Nachty's List

[NachtSorcier]

I've been a regular on Bolt2's Wicca board for about four years now, and we have a thing on there where when a newbie comes by wanting information, we give them a list of books and websites to read and look at.  The first list that was compiled was simply called "The List," then another reg called Al1ce compiled her own list, and I followed suit, compiling "Tutti's List" (my name there is Tutti_Fruiti).  So, for your enjoyment, here is Tutti's List, renamed Nachty's List for this board.

Nachty's List

Listed in order from basics to advanced:

Wicca:

"Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft" -- Raymond Buckland (ignore anything about the "History of Wicca" or Margaret Murray)

"Wicca, A Guide for the Solitary Practioner"
"Living Wicca, A Further Guide for the Solitary Practioner" --Scott Cunningham (take his insistance that you avoid anything negative in your spirituality with a grain of salt; an essential part of Wicca is a balance between the good and the bad)

"Wicca for Men" -- AJ Drew (good read for women as well)

"Wiccan Beliefs and Practices" -- Gary Cantrell

"The Path of the Green Man" -- Michael Thomas Ford (written for gay men, but I don't see why anyone else shouldn't read it)

"The Real Witches' Kitchen" -- Kate West

"Nocturnal Witchcraft" -- Konstantinos

"Grimoire for the Green Witch" --Ann Moura

"The Complete Idiots Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft" -- Denise Zimmerman and Katherine A. Gleason (I recommend this ONLY for the intermediate practitioner as this book has fluff scattered throughout, but it is still good for a touchup study session.)

"God/Goddess, Exploring and Celebrating the Two Sides of Wiccan Diety" -- AJ Drew and Patricia Telesco

"Hereditary Witchcraft" -- Raven Grimassi (not necessarily Wicca, but the content is similar and good for gaining another's perspective.)

"The Goddess Path" -- Patricia Monaghan (not Wicca-oriented, but can teach you more about various aspects of the Goddess)

"Gothic Grimoire" -- Konstantinos

"Advanced Witchcraft" -- Edain McCoy

Magic, Witchcraft, Divination:

"Raising Hell" -- Robert Masello (A history of magic, not a spellbook)

"Earth Power"
"Earth, Air, Fire, and Water"
"The Complete Book of Incense, Oils, and Herbs"
"Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs"
"Cunningham's Complete Book of Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic" -- Scott Cunningham

"Spell Crafts" -- Scott Cunningham and David Harrington

"Charms, Spells, and Formulas" -- Ray T. Malbrough

"Advanced Candle Magic" -- Raymond Buckland

[Shadow]

We have a very good list.  It was originally compiled by Lark and is pretty much our standard around here.  Your list contains authors like Edain McCoy who are not approved of in this neck of the woods.  I'm sure there was at least one other that is frowned upon around here, as I am equally sure that Lark will be along to tell you why soon enough.  As for Buckland, he's ok, but I'd take any of his history facts with a grain of salt.  I've even used the big blue book myself (mostly because I'm too damned lazy to write a lesson plan), but there are much better beginners books out there for the self taught student.

Try looking around and finding Lark's Welcome post.  She usually respond with that to most people who are asking for help as beginners.

[Gryphon]

The other author is Grimassi.

"Hereditary Witchcraft" -- Raven Grimassi

and this book is one of the ones he wrote that we suggest avoiding because of poor research and dubious facts.

[Sebbi]

Trish Telesco - a book a year!  Her stuff is OK but a bit fluffy.  It's OK for beginner stuff.

Speaking of whom she used to post here a very long while back didn't she. Was even a mod at one point I believe.

[Anonymous]

I would add the Frosts to the "don't read" list--- or at least don't read until you have a solid foundation in Wicca.  

I personally think any book is acceptable, as long as you have enough knowledge to separate the wheat from the chaff.  And there can be a lot of chaff.  

[Shadow]

Trish Telesco - a book a year!  Her stuff is OK but a bit fluffy.  It's OK for beginner stuff.

Speaking of whom she used to post here a very long while back didn't she. Was even a mod at one point I believe.

Yes she used to post here a lot.  Mostly promoting her latest book (insert title here).  Then she jumped on the "Teen Witch" band wagon and wrote a book for teens.  She and I had a rather interesting discussion (you can get my thoughts on books aimed strictly at the teen market by browsing through the Bone Yard) about the subject.  It ended with me refusing to give ground and offering up a challenge.  I simply told her that if her book was so different and great that she should send me a copy (return postage paid if she wanted it back after I read it) and I would read it and give an honest review.  Since I also stated that I would not sugar coat it if I found no real merit in the book I never received a copy and she stopped posting here shortly after that.

Oh well.

[Lark]

Speaking of whom she used to post here a very long while back didn't she. Was even a mod at one point I believe.

Yes she used to post here.  She stopped posting after Branwen asked her to stop trying to sell things, including stuff in direct competition to Branwen's store, here on the list.

-Lark-

[Sebbi]

Nice work!

[NachtSorcier]

I completely understand the beef that you have with everyone on that list.  In fact, I'd probably stab Ravenwolf and Fiona Horne if I had the chance.  However, I'd like to say that if I found anything wrong with the books I listed, I wouldn't recommend them.  Trust me on this.  Now, to address Raymond Buckland, please note that I added to it "(ignore anything about the "History of Wicca" or Margaret Murray)."  I added such notes because as we all should know, there is more often than not a diamond in the rough.  Amongst some garbage there is some treasure.  

AJ Drew, certainly he talks about some of his own issues, but so?  Isn't that what the written word is for?  He has the right to be biased, and anyone who doesn't want to read his work also has the right to do so.  I actually agree with most of what he has to say, which is why I put two of his works on my list.

I included Kate West's book because I happen to enjoy some of the recipes contained therein.  

Now, with Konstantinos' books, he portrayed Wicca as he practices it.  That is his right.  Just because not everyone practices Wicca in a nocturnal fashion does not mean that he does not have the right to and allow others who may see things his way to learn how also.  I myself am what you might call a "gothic person" and was thrilled to find Nocturnal Witchcraft.  It's all about everyone's different perspectives and some people simply can't relate to mainstream Wiccan books.

Ann Moura.  If she has any anti-Christian biases, I coudln't find them in this book.  Maybe she does in her others, but not the one I listed.

Raven Grimassi.  Once again, please read the not I included.

Patricia Telesco.  Another author whose other works I am not familiar with, I admit.  However, I included the book that she co-authored with AJ Drew because I felt that it was unique in that it actually dealt directly with the God and Goddess themsleves rather than being a combination Wicca 101/Ritual Technique/How to be a Witch book.

Edain McCoy.  Also an author whose other works I am not familiar with.  Her book Advanced Witchcraft is thusfar the one book of its kind I have been able to find, a far cry from the multitudes of Wicca 101/how to be a Witch books  that clutter bookshelves.  Taking the next step, if you will.  In this book, she never claimed Wicca to be anything other than what it is, although she seems to be one of the ones who prefer to call it Witchcraft.  

In short, these author's other works may have some things wrong with them, but the books I listed I would not recommend if they were complete garbage in my mind.

[Lark]

AJ Drew, certainly he talks about some of his own issues, but so? Isn't that what the written word is for? He has the right to be biased, and anyone who doesn't want to read his work also has the right to do so. I actually agree with most of what he has to say, which is why I put two of his works on my list.

The problem is that I don't really CARE about his personal issues and the problems he has with other people in the community.  When I buy a book on Wicca I want to learn something about the spiritual path...not listen to someone carp about how someone done them wrong.  That's MY beef with A.J.'s writing.  If he could leave his personal issues out of it his books might be worth a second look.

Ann Moura. If she has any anti-Christian biases, I coudln't find them in this book. Maybe she does in her others, but not the one I listed.

Trust me, she has one, both in her books and in person.  And having listened to her talk in person I kept expecting pink fluffy bunnies to run across the room  Other people have found some good bits in her books...but again, it's hard for a beginner to figure out what's good and what's trash.

Raven Grimassi. Once again, please read the not I included.

I did read your note, and my point stands.  Raven knows diddley about hereditary Witchcraft.  He isn't one.  He's completely Wiccan trained.  He just likes to claim other things.

Edain McCoy. Also an author whose other works I am not familiar with. Her book Advanced Witchcraft is thusfar the one book of its kind I have been able to find, a far cry from the multitudes of Wicca 101/how to be a Witch books that clutter bookshelves. Taking the next step, if you will. In this book, she never claimed Wicca to be anything other than what it is, although she seems to be one of the ones who prefer to call it Witchcraft.

Frankly I looked at that book and didn't see much of anything advanced about it.  It also annoys me when an author gives the impression that Wicca and Witchcrraft are the same thing when they're not.  While Wiccans are certainly Witches, many Witches are not Wiccan at all.  Ms. McCoy seems to ignore that.  Better books if you want something beyond the Wicca 101 is "Deepening Witchcraft" by Grey Cat or "The Heart of Wicca" by Ellen Cannon Reed.

Now, with Konstantinos' books, he portrayed Wicca as he practices it. That is his right. Just because not everyone practices Wicca in a nocturnal fashion does not mean that he does not have the right to and allow others who may see things his way to learn how also

Noone ever said he didn't have the right to write the book or to practice however he wants to.  BUT....  Wicca is not a "whatever you want to do religion".  There are certain beliefs and practices that are core to Wicca and if you stray too far from those you aren't practicing Wicca anymore.  Wicca is about a balance between dark and light, neither one nor the other.  And I think it is very important not to mistake lifestyle choices such as being Goth with a religion such as Wicca.  Doing that may make someone miss out on much of the richness that comes with this spiritual path.  I find his books pandering to the Goth phenomenon and not all that well written either.

One thing that is very important in recommending books to beginners is to understand that not all of them have the ability to read critically.  If a book that you recommend has bad history how are they supposed to know that?  After all, you recommended it, it must be correct, right??  That's why I am very, very careful not to suggest books that I know have flaws...or to recommend authors that I know don't write the best books.  Remember too that if you suggest one book by an author, it suggests that all other books by that author would be worthwhile as well..and that's certainly not always the case.

-Lark-

[NachtSorcier]

You are correct in saying that beginners aren't able to distinguish between what good and what's garbage right away.  I agree with that 100%.  However, we were all new at one point, and I'm going purely by my own experiences.  As I said in another post, I've never had a teacher.  I've been a solitary practitioner for the past 4 1/2 years and all of my studying has been done solely by reading whatever I came across and by the trial and error method.  Living in a small town and a somewhat conservative area, I've not had access to teachers, covens, or even other individual Wiccans, with the exception of a fluffy here and there.  I admit that even I was a fluffy at the start.  What I mean to say here is that I would hope that any newbie who should take my recommendations to heart would eventually learn to distinguish the good in them and the bad, just as I had to do.  

I consider myself a pretty good judge of character, and in just about every book on Wicca I've read I've noticed at least one or two things that rubbed me the wrong way, but that didn't stop me from learning from it, even if it was just learning to take what that author says with a grain of salt or even to not read that authors work (in the case of the Frosts).  For example, I knew while I was reading Konstantinos' books that he was somewhat unbalanced.  However, I enjoy his books because from them I was able to glean the perspective of someone who feels drawn to the night and its energies and gods, just as I do.  I myself can appreciate the energies of the day, I just feel more drawn to the night.  I know about balance and I try to keep it as often as possible.  I also know the difference between a lifestyle choice and a religion.  If I wore Prada or Gucci instead of cheap articles from Wal-Mart my practices would still be the same.

In short, I simply hope that newbies would themselves eventually learn for themselves what is good and what is not.  But of course, I'm not a qualified teacher and only know what I've learned thusfar.  I certainly don't want to turn this into an argument, so since I sense that it's going to eventually escalate into one, let's please try to avoid that.

[Lark]

Not an argument..simply a discussion where two people have widely different viewpoints.

Yes, new people can learn by the trial and error method.  It can be an effective way to learn although painful at times.  But around here we try to point out the pitfalls before someone tumbles into them so that they don't have to make the same mistakes that we did.

You listed some books you like.  I listed some of the pitfalls that I am familiar with in those books and suggested some others.  That's how people learn.

-Lark-

[NachtSorcier]

Absolutely, Lark.  I totally understand what you're saying.  And I most definitely was not trying to argue.  I had just realized from your responses that some explanations were needed, and I was providing them.  When newbies ask me questions, I answer them to the best of my ability, which often results in reactions that are either humorous or make me hang my head in shame.  One time I disappointed someone because she thought that what we do is like what Melissa Joan Heart did on Sabrina the Teenage Witch.  When I was in high school some guy I had never met before screamed and ranted at me in the cafeteria because I said that Wiccans and witches weren't the same thing.  Apparently I was wrong simply because his mom was one.  So in the case of this list, I simply provide it when I'm just not in the mood to get into a discussion, or if it's one of those people who just jumps in and says, "Hey, tell me everything you know about Wicca," when they could quite simply Google it for themselves.  

But as I say, I totally understand what you're saying, and I respect it.  *hugs*

[Anonymous]

I was just wondering about your thoughts on Scott Cunningham.  :hmm

[dragonfly]

Hey Lark,what about Eileen Holland? I have her "Wicca Handbook".