Book Reviews

I am an avid reader.  One thing that will drive me crazy is when I waste money on a book.  While I love reading I prefer to read books that at the very least offer new insight into a topic.  I become very disappointed whenever I pay hard-earned cash for a book and it turns out to be nothing but drivel.  However I also realize that what one person considers a waste of cash another may cherish for years.  In an effort to help solitaries and those new to the craft weave their way through the variety of books that appear in bookstores on a daily basis I will offer reviews of those I have read.  Because the opinions I express here are strictly my own I am aware that others will disagree with them.  That is one of the joys of democracy - we can agree to disagree.  Good luck in your quest!!

The following reviews are divided into the following categories:  

• Witchcraft
• Celtic & Druidic
• Arthurian/Avalonian
• Norse
• Women's Interests
• Fiction.

Witchcraft

A Witch Alone by Marian Green - This book is one of the most useful, easy to understand and comprehensive works about solitary witchcraft that I have come across.  Marian Green manages to cover a variety of topics ranging from sacred feasts to honoring the Goddess & God in a simple yet thorough fashion.  The book is divided up into 13 lessons which are supposed to be completed one each month.  Even if you choose not to follow this format you will find this book an excellent resource and wonderful addition to your library.

 Elements of Natural Magic is another book by Marian Green that would be an excellent introduction for those interested in becoming a solitary hedge witch.  It is easy to follow, short and full of exercises and ideas for the reader to try on their own.

Wicca:  A Guide to the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham - This book is a wonderful and gentle introduction to being a solitary witch.  Although I admit that some of Scott Cunningham's views are a bit too New Age/White Light for me it doesn't take away from this book's usefulness.  I especially recommend it to anyone who raised to believe many of the negative stereotypes about Witches.  Although Scott purposely leaves out some things (so as to encourage the true seeker to actually do some research) this book offers a solid and non-threatening way for a newcomer to begin following the Wiccan path.

Embracing the Moon by Yasmine Galenorn - I have to admit that I really like this book.  It covers a variety of topics using an eclectic approach to natural magick.  Galenorn clearly states that she is not Wiccan and therefore some of what she describes might offend some Wiccan sensibilities.  Personally I'm grateful to finally come across a book by a Witch.  The author covers topics such as faerie magick, hex work, earth healing rituals, working with the elements, household magick as well as a variety of oil recipes, rune charts & symbols and other magickal correspondences.  She is also very clear that she works with Dark Goddesses and their energies as well as explaining her practices and offering caveats to the novice.  This book offers a guide to magickal and spiritual workings beyond the traditional Solar & Lunar festivals. I think it would be a useful and beneficial addition to any Witch's library, whether beginner or advanced.

The Spiral Dance by Starhawk - A classic work that is recommend by almost everyone involved in the Wiccan/Pagan movement.  This book is full of personal experiences, rituals, meditations and other useful tidbits.  While it is designed for group work I found a lot of it useful for solitary practice as well.  The meditiations and visualizations were especially helpful and worth the cost of the book.  In fact I just picked up a copy of the 20th Anniversary edition of this book and while flipping through it I was impressed all over again.  This is one of those books that you can find something new each time you pick it up.  I often forget just how much I like this book because I get so sidetracked by others.  

The Pagan Book of Living & Dying by Starhawk - This book covers a topic that needs to be covered in today's Pagan & Wiccan communities.  Starhawk and other contributors used personal experiences to help highlight the options available to those who have lost a loved one. In addition to dealing with the loss itself the authors address issues such as suicide, death of a child, and dealing with other family members who are not Pagan. Having recently experienced this myself I can highly recommend this book.  It was definitely a light at the end of a long dark tunnel for me. 

Entering the Summerland by Edain McCoy - Edain McCoy's book offers a variety of rituals and ideas that will prove very useful to anyone seeking to honor the death of a loved one.  Edain looks at some of the different Pagan/Wiccan views on death and dying as well as discussing how our views differ from most Christian attitudes.  She points out that many Pagans don't go through the traditional stages of grief and how this impacts on our mourning process.  She has also included some ideas on honoring the death of an animal companion, an area largely ignored by many.  I recommend this book for all Pagans and Wiccans.  After all sooner or later we will all lose someone we love and this book offers some comforting ways to deal with that loss.

Witch's Bible Vols I (The Sabbats) and II (The Rituals) by Janet & Stewart Farrar - The Farrars are often criticized by traditional Witches for revealing oathbound material in these books (the Farrars were initiated into the Alexandrian tradition).  I think they did the Pagan/Witch community a great service by making this information more available to serious students.  These books are not always easy reading and require a fair amount of background research to fully appreciate their explanations.  They recommend excellent exercises to help the reader create thoughtforms and visualizations. The bibliography is also a useful resource for further research.  Even if you never intend  to follow Garnderian or Alexandrian practices, this book offers some useful insights and information.

The Witches' God and The Witches' Goddess by Janet & Stewart Farrar - Both these volumes explore the various types of gods and goddesses in world mythology and their importance in Pagan practice.  They offer a number of rituals to honor different gods and goddesses, one of my favorites is the Eve/Lilith ritual, as well as an encyclopedia at the end of each book listing the various goddesses and gods throughout the world and offering a bit of information about each deity.  Although the rituals are designed for group work I think they would be useful for smaller groups or solitaries as a source of inspiration to create your own ritual dramas.  These books would make a welcome addition to any Pagan library.

Witchcraft:  A Tradition Renewed by Evan Jones - This book looks at the roots of modern Witchcraft and the ancient Pagan and folk traditions it is based upon.  In addition Mr. Jones offers a look at the tradition lead by Robert Cochrane, a controversial figure in the British Craft.  Some of the rites Mr. Jones discusses may not be very pretty (sacrificial rites) but they are accurate and make for an interesting read.

The Rebirth of Witchcraft by Doreen Valiente - I have enjoyed every book I have ever read which Doreen Valiente has written.  She is well known in the Craft for having been Gerald Gardner's High Priestess and for having written (or rather re-written) the Charge of the Goddess.  In this book she discusses how she was drawn to Witchcraft and her work with Gardner.  It is a fascinating look at the early beginnings of modern Witchcraft and debunks a lot of the nonsense that has sprung up about this time.  I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Craft history.

Natural Magic by Doreen Valiente - In this interesting book Doreen Valiente explores how to work magick using the elements, herbs, trees, etc.  It is easy to follow and simple to understand.  Anyone interested in hedge, kitchen or green Witchcraft should add this one to their bookshelf.

Witchcraft for Tomorrow by Doreen Valiente - This wonderful book offers beginners a clear and concise introduction to Witchcraft.  After covering the roots of Witchcraft and other interesting topics (such as the Age of Aquarius), Ms. Valiente includes a Book of Shadows and a self-initiation ceremony.  This is an excellent book to give to those just beginning to explore the Craft.

To Ride a Silver Broomstick by Silver RavenWolf - This is a good book for newcomers to Witchcraft.  Silver offers a humorous and realistic look at the joys and challenges of being a Witch.  Silver doesn't seem to subscribe to the "New Age/White Light" viewpoint which is very refreshing.  She also handles the subject in small bites so the reader isn't overwhelmed.  This book is designed to be useful to solitaries although covens will find much of interest as well.

To Stir a Magick Cauldron by Silver RavenWolf - This is the follow-up to Silver Broomstick.  In this book the author covers more advanced issues as well as including more coven oriented work.  Silver provides information about lunar magick, herb magick, gem magick and other type of minor magicks.  She also includes a list of goals to work towards and, my favorite part of the book, a Wicca 101 Test.  Even if you take the test for fun it gives you some idea of you're working towards.

Hexcraft by Silver RavenWolf - This interesting book takes a look at the Pow-Wow traditions among the Pennsylvania Dutch.  Pow-Wow practitioners might disagree with Silver's statement that their tradition descended from Witchcraft and Native American practices,  but I think she makes some valid points.  Even if you have no interest in actually practicing Pow-Wow this book offers an interesting look into the folklore and traditions of an authentic and uniquely American form of folk magic.