General Pagan/Witchcraft Books    The Law Enforcement Guide To Wicca, by Kerr Cuhulain-a great just-in-case for information for those not educated in Paganism and Witchcraft. Makes clear distinctions between religious rites of legitimate faiths and the kind of occult activity that sometimes (errantly) gives all of us a bad name. The Wiccan Path : A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, by Rae Beth - the wonderful story of a teacher and her students - reminds me of my own training! You share her lessons with her students, as well as her own thoughts on how best to teach two different people what they want and need to know. I wish this had been around when I was first starting out! But, as it is, it's not only a great book to keep around for the beginners in your life, it's also a great remembrance of those early lessons we all sometimes need a refresher on. Casting the Circle : A Women's Book of Ritual, by Diane Stein - feminist oriented. Very lovely rituals for women. Magical Rites from the Crystal Well, by Ed Fitch - Traditional Wiccan ritual, including a handfasting rite. The writing is clear, fluid and to-the-point, with great information and some great illustrations, too! And, not being a huge tome, it's not only easy on your bookshelves, but easy on the wallet! Drawing Down the Moon : Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today, by Margot Adler - a classic which not only analyzes the growth and status of the Pagan community in the modern age, but provides some great writing on many of the different varieties of Pagans which are now actively practicing. A staple for any library. If you haven't gotten it yet, the time is now! Power of the Witch, by Laurie Cabot, Tom Cowan - the Official Witch of Salem shows that she's not just a fancy set of robes! This is a wonderful book for early in a magickal life, with a truly wonderful (and concise) examination of the growth of patriarchal religion (and the ensuing fading of matriarchal faiths), basic information on altar building, and great explanation of the magickal mindset! If you're interested in Healing or magick-working of any kind, check out her chapters on the Alpha state! The Witch in Every Woman : Reawakening the Magical Nature of the Feminine to Heal, Protect, Create, and Empower, by Laurie Cabot, Jean Mills - a new offering by the Official Witch of Salem, on a desperately needed subject matter. The Wiccan Mysteries : Ancient Origins & Teachings, by Raven Grimassi - the highly knowledgeable, traditionally trained Stregan is a deep fountain of information 21st Century Wicca : A Young Witch's Guide to Living the Magical Life (Citadel Library of the Mystic Arts)by Jennifer Hunter - a new offering I haven't had the chance to check out yet, but it sounds great! Pagan imagery in English folksong - R.J. Stewart talking about my favorite subject: Pagan history! Circle of the cosmic muse : a Wiccan book of shadows, by Maria Kay Simms - a great Book of Shadows, with an astrological bent, but sadly out of print! Amazon.com may be able to locate second-hand copies in good condition, and I would recommend doing so while you can! When this came out, it was one of my top favorites for years. Maria is a knowledgeable astrologer and she has written several books further incorporating astrology in Wiccan ritual. This first book is primarily a standard BOS, and thus is perfect for the practitioner who is peripherally interested in astrology, and is looking for some great rituals and information. Sacred Space : Clearing and Enhancing the Energy of Your Home, by Denise Linn - an excellent book introducing the principles of feng shui, the Eastern principle of architecture and interior design which believes that the placement of doors, windows and rooms within the home or workplace can seriously affect the lives of those residing there. If you're looking for a new dwelling, pick this up before you pick your new home. If you've settled in where you are, take advantage of Denise's tips for using items such as mirrors, sound, scent and plants to improve the functioning of your most sacred space.

Favorite Authors  Chas Clifton, editor  - The Witchcraft Today series is a major breakthrough in the emergence of Witchcraft in the modern world. These four books take a look at many different aspects of the life of a modern Witch with essays from some great (and well-known in some cases) writers on the subject. Topics include everything from when and how to leave the broom-closet to relationships, ritual and the interaction between different parts of the Pagan and Witchy community. The Modern Craft Movement (Witchcraft Today, Book 1) Modern Rites of Passage (Witchcraft Today, Book Two) Shamanism and Witchcraft (Witchcraft Today, Book 3) Living Between Two Worlds : Challenges of the Modern Witch (Witchcraft Today, Book 4) Patricia Talesco - Rapidly becoming one of the more prolific authors writing on magickal subjects today, Patricia and her writing have become a wonderfully bridge between the more quaint aspects of the magickal life and the modern technological era. Kitchen Witches Unite! The Urban Pagan : Magical Living in a 9-To-5 World Victorian Grimoire : Romance, Enchantment, Magic  - this is a wonderful look at all of the simple spells and magicks from the turn of the century household, or at least what they would have done. You can easily picture your grandparents doing these simple things in their kitchens and laundries. In addition to the magickal things, Patricia also gives us time-worn tips for household chores, things our grandmothers certainly would have done. Invaded by ants? Try cucumber peels on your windowsills! That and much, much more! Spinning Spells, Weaving Wonders : Modern Magic for Everyday Life A Kitchen Witch's Cookbook - magickal recipes for all seasons and holidays. Create a truly magical Valentines feast for you and your mate or find great recipes for your next rite or ritual. The Herbal Arts : A Handbook of Gardening, Recipes, Healing, Crafts, and Spirituality - due out 3/1/98 - given Patricia's history of solid writing and interesting (and applicable) information, I have no doubt this will be a great addition for any library. Get it while it's hot off the presses! Pauline and Dan Campanelli - the Campanelli's books were some of the very first ones I ever bought, and not only have I never regretted a penny of what I spent, I often wish I had two of three copies (seeing as every time I move, these books seem to disappear temporarily!). They've examined everything from old traditional activities to creating the most personal of space: the altar. These are basic items in any library! Ancient Ways : Reclaiming Pagan Traditions Wheel of the Year : Living the Magical Life Circles, Groves & Sanctuaries : Sacred Spaces of Today's Pagans Rites of Passage : The Pagan Wheel of Life Scott Cunningham - probably singularly most responsible for the high profile of modern Paganism and Witchcraft in the publishing world, Cunningham had a gift for writing some really great basic information books. While I think The Truth About Witchcraft Today, the standard text for explaining to others what a Witch is, is probably too basic to be of much use for even that purpose, his other works give a real good basic, rounded view of the Craft and what it is we do and can do. Wicca : A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner - my choice for an introductory book for those not aware of what Wicca, Witchcraft or modern Paganism is. It serves even better at this purpose than as an introductory book for people interested in really learning the Craft. Living Wicca : A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner - a more in-depth follow-up to Guide for the Solitary Practitioner. The Magical Household : Empower Your Home With Love, Protection, Health and Happiness, with David Harrington - an important concept in this technological age. Our homes should be the most sacred of spaces for us, and this book gives some ideas on how you can make it that way. Hawaiian Religion and Magic - Cunningham was trained by a practitioner of Hawaiian magic, and this is a great recounting of some of what he learned. An interesting tome even if you've not into the magical traditions of the Islands, and certainly a good introduction to the subject on a anthropological and magical basis. Earth Power : Techniques of Natural Magic - Elemental magic done plain and simple. Charms, spells and magic-working involving all of the natural elements and your own inner-self. Probably the best expression of simple useful magic I've ever seen. An absolute must for the beginner in my book, and great to have simply for Robin Wood's brilliant illustrations! Earth, Air, Fire, and Water : More Techniques of Natural Magic - the follow-up to Earth Power, with even more ideas of how to use Elemental magic, with some extensive tables and ritual ideas. Silver Ravenwolf - good basic information on a wider variety of subjects. Good beginner's choice! To Ride a Silver Broomstick : New Generation Witchcraft To Stir a Magick Cauldron : A Witch's Guide to Casting and Conjuring - the follow-up to Silver Broomstick

Celtic  A Circle of Stones : Journeys and Meditations for Modern Celts, by Erynn Rowan Laurie - a Celtic Pagan version of the rosary! Make your own necklace, get a great new system for daily (or otherwise) devotion, and learn a few things besides. You can invest a little or a lot in supplies, and end up with a one-of-a-kind, oh-so-personal items which is completely symbolic of your faith. I went the moderate route, with silver and glass beads. Mine turned out beautifully, and I've had no end of complements from non-Pagans on my beautiful (and designer-made, they think!) necklace. Women of the Celts, Jean Markale - a great text giving valuable information on the life and position of women among the Celtic peoples. It's great to see what our ancestors were doing all those centuries ago, and know that perhaps we haven't all gotten wiser since then. Celtic Devotional : Daily Prayers and Blessings, Caitlin Matthews - daily devotions for every day, season and occasion - currently out of print, but I would absolutely recommend you find any copy you can lay your hands on. It's not often so wonderful a work is produced. A great hardback cover with lovely art, and all the encouragement even the most reticent practitioner needs to incorporate daily devotions into their spiritual life. The Encyclopaedia of Celtic Wisdom : The Celtic Shaman's Sourcebook, John&Caitlin Matthews - a serious education and valuable tool. If Celtic history is something you're interested in (as it should be), but you've never bothered to put together a library of information, or set yourself on a serious study plan, this book is just the answer you need. A handsome volume (particularly so in hardback version), with a wide variety of excellent selections from literature and history, with some succinct and effective analysis. Modern Irish : Grammatical Structure and Dialectal Variation (Cambridge Studies in Linguistics : Supplementary Volume), Michael O'Siadhail - author of some good solid instruction sets on the Irish Gaelic language, this is an extensive work (an not inexpensive!) with some serious value for anyone really wanting to learn. A Celtic Miscellany : Translations from the Celtic Literatures, by Kenneth Hurlstone, Ed. and Tr. Jackson, Kenneth H. Jackson Celtic Tattoos, a tiny little set of Celtic-style temporary tattoos - cute! Celtic Women : In Legend, Myth and History, by Lyn Webster Wilde, Courtney Davis (Illustrator) - another valuable work on the presence of women amongst the Celts, with illustrations by one of the best Celtic artists of the modern day The Celtic Book of Days : A Daily Guide to Celtic Spirituality, by Caitlin Matthews - Caitlin writes another fine work of value for those desiring a more daily incorporation of their beliefs into their life. Points out holy days on the Celtic calendar and gives some great insight into the ways they can be worshipped. Celtic Women : Women in Celtic Society and Literature, by Peter Berresford Ellis Celtic Odyssey, a collection of Celtic music from Narada - a valuable compilation of songs from some of the Narada label's best Celtic musicians, with styles from Donegal Irish to Cape Breton. Upbeat tempo and sweet ballad combine on a fine recording. A Celtic Reader : Selections from Celtic Legend, Scholarship  and Story, John Matthews (Editor) - a great way to understand the Celts: through the literature and legend! The Celtic Lunar Zodiac, by Helena Paterson, Margaret Walty (Illustrator) - takes a well-illustrated look at the 13 signs of the Celtic lunar zodiac, with analysis of the different lunar signs. Some wonderful art! I would (and almost did) buy it just for the art. Tattooist, here I come! The Pagan Celts, by Anne Ross - a classic found on many a recommended reading list Pagan Celtic Britain, by Anne Ross! - another classic from the well-regarded author A Bard's Book of Pagan Songs : Stories and Music from the Celtic World, by Hugin the Bard - I was a little surprised when I found this that someone could convince a publishing company to publish a large songbook with such a specific focus, and then I looked inside. Impressive! Celtic Invocations Selections from Vol 1 of Carmina Gadelica, by Alexander Carmichael - old Celtic prayers and blessings written up for early in this century. A standard on recommended reading lists, the always hard to find classic appears to be out of print once again!! Look for a used copy or wait and hope! (I'd go with the used copy!)

Elemental Magic and Earth-based Spirituality    Hawaiian Religion and Magic, Scott Cunningham - see above Earth, Air, Fire, and Water : More Techniques of Natural Magic, Scott Cunningham - see above Earth Power : Techniques of Natural Magic, Scott Cunningham  - Two of my all-time favorites. Reminds us to get in touch with the most basic elements of magic and life! - see above Mother Earth Spirituality : Native American Paths to Healing Ourselves and Our World by Ed McGaa, Marie N. Buchfink (Illustrator) - Eagle Man gives great insight into Native American spiritual paths and rites with a wonderfully warm and welcoming attitude! The shaman who opens his knowledge up to the white man always takes some flack for it, but these books are of great value to those of us who would better understand our brothers and sisters, both human and otherwise. Rainbow Tribe : Ordinary People Journeying on the Red Road, Ed McGaa - the follow-up to Mother Earth Spirituality Native Wisdom : Perceptions of the Natural Way, Ed McGaa

Pagan Family and Raising Pagan Children    The Sacred Marriage : Honoring the God and Goddess Within Each Other, by Lira Silbury - Wow! - relationship exercises and rituals for the Pagan couple - makes you want to find a like-minded mate, if you don't already have one! And if you do, you've got lots of ideas for improving and strengthening your relationship. It's about time someone took a serious look at the dynamic of the Pagan relationship, and at keeping that relationship happy and healthy. This book is a celebration of that wondrous thing. The Pagan Family : Handing the Old Ways Down by Ceisiwr Serith - currently out of print, but a valuable work none-the-less. See the description below. The Family Wicca Book : The Craft for Parents & Children   - Two great books on ideas for the Pagan family, including how much and when to let your child's teachers/friends know about your religious beliefs, and great ways to get the kids involved in rituals and observances. Brings to reality the dream of many of us of a world where we can bring up our children in our faith and know that they and the world around them will respect our beliefs.

Music Books and Albums    Circle of Song : Songs, Chants, and Dances for Ritual and Celebration, by Kate Marks - if you're one of those people who just loves to sing Christmas carols, but you hate the words, if you can't go an hour without bursting into song, if you wouldn't hold a ritual without at least humming a melody: Try this out! A Bard's Book of Pagan Songs : Stories and Music from the Celtic World, by Hugin the Bard - see above Celtic Odyssey, a collection of Celtic music - see above

Tarot and Divination    Medicine Cards : The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals/Book and Cards by David Carson - one of my all-time favorite things. Not a tarot-style deck, but rather intended as a tool for spiritual exploration and analysis. This system uses Native-American folklore and myth to help you sort out yourself and your life. Each of the totem animals speaks to a certain part of your self, and can gift you with greater understanding of how that part of you can be better used to improve your life. Also teaches a greater rapport with and respect for our animal friends. Colorful illustrations of the animals on well-sized cards, and a few blank cards to design your own if you connect with an animal not already included in the deck. Accompanied by a find hard-bound book. The Goddess Oracle : A Way to Wholeness Through the Goddess and Ritual by Amy Sophia Marashinsky, Hrana Janto (Illustrator) - a relatively recent release, this system is another one geared toward self-improvement rather than divination. Lush illustrations depict goddesses from many different cultures around the world, portraying them as archetypes of certain aspects of the self. The system encourages using these archetypes to heal the holes in your life and to improve your communication with yourself and those around you. The illustrations are amazingly details and varied, and the text of the accompanying book is well integrated with the symbolism on the cards. Tarot for Yourself, Mary K. Greer - standard (DenElder approved) recommendation for anyone interested in learning to read the tarot, especially if you will primarily be reading for yourself. An oversized, workbook-style tome, it presents exercises for you to progressively work through to better understand both your reading technique and the cards you choose to work with. By far one of the best tarot books I have ever seen. The Enchanted Tarot: Book and Cards, Amy Zerner & Monte Farber - one of my personal favorite decks. Amy Zerner has put together some amazingly complex collages from a variety of media to depict the scenes on each of the cards. The colors and imagery are lush, and the accompanying book is an excellent tool for understanding the imagery in the cards, in addition to being a lovely depiction of the art itself. Attention multimedia Pagans: Zerner and Farber have now put The Enchanted Tarot on CD-ROM! This is an improvement on what is already a fabulous deck. For more information, check out the software area! Goddess, Guide Me : The Oracle That Answers Questions of the Heart, Amy Zerner & Monte Farber - out of print (1992) Art Nouveau Tarot Deck (Tarot Cards/Ar78), by Matt Myers - my second personal favorite. The artist has incorporated the flowing lines, floral images, and stained-glass style art of the Art Nouveau period into some truly beautiful cards. The cards themselves are standard-sized, and thus easy to handle, regardless of your hand-size. Despite being of standard U.S. Games format, with the tiny little interpretation booklet, the deck does an excellent job of allowing easy interpretation, mostly based upon the illustrations themselves. Intrigued by the image on the box? It's a self-portrait by the artist. The Celtic Tree Oracle : A System of Divination, by Colin Murray, Liz Murray, Vanessa Card (Illustrator) - uses the Celtic trees and "elements" in a system of divination. Probably the best box I've ever seen for a deck: wooden (appropriately)! Gives some great information on the symbolism of the Celtic trees (as only some of the trees many of us think of as common were common amongst Celtic lands), and slightly under-sized cards are easy to handle. Gypsy Witch Fortune Telling Playing Cards, work as regular playing cards or for a quick and easy divination - all meanings are printed on the cards, so it's great for the beginner or someone who's intimidated by tarot cards. This is the deck I like to take out at parties. Celtic Book of the Dead : A Guide for Your Voyage to the Celtic Otherworld (Cards/Book/Spread-Cloth), Caitlin Matthews - based on the Celtic legend of the Imram, the deck portrays a voyage on the sea with stops at different island settings where you (a hero in the legend) encounter a variety of challenges and puzzles. While the name may sound intimidating or dark, this is rather a story of the voyage into one's self. A beautiful deck with an equally beautiful hardback book full of explanations of the legend and the possible interpretations of the scenes on the cards, as well as a nice spread cloth with a pre-printed spread guide. The Sacred Circle Tarot; A Celtic Pagan Journey, by Anna Franklin - available 8/1/98 - not out yet, but looks promising!