I have heard discussion in forums and at meetings regarding the subject of being a book witch, trad witch or experienced witch - which witch is truly a witch?

In my experience, and for all intense and purposes…all of them.

At the end of this article I will have a list of books and recommended reading that will assist newcomers and oldcomers alike on the journey through their path(s).

With that said, I think you can get an idea of where I am going with this. Most people starting out in the Craft, whether or not they learned about it through friends or family, should, as a positive way to be well rounded and open-minded, read as many books as they can get their hands on. This includes “101″ books, how-to’s of magick, new age, divination, journals, various paths and traditions, etc.

Regardless if you like the author or not, try to look at the whole, rather than only the negative. Did you, or could you get something out of the content in this author’s book? If you say no, you are not looking hard enough. Even if there is something that rubs you wrong about the entirety of the author’s content, then what is it about the content that puts you off? Is it something that you realize doesn’t or won’t work for you? Good! Now you’ve gained some value from that book!

All to often, I hear disdain and hateful conversation all over the internet regarding certain authors. Rather than simply let others experience those words for themselves, these authors get slammed and blacklisted. I am not saying don’t offer suggestions on books, or offer opinions, but reserve the cursing venom for yourself and not the aspiring student.

Traditional or Family Witchcraft

With “Trad Fam” or other Pagan spiritual practices that are handed down through generations, you have one main advantage over the book reader…structured experience. Other than that, just as can happen in other religious households, only one point of view is taught and the learner - be it children, cousins or students, may not benefit from learning other ways.

I know of some who have or are bringing up their children in the craft, and their tradition, but by the same token, encouraging them to read and explore other beliefs - some have even gone to church for Sunday School! In this way, the student has a better understanding of spirituality, religion and themselves as well as the world around them. Education is the key to knowledge, understanding, tolerance and power. In my opinion, if you are not allowing your students or children to grow and learn “outside the box” then you are doing them a disservice.
 

Experience

Above all else, experience is the only way one can gauge knowledge and “witchiness” against those who don’t. If you don’t put into practice what you read, then you are only “book smart”. Books are incredible wealths of knowledge, information and starting you off in the right direction, but YOU take it from there. Fam trads are known for structure, knowledge, Book of Shadows, and experience, but if you don’t do the work for yourself, if you don’t put into practice what you are taught, what you read or what you were shown, than it means nothing. There is a difference between knowing the path, and walking the path. Read the books, learn the tradition and experience it for yourself. Just like walking, you must first learn to crawl.
 

Recommended Books

I know I am going to get flamed for recommending some of these authors and you know what? I don’t want to hear it! The authors listed below, most of which I have read (otherwise marked), I have learned a lot from their writings, wisdom and in some cases, personal experiences with them. I believe all authors have something in their content they contribute. (I marked in bold those authors whose books are all recommended)

 

Conway, D.J. By Ash, Oak and Thorn: Modern Celtic Shamanism. St. Paul MN: Llewellyn Publications

Crowley, Viviane. Wicca: The Old Religion in the New Millenium. San Fransisco, CA: HarperCollins Publishers

Cunningham, Scott. The Truth About Witchcraft Today. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn.

Cunningham, Scott. Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications

Cunningham, Scott. Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications

Dunwich, Gerina. The Wiccan Spellbook. Secaucus, NJ: Carol Publishing Group

Grimassi, Raven. The Wiccan Mysteries. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications

McCoy, Edain. Celtic Myth and Magick. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications

RavenWolf, Silver. To Ride a Silver Broomstick. St. Paul MN: Llewellyn Publications

Somerled, Emerys. Herbal Tea for the Pagan Spirit: Three Moons Media
(yes I know, cheap plug, but this is great for the beginner to get the “feel” of others’ experiences)
 

Ancient History, Celtic History and the Druids

Markale, Jean.1978r. The Celts. Rochester, Vermont: Inner Traditions International.

Chadwick, Noral.1997. The Celts. London, England: Penguin Books

Rolleston, T.W. 1990. Celtic Myths and Legends. London, England: Dover.

McCoy, Edain. Celtic Myth and Magick. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications

Conway, D.J. By Ash, Oak and Thorn: Modern Celtic Shamanism. St. Paul MN: Llewellyn Publications

Piggot, Stuart. The Druids. 1996. New York, New York. Thames and Hudson

Nichols, Ross. The Book of Druidry. 1992. Hammersmith, England. Thorsons

Stephen Mitchell. The Story of Gilgamesh: Free Press; Reprint edition (January 24, 2006)
Egyptian Spirituality and History

Regula, deTraci. The Mysteries of Isis. 1996. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn

Budge, E. A. Wallace. The Egyptian Book of the Dead. 1967. Don Mills, Toronto, Ontario, Canda: Dover

Schueler, Gerald and Betty. Egyptian Magick. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn

 

Recommended Reading on Wicca, Witchcraft, Paganism:

*Cunningham, Scott. Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications

*Cunningham, Scott. Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications

Dunwich, Gerina. The Wiccan Spellbook. Secaucus, NJ: Carol Publishing Group

*Grimassi, Raven. The Wiccan Mysteries. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications

*RavenWolf, Silver. To Ride a Silver Broomstick. St. Paul MN: Llewellyn Publications
* denotes books highly recommended for beginners in the Craft