Suggested Readings

Merry Meet,

I promised that I would begin giving you a book list and after much consideration, I though I would profile three books at a time in some sort of ascending order that moves you from one basic beginners level to the next. I've read all of the books and will tell you the good things and the bad things about the books and how I used them as a Christian Wicce.

The first book I recommend for those who are beginning their studies into the Craft is The Wiccan Rede by Mark Ventimiglia. It is a wonderful little book, written for the Wiccan-Pagan in mind, but filled with basic truths that all religious faiths could appreciate much of it. The rede is carefully analyzed as poetry and as creed to follow for a religious rule of thumb. It is a very thoughtful work and I recommend it to all who are interested in the Craft. It is published by citadel press and it is hard back and I think I paid $10.

An Ye Harm None: Magical Morality and Modern Ethics by Shelley TSivia Rabinovitch and Meredith Macdonald. This book takes up where Ventimiglia leaves off. It seems a bit heavy handed, but really, everyone could do with making things last and using up what you have and controlling your buying and wasting. Some of it may be a little difficult to do, but you can get a lot of real insight about your rights and responsibilities as a witch. I urge any young person to read this book and really think about what it really means to be a witch. Ithink I paid $15-$17. It was published by Citadel Press.

The Elements of Ritual by Deborah Lipp. This is a fantastic book that helps the learner think about the rituals or spell work they want to do. It is a very open hannded and generous book that explains the use of the pentangle and candles and casting circles and the eight Sabats and the seasons and some things you can do to celebrate in your own unique way. She also dicusses how to build a relationship with the four elements. $17 from Llewellyn Press.

Of all of the expense you will have, books will be your greatest expense of all. Some of these will be available at your local library and you may be able to check them out or read them and make notes. You should get a journal or notebook anyway to begin writing what you learn. This notebook will be basis for your Book of SHadows or personal spell book.

I'll profile three more books next time and give some basic castig advice to get ready to teach you to cast spells that were written by someone else or how to write your own spells.

Until then, Blessings Be,

Aslinn Dhan Dragonhawk