THE BLESSED BEE

This is the basic list I use for beginning to intermediate students in the Craft.  Some of these books are better than others.  Some of them I have some strong disagreement about.  But each of them has some good lessons...even if that lesson is how not to do something.  The Craft is an individual journey.  No two paths are exactly the same.  This list can start you off with a good foundation with a variety of ideas....all of which are valid, even if they are not valid for you.   If you're starting this path, the best advice I can give you is to read, read, read, and then read some more.   -Ariell

The Truth About Witchcraft Today by Scott Cunningham
a good primer for the uninformed, a good "we're not devil worshippers" book

True Magick by Amber K
great foundation for magick

 Wicca for the Solitary Practioner by Scott Cunningham
good basics for solitaries

To Ride a Silver Broomstick by Silver Ravenwolf
good basics, including dealing with groups and festivals

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
Taoism in a unique setting, very easy to grasp

Living Wicca by Scott Cunningham
rituals & such from a solitary perspective

The Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland
a good basic, tends to be a little rigid, also known through the realm as "Uncle Bucky's Big Blue Book"

A Witches Bible by Janet & Stewar Farrar
a classic, though it presents only their tradition's viewpoint, does contain nudity, a real "traditional" form of craft, originally written as two books: What Witches Do and Eight Sabbats for Witches

Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler
another now classic, primarily presents Church of All Worlds (CAW) point of view

Spiral Dance by Starhawk
another now classic, borders on a feminist point of view

Heart of Fire by Cerridwen Fallingstar
a novel set in the burning times with modern craft references, not for the faint of hear, graphic depictions of torture

Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
another novel, yet quite accurate in many ways, presents a certain "mind set" of Priest/esses

Witchcraft Today, Book One: The Modern Craft Movement  edited by Chas Clifton
a collections of well written articles, many different perspectives

Witchcraft Today, Book Two: Modern Rites of Passage  edited by Chas Clifton
more articles focusing on much needed rites of passage for the modern era

Witchcraft Today, Book Three:  Witchcraft & Shamanism  edited by Chas Clifton
another of the same, focus on the modern shaman

The Complete Book of Incense, Oils & Brews by Scott Cunningham
great  ideas for ritual use of incenses, oils, and others, as well as many good recipes and "how to's"

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic by Scott Cunningham
great beginning place for practicing magick

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham
like his crystal/gem book, only magickal uses here, no medicinal uses discussed (which is a good idea for the beginner!)

The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
although an adventure novel, presents a lot of craft basics with a little different language

The Tenth Insight by James Redfield
picks up where the Celestine Prophecy leaves off

The Sevenfold Journey: Reclaiming Mind, Body & Spirit Through the Chakras by Anodea Judith & Selene Vega
great book for chakra work, numerous excellent exercises and suggestions for chakra focusing rituals

Covencraft: Witchcraft for Three or More  by Amber K.
An excellent handbook for deciding if the Coven thing is for you, as well as a great starting place for laying the foundations for building your own Coven.

Hawaiian Religion and Magic   by Scott Cunningham
A great book on magick and shamanism Hawaiian-style!

Real Magic: An Introductory Treatise on the Basic Principles of Yellow Magic by Isaac Bonewits
One of the basic books in every practitioner's shelf.

Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft by Denise Zimmermann, Katherine Gleason
a beginner's look at the history of paganism, Wicca, and witchcraft

Meditation For Dummies by Stephan Bodian
a basic primer on meditation

A Kitchen Witch's Cookbook by Patricia Telesco
add some magick to your kitchen

White Goddess by Robert Graves
a hard read, but a classic

New Menopausal Years, The Wise Woman Way: Alternative Approaches for Women 30-90 by Susan S. Weed
a must have for older women

In Praise of the Crone: A Celebration of Feminine Maturity by Dorothy Morrison
this is on the shelf right next to Susan Weed's book