You might have heard about the internet in the 1990s – a veritable badlands of patchwork information, nascent digital communities, opinions, and an explosion of information. Like many interested in nontraditional spirituality, many of my initial encounters with paganism, witchcraft, and spells happened online.
Some publishers also produced appropriative and impractical materials back then. Being of Irish ancestry, I was drawn into anything “Celtic,” which seemed to be some sort of mishmash of modern rituals vaguely based on seasons and stuff. Since then, I’ve learned more about witchcraft and paganism, and have encountered some reliable, reputable sources for getting into the craft.
As with any other nonfiction topic, witchcraft is something you can find sources for, especially when it comes to folk magic and archaeological evidence for pagan and polytheistic beliefs. But, it’s also a modern and evolving practice where practitioners can choose or create a path that works best for them.
However you became interested in magic – it’s valid. For me, it was fiction that led me to look into old beliefs, societies like the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, modern Wicca, and eclectic solo practice. If, like me, you do find that your initial foray into the world of witchcraft was problematic in some way (for me it was the author of the aforementioned work who turned out to be a big problem), don’t let that stop you. Learn more and do better. There are always ways to be sensitive in your practices and make your witchcraft more inclusive.
These reads will help you figure out where you want to go.
Blackthorn’s Protection Magic by Amy Blackthorn
Author Amy Blackthorn has a great deal of experience as a protector, both in the mundane and magical realms. Her book offers practical safety advice from the perspective of an expert in security, but complements those common-sense tips with herblore and spellwork.
Blackthorn’s Protection Magic includes real experiences and examples to help you personalize and internalize the work you can do to feel empowered. As a disabled woman, I felt included in Blackthorn’s advice and saw how most of the suggestions could work for me.
When you start a witchcraft practice, a lot of people will tell you not to do or experiment with anything until you have protection down. Decades of practice and encounters with knowledgeable authors and mentors have led me to understand that the best magic works when there are both mundane and magical components, and that certainly applies to protection. I get a real sense of empowerment from this book, and it hits like the opposite of a warning in my gut. I read this in my 25th year of pagan practice, but I wish I’d read this as the first book in my journey.
Blackfeather Mystery School: The Magpie Training, Book 1 by Irene Glasse and Caine Dreamwalker
If you’re like me, you might be guilty of reading a lot about magic and not really doing anything about it. I justify that by saying that a lot of the work is internal. It’s self-work, crossing over into the psychological and spilling welcomingly into my therapy sessions. That doesn’t mean it has to be passive.
Blackfeather Mystery School is written for beginners, and it starts with some basic, practical elements, practices, and rituals you can do to build your own witchcraft practice. The authors subscribe to empowered and inclusive practice, and those beliefs are baked into the text. You can let your guard down here – you don’t have to feel silly when you move or try to sense energy. The book is a bit like an affirming hug that way.
The most critical thing about Blackfeather Mystery School is the idea behind ritual: that rituals are helpful to us because they help us establish healthy routines. The rituals offered in this book are accessible and inspire joy without ignoring the reality of life: it’s not always easy to cope with things going on in the world and in your life. These rituals can help you find a sense of playful exploration.
Dark Goddess Craft: A Journey Through the Heart of Transformation by Stephanie Woodfield
When we come to witchcraft, it’s hard not to drag in a lot of the scary misconceptions from society. Many of us have been discouraged to think about or interact with anything like a ‘dark goddess,’ and this was the book that changed my feelings on that and helped me find my way to The Morrigan.
As the book’s subtitle suggests, this book and the goddesses it covers are about transformative reflection and practice. That means facing truth, and possibly an upheaval in your life when you work with these goddesses – whether you believe they are beings that exist, or whether you treat them as concepts to internalize.
I took my time on each chapter of this book, thoroughly reflecting on every figure covered. I found particular inspiration from the Washer Woman at the Ford, who made me reflect on what I needed to let go of during my spiritual journey. Each chapter contains a lesson and a learning, and Woodfield’s descriptions inspired me to create poetry and paintings about the goddesses she discussed. Once you’re willing to go into a journey of depth and have the mental capacity for some deep self-work and exploration, this is a good starting point.
Dark Goddess Craft demystifies the veiled aspects of witchcraft and explores how empowerment lives on the other side of everything society is afraid of.
Jailbreaking the Goddess: A Radical Revisioning of Feminist Spirituality by Lasara Firefox Allen
Religion can be constricting – that’s a reason many of us want to find our own path in witchcraft or paganism. For me, the feeling of not belonging came from the repeated message of the maiden/mother/crone figure, representing the three stages of a woman’s life. I can’t have children, largely because life didn’t work out for me that way. Did this mean that I am any less a woman, or any less a witch? It felt that way.
Jailbreaking the Goddess soothed that wound. This book is meant for inclusion, moving past the maiden/mother/crone model and encouraging alternative ways to think about goddess figures. This has a lot of relevance for queer, trans and nonbinary practitioners, with an emphasis on the fact that transformation and personal growth are major components of most modern spiritual journeys.
As with most spiritual or self-help books, I took what worked for me, and said ‘no thanks’ to the rest, which is something reputable authors or mentors will often encourage you to do. If a practice bothers you or simply isn’t for you, that’s okay. There’s something else that is. This book reaffirmed that value while making me aware of how concepts like colonialism have hindered my spiritual journey.
Jailbreaking the Goddess also introduced me to the concept of deconstruction, which is important to me although I’ve never been a member of a majority faith. Sometimes, harmful concepts seep in, especially concerning religion and how we view it, and the author’s view here was critical to helping me understand what I needed to examine more closely so I could move forward with concepts like animism, which are in direct conflict with some modern mundane principles and constructs.
In other words, if you want to hex the patriarchy or develop your spirituality in a way that will liberate you from constructs like capitalism, this is the book for you.
Pagan Portals Books, published by Llwellyn, Multiple Authors
Books about witchcraft are also rewarding to read together. My best friend and I read the Pagan Portals books (published by Llwellyn) and discuss them. They’re fantastic introductions to many pagan practices and deities. While we’re advanced in some areas, we find that these resources provide excellent context in our practice. I work with Thor, for example, but these slim but bountiful reads on other Norse deities help me understand how and where Thor fits in and how people might have thought about these gods historically.
Morgan Daimler is a reputable author who has written multiple Pagan Portals books in addition to other publications about magic. If you’re not sure where to begin exploring when it comes to this series of books, start with one of theirs.
Other Recommendations for Your Witchcraft Journey
I’ve kept to broad recommendations here because these cover some fundamentals and commonalities with witchcraft. They’re plain language, and while they are beginner-level, they aren’t pedantic. In such a broad community, it’s very common for people to tell you how you should and should not practice witchcraft or paganism, and while guides and mentors can be helpful, it’s best to explore trustworthy sources and use your intuition, whether you're looking for that first introductory read, or have been reading about witchcraft for a bit.
Unfortunately, there are some authors out there who have done harm to individuals and communities, even if they’re popular. I recommend doing research or speaking with trusted mentors and friends before checking out a new author. Sometimes, their methods still have value, but must be read through a critical lens. As a beginner? Skip them. You can always come back to them later when you’ve determined your own fundamentals and values.
Other recommendations include Catherine Heath (Elves, Witches, and Gods: Spinning Old Heathen Magic in the Modern Day), Laura Tempest Zakroff (Sigil Witchery), Courtney Weber (Hekate: Goddess of Witches), as well as The Writual Planner by Sheila Ellis for tarot readers of any level ready to commit to a daily practice. To supplement your reading, especially as you’re first exploring magical work, I highly recommend the podcast Seeking Witchcraft, hosted by Ashley.