Whether you’ve practiced witchcraft for years, are just starting out or are simply just curious, it seems there’s always more to learn. Admittedly, with millions of books on the subject, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to figure out where you should begin. Before you hit the local bookstore or peruse Amazon, take a look at a few of our favorites that have inspired our path: 

 The Spiral Dance by Starhawk

Though its original printing is nearing 40 years old, The Spiral Dance remains a staple within the Wicca community and was THE book that awakened the witch within us. In this classic femme positive book, Starhawk guides us to embrace Goddess worship and to use it as a means to discover and strengthen your innate inner power. The ideas and philosophies in this comprehensive overview of Wicca have endured the test of time. In fact, you may find them more pertinent than ever.

Buckland’s Complete Book on Witchcraft - Raymond Buckland

Regarded by many as an essential addition to any witch’s library, Buckland’s Complete Book on Witchcraft provides you with a detailed self-study course on the subject. With its workbook format, you’ll work through sections on healing, rituals, sabbats, divination, and so much more at your own pace. You’ll be able to revisit your exam questions and notes long after you’ve finished the course so you can keep the lessons with you for a lifetime.

Wicca, A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner - Scott Cunningham

Another essential classic, Wicca, A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner is more than a basic introduction to the Wiccan religion. Among other things, you’ll touch on magick and how to live a life in harmony with nature. Cunningham has updated the text several times since its original printing in 1956 to give a more contemporary view of the Earth-loving religion.

The Inner Temple of Witchcraft: Magick, Meditation, and Psychic Development - Christopher Penczak

Each person is born with inner power. Lessons throughout The Inner Temple of Witchcraft allow you to explore your inner temple and discover this power. Besides the 13 lessons covering topics like energy work and astral travel, you’ll learn the history and basic principles of witchcraft. After you complete the year-and-a-day self-study course, you proceed with a self-initiation ceremony comparable to the first-degree level of traditional witchcraft study.

The Modern Guide to Witchcraft: Your Complete Guide to Witches, Covens, and Spells  - Skye Alexander

Classics are great, but how do we apply witchcraft to modern life? The Modern Guide to Witchcraft teaches you how to use your inner power to influence the world around you. Create your own incantations, charms, and more for nearly any situation. Discover the magick within you!

Wicca for Beginners: A Guide to Wiccan Beliefs, Rituals, Magic and Witchcraft - Lisa Chamberlain

Begin your Wicca journey with the comprehensive Wicca for Beginners. Within this detailed book, you’ll learn about the history of Wicca, core elements of Wicca rituals, principles of magick, and sabbats. By the end of the book, you’ll have the tools and blocks needed to build a solid foundation.

Witch: A Magickal Journey: A Modern Guide to Witchcraft  - Fiona Horne

Unbiased accounts are great and wholly necessary, but magick is a deeply personal journey. Witch: A Magickal Journey takes a slightly more intimate approach. Fiona opens up about secrets she’s learned along the way and guides you her best practices of modern witchcraft for home, work, and play.

You don’t need to line your bookshelves with 100 different books to start learning about witchcraft, Wicca, magick, or whatever you’re interested in delving deeper into. These authoritative books by seasoned and dedicated craft practitioners will give you a great head start on your witchy path!

What’s your favorite book on witchcraft? We’re always looking to expand our collection and we’d love to hear from you! 

Photo by Jaredd Craig on Unsplash