating the Sabbats and a how and why. She also goes into various traditions for each holiday.

Magick is for all, I would recommend working on the kabbalah for a start, or reading the liber 4, not necessarily in that order, maybe try liber 4 and then A Garden of Pomegranates by Israel Rgardie and Mystical Kabbalah by Dion Fortune. The Hardcover edition of Liber 4 is a great edition. I have it and it is amazing, and not as complex as most of his writings. This book has a lot of appendixes too, that helps. Having the Thoth Tarot deck and the Book of Thoth and studying its correspondencies with the tree of life is very helpful too.

Fascinating readings anyway.

About what he is in relation to mankind, better judge yourself from his writings.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Book-Thoth-Egyptians-Equinox/dp/0877282684/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z

http://www.amazon.com/Thoth-Tarot-Deck-Aleister-Crowley/dp/1572815108/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1422560601&sr=1-1&keywords=thoth+tarot+deck


http://www.amazon.com/Magick-Liber-ABA-Book-4/dp/0877289190/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1422560336&sr=1-2&keywords=magick

http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Pomegranates-Skrying-Tree-Life/dp/1567181414

http://www.amazon.com/Mystical-Qabalah-Dion-Fortune/dp/1578631505/ref=pd_sim_b_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=0TNF7RPG3Y67DX4G00QH

WiccanTogether has been an amazing source of information and like-minded people for me.

Paganism is an umbrella term for anything that falls under non-Abrahamic or mainstream religion- so it's A LOT. I would highly recommend the book Toward the Wiccan Circle and Paganism: An Introduction to Earth Centered Religions.

I would also recommend searching the following YouTube channels:

• MoodyThursday (myself)
  
  
• CharmingPixieFlora
  
  
• Pagyptsian (especially the older videos)
  
  
• DragonFeather369
  
  Although some of the above resources have been labeled as "Wicca", they are a great platform from which to jump towards your own specific brand of Paganism :-)
  
  Blessed Be (And feel free to PM me)

Welcome to the community! There's really no right or wrong way to start, but as far as a "newbie"/beginner goes, there are a couple beginner's guides that I'd recommend any interested novice pick up. Wicca For Beginners is a great place to start for a general overview of the practice. A more extensive guide would be A Witch's Bible, and if you're looking for more Druidic/"Green Witch" type material, the Grimoire for the Green Witch is pretty extensive.

That should about cover basic/introductory stuff. I've been practicing Wicca my entire life, so feel free to PM me if you've got any questions. I'd be more than happy to introduce you to Paganism.

Well first of all Bless you for taking on the responsibility. My experience has been that it is tough to assume leadership roles in these types of groups. You might want to consider switch off the leadership roll yearly or something like that otherwise you will get burnt out. Especially where none of you are formally trained or have initiations under your belt. You will want to make sure that you monitor your energy levels and also try to keep drama at a minimum. I suggest the following book to help you out [Wicca Covens] (http://www.amazon.com/Wicca-Covens-Start-Organize-Your/dp/0806520353/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409673519&sr=8-1&keywords=wicca+covens) Also there is this book that will help you take your studies to the next level the second circle I hope that helps.

I recently fell into the Occult world as well. A was given a deck of tarot cards. It was the Rider-Waite deck. I started reading about it and a spark lit. Now I am consuming everything I can get my hands on.

I like MindandMagick as well. Also, I found this video on the Hermetic Principles very helpful and well explained.

As for reading, I have started reading the Liber Null by Peter Carroll and Condensed Chaos by Phil Hine. Recommend both if you're interested in Chaos Magick.

Some of the seminal works on Wicca are Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner. by Scott Cunningham and Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland.

Good luck on your journey. Personally, I am starting small by working on my meditation, mindfulness and single-pointed thought. Also, studying the tarot a few cards at a time.

Sounds like what you're looking for is traditional polytheism or Reconstructionism, Dodekatheism/Hellenismos in particular given what you've already studied and heritage. As such, you're not likely to find much of that in most pagan groups as the majority tend to be Neopagan, often heavily borrowing from Wicca.

Though based in Greece, I think YSEE has an active chapter in NYC. Another group to look into online is Elaion which has members in North America and parts of Europe. I don't think there are local gatherings per se but likely members who are in NY and perhaps people could arrange to meet up. The group does have what they call PAT rituals (Practicing Apart Together) so that members worldwide engage in the same festival at the same time.

Another group to look into (but is based in Greece) is Labrys. They also offer a wealth of information and they've published a very accessible primer in modern Hellenic practice which has been translated into English, Hellenic Polytheism: Household Worship.

Edited to add: also, a subreddit of interest r/HellenicPolytheism

Oooooh, I'm actually not all that familiar with Early Modern Germany, but I think I've found a few books that may help you with the religious, political and military aspects. Some of these books are pretty expensive, so I'd recommend finding a good library or seeing if your local library does inter-library loans with larger libraries. Usually you have to read the books pretty quick, but it saves paying $150 for a book if you're not in a position to do that. Just be sure to take plenty of notes!

I'd also be willing to look at what you've got but, like I said, I may not be as useful as I first thought.

The Reformation: A History

The Thirty Years War: Europe's Tragedy

The Rise of Modern Warfare: 1618-1815

The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe

The Witchcraft Sourcebook

Germany and the Holy Roman Empire: Volume I

Society and Economy in Germany, 1300-1600

Flesh and Spirit: Private Life in Early Modern Germany

Panaceia's Daughters: Noblewomen as Healers in Early Modern Germany

Ecology, Economy and State Formation in Early Modern Germany

Crime and Culture in Early Modern Germany

The Martial Ethic in Early Modern Germany: Civic Duty and the Right of Arms

He Is the Sun, She Is the Moon: Women in Early Modern Germany

The Realities of Witchcraft and Popular Magic in Early Modern Europe: Culture, Cognition and Everyday Life

The Lesser Key of Solomon

The Art of Combat: A German Martial Arts Treatise of 1570

Here are the books I started with that have been very helpful...

I did not start with the Eddas, I started with this book...

[The Norse Myths by Kevin Crossley-Holland](
http://www.amazon.com/Norse-Myths-Pantheon-Folklore-Library/dp/0394748468)

It is a modern launguage retelling of the Lore in an easier to follow format. I read this book first so I have an understanding of the specific myth then I dive into the Eddas.

I also purchased a few Asatru specific books that give an overview of the Gods and Goddesses, give a brief history lesson, and discuss some of the rituals of Asatru like Blots, holidays, toasts, ect.

Essential Asatru: Walking the Path of Norse Paganism

A Practical Heathens Guide to Asatru

and

Heathenry: A Study of Asatru in the Modern World This one I have not read yet so I have no idea how good it is.

I also purchased The Prose Edda: Norse Mythology

I have a really hard time reading the Eddas since I have always had a hard time with that type of poetry so I have only purchased the one Edda and I am slowly making my way through it. There are a few different Eddas out there so read reviews of them on Amazon before buying to see what everyone is saying about it.

I didnt do this with the Asatru Edda and after I bought it found out they tend to fill in holes in the myths with their own assumptions. Im not educated enough to give examples but most of the reviews mention it. I was advised not to read that version until I become more familiar with the Lore as it was written first. Also, this book is as physically large as a school text book. It is soft cover but very awkward to hold and read.

Good luck. I am very much a beginner but have found the above resources helpful.

I am assuming you mean pagan origins for christianity. This what I remember from Catholic school.

When the Roman Catholic Church came to Britain and Ireland, Gaul had already brought Druidism over to the islands. So they had many holidays. In order to convert people they added a ton of "saints" to the canon. These included St. Bridgid and other females because they were such popular goddesses that the church could not stop the heathens from worshiping them.

Likewise, as /u/cheesehead144 pointed out, many holidays in the new christian faith were placed to overlap with druidic holidays. They also built the churches in the sacred groves and other nature sites holy to the older faith(s). These acts were done to promote the new religion of the land by crushing the old one.

It is also partly to blame for the way women were treated in those countries. A Patriarchal religion cannot have strong female leaders.

Wikipedia has some good articles about the early history of the catholic church in regards to Gaul, Britain & Ireland.Wikipedia: Catholicism

Also the druid page talks about it.

There are several books talking about the transitional period [Druids] (http://www.amazon.com/The-Druids-Celtic-Priests-Nature/dp/0892817038/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1404615377&sr=8-3&keywords=druids) for instance.

Also some good primer books include Paganism: An Introduction to Earth Based Religions and it's sister book Pagan Spirituality. They are both a workbook type book designed to help you grow your chosen path.

As far as did pagan faiths around the globe affect other religions, I am less able to answer. When I think pagan I tend to not include faiths that remain steady from before christ's time. Such religions as Tao, Buddhism and Norse.

I do believe that all the faiths from early recorded history play a major part in our development intellectually, artistically and spiritually as a world. Each new religion must build upon the one they conquered, or else face resistance.

As for the connection astrologically, Wikipedia describes the Age of Aquarius pretty clearly.

> The Age of Aquarius is an astrological term denoting either the current or forthcoming astrological age, depending on the method of calculation. Astrologers maintain that an astrological age is a product of the earth's slow precessional rotation and lasts for 2,160 years, on average

> In 1929 the International Astronomical Union defined the edges of the 88 official constellations. The edge established between Pisces and Aquarius technically locates the beginning of the Aquarian Age around 2600 AD.

There seems to be no real link with Christianity and the astrological ages at all, let alone the [Age of Aquarius]
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrological_age#The_Age_of_Aquarius_.28The_Aquarian_age.29) Astrology was used by Islamic, Greek, Egyptian, Indian & Japanese cultures, but seems to be more of a scientific pursuit (astronomy) in christian cultures through the world.

TL;DR: Religions build upon the one they conquered, or else face resistance and astrology does not appear to have christian connections.

Sidebar and wiki, obviously. You might also want to try out a couple books and resources to get you started. I'm partial to Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions to give an overview of all of the various aspects of nature-based religions (so it covers Wicca, modern druidism, and other paths).

If you're looking for more of a magical introduction, though, Lisa Chamberlain's Wiccan series isn't abominable. "Wicca for Beginners" is a good read in particular if you're looking for more on specifically Wicca.

Be aware that there seem to be as many interpretations of the Wiccan path and magic practice overall as there are stars in the sky and so you'll run across people who will disagree/despise any book you pick up. Also, for many, Wicca is a religious practice, not just a magic path. (For me, magic and religion are deeply intertwined.) So it's not just "sorcery" or a magic path that you're going to be exploring--you'll also be learning about deities and spirits that many practitioners truly believe exist and should be respected/worshiped for magic to "work."

... and then you'll run across Wiccans who say the gods are allegorical and it's all just a symbolic way to think about cosmic energy. It runs the gamut.

So yeah, start there, and it ought to give you a pretty good foundation from which to continue your magical and spiritual explorations.

Yes! There are quite a few (at least as far as pagan groups go). There's a large hellenic polytheist community on tumblr (just search tags like hellenic polytheism, hellenismos, or different deities). Here is the wiki article. There have been various groups slowly gaining popularity since the late '90s in and outside of Greece. This book describes what day to day Hellenic worship looks like.

Indigenous polytheism is typically a-doctrinal, and pretty much any reconstructionist or recon-derived religious body is going to be likewise. So there is no one book about "Nordic beliefs", nor any central text that will let you practice as a "Norse Pagan". If you really want to read about the mythology, you can't go wrong with the Eddas and Sagas, and you can choose a translation of your liking for that one. But, it cannot be understated, that mythology is not religion, and if you're interested in approaching Norse Paganism (Heathenry or its derivatives) seriously, you'll need to look into more of the contemporary practice. A book like this one is a good place to start.

If not and you're just interested in the mythology, then /r/Norse is thataway.

I understand entirely. You don't need teenage wannabe Wiccans. You need real lifelong Wiccans. For someone in your situation I strongly recommend a good recent book written by a friend of mine. Traditional Wicca: A Seeker's Guide by Thorn Mooney; Llewellyn Publications, (July 2018) It is a good book about traditional Wicca, why its important for beginners, and how to find a coven.

I am brand new to the theory of Thelema. I was overwhelmed by the amount of material, all of which seemed to be absolutely mystically esoteric. From a bit of study and opinion I found that Book 4 is the magnum opus for Aleister Crowley's work, and was written as a straight forward guide; understandable to beginners and full enough to continue improving the adept.
Last week I purchased the second revised edition and could not be more pleased with my introduction to Thelema.
This is where I recommend to begin. I have not set it down since it arrived and have gone from a minor curiosity to a full study of each text it references; many of which are included within it's appendix.

Magick: Liber ABA, Book 4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0877289190/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_XL0OAbWWKM3BR
It is a sizeable book with a price to match, but it is the corner stone; beautiful and durable I will add.

Every book recommended for students can be found here as well.
http://www.astrumargenteum.org/en/library/

Some of the books are not linked in the A.'.A.'. website, but can be found in a quick copy paste the title Google search.

Good luck...oh and a good book to get them is When Someone You Love is Wiccan

It is very helpful

> IMO: Let's do this with Lessons 1 and 2 at the same time. I'm currently reading Cicero's auto-initiation. There are a few nice and simple practices in there that we could use :)

I'm going to put up a Lesson 2 post probably on Sunday. At some point, probably soon, I'd like to talk about "additional practices." I mean practices from books other than MM-- the Cicero book is a big one, and also a couple of John Michael Greer's books (Paths of Wisdom and Learning Ritual Magick) that can be usefully incorporated into the Modern Magick regimen. I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts. Are you working with the god-forms from Self-Initiation?

You can find the Equinox online here.

The print edition of Book 4 is much better than any of the online copies I've found. However, I find that Daniel Ingram's guidance on breathing and meditation is more direct and easier to follow.

You may want to look into a few Crowley biographies before you dive too deep into purchasing all of his books. Context may help you decide whether you want some guidance here and there or are ready to commit to the entire path.

Are you a person that's into crafting, painting, woodworking, etc.? If so, studying a little about Thelemic symbols or magickal tools could give some ideas on how to create a unique item for using in a magickal ritual.

If not, Etsy is a fun place to find occult gifts like magickal tools (wands, pantacles, cups, swords, robes, tarot cards, talismans, crystals, art) from craftspeople that specialize in this kind of thing. Almost all aspiring magicians need some or all of these things for ritual in the Thelemic system.

You could also get 'blank canvas' type tools for the magician to create their own talismanic work: a nicely crafted blank notebook as a grimoire/magickal journal or large format blank art paper (and paint/markers/pens) to create sigils, seals, and pantacles.

The books of Thelema are nice for collecting as well, if she doesn't already have these:

• Magick: Liber ABA (Book 4) (Aleister Crowley's Magnum Opus - Magick in Theory and Practice)
  
• The Equinox (Vol 1. Nos. 1-10) (10 Volume series - The Official Organ of the A∴A∴)
  
• Gems from the Equinox ("greatest hits" of the above complete Equinox)
  
• Modern Magick (Thelemic influenced system of training, in more modern English than Crowley's writing.)

ust think of the Gods and ask for their help or favor. You dont need to create massive altars or anything yet. You are just in the learning stages, but I do recommend these books.

1st. Hellenic Polytheism by LABRYS

Due to the fact that the book give you a starting point. Easy to read and very informal to give you a basics as a starting point. Scripts and photos as guides.

2nd Kharis: Hellenic Polytheism Explored by Sarah Kate Istra Winter

Still a beginner book, but with more detail on relationships with the Gods, festivals, and rituals.

I second The Longship.

​

Asatru is a type of Heathenry. Heathenry is an umbrella term for religions, philosophies, piety, lifestyles that are based in Germanic Paganism and/or Germanic Pagan culture.

A good place to start is reading books.

Here are the ones I recommend:

A Beginner's book: https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Heathens-Guide-Asatru/dp/0738733873/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542673929&sr=8-1&keywords=heathenry

​

And the Poetic Edda translated by Jackson Crawford: https://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Edda-Stories-Hackett-Classics/dp/1624663567/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542673980&sr=8-1&keywords=jackson+crawford

​

Also, for some spiritual music to meditate to, I recommend starting with

Wardruna: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fnPwj1AMpo

And this song by Heilung: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqdk34f210w

​

Ancestors are very important to Heathenry, so I would meditate on some of your ancestors that have passed on, if you don't already.

​

Connect with the energies of your local land and woods. Some Heathens think these energies are literal beings called Land Wights. Some see them a bit more fluid and amorphous but still relational energies tied to the local land.

​

I also recommend learning a bit about the three major ritual forms: Blots, Sumbels, and Fainings.

​

At least, these are the places I would begin.

I'm not sure about essential to every occult library (and I realize some of these aren't necessarily considered primarily 'occult' texts), but here are a few I've found useful:

• The Golden Dawn - Israel Regardie
  
• Morals and Dogma - Alfred Pike
  
• Modern Magick - Donald Michael Kraig
  
• The Secret Teachings of All Ages - Manly P. Hall
  
• Initiation into Hermetics - Franz Bardon
  
• Sefer Yetzirah - Aryeh Kaplan
  
• The Secret Doctrine - Madame Blavatsky
  
• Liber Null & Psychonaut - Peter J. Carroll
  
• The Book of Thoth - Aleister Crowley
  
• Undoing Yourself with Energized Meditation and Other Devices - Christopher S. Hyatt
  
• Prometheus Rising - Robert Anton Wilson
  
• Enochian Vision Magick - Lon Milo DuQuette
  
• The Chicken Qabalah - Lon Milo DuQuette
  
• Brain Magick - Philip Farber
  
• Info-Psychology - Timothy Leary
  
• Beelzebub's Tales to his Grandson - George Gurdjieff
  
• Initiation, Human and Solar - Alice Bailey
  
• The Red Book - Carl Jung
  
• Principia Discordia - Malaclypse the Younger

I recommend Paganism: An Introduction to Earth- Centered Religions
And good luck my friend

Reading Crowley in original can be hard, especially for a non-native speaker. I usually recommend Lon Milo DuQuette: The Magick of Aleister Crowley as a starter. It offers very good and easy to understand instructions and explanations for the main important rituals, including pentagram and hexagram rituals.

Judy Harrow was an amazing woman, outstanding Priestess, and phenomenal teacher. I wish she had written more books during her lifetime.

That said, one of the books she wrote is on the subject.

https://www.amazon.com/Wicca-Covens-Start-Organize-Your/dp/0806520353

My suggestion is to take LaVeyan Satanism(and the Satanic Bible) with a grain of salt, at least when you are starting out. I'm not saying there isn't something deeper to any of it, but a surface reading is going to get you mired in what is largely a satire on Christianity aimed at duping the credulous into giving the Church of Satan money.

As you read any subject you should not be doing so with the express purpose of looking for something to believe in. Discover what you believe in as you go based on your experiences and through finding out what will produce results, because ultimately if it doesn't change your life and help you manifest your will/desire, then it's not worth anything more than make believe.

Develop critical thinking skills

I normally recommend these works for beginners:

The Disinformation Guide to Magick and the Occult

Liber Null

Condensed Chaos

If I had to point out a book that is good for teaching the beginner a little bit about heathenry, and more importantly about the basics of heathen thinking, I would suggest A Practical Heathens Guide to Asatru by Patricia M. Lafayllve. It's by no means perfect (I haven't found a beginners book that is), and includes a few things I'd rather see left out, but it's the best beginners book I've personally read.

The best information comes from personal experience. That said, there is significantly more useful information in printed books than on the internet: Try books by Marian Green, Ronald Hutton, and others (disregard pretty much anything published by Llewellyn unless it was written by Scott Cunningham [who despite "fluffy bunny" leanings knows his stuff, herbally] or another author you know to trust).

You might also want to hang around the magical blogosphere at places like Runesoup, Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom, Witch of Forest Grove, etc. The Lucky Mojo Curio Co. site is tacky as all hell (deliberately so) but an incredible resource, just bear in mind that Cat Yronwode (though very well-informed) is not the end-all be-all to conjure.

[Edited for Lucky Mojo typo and to add links]

It is very difficult to establish any kind of reading order for occult studies. Occultism itself is an infinitely tangled strand of truths, half-truths, and lies. It is difficult (perhaps in possible) to identify a starting point and (getting lost is part of the fun).

Nonetheless, I will do my best to identify some possible entry points.

• Crowley Created a reading list for A.'.A.' initiatives. This is not a bad place to start if you are interested in the Thelemic approach.
  
• If Chaos Magick interests you, Liber Null & Psychonaut is not a bad place to start.
  
• My personal favorite approach would be to start withUndoing yourself with energized meditation and other devices After sufficiently "deprogramming" yourself, you may hugely benefit from reading The Dao De Ching, The Torah, The New Testament, the Koran, The Bhagavad gita and other sacred texts not necessarily associated with esotericism. These books contain the most profound truths beneath layers of bullshit (the bull being Taurus/ the sacred cow/ ra) and allegory.

This book is great for going over household worship and some traditions involved with it. I really enjoyed it.

I'm late to the party but I do have a suggestion for you. Carl McColmac did a book on probably exactly what you are looking to delve into. At least at the beginning. http://www.amazon.com/When-Someone-You-Love-Wiccan/dp/1564146227

Now not everything in this book is going to match her 100% but if you are interested it should give you a good overview and platform that you could ask her questions about.

Going by OP's description The Book of Oberon sunds like it has some similar content - or at least similar aims.

Grimorim Verum is a pretty famous 'black magic' book.

The Lesser Key of Solomon is probably the most well known.

I'd expect there would be some parallels to thing in Agrippa as well.

Hi,

You might want to check out r/TraditionalWicca.

1. Do we follow the Rede? I guess so? It's advice, not law. So sure. And in a lot of cases, it says nothing about what we're doing, so we follow our conscience. The important thing to remember here is that it doesn't even rhyme.
   
2. Shocker: The Is No Universal Threefold Law in Wicca.
   
3. Yes. You should read A Witches Bible by Stewart and Janet Farrar. Chapter 12 of Part II is the best explanation of this I've read from a traditional Wiccan perspective thusfar.
   
4. Some of us do. Some of us work with a dual Goddess (Lady of the Moon/Mighty Mother), but we all generally acknowledge that it's the same deity. Different witches view her differently.
   
5. Keep pure your highest ideal. Strive ever toward it. Let naught turn you away. \<3

... If I could create a flair for myself, it'd be "Amber K's True Magick: A Beginner's Guide is my favorite resource," because every time someone asks about books, I can't reccommend it enough. It's a nondenominational pagan guide that goes over a variety of subjects, including spells and intrinsic/inner magick, as written by an ordained Wiccan priestess. It also touches on tarot, and the idea that magick begins where science ends. My copy is marked $12.95 US/$15.95 CAN, and... Amazon has it on sale for $13.13 right now, plus free shipping if your order totals over $35.

There are lots and lots of paths and resources available to you. I found that Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions is a great overall starting point. It breaks down the fundamental characteristics and differences between the many paths. Once you've found a path or two that draws you, you'll know better what types of books and resources will be worth your investment of time and money.

Here is a link to arguably the best introduction to wicca that there is.

https://www.amazon.com/Wicca-Solitary-Practitioner-Scott-Cunningham/dp/0875421180/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1519634712&sr=8-3&keywords=wicca+guide&dpID=51j%252BwKpACML&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

This was the first "occult" book i have ever purchsed/read. I am not a wiccan but that book "opened the doors" for me so to speak. Once I realized that i was interested in much more than just wicca the following book by peter j carrol steered me in the right direction based on the practical exercises in an almost textbook like format.

https://www.amazon.com/Liber-Null-Psychonaut-Introduction-Chaos/dp/0877286396/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1519634960&sr=1-1&keywords=liber+null&dpID=516TsWggnKL&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

I agree with what some of the other people said about balancing the feminine and masculine but I can understand if you're maybe looking for something that comes from a more feminine perspective. You might be interested in Gemma Gary and
Marian Green. You also might like Pam Grossman. There's a lot of women involved in witchcraft so I would look into more of that.

Edit: I meant Marian Green not Ann Moura

It's a good book by good authors. If you're interested in it, purchase it.

Yes. Here are my favorites:

1 - Thus Spoke The Plant

2 - Sacred Plant Medicine

3 - Plant Spirit Healing

4 - Plant Spirit Shamanism

5 - The Plant Spirit Familiar

The whole dialogue between humans and plants is always taking place. The trick is to learn the language.

If a book appeals to you, I picked up this one recently. What's neat about it is that it has exercises in it such as going for a nature walk to connect with the current season, meditation to meet a deity, and so on. It serves as a good source of general pagan information while also giving you the tools to figure out what YOU believe.

I see this book recommended pretty often, and it's the book I initially picked up. It was a very enjoyable read in very understandable vernacular. I know you're asking for something quick, and a book might not be it, but I mostly read this on my lunch breaks. It was nice to have little bits at a time to mull over through my day.

A Practical Heathen's Guide to Asatru has been a pretty good foundation for me, give it a crack. It lays down a lot of the basics, including generally accepted forms of both blóts and symbels.

https://www.amazon.com/Six-Ways-Approaches-Entries-Practical/dp/0999356607

Six Ways by Aiden Wachter, it’s pretty new and my personal favorite as a straight forward intro instruction book.

If you're new, this one is probably the best at getting you to think about what you really do believe, and pointing you towards a useful path. Paganism: An Introduction to Earth- Centered Religions by River and Joyce Higginbotham https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00CS73G9A/ref=cm\_sw\_em\_r\_mt\_dp\_U\_ZoHjDb2PMDZ2S

Cunningham's Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner, Janet and Steward Farrah's A Witches Bible Compleat, Marian Green's A Witch Alone, Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft are all decent intro books IMO.


You can also find a "buttoad of Wiccan/Pagan/Magic E-books" in this thread

My advice is to read everything you can about it. Some books are better than others, some authors know what they're talking about whereas others are full of it, but not everyone agrees on who's "right." So, just read them all and realize that some may be great sources whereas some books ought to be taken with a grain of salt. Make on your own decisions on what is or isn't correct.

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.

Yes, actually! Liber Null by Peter Carroll is a great primer for the area of Chaos Magic, which takes a more scientific approach to the occult than things like Thelema. Chaos Magic appeals to me because it is so individualistic, much like Satanism. It doesn't even have its own aesthetics, and encourages its practitioners to utilize whatever aesthetics work for them.

My advice? Do whatever feels right to you. Many modern heathen organizations have developed new rites and ceremonies, such as the profession ritual you've been reading about. I don't think it's based on anything historical, and it just rubs me the wrong way because it strikes me as a holdover from the religion of the White Christ. On the other hand, heathenry is not the religion you were born into, so it may seem entirely appropriate to have a profession ritual. Additionally, we shouldn't feel bad about practicing our religion differently than how our ancient ancestors practiced it, since religions evolve over time. We couldn't even practice it their way if we wanted to, given the huge gap of information we have.

As far as a good place to start, I hear a lot of good things about this book:

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/0738733873/ref=gno_cart_title_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Hi! I'm new here :o And new to paganism in general. I have ordered Wicca for Beginners: Fundamentals of Philosophy and Practice so I'm waiting for that to come in. I've been doing research on the internet while I wait.

I don't think I will try anything until I've done enough research to be comfortable.

Anyway, just kind of rambling at this point. Good luck on your interview! :)

Btw, does anyone use tumblr? There are some pagan and wicca focused blogs that seem to be decent resources, but I'm not knowledgeable enough to tell if it's BS or not.

Lon Duquette is always a good place to start. His book "The Magic of Aleister Crowley" brings together the basic Thelemic rituals, with his own annotations in a more contemporary voice. It's practically the Coles Notes version of Liber ABA. Lon is the oldest living member of the OTO, so his teaching is highly respected.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1578632994/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?qid=1458230055&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=magic+of+aleister+crowley&dpPl=1&dpID=51rzENsy-SL&ref=plSrch

No, there isn’t anything like that freely available publicly. The only thing that cones closer is Israel Regardie’s edited omnibus, which frankly is what most people will ever truly need.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gems-Equinox-Instructions-Aleister-Crowley/dp/1578634172/ref=asc_df_1578634172/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=311024763511&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7724226614244888888&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006886&hvtargid=pla-450515212530&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Podcast sources#

1. http://podbay.fm/show/257243172/e/1229569525?autostart=1 - direct link
   
2. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-bigfoot!/id257243172?mt=2
   
   

   Related#
   

   
   

3. The Hoopa Project
   
4. http://www.nabigfootsearch.com/
   
5. David Paulides (02-19-13) Missing 411 & Bigfoot DNA
   
6. Sasquatch genome project
   (a) The DNA Study In A Nutshell
   (b) Sasquatch Genome Project Press Conference - October 1, 2013
   (c) Coast to Coast AM - Dr Melba Ketchum - source
   (d) How the Bigfoot field has discouraged serious scientific inquiry
   (e) David Paulides talking about the reception of the paper (Coast to Coast, March 17, 2013)
   (f) Melba saying it was "angel" DNA
   (g) The Ketchum DNA Study - One Year Later - by Christopher Noël
   
7. Giants, Cannibals & Monsters: Bigfoot in Native Culture written by Kathy Moskowitz Strain, one of the interviewers of the podcast.
   (a) Author info - "Kathy Moskowitz Strain received her B.A. in Anthropology (1990) and M.A. in Behavioral Science (emphasis Anthropology; 1994) from California State University, Bakersfield. She is currently the Forest Heritage Resource and Tribal Relations Programs Manager for the Stanislaus National Forest. Kathy has been a professional archaeologist/anthropologist for 20 years, and conducting research and fieldwork on 'Hairy Man' for nearly as long."
   (b) Where to buy: Amazon, Hancock House (publisher)
   (c) Endorsement by David Paulides:
   "[can you point us to a definitive source for the Native American myths you discussed earlier in the thread?]
   Yes; Giants, Cannibals and Monsters, by Kathy Strain.
   She is an archeologist for the Department of the Interior and a good friend.
   She spent years developing the book, its good!"
   
   

   About the people interviewed#
   

   
   

8. Harvey Pratt
   (a) https://harveypratt.com/
   (b) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvey_Pratt
   
9. David Paulides
   (a) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Paulides
   (b) https://twitter.com/canammissing
   

• 1 Let them. Tell them that you disagree, and that that is fine.
  
  
• 2 What has this got to do with heathenry?
  
  
• 3 Many like to offer mead. I brew mine myself.
  
  
  I would recommend checking out the reading list. Especially A Practical Heathen's Guide to Asatru and Culture of the Teutons.
  
  
  

I've never made my own but I heard this book is helpful.

http://www.amazon.com/Wicca-Covens-Start-Organize-Your/dp/0806520353

I was in a very similar position. These are my favorite books, modern and very practice based.

Aidan Wachter - Six Ways

Jason Miller - The Sorceror's Secrets

I don't think "demons, aliens, and all things occult" are typically covered in a single, definitive work. Especially because "aliens" are usually part of UFOlogy and not occultism.

Regarding occult topics though:

- The New Encyclopedia of the Occult
- Three Books of Occult Philosophy
- Dictionary of Demons
- A Dictionary of Angels
- The Golden Dawn
- Gems of the Equinox
- The Complete Magician's Tables
- The Magician's Companion

There are literally hundreds of other resources available too, but these are the ones I could think of off the top of my head.

https://www.amazon.com/Liber-Null-Psychonaut-Introduction-Chaos/dp/0877286396/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501867525&sr=8-1&keywords=liber+null+and+psychonaut

A quick google or YouTube search will help with this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mtzU9mVlk0

Grant Morrison cause he's punk rock.

Yes!
Check out Cathy Strain's book.
Giants, Cannibals, & Monsters.

She is an anthropologist and works for the National Park Service, liaising with Native American tribes.

I found Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions to be useful when I was just starting out.

I doubt greek epic poems would tell me how to worship and how to view the world as a hellenic pagan?

Was thinking something more like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0738733873/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1492611596&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=asatru

A general guide of sorts.

I'd highly recommend this one.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Six-Ways-Approaches-Entries-Practical/dp/0999356607

This book isn't a bad place to start. It's a tad on the fluffy side, but it's an okay primer.

> Liber MMM

Its also a part of Liber null if your interested in more information on the topic.

I'm reading Paganism: An Introduction to Earth- Centered Religions. I like it so far, but I'm only at chapter two.

Nah, it's totally on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0877289190/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1501562410&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65

Joseph H. Peterson is THE man when it comes to grimoire translations. His annotations are scholarly and top notch. I can't recommend him enough.

https://www.amazon.com/Lesser-Key-Solomon-Joseph-Peterson/dp/157863220X/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Wicca for Beginners: Fundamentals of Philosophy & Practice https://www.amazon.com/dp/0738707511/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_GDiRCbZM2GR98

And of course Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner https://www.amazon.com/dp/0875421180/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_JEiRCbRB1D0XX

The Practical Heathen's Guide to Asatru is everything you're looking for.

There are a couple of books out there on setting up a coven. Try Wicca Covens, by Judy Harrow, and Coven Craft by Amber K.

Magick: Liber ABA

That, I have done.

http://www.amazon.com/Magick-Liber-ABA-Book-4/dp/0877289190

The most obvious book on traditional Wicca is Janet and Stewart Farrar's A Witches' Bible

Are you talking about this one?

https://www.amazon.com/Witches-Bible-Complete-Handbook/dp/0919345921

this
Six Ways: Approaches & Entries for Practical Magic https://www.amazon.com/dp/0999356607/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0KA4BbTQJ4XHA

https://www.amazon.com/Hellenic-Polytheism-Household-Worship-1/dp/1503121887

Is that the book?

You want this version of the Lesser Key. Actual grimoires are usually an interesting mess of bad writing and poorly copied latin or greek. While interesting, they're usually a source of adventure in reading let alone use.

http://www.amazon.com/Lesser-Key-Solomon-Joseph-Peterson/dp/157863220X <- buy this, you will be equipped to read the other books on the goetia once you have read it.

http://www.amazon.com/Lesser-Key-Solomon-Joseph-Peterson/dp/157863220X

and basically anything listed in the 'also bought'

As to Paganism or Neopaganism, try this book: Paganism: An Introduction to Earth- Centered Religions https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CS73G9A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_0GHWBbYSFP08F

I would recommend the same book that u/modern_quill recommended to me, [Liber Null by Peter J. Carol](Liber Null & Psychonaut: An Introduction to Chaos Magic https://www.amazon.com/dp/0877286396/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_nvWfAbD787VQK)

Ma a lui chi l'ha insegnato il Voodoo? Ah, no, c'è WikiHow "usare una bambola voodoo in 6 passi".

Pensa se avesse scoperto questo

Added items according to the posts from /u/anarchoheathen. I'll update with /u/bi-furious' post tomorrow evening. Also, can someone sort out the categories for Odroerir Journal, Culture of Teutons, and Myth of Eternal Return? I haven't read them and want to make sure they're listed properly.

Introductory

• If You're New to Asatru - Steven Abell
  
• An Asatru Blog
  
• A Practical Heathen's Guide to Asatru - Patricia M. Lafayllve
  
• Four Documents on Asatru - Bill Linzie
  
  Mythology
  
  
• The Poetic Edda
  
• The Prose Edda
  
  Runology
  
  
• Anglo Saxon Rune Poem
  
• Norwegian Rune Poem
  
• Icelandic Rune Poem
  
• An Introduction to English Runes - R.I. Page
  
• Runes and Runic Inscriptions - R.I. Page
  
  Legendary
  
  
• Heimskringla
  
• Sagas of The Icelanders
  
• Saga of the Völsungs
  
• Saga of the Jomsvikings
  
• The Agricola and Germania - Tacitus
  
• The History of the Danes - Saxo Grammaticus
  
• Beowulf
  
  Cultural
  
  
• Life in Anglo-Saxon England - R.I. Page
  
• Chronicles of the Vikings: Records, Memorials and Myths - R.I. Page
  
• The Viking World - Stefan Brink, Neil Price
  
• The Road to Hel: A Study of the Conception of the Dead in Old Norse Literature - Hilda Roderick Ellis Davidson
  
• Odroerir Journal
  
• The Culture of the Tutons - Vilhelm Grönbech
  
• The Myth of the Eternal Return - Mercea Eliade
  
  Weekly Study Group
  
  
• Week 1, 1/7/15 - The Völuspá
  
• Week 2, 1/14/15 -
  
• Week 3, 1/21/15 -
  
• Week 4, 1/28/15 -

The confusion is understandable, and complicated by the (interesting) history of 'Book 4', ...which necessarily, was composed of 4 separate sections, composed over several years . Subsequently, 'Book 4' has been printed (and re-printed) both in parts and in whole - the copy you link here appears to be limited to the first two sections (indicated by "Reprint of 1913 Edition").

a 'complete' Book 4 will contain;

1: liber ABA part 1: mysticism (1912)
2: liber ABA part 2 : magick (elementary theory) (1913)
3: Magick in Theory & Practice (1929/30)
4: ΘΕΛΗΜΑ - The Law (Equinox of the Gods) (1936/37)