Introductory Books on Wicca & Witchcraft

If you haven't read much about Wicca and Witchcraft, these are the books for you. Again and again, they explain what an athame is, the true origins of Halloween, how to perform ritual, and why Witchcraft isn't devil worship. There are probably more introductory books than anything else on Wicca and Witchcraft and figuring out which ones to read can be pretty tough. Below are my favorites.

Once you've read two or three beginner books, they all start to seem the same. But I hope that I have avoided that by offering titles by writers from diverse backgrounds that present Wicca and Witchcraft in a variety of ways.

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Brightest blessings,

Cosette

09/13/07

Poetic, ecofeminist, and intelligent, this is one of the most important and revolutionary books in modern American Paganism. It was published in 1979 and is a little dated, but still the best introduction to eclectic, spontaneous, Goddess-focused spirituality. It's full of exercises, ritual ideas, spells, how-to information, and much more.

This is a British traditionalist approach to Wicca. This thick volume provides an in-depth look at the philosophy, lore, and ceremonial practices of Wicca including holiday and initiation rituals as well as spells.

This little book is a thoughtful and practical introduction to Wicca. It covers history, beliefs, different traditions, deities, myths, symbols, the calendar, ritual and magic. It also contains correspondence charts and illustrations and her tone is very friendly and encouraging.

Originally published in 1980, this is one of the most ardently feminist books on Witchcraft. It feels dated and much of historical information the author presents has been debunked, but this no-nonsense, classic introduction to the Dianic path still resonates for many women (and some men too).

This book features some of the most important people in Wicca including Doreen Valiente, Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone, Starhawk, and Judy Harrow. The real treasure in this book, however, are all the wonderful color photos.

This classic, little book is a great introduction from a passionate writer who deeply cared about and defended Wicca. Costing only six bucks, it's the perfect book to have on hand for family and friends who may be worried about "what you're getting into."

This is not a how-to book, but rather a smart guide that addresses misconceptions, misunderstandings, and untruths about Wiccan beliefs and practices that go far beyond "Wiccans don't worship the Devil." It's also another great book for nervous friends and family.