RECOMMENDED READING
Over the years, certain books have become like well-worn companions—guides that have shaped not just my own path, but the modern Wiccan movement itself. While there are countless titles on Wicca, herbalism, and magical living today, some stand apart as true classics, and others as enduring resources I return to often. This is a personal list of the works I believe are worth reading, whether you’re just beginning your journey or deepening a lifelong practice. Although I’d love to be able to offer these books in my own shoppe, I can’t beat the Amazon prices.
Introductory Wicca Books
Wicca: A Guide for a Solitary Practitioner – Scott Cunningham (1989)
Still a classic, this is an excellent introduction to what Wicca is. This book is the one of the foundation blocks of modern Wicca and opens the door to understanding how to life magically.
Secrets of a Witch’s Cover - Morwyn (1994)
this is the first book that I found as I was searching for a teacher, and I was so grateful that Morwyn actually lived near me and was willing to take me on a student.
Wicca for Beginners A Guide to Wiccan Beliefs, Rituals, Magic & Witchcraft - Lisa Chamberlain (2020)
this short little book is the perfect contemporary introduction to Wicca. It’s mandatory reading for my students, and also the perfect thing to offer family members who might be interested (or confused) about what you do. Also available in our book shop.
Witchcraft for Tomorrow — Doreen Valiente
Written by one of Wicca’s founding voices, this book blends history, philosophy, and ritual with an inviting tone. It’s an important link to the roots of modern Wicca and a valuable resource for understanding its traditions.
Traditional Wicca: A Seeker’s Guide - Thorn Mooney (2018)
A thoughtful, modern perspective on what it means to seek traditional coven-based Wicca. Mooney’s candid writing helps readers understand both the beauty and the responsibility of engaging more deeply with the Craft.
Classic Reading for a Solid Foundation
The Spiral Dance – Starhawk (1979)
A groundbreaking work of feminist spirituality and eco-magic, blending ritual, myth, and activism. A cornerstone for many modern witches.
Drawing Down the Moon – Margot Adler (2006)
An in-depth exploration of modern Paganism in America, offering insight into the diversity and development of contemporary practice.
Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Paganism – Ronald Hutton (2001)
An academic yet accessible history of Wicca’s origins and cultural influences.
Witchcraft Today –Gerald Gardner (1954)
The book that introduced Wicca to the world, written by its founder. Essential for historical context.
A Witch’s Bible: The Complete Witch’s Handbook - Janet & Stewart Farrar (1996)
A comprehensive guide combining Eight Sabbats for Witches and The Witches’ Way, covering traditional ritual, philosophy, and practice.
Advanced Wicca Books
Power of the Witch – Laurie Cabot (1990)
Cabot’s personal account of witchcraft as a science, art, and religion. A bold, charismatic voice in American witchcraft
Advanced Witchcraft - Edain McCoy (2004)
Advanced Witchcraft doesn't contain any "Wicca 101" information―it assumes that you're already familiar with the nuts and bolts of the Craft. Instead, this book challenges you to think critically about your beliefs and practices, what they mean to you.
The Witch at the Forest’s Edge - Christine Grace (2021)
A book that deepened my own understanding of liminality, calling the witch to walk the edges with intention and grace.
A Witch Alone: 13 Moons- Marian Green (2009)
Magickal Rites from the Crystal Well – Ed Fitch (2011)
West Country Wicca – Rhiannon Ryall (1990)
Explores regional variations of Wiccan practice rooted in English folk tradition, but feels like a secret tome of old knowledge.
Ariadne’s Thread – Shekinah Mountainwater (1991)
A powerful feminist work centered on women’s spirituality, ritual, and the Goddess, I return to this one again and again for its introspective tone.
Kissing the Limitless: Deep Magic and the Great Work — T. Thorn Coyle (2009)
This explores magic as a tool for personal and collective transformation, with an emphasis on dreamwork, trance, and visionary practice. Ideal for ambitious seekers.
Reference Books
Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs – Scott Cunningham
Common Herbs for Natural Health – Juliette De Baircli Levy
A Modern Herbal – Maude Grieve
Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide- Rosemary Gladstar
Moon Signs – Donna Cunningham
The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need – Joanna Woolfolk
The Rising Sign – Jeanne Avery
Love is in the Earth – Harmony (Crystals)
Fiction:
The Mists of Avalon – Marian Zimmer Bradley (2001)
The Witching Hour - Anne Rice (1990)
The Witch of Blackbird Pond – Elizabeth George Speare (1958)
The Initiation – The Secret Circle Series (teen) by LJ Smith (2011)
The Keeper of Lost Things - Ruth Hogan (2017)
Garden Spells Waverly Family Series – Sarah Addison Allen (2007)
Beautiful Creatures – Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (2009)
The Vine Witch – Luanne G. Smith (2019)
The Red Tent – Anita Diamont (1994)
Leaving Eden – Ann Chamberlain (2000)
The Sea Priestess – Dion Fortune (1972)
The Winter Sisters -Tim Westover (2019)
Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing – May Sarton (1993)
The Wild Mother – Elizabeth Cunningham (1993)
The Merlin Trilogy – Mary Stewart (2004)
Maia – Richard Adams (1984)
Juniper – Monica Furlong
Dark Sister – Graham Joyce
The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
Sweep Series – Cate Tiernan
Wither Series – John Passarella (2009)
Circle of Three Series – Isobel Bird
Harry Potter Series – JK Rowling
Surfacing – Margaret Atwood (2012)
Bell, Book and Murder – Rosemary Edghill (2014)
The Heart of the Fire – Cerridwen Fallingstar (1990)
The Moon Under her Feet – Clysta Kinster (1991)
Lammas Night – Katherine Kurtz
The Wolf and the Raven – Diana Paxson (2013)
Rowan Gant Series – M.R.Sellers (2013)
Cat Magic – Whitley Streiber (1986)
The Magic Bookshop – Kala Trobe
The Divine Circle Series – Dolores Riccio (2003)
A Discovery of Witches – Deborah Harkness (2011)
The Witch’s Daughter – Paula Brackston (2011)
New England Witch Chronicles – Chelsea Luna (2011)
The Trouble with Magic Series – Madeline Alt (2006)
Three Sisters Island Series – Nora Roberts (2011)
The Witches of Eastwick – John Updike (1996)
Practical Magic – Alice Hoffman (2003)
Blackbird House – Alice Hoffman (2004)
The DaVinci Code – Dan Brown (2003)
The Witches of East End - Melissa de la Cruz (2011)
Druids – Morgan Llewellyn (1992)
The Horse Goddess - Morgan Llewellyn (1982)
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell – Susannah Clarke (2010)
The Witches of New York - Ami McKay (2017)
The Age of Witches: A Novel - Louisa Morgan (2020)
A Secret History of Witches - Louisa Morgan (2017)
Illusions – Richard Bach (1989)
Daughter of the Forest – Juliet Marillier (2002) (Sevenwaters Trilogy)
Waking the Moon – Elizabeth Hand (1996)
Chocolat -Joanne Harris (2000)
The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane – Katherine Howe (2009)
The Heretic’s Daughter – Kathleen Kent (2009)
Once a Witch – Carolyn MacCullough (2010)
Wicked Series – Nancy Holder (2008)
White is for Magic – et al – Nancy Stolarz (2004)
House of Night Series - PC and Kristin Cast (2014)
Charmed and Dangerous Series – Candace Havens (2007)
The Witch of Exmoor – Margaret Drabble (1997)
The Midnight Witch - Paula Brackston (2014)
Of Bees and Mist – Erick Setiawan (2010)
The Quick- Lauren Owen (2014)
The Hounds of the Morrigan – Pat O’Shea (1999)
When Autumn Leaves – Amy Foster (2009)
Brida – Paulo Coelho (2009)
Tir Alainn Trilogy – Anne Bishop (2001)
The Little Shop of Found Things: A Novel - Paula Brackston (2019)
Born Wicked -Jessica Spotswood (2013)
Always a Witch – Carolyn MacCullough (2011)
Lucinda’s Web – Dorothy Morrison (2008)
The Witches of Blackbrook – Tish Thawer (2015)
The Daughters of Dark Root series – April Aasheim
Mystic Cove Series – Tricia O’Malley (2015)
Book of Shadows – Alexandra Sokoloff (2011)
Legacy of Magick series – Ellen Dugan (2015)
The Book of Lost Fragrances – MJ Rose (2013)
The Daughters of La Lune (series) – MJ Rose
The Apothecary Rose – Candace Robb (2015)
The Hazel Wood - Melissa Albert (2019)
The Mercies - Kirin Millwood Hargrave (2020)
Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth - E.L. Konigsburg (1968)
Books on Women’s Studies
The Moon and the Virgin – Nor Hall (1981)
Womanspirit Rising – Christ and Plaskow (1992)
When God was a Woman – Merlin Stone (1978)
Voices of the Goddess – Caitlin Matthews (1990)
Rebirth of the Goddess – Carol P. Christ (1998)
Women who Run with the Wolves – Clarissa Pinkola Estes (1996)
Woman’s Mysteries – M. Ester Harding (2001)
Descent to the Goddess: A Way of Initiation for Women – Sylvia Brinton Perera
The Heroine’s Journey – Maureen Murdock
Warrior Goddess Training – Heatherash Amara
The Goddess Path: Myths, Invocations, and Rituals – Dorothy Morrison
Goddess in Every Woman – Jean Shinoda
The Chalice and the Blade – Riane Eisler
Goddesses: Mysteries of the Feminine Divine – Joseph Campbell
Other Spirituality Books
The Four Agreements – Don Miguel Ruiz
The Secret – Rhonda Byrne
Johnathon Livingston Seagull – Richard Bach
The Celestine Prophecy – James Redfield
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success – Deepak Choprak
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment – Eckhart Tolle
Movies and Documentaries
The Witches of Eastwick – 1987
The Last Keepers 2013
Practical Magic 1998
Chocolat 2000
The Craft 1996
The Crucible 1996
What the Bleep do We Know
Hocus Pocus 1993
Harry Potter Series 2001
Lord of the Rings
The Covenant 2006
Rosemary’s Baby 1968
The Witch 2015
Beautiful Creatures 2013
Three Sovereigns for Sarah – A True Story of the Salem Witch Trials 1985
Witchcraft: Rebirth of the Old Religion with Raymond Buckland 2005
Juliette of the Herbs 1998
The Wicker Man 1973
Night of the Eagle (1962)
Suspiria (1977)
Agora 2009
Bell, Book and Candle 1958
Season of the Witch 2011
Ten Inch Hero 2007
Salem Falls 2011
Valley of the Witch 2014
Drawing Down the Moon 1997
Pan’s Labyrinth 2006
Stardust 2007
The Wretched 2019
Buffy the Vampire Slayer 1997
Charmed 1998-2006
Wish on a Spell (Documentary) 2005
The Separation on State Street (2007)
The Ritual
The Love Witch 2016
The Inhabitants 2025