A Reading & Resource List for Every Witch
The best books on witchcraft, witchcraft 101 and beyond. These are the titles and books that every witch should have in their collection, or somehow get their hands on and read. I am sharing this in reference to the questions I have received from Instagram on book/resource recommendations. I have read many of these books and there are many that I have not read yet myself but are on my never-ending to-read list. This is by no means super comprehensive, or an end all be all list, but it's a good jumping-off point for those looking to expand their knowledge.
My reading list leans towards traditional witchcraft of primarily European origin. I lean in on my heritage and understand my ancestors and their pre-Christian traditions. Our ancestors are our greatest guides, they want to see us do well and we need to remember them because they are being forgotten. Folk magic is a huge part of my practice as well, so I do have an emphasis on reading about folklore and low down dirty magic. As well as Shamanism, mythology and working with spirits and gods. I'm a dirty ol' witch, pagan, animist and polytheist if you were wondering.
This list will also include books that have influenced my craft and some recently discovered zines and small independent publishers that I am super excited about! If I am missing anything of note, please leave a comment and I will add it.
Classics
The Golden Bough by James George Frazer
Aradia or the Gospel of the Witches by Charles G. Leland
The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries by Evans-Wentz
Dig through Sacred Texts and read up on Legends & Sagas, Animism, Neo-Paganism & Celtic Folklore
More Modern Classics
Apocalyptic Witchcraft by Peter Grey *the MOST critical book on modern witchcraft
Rebirth of Witchcraft by Doreen Valiente *a must read to understand the origins of modern resurgence in Witchcraft
Craft of the Untamed: An Inspired Vision of Traditional Witchcraft by Nicholaj De Mattos Frisvold
Natural Magic by Doreen Valiente
Witchcraft for Tomorrow by Doreen Valiente
Mastering Witchcraft: A Practical Guide for Witches, Warlocks & Covens by Paul Huson
Fifty Years in the Feri Tradition by Cora Anderson
The Spiral Dance by Starhawk
THE BLACK PULLET by anonymous
Witchcraft & Practices
The Sorceror's Secrets: Strategies in Practical Magick by Jason Miller
Protection and Reversal Magick by Jason Miller
The Witches Sabbats by Mike Nichols
Spiritual Cleansing: A Handbook of Psychic Protection by Draja Mickaharic
A Century of Spells by Draja Mickaharic
Crones Book of Charms & Spells by Valerie Worth
Treading the Mill: Practical Craft Working in Modern Traditional Witchcraft by Nigel G. Pearson
The Robert Cochrane Letters: An Insight into Modern Traditional Witchcraft by Robert Cochrane
American Witchcraft, Southern African American Hoodoo & Conjure
Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic: A Materia Magica of African-American Conjure by cat yronyode
Pow-Wows, or Long Lost Friend: A Collection of Mysterious and Invaluable Arts and Remedies, for Man as Well as Animals by John George Hohman
The Silver Bullet & and other American Witch Stories by Hubert J. Davis
The Candle and the Crossroads: A Book of Appalachian Conjure and Southern Root-Work by Orion Foxwood
Fifty Years in the Feri Tradition by Cora Anderson, 2005
The Art of Hoodoo Candle Magic by catherine yronwode
Hoodoo in Theory and Practice An Introduction to African American Rootwork by cat yronwode
Magical Spiritual Herbalism & Witchcraft
Witchcraft Medicine: Healing Arts, Shamanic Practices, and Forbidden Plants by Claudia Müller-Ebeling, Christian Rätsch, and Wolf-Dieter Storl
The Pharmako Trilogy by Dale Pendell
Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham
Herbal Medicine-Maker’s Handbook: A Home Manual by James Green
Magical and Ritual Use of Aphrodisiacs by Richard Alan Miller
Magical and Ritual Use of Herbs by Richard Alan Miller
The Book of Herbal Wisdom: Using Plants as Medicines by Matthew Wood
Plant Spirit Shamanism: Traditional Techniques for Healing the Soul by Ross Heaven & Howard G. Charing
Plant Spirit Medicine: A Journey into the Healing Wisdom of Plants by Elliot Cowan
Medicinal Herbs of the Mountains West by Michael Moore *if you live in the western United States
The Green Book by Heliophilus
Spiritwork, Ancestors & Gods
Cunning-Folk & Familiar Spirits: Shamanistic Visionary Traditions in Early Modern British Witchcraft and Magic by Emma Wilby
The Visions of Isobel Gowdie: Magic, Witchcraft and Dark Shamanism in Seventeenth-Century Scotland by Emma Wilby
COMMUNING WITH THE SPIRITS: The Magical Practice of Necromancy by Martin Coleman
Communing with the Ancestors: Your Spirit Guides, Bloodline Allies, and the Cycle of Reincarnation by Raven Grimassi
Dwelling on the Threshold: Reflections of a Spirit-Worker and Devotional Polytheist by Sarah Kate Istra Winter
Hekate in Ancient Greek Religion by Robert Von Rudloff
Gods of the Greeks by Karl Kerenyi
Hekate Soteira: A Study of Hekate's Roles in the Chaldean Oracles and Related Literature by Sarah Iles Johnston
The Viking Spirit: An Introduction to Norse Mythology and Religion by Daniel McCoy
Womxn, Goddess & Menstrual Mysteries
The Wise Wound by Peter Redgrove and Penelope Shuttle
Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
Pomba Gira & the Quimbanda of Mbùmba Nzila by Nicholaj De Mattos Frisvold
The Red Goddess by Peter Grey
The Brazen Vessel by Alkistis Dimech & Peter Grey
Small Presses, Zines & Publishers
Hadean Press occult books, journals, and pamphlets in standard and handbound editions.
Scarlet Imprint "Our work is intended to support practicing magicians, students of the occult arts, the esoteric community, and the fine book arts." Hands down one of the best publishers right now in the occult world. Incredible work and fantastic blog as well.
GODS & RADICALS "Gods & Radicals is a non-profit Pagan anti-capitalist publisher. Our focus is simple: inexpensive print and digital works to inspire hope and rebellion." Fuck yeah!
Three Hands Press The premier publisher of contemporary occultism and metaphysica, representing the new generation of esoteric scholars, artists, and practitioners.
Contagion Press - esoteric, queer, anarchic!
Blogs, Podcasts and Fellow Witch Folk
Sarah Anne Lawless If you're looking for a much more organized and comprehensive witch reading list, hers are the best and she is far more academic in her approach than I.
Blood and Spicebush Becky is rad as hell and has great resources on her blog.
And that my friends, is all I've got right now off the top of my head! I will likely update this and add to it over time. Again, if you feel there is something to add here, please leave a comment.