Wicca books.

[white_wolf]

Hey everyone, I was just wondering if anyone had any good books on Wicca? I've always been interested in learning more about it, I have a couple of pagan friends, one is a Wiccan, the other is just a pagan, but I haven't been able to talk to my Wiccan friend in awhile and my pagan friend couldn't really give me any good books. So, does anyone have any recommendations for books that explain basic beliefs and principles of Wicca? I know the very basics, that it worships a God and Goddess(or just Goddess in the case of Dianic Wiccans), and that Gardner is the founder of it and claims it is the remains of an ancient pre-Christian religion in Europe, but that's the extent of my knowledge.

[libodem]

1. Hi

I want to learn more, too. I came running in here blathering about goddess worshipers and was quite embarrassed that they wanted to send me away to the astrology group. I've been to circles for solstice or equinox but I'm not sure if my belief system is welcome here.

[icymist]

2. libodem, nodody here wants to send you away.

One person who answers first isn't the entire group. Frankly, on the new DU3, anybody could have been answering you. When asked 'are there any Goddesses worshipers here?' I seriously did not know what to say at first as the question seemed vague.

[libodem]

3. Thank you

I felt like a fool, anyway. I shouldn't have barged in expecting others to know what I meant. Being humble means being teachable.

I have much to learn.

[icymist]

4. white_wolf, I know of a few good books on wicca.

The first book I would recomend is Drawing Down The Moon by Margot Adler:
http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Down-Moon-Margot-Adler/dp/0670283428
This book, even though dated, covers pretty much of the wides spectrum of the neo-pagan religions which wicca is part of. A review of the book here:
http://crab.rutgers.edu/~banner/adler.html

Other books I have found to be valuable:
The Spirial Dance by Starhawk... http://www.amazon.com/dp/0062516329/?tag=mh0b-20&hvadid=152108649&ref=pd_sl_93uqiu5de9_e
Voices From The Circle by Caitlin Matthews... http://www.amazon.com/Voices-Circle-Heritage-Western-Paganism/dp/0850307856
Natural Magic by Doreen Valiente... http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Magic-Doreen-Valiente/dp/0709064500
Bucklands Complete Book On Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland... http://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780875420509
Earth Magic, A Dianic Book Of Shadows by Marion Weinstein...
http://www.amazon.com/Earth-Magic-Dianic-Book-Shadows/dp/1890733008

Libodem, feel free to view these as well. That's a few books on the subject of wicca. Between these six you should get a clear understanding of wicca and the traditions within. BB Icymist

[libodem]

5. Thank you so much

I recognise Starhawk's name from references in my terrot deck. I hope I run across these books. I have a good friend who is Wiccan. I wasn't sure if that was the type of pagans you were. I'm beginning to understand.

[Still Blue in PDX]

6. If it's Wicca you are interested in . . .

I would recommend Witchcraft Today and The Meaning of Witchcraft by Gerald Gardner.

You can look online for the Amber and Jet mailing list. These are British Traditional Witches who will share non-oathbound information with seekers, and what you get will be accurate.

[HopeHoops]

7. Wikipedia has an excellent series of connected pages on the subject.

It isn't authoritarian by any means, but the pages do keep a fairly balanced approach to the various branches and explain the history. That's a good start. Books are usually biased to one flavor or another. That's not a slight toward them, just a reality. My daughter has been an eclectic pagan for a few years now and we fully support her. So does my dad. He was wearing a pentacle necklace the last time he came by. I won't because I don't want my daughter to feel like I'm taking over her domain.