What are your favorite or most useful books on witchcraft, occultism, or spirituality in general? Poetry and myth count, too.
“It’s Easier Than You Think” by Sylvia Boorstein
“Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung?” by Ajahn Brahm
I learn well from stories, and both of these books teach basic Buddhist philosophy through very short stories.
The Tao Te Ching. Honestly I really adore The Tao of Pooh as well, and I habitually buy copies for people.
+1 for Tao of Pooh and Te of Piglet. I’m reading it right now and already know I’ll be buying it for some friends.
I came here to say Tao Te Ching as well. It’s an easy read, and short, but it showed me a very different outlook on life than what I’d encountered up to that point.
I have the 1997 translation / version by Ursula Le Guin and it’s fantastic. It’s a more poetic translation and has some great commentary by Le Guin.
I love Le Guin’s version too! Today i found Paul Carus’ translation on archive.org, looking forward to read it.
I really need to reread that. It’s been far too long ❤️
On witchcraft I recommend:
- Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler
- Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland
- Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practicioner by Scott Cunningham
I read these years ago, though I enjoyed the first two more than the third.
Some other books of a spiritual nature that I have re-read (which I suppose is the best recommendation of any book) are Siddhartha by Herman Hesse and The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton.
For myth I have to recommmend The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers. I feel it’s kind of essential reading to more deeply understand why specific types of stories (spiritual or otherwise) resonate with people. Also, there is a lecture series available for free on Youtube if you prefer to watch or listen, or can’t find a copy of the book.
“A God that could be real” - Nancy Abrams
- Peter Carroll - Liber Null and Psychonaut
- R.A. Wilson - Prometheus Rising
- Aleister Crowley - Magick Without Tears
- Nicholas Graham - The Four Powers
- Don Webb - Uncle Setnakt’s Essential Guide to the Left Hand Path
- T. Thorn Coyle - Kissing the Limitless
- Israel Regardie - Middle Pillar
- Grant Morrison - The Invisibles
- Patrick Dunn - Postmodern Magic
- Anton LeVay - The Satanic Bible
I want to thank you for your recs but specifically for the second to last one on this list. I’ve been looking for a book exactly like it.
You’re welcome - good luck.
some of my favorites:
- braiding sweetgrass
- the dabbler’s guide to witchcraft
- hausmagick
- queering your craft
