What are your favorite books for studying paganism?

[Beaverhausen]

My first awakening to paganism/goddess worship was "The Great Cosmic Mother" I was housesitting and picked up a friend's copy and it slowly seeped into my consciousness and I knew I had found my path.

Then my more serious study started with Starhawk's "Spiral Dance" of course.

Love the Scott Cunningham books.

What else do you all recommend?

[CornField]

1. Drawing Down the Moon

by Margot Adler

I also enjoyed "The Dance of the Dissident Daughter: A Journey from Christian Tradition to the Sacred Feminine" by Sue Monk Kidd.

[Beaverhausen]

2. I just read her Secret Life of Bees and loved it

when I saw her only other books were non-fiction and had to do with her faith I wondered if they were as good. Thanks for the recommendation.

[buckettgirl]

3. I like Cunningham too.

I have several of his books. I also find Buckland to be quite informing as well. We just ordered Buckland's Complete B to Spirit Communications.
Buckland's Complete Book to Witchcraft is a good one too, even if you think you won't follow Wicca - it has lots good background info about pagan religions and how christianity built upon it.

[Behind the Aegis]

4. I like a variety

I have read something from all the aforementioned authors, but since I follow a Greek path, I also have a variety of books that are hard to find (some are out-of-print). Some of them are "disguised" as mythology books, but when you read them, you see the deeper meaning. :) There are some really neat books out there! There are also some GREAT websites!

Brightest Blessings!

[Beaverhausen]

5. can you share the names of those books and websites?

thanks :hi:

[Behind the Aegis]

8. Websites

I will post books below! That way I can respond to both of you who responded to me! :)

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN AND GREEK MAGIC

Biblioteca Arcana

Hellenic Neo-Pagan Calendar some links are down on this site!

Societas Hellenica Antiquariorum This is a really cool site!

There are few others out there. I just discovered my favorite site, which had a great 'family tree' of the gods and goddesses all the way back to Khaos has been shut down because of bandwith! :( I am very bummed about that!

But, the above are a few to cut your chops on and then explore from there!

BB!

[Chovexani]

6. Hey I follow a Greek path too

Hi fellow traveller. :hi: What books can you recommend? I have been reading Mysteries of Demeter by Jennifer Reif and have found it fascinating. I agree that many great books on spirituality are "disguised" as mythology books. Arianna Huffington's sister (brainfarting on her name) wrote a fantastic one on the Greek goddesses called Conversations With the Goddesses.

[Behind the Aegis]

9. Books!

I posted websites above (to another poster). Here are a few good books, IMO.

Light in Extension by David Godwin

Practical Greek Magic by Murry Hope (I believe this is out of print)

The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation by Hans Dieter Betz

Magika Hiera: Ancient Greek Magic & Religion by Christopher A. Faraone & Dirk Obbink

Those are a few. If you need more..give me a yell (or PM)..heehee!

BB!

[Chovexani]

7. Cunningham's books are wonderful.

I've actually had to buy "Wicca for the Solitary Practicioner" about five times because I keep giving away my copies to interested seekers, hehe. "Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft" is another great starter book (around here we affectionately call it "Uncle Bucky's Big Blue Book").

"The Great Cosmic Mother" is good for meditation, but some of the scholarship in it is very questionable.

Silver Ravenwolf's first couple of books are pretty good ("To Ride a Silver Broomstick" and "To Stir a Magic Cauldron"). I wouldn't read anything else by her, though (I can't vouch for her Pennsylvania Hex stuff, I haven't read that but her other stuff is pretty atrocious IMO). I think being a BNP went to her head, which is a shame because I really liked her. She gave me a quickie reading one time a few years ago when she was in town holding an open Healing Circle (great energy in that ritual). This was before Teen Witch though (I personally think that's when she jumped the proverbial shark).

"When God Was a Woman" by Merlin Stone blew my mind, and it still does. Her scholarship is a little shaky in places from what I understand (I don't know, don't have all the facts), but she raises some really interesting points.

Lately I have been reading up on Egyptian paths, and have found "Mysteries of Isis" by deTraci Regula to be an excellent book.

[LibertyLover]

10. Books

For history I like Ronald Hutton very much. He's a British university professor with pagan sympathies. Cunningham is good. I personally avoid Silver Ravenwolf and Grimassi. The Farrers are interesting as well. Don't be put off by their title The Witches Bible Complete. It was the publisher who named it that.

[silverweb]

11. Several.

Starhawk, Cunningham, Adler. Those are my mainstays, although these days Starhawk is my absolute favorite. Then I read whatever else catches my eye. For Goddess-oriented fiction, I love Marion Zimmer Bradley -- Mists of Avalon is absolutely classic and I am just now rereading Priestess of Avalon.

On a personal triumphant note, I am going to see Starhawk in person in just a few weeks and I'm so excited! My daughter is going with me and I'm hoping that this will help us get grounded, refocused, and inspired to perk up, dump the doldrums, and get back to work with a renewed sense of purpose.

So far, under 20 people have registered, so I'm hoping we have a chance to actually meet her, ask questions, etc. Now I just have to buy her new book and read it beforehand. :D

[Beaverhausen]

12. Thanks for that info about Starhawk "touring"

http://www.starhawk.org/starhawk/schedule.html

she's coming to LA on Dec 5th. I will try and go.

[silverweb]

13. Fantastic!

I hope you're able to go.

Time for me to get to work. Later!

:hi:

[LibertyLover]

14. Starhawk

If you haven't been at one of her presentations before, you will find it very interesting. I've been to two of her talks, the first time in New York City and the second time at a gathering here in Maryland called Ecumenicon.

[silverweb]

15. I never have before seen her.

I have a tremendous amount of admiration for Starhawk and think she is a remarkable woman who has done so much to benefit so many.

You're very fortunate to have seen her before and although this is my first time, I'm hoping it won't be the last!

This is the presentation she'll be making here:
http://www.learningannex.com/default.taf?sctn=A&_function=detail&cnum=217VSD&cat=

I am so looking forward to this! :)

[toddaa]

16. Taoist books

The book I read and reread is the Book of Chuang Tzu. Specifically, Victor Mair's excellent translation of all 33 chapters. The Inner Chapters and selections for the Outer Chapters, like the stunning Autumn Floods, rank as some of the greatest literary works in the entire history of the world. I also enjoy the Book of Lieh Tzu, which has a darker tone than Chuang Tzu. His work describes wu wei in a far more negative way that must be balanced with Chuang Tzu's more active Doing Nothing.

Another very good book detailing the link between Taoism and Zen is Ray Grigg's excellent tome "The Tao of Zen". I've dabbled in Zen, but find Buddhism to be a negative religion. Grigg explains how the basis of Zen is really Taoism, with a lot of extraneous Mahayana baggage.

Finally, there is the I Ching which everyone, including pagans, should regularly study and consult. A very ancient book of wisdom that provides clues as too why we are so screwed up now. Hint: change is organic, not linear.

[Cerridwen]

17. I've always loved Cunningham's books. I think I have all of

them, not sure as my books are currently resting in boxes. The decision between acquiring a dining table and book cases is one I debate myself each day. I'll eventually have both table and cases, but which to do first?

:)

I'll add Laurie Cabot's "Power of the Witch" to this list. I've loaned that book to several friends and purchased it for others, to help them understand Witchcraft and Wicca.

Many others already listed here. When the books come out of the boxes (closet?) I'll post more sources.

I also am interested in reading Taoist teachings and I'm thinking of tackling a version of the Christian Bible again, I own two versions though I don't right this second remember which. King James version is not one of them though it perhaps should be. I'd also like to study Q'uoran, the Talmud and any other religions sacred books. I believe it's important to see what was done with many of the early myths, to see some of the history of current religious thinking, and a little opposition research is a good way to protect ourselves from future "Burning Times."

Which reminds me, get a copy of the "Burning Times" on video. It's a great look at the history of Witchcraft.

I also recommend "The Chalice and the Blade" by Riane Eisler to see an example of "female" versus "male" energies and their impact on planet Earth and her occupants.

Another is "The Wise Wound" by Penelope Shuttle and Peter Redgrove.

Many others but I think I'll wait and post a web page with links and commentary. Information overload doesn't help those new to the craft or those of us who are addicted bibliophiles.



:)

[NamVetsWeeLass]

18. I have one I really like by Edain McCoy...

Celtic Myth and Magick... I didn't see him mentioned above. SilverRavenWolf actually scares me, she's went off the deep end, and she used to be respected. :shrug:

[davidinalameda]

22. McCoy is a her

I like her work too. She has a great book on Appalachian folk traditions--they have changed the name of the book a couple times so I don't remember what it is

[davidinalameda]

31. bookcases first!

at least that what I'm doing

[Kool Kitty]

19. One of my favorites is

"The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries", by Z. Budapest. Good basic info.

[Walt Starr]

20. The Spiral Dance is required readin AFAIAC

:D

[yardwork]

21. The first book I read on Wicca was by Kate West

called the The Real Witches' Handbook. The title sounds a little presumptuous, but I found the book to be very accessible for a newbie.

It includes a lot of things that are in Scott Cunningham's books, somewhat condensed and simplified. I especially like the way she presents the Sabbats and other important days one chapter at a time, with suggestions for how to celebrate each one.

I'm interested to hear what more experienced Wiccans think about this author and this particular book.

[htuttle]

23. "Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth" by James Lovelock

And all the Starhawk books I can get my hands on.

I mention the Lovelock book, though, because his first Gaia book changed the way I see things more than any other.

[solinvictus]

24. Several

"Gods of the Egyptians","Amulets and Talismans", "Book of the Dead" and "Egyptian Magic" all by E.A. Wallis Budge, "Book 4" and "Magick in Theory and Practice" and "The Goetia" by Uncle Al.

[toddaa]

25. Tony Wakeford fan?

Just askin'.

[solinvictus]

26. Oh, the musician...

No, I'm into Coil, the name comes from the Mithras religion of the Roman legions that was popular during the latter era of the Empire. I should listen to his music, but it's VERY hard to find.

[Jackpine Radical]

27. The Elder Edda.

Preferably in Old Norse/Icelandic.

[arikara]

28. A couple more recommendations

Positive Magic by Marion Weinstein is an excellent book on the ethics of magic. It was out of print for awhile and she just re-released it. She has another called Earth Magic which I bought but haven't had a chance to read yet so can't say.

Diane Stein has several good books. I read Stroking the Python years ago and remember really liking it, and I'm into her Reiki book now.

[LiberalEsto]

30. Positive Magic!

Yes, yes, yes, you're right!

It's wonderful, particularly the section on what constitutes "harm." It is probably the biggest influence in my 30 years of pagan life. The HP who initiated me required her students to read it.

Spiral Dance is good, and I love Doreen Valiente's writings.

[Bridget Burke]

29. Works on the "background"--mostly.

I read Joseph Campbell's "The Masks of God" first back in the 70's--might be time for a re-reading. "The White Goddess" is lots of fun. "Women of the Golden Dawn" by Mary K Geer is an interesting look at those influential hermetecists. (Yes, I know they weren't exactly "pagan.")

Maya Deren's "Divine Horsemen: The Living Gods of Haiti" is a good introduction to Voudoun--historical background & personal experience. An alternate voice; lots of modern paganism is a bit too white for me.

I've read some of the more modern Pagans--Isaac Bonewits? "Drawing Down the Moon". Guess I'm interested in a solitary, intellectual way--not particularly a joiner.