Witchcraft and Paganism

Vivianne Crowley
phoenix from the Flame: Pagan spirituality in the Western World
London: Aquarian press, 1994

This book tries to identify the many currents and traditions that flow within Paganism today. It concentrates on the European Pagan traditions - Wicca, Asataru, Druidism and their fellows - explaining a little of what these paths teach, and of what it is like to follow them.
It is an ideal book for those who are taking their first steps into what can be a confusing territory...

You can order this title from Amazon.co.uk from here:
Vivianne Crowley: "phoenix from the flame"
Vivianne has also written a very good brief introduction to paganism in the "Principles" series by Thorsons; it too is available from Amazon:
Vivianne Crowley: "Principles of Paganism"

Margot Adler
Drawing down the moon: Witches, Druids, goddess-worshippers, and other pagans in America today
Boston, Mass: Beacon Press, 1986 rev. ed.

Like Vivianne's book, this is an attempt to identify the various Pagan paths prevalent today, this time focusing on America. It's a Sociological study, so can be a little hard going for the general reader at times, but it is an excellent study.

You can order this title from Amazon.co.uk from here:
Margot Adler: "Drawing down the Moon"

Starhawk
Dreaming the dark: Magic, sex and politics
London: Unwin Hyman Ltd, 1990

This is an inspiring book that brilliantly combines politics and magick. Starhawk writes from a Feminist perspective, but she never loses sight of the need for balance. She also calls for us all to make a commitment to the Earth: "When we really understand that the Earth is alive, and know ourselves as part of that life, we are called to live our lives with integrity, to make our actions match our beliefs, to take responsibility for creating what we would have manifest, to do the work of healing".
This book should be essential reading for us all.

You can order these items from Amazon.co.uk from here:
Starhawk: "Dreaming the Dark"
Starhawk's other excellent book on the rebirth of Witchcraft, Female spirituality and Magic is also available from Amazon:
Starhawk: "Spiral Dance"

There are other books on Paganism which we could recommend (many of those written by Scott Cunningham or Rea Beth are ideal books, particularly for the solo practitioner, or those not seeking Coven initiation) but we can't list everything . Keep an eye on your local book store's shelves, and explore many authors - just remember to do so with a little evaluative insight!

(Scott Cunningham's work is available from Amazon.co.uk:
Scott Cunningham: "Wicca: a guide for the Solitary Practitioner"