Doreen Valiente's 'ABC of Wirchcraft Past and Present' is one of the best books on te subject I've ever come across. For serious scholarly reading, Robert Graves' s volumes of Greek Mythology and 'The White Goddess' are incredibly valuable - read the Greek myths first, they're a good warm-up for the incredibly dense WG.

Welcome & blessings!

My personal introduction to Wicca came from Raymond Buckland's 'Complete Book of Witchcraft', which I affectionately refer to as 'the Big Blue Book'. Part of what I liked about Buckland's book was that he gave beginner instructions on creating your own tools so you wouldn't have to rely on store-bought ones. Starhawk's 'Spiral Dance' is also one of my early favorites, but she is a political activist & can come across fairly heavy-handed sometimes. I took a Wicca class for awhile & their textbook was Janet & Stewart Farrar's 'Witches Bible Compleat'. I had a hard time adapting to the notion of twin Gods rather than one single God, but it is thorough.

Yes, to all thes recs. Silver Ravenwolf is another good begginning author, though a bit on the fluffy side, in my opinion. And if you're looking for a radical feminist/Goddess centric approach, you might consider Z. Budapest. I'd also encourage you to grab a book or two about specific topics/myths/pantheons that interest you, as you discover what those are.

Good luck!

All great suggestions here.

I would say, for study of witchcraft Christopher Penczak, as I have found his exercises to be most helpful in inner development and growth which is very important, otherwise all of your candles, wiggly fingers and Endora swooshes are for naught.

History, Drawing down the moon, I did actally read the Golden Bough.

For Wicca, one of the many religious aspects of the Craft, I would stick with what you got unless you need more on this subject.

For kicks, interest, more trivia, etc I would suggest:
the Kybalion (very good philosophical read) which you can download free as a pdf onine.

Dione Fortune (I prefer her way more than the old Golden Dawn stuff, just keep in mind this is now a historical book and the language is outdated and Victorian.

Janet & Stewart Farrar, I think the Witches Bible is a fun little bit to have and read.

Mythology, mythology, mythology. Get into Joseph Campbell and understand the mythological process... Theater, also very important, one of my favorites is Jean Cocteau.

Question: are you studying for the more religious aspects (Gods, Goddesses, Wicca, Druidism, Fairie, etc) or more magickal pursuits and inner temple building like Magick?

Scotty

My first book was Amber K's "True Magick" its a nice overview.

I also like Scott Cunningham and Buckland for good beginners books.

Most of all the books recommended so far are mostly "How To" books which is fine but the Craft is much deeper than candle magick, spells & charms. I highly recommend not only for the beginner but the adepts as well "Bonewits's Essential Guide To Witchcraft And Wicca" by Isaac Bonewits. A must have on every Wiccan's & Pagan's bookshelf. A honest look at the history and deep spirituality of Wicca.

Isaac is the Founder and Archdruid Emeritus of Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship (the best known Neopagan Druid organization based in North America), a 3° Druid within the United Ancient Order of Druids (the best known Mesopagan Druid order), a retired High Priest in both the Gardnerian ("British Orthodox") and the N.R.O.O.G.D. ("California Heterodox") traditions of Wicca (Neopagan Witchcraft), an initiate of Santeria (Afro-Cuban Mesopaganism) and the "Caliphate Line" of the Ordo Templi Orientis (Aleister Crowley's Mesopagan magical tradition), as well as a member of other Neopagan and Mesopagan Druid orders. He has been a member of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) for three years. Having survived four previous spouses (and vice versa), on July 23, 2004 he was handfasted to CUUPS co-founder, tarot expert, writer, and Wiccan Priestess, Phaedra Heyman Bonewits.

"The Encyclopedia To Wicca and Witchcraft," its a big violet/purple and white book and a little over an inch thick....sorry I do not now who the author is. I also like Raven Grimassi as an author too.

Here's a couple of good online sources, too:

www.witchvox.com/

www.religioustolerance.org/