pagan Authors You Should Know

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Religion & Spirituality
Paganism / Wicca
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by Patti Wigington
Updated August 31, 2016
The following people are some of the most well-known authors in the fields of ma
gic, the occult, Paganism and Wicca. While not everyone agrees with everything t
hese authors have written, reading their work will give you a greater understand
ing of the history of Paganism and Wicca in the modern era. Although this isn't
a comprehensive list, it's a good starting point for anyone who's interested in
reading more about Wicca and Paganism.
1 Starhawk
Starhawk
Starhawk at the Planet Repair Institute, 2011. Photo Credit: Sarah Dent/Flickr/
Creative Commons (CC BY-ND 2.0)
Starhawk is the founder of the Reclaiming Tradition of Wicca, and an environment
al activist. In addition to writing numerous books about Paganism such as The Sp
iral Dance, she is also the author of several speculative fiction books. She is
also co-author of Circle Round, a must-have for anyone raising kids in pagan tra
ditions. Originally born Miriam Simos, Starhawk has worked as a consultant on a
number of films, but spends most of her time writing and working for environment
al and feminist causes. She travels regularly, teaching others about caring for
the earth and global activism.
Photo Credit: Sarah Dent/Flickr/Creative Commons (CC BY-ND 2.0)
2 Adler, Margot
Margot Adler
Margot Adler signs books at University of the Pacific in Stockton, 2010. Photo
Credit: Patrick Giblin/Flickr/Creative Commons (CC BY-NC 2.0)
Margot Adler (April 16, 1946 July 28, 2014) was a highly respected columnist and
journalist for National Public Radio. In 1979 she joined NPR as a reporter, and
covered controversial topics such as the right to die and the death penalty in
America. Later on she became a Harvard fellow.
In the eighties Adler covered a number of diverse topics from making a documentar
y about AIDS patients in San Francisco to reporting on the Winter Olympics in Ca
lgary and Sarajevo. She occasionally appeared as a guest commentator on shows li
ke "All Things Considered", which is a staple for NPR listeners, and was the hos
t of the network's "Justice Talking." Her book Drawing Down the Moon is often re
ferred to as a field guide to modern Paganism.
Photo Credit: Patrick Giblin/Flickr/Creative Commons (CC BY-NC 2.0)
3 Buckland, Raymond
RayBuckland_1500
Wiccan author Ray Buckland in 2008. Photo Credit: Patti Wigington
Raymond Buckland (born August 31, 1934) is one of the greatest living influences
on modern Pagans and Wiccans. He began studying spiritualism in his native Engl
and as boy. He began studying Wicca and developed a correspondence with Gerald G
ardner himself. He was initiated in Scotland in 1963.
After leaving the Gardnerian tradition, Buckland formed Seax-Wica, based on the
culture of the Saxons. He spent several years teaching and training other witche
s through the Seax-Wica Seminary, and eventually turned to solitary practice. Ma
ny people credit his work with getting Wiccans "out of the broom closet".

4 Cunningham, Scott
Cunningham_1500
Scott Cunningham was the other of numerous popular books on Paganism. Photo Cre
dit: Llewellyn Publishing
The late Scott Cunningham is probably second only to Ray Buckland when it comes
to the volume of information he has published on Wicca and witchcraft. As a coll
ege student in San Diego Scott developed an interest in herbs, and his first boo
k, Magickal Herbalism, was published by Llewellyn in 1982. It has since become k
nown as one of the definitive works on the use of herbal correspondences in magi
ck and witchcraft.
In 1990, Scott Cunningham became ill on a lecture tour, and his health gradually
deteriorated. Although he went home and continued to write more books, he event
ually passed away in 1993.

5 Curott, Phyllis
Phyllis Curott
Phyllis Curott's books emphasize empowerment. Photo Credit: Book cover images f
rom Amazon.com
Phyllis Curott (born February 8, 1954) obtained her law degree from NYU' s School
of Law, and has worked as an attorney with a focus on civil liberties, which she
continues to do today. She was one of the founding members of the Religious Lib
erties Lawyers Network, which provides legal assistance and resources for cases
stemming from First Amendment religious issues.
She was initiated into Wicca in 1985, after many years of studying Goddess tradi
tions. Her first book was published in 1998. In addition to writing, she has spo
ken around the world about such matters as religious freedom and the rights of w
omen. Her book Witch Crafting is a must-read for Pagans who are interested in so
cial justice and activism within a spiritual context.

6 Farrar, Stewart and Janet

Stewart Farrar
Photo Credit: Book cover images courtesy of Amazon.com
Janet and Stewart Farrar met in 1970, when twenty-year-old Janet was initiated i
nto the coven of Alex Sanders. Stewart had been initiated into the Sanders' cove
n early in 1970. Stewart and Janet broke away to form their own coven that same
year and spent some time building their group. They were handfast in 1972 and le
gally married a few years later. Stewart wrote a book entitled What Witches Do,
and became a vocal proponent of Wicca.
In the mid-seventies Stewart and Janet left Britain and moved to Ireland, formin
g a new coven and collaborating on several books which have become staples for m
odern pagans. Janet now collaborates on books with her partner Gavin Bone.

7 Gardner, Gerald Brousseau

Gardner_1500
Image Credit: Citadel Press
An initiate of Aleister Crowley, in 1949, Gerald Gardner (1884 1964) published the
novel High Magic's Aid, which was in fact not really a novel but a disguised ve
rsion of Gardner's Book of Shadows. A few years later, Gardner met Doreen Valien
te and initiated her into his coven. Valiente revamped Gardner's Book of Shadows
, eliminated much of the Crowleyan influence, and worked together with him to cr
eate a huge body of work that became the foundation of the Gardnerian tradition.
In 1963, Gardner met Raymond Buckland, and Gardner's HPs, Lady Olwen, initiated
Buckland into the Craft. Gerald Gardner died of a heart attack in 1964.
8 Leek, Sybil
Grimoire
Photo Credit: Emyerson/E+/Getty Images
According to Sybil herself, she was born in 1922 in Staffordshire, into a family
of hereditary witches (reports from around the time of her death say she was ac
tually born in 1917). She claimed to trace her mother s family of witches back to
the time of William the Conqueror. Leek was initiated into witchcraft in France.
She later joined her family near the New Forest, and then spent a year living w
ith the Gypsies, who welcomed her as one of their own. Later in life, Sybil Leek
became publicly known as a witch, wrote her Six Tenets of Witchcraft and severa
l books, and traveled the world giving talks and interviews about the subject be
fore settling down in America.

9 Leland, Charles G.
Charles Leland
Photo Credit: Book cover images courtesy of Amazon.com
Leland (Aug. 15, 1824 March 20, 1903) was a folklorist who wrote several books a
bout English Gypsies. His early years were spent in America, and legend has it t
hat shortly after his birth an old family nurse performed a ritual upon him, whi
ch was to bring him good fortune and that he would become a scholar and wizard.
In addition to collecting exotic occult objects, Leland was a prolific writer an
d produced over fifty books during his lifetime, some of which influenced Gerald
Gardner and Doreen Valiente. He died in 1903, before completing the bulk of his
work on Italian Witchcraft. To this date, his best known work remains Aradia, G
ospel of the Witches.
10 Murray, Margaret
Margaret Murray
Photo Credit: Book cover images courtesy of Amazon.com
Margaret Murray was an anthropologist who became well known for her theory of a
pre-Christian European religion. Margaret became recognized as a competent Egypt
ologist and folklorist and was influenced by works such as James Frazer' s . After
evaluating the records of the European witch trials, she published The Witch Cu
lt in Western Europe, in which she posited that witchcraft was far older than th
e middle ages, that it had in fact been a religion of its own, existing long bef
ore the Christian Church came along. Many of her theories have since been debunk
ed by scholars, but her work is still noteworthy.

Pagan Authors You Should Know

Share
Pin
Email
Religion and Spirituality
Religion & Spirituality
Paganism / Wicca
Books & Sacred Texts
Basics
Rituals & Ceremonies
Sabbats & Holidays
Gods & Goddesses
Dreams & Meditation
Divination
Herbalism
Christianity
Catholicism
Islam
Judaism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Latter-Day Saints
VIEW MORE
by Patti Wigington
Updated August 31, 2016
The following people are some of the most well-known authors in the fields of ma
gic, the occult, Paganism and Wicca. While not everyone agrees with everything t
hese authors have written, reading their work will give you a greater understand
ing of the history of Paganism and Wicca in the modern era. Although this isn't
a comprehensive list, it's a good starting point for anyone who's interested in
reading more about Wicca and Paganism.
1 Starhawk
Starhawk
Starhawk at the Planet Repair Institute, 2011. Photo Credit: Sarah Dent/Flickr/
Creative Commons (CC BY-ND 2.0)
Starhawk is the founder of the Reclaiming Tradition of Wicca, and an environment
al activist. In addition to writing numerous books about Paganism such as The Sp
iral Dance, she is also the author of several speculative fiction books. She is
also co-author of Circle Round, a must-have for anyone raising kids in pagan tra
ditions. Originally born Miriam Simos, Starhawk has worked as a consultant on a
number of films, but spends most of her time writing and working for environment
al and feminist causes. She travels regularly, teaching others about caring for
the earth and global activism.
Photo Credit: Sarah Dent/Flickr/Creative Commons (CC BY-ND 2.0)
2 Adler, Margot
Margot Adler
Margot Adler signs books at University of the Pacific in Stockton, 2010. Photo
Credit: Patrick Giblin/Flickr/Creative Commons (CC BY-NC 2.0)
Margot Adler (April 16, 1946 July 28, 2014) was a highly respected columnist and
journalist for National Public Radio. In 1979 she joined NPR as a reporter, and
covered controversial topics such as the right to die and the death penalty in
America. Later on she became a Harvard fellow.
In the eighties Adler covered a number of diverse topics from making a documentar
y about AIDS patients in San Francisco to reporting on the Winter Olympics in Ca
lgary and Sarajevo. She occasionally appeared as a guest commentator on shows li
ke "All Things Considered", which is a staple for NPR listeners, and was the hos
t of the network's "Justice Talking." Her book Drawing Down the Moon is often re
ferred to as a field guide to modern Paganism.
Photo Credit: Patrick Giblin/Flickr/Creative Commons (CC BY-NC 2.0)
3 Buckland, Raymond
RayBuckland_1500
Wiccan author Ray Buckland in 2008. Photo Credit: Patti Wigington
Raymond Buckland (born August 31, 1934) is one of the greatest living influences
on modern Pagans and Wiccans. He began studying spiritualism in his native Engl
and as boy. He began studying Wicca and developed a correspondence with Gerald G
ardner himself. He was initiated in Scotland in 1963.
After leaving the Gardnerian tradition, Buckland formed Seax-Wica, based on the
culture of the Saxons. He spent several years teaching and training other witche
s through the Seax-Wica Seminary, and eventually turned to solitary practice. Ma
ny people credit his work with getting Wiccans "out of the broom closet".

4 Cunningham, Scott
Cunningham_1500
Scott Cunningham was the other of numerous popular books on Paganism. Photo Cre
dit: Llewellyn Publishing
The late Scott Cunningham is probably second only to Ray Buckland when it comes
to the volume of information he has published on Wicca and witchcraft. As a coll
ege student in San Diego Scott developed an interest in herbs, and his first boo
k, Magickal Herbalism, was published by Llewellyn in 1982. It has since become k
nown as one of the definitive works on the use of herbal correspondences in magi
ck and witchcraft.
In 1990, Scott Cunningham became ill on a lecture tour, and his health gradually
deteriorated. Although he went home and continued to write more books, he event
ually passed away in 1993.

5 Curott, Phyllis
Phyllis Curott
Phyllis Curott's books emphasize empowerment. Photo Credit: Book cover images f
rom Amazon.com
Phyllis Curott (born February 8, 1954) obtained her law degree from NYU' s School
of Law, and has worked as an attorney with a focus on civil liberties, which she
continues to do today. She was one of the founding members of the Religious Lib
erties Lawyers Network, which provides legal assistance and resources for cases
stemming from First Amendment religious issues.
She was initiated into Wicca in 1985, after many years of studying Goddess tradi
tions. Her first book was published in 1998. In addition to writing, she has spo
ken around the world about such matters as religious freedom and the rights of w
omen. Her book Witch Crafting is a must-read for Pagans who are interested in so
cial justice and activism within a spiritual context.

6 Farrar, Stewart and Janet

Stewart Farrar
Photo Credit: Book cover images courtesy of Amazon.com
Janet and Stewart Farrar met in 1970, when twenty-year-old Janet was initiated i
nto the coven of Alex Sanders. Stewart had been initiated into the Sanders' cove
n early in 1970. Stewart and Janet broke away to form their own coven that same
year and spent some time building their group. They were handfast in 1972 and le
gally married a few years later. Stewart wrote a book entitled What Witches Do,
and became a vocal proponent of Wicca.
In the mid-seventies Stewart and Janet left Britain and moved to Ireland, formin
g a new coven and collaborating on several books which have become staples for m
odern pagans. Janet now collaborates on books with her partner Gavin Bone.

7 Gardner, Gerald Brousseau

Gardner_1500
Image Credit: Citadel Press
An initiate of Aleister Crowley, in 1949, Gerald Gardner (1884 1964) published the
novel High Magic's Aid, which was in fact not really a novel but a disguised ve
rsion of Gardner's Book of Shadows. A few years later, Gardner met Doreen Valien
te and initiated her into his coven. Valiente revamped Gardner's Book of Shadows
, eliminated much of the Crowleyan influence, and worked together with him to cr
eate a huge body of work that became the foundation of the Gardnerian tradition.
In 1963, Gardner met Raymond Buckland, and Gardner's HPs, Lady Olwen, initiated
Buckland into the Craft. Gerald Gardner died of a heart attack in 1964.
8 Leek, Sybil
Grimoire
Photo Credit: Emyerson/E+/Getty Images
According to Sybil herself, she was born in 1922 in Staffordshire, into a family
of hereditary witches (reports from around the time of her death say she was ac
tually born in 1917). She claimed to trace her mother s family of witches back to
the time of William the Conqueror. Leek was initiated into witchcraft in France.
She later joined her family near the New Forest, and then spent a year living w
ith the Gypsies, who welcomed her as one of their own. Later in life, Sybil Leek
became publicly known as a witch, wrote her Six Tenets of Witchcraft and severa
l books, and traveled the world giving talks and interviews about the subject be
fore settling down in America.

9 Leland, Charles G.
Charles Leland
Photo Credit: Book cover images courtesy of Amazon.com
Leland (Aug. 15, 1824 March 20, 1903) was a folklorist who wrote several books a
bout English Gypsies. His early years were spent in America, and legend has it t
hat shortly after his birth an old family nurse performed a ritual upon him, whi
ch was to bring him good fortune and that he would become a scholar and wizard.
In addition to collecting exotic occult objects, Leland was a prolific writer an
d produced over fifty books during his lifetime, some of which influenced Gerald
Gardner and Doreen Valiente. He died in 1903, before completing the bulk of his
work on Italian Witchcraft. To this date, his best known work remains Aradia, G
ospel of the Witches.
10 Murray, Margaret
Margaret Murray
Photo Credit: Book cover images courtesy of Amazon.com
Margaret Murray was an anthropologist who became well known for her theory of a
pre-Christian European religion. Margaret became recognized as a competent Egypt
ologist and folklorist and was influenced by works such as James Frazer' s . After
evaluating the records of the European witch trials, she published The Witch Cu
lt in Western Europe, in which she posited that witchcraft was far older than th
e middle ages, that it had in fact been a religion of its own, existing long bef
ore the Christian Church came along. Many of her theories have since been debunk
ed by scholars, but her work is still noteworthy.

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10 Traditions of Modern Witchcraft
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Doreen Valiente, Mother of Pagan Traditions
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What is the Alexandrian Tradition of Wicca?
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Scott Cunningham's Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner
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13 Books Every Wiccan Should Read
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Religion and Spirituality
Religion & Spirituality
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Books & Sacred Texts
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Sabbats & Holidays
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Judaism
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VIEW MORE
by Patti Wigington
Updated October 14, 2016
Now that you've decided you want to learn about contemporary Wicca or another mo
dern Pagan path, what should you read? After all, there are literally thousands
of books on the subject -- some good, others not so much. Be sure to read What M
akes a Book Worth Reading? for some insight as to what separates the good from t
he bad.
1 Why These Books?
woman reading book in hammock
Andrey Artykov / Getty Images
This list features the thirteen books that every Wiccan - and many other Pagans
- should have on their shelves. A few are historical, a few more focus on modern
Wiccan practice, but they're all worth reading more than once. Bear in mind tha
t while some books may purport to be about Wicca, they are often focused on NeoW
icca, and do not contain the oathbound material found in traditional Wiccan prac
tice.
2 Adler, Margot: Drawing Down the Moon
AdlerDDTM
If you want to learn about birds, you get a field guide about birds. If you want
to learn about mushrooms, you get a field guide to mushrooms. Drawing Down the
Moon is a field guide to Pagans. Rather than offering up a book of spells and re
cipes, Margot Adler presents an academic work that evaluates modern Pagan religi
ons - including Wicca - and the people who practice them. The work is based on a
survey the author took over two decades ago, but the information within is stil
l a worthy read. Drawing Down the Moon makes no apologies for the fact that not
all Wiccans are full of white light and fluff, but instead tells it like it is.
Adler's style is entertaining and informative, and it's a bit like reading a rea
lly well-done thesis paper. Buy from Amazon
3 Buckland, Raymond: Complete Book of Witchcraft
Big Blue
Raymond Buckland is one of Wicca's most prolific writers, and his work Complete
Book of Witchcraft continues to remain popular two decades after it was first pu
blished - and for good reason. Although this book represents a more eclectic fla
vor of Wicca rather than a particular tradition, it's presented in a workbook-li
ke format that allows new seekers to work through the exercises at their own pac
e, learning as they go. For more seasoned readers, there's a lot of useful infor
mation as far as rituals, tools, and magic itself. This book is a classic, and w
ell worth picking up. Buy from Amazon
4 Cunningham, Scott: Wicca - A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner
Cunningham Solitary
The late Scott Cunningham wrote a number of books before his untimely death, but
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner remains one of the best known and
most useful. Although the tradition of witchcraft in this book is more Cunningha
m's eclectic path than any other tradition, it's full of information on how to g
et started in your practice of Wicca and magic. He goes into depth about tools,
how and why they are used, ethics, and the concept of god and goddess. If you're
interested in learning and practicing as an individual, and not necessarily jum
ping into a coven right off the bat, this book is a valuable resource. Buy from
Amazon
5 Curott, Phyllis: Witch Crafting
Phyllis Curott
Phyllis Curott's books emphasize empowerment. Photo Credit: Book cover images f
rom Amazon.com
Phyllis Curott is one of those people who makes me glad to be Pagan -- because s
he's really normal. An attorney who has spent her life working on First Amendmen
t issues, Curott has managed to put together a really useful book. Witch Craftin
g is not a collection of spells, rituals or prayers. It's a hard and fast look a
t magical ethics, the polarity of male and female in the divine, finding the god
and goddess in your everyday life, and the pros and cons of coven life vs. soli
tary paths. Curott also offers up a very interesting take on the Rule of Three.
Whether you're a new student of Wicca, or a veteran, Witch Crafting is worth rea
ding more than once. Buy from Amazon
6 Eilers, Dana: Pagans and the Law - Understand Your Rights
Eilers Law
Dana D. Eilers spent many years facilitating an event called Conversations With
Pagans, and from that she wrote a book entitled The Practical Pagan. She then dr
ew on her experience as an attorney to write Pagans and the Law: Understand Your
Rights. This book goes into depth about precedents in religious discrimination
lawsuits, how to protect yourself if you may be a victim of workplace harassment
, and how to document everything if your spirituality is leading someone to trea
t you unfairly. Eilers is an outspoken woman who has a lot of great advice worth
listening to. Buy from Amazon
7 Farrar, Janet & Stewart: A Witches Bible: The Complete Witches Handbook
Stewart Farrar
Photo Credit: Book cover images courtesy of Amazon.com
The first section of this book is Eight Sabbats for Witches. It goes into depth
on Sabbat rites, and the meanings behind the holidays are expanded on. While the
ceremonies in A Witches Bible: The Complete Witches Handbook are the Farrars' own
, there's a heavy influence of the Gardnerian tradition, as well as Celtic folkl
ore and some other European history. The second half of the book is in fact anot
her book, The Witches Way, which looks at the beliefs, ethics, and practice of m
odern witchcraft. Despite the fact that the authors are a bit conservative by to
day's standards, this book is an excellent look at the transitioning concept of
what exactly it is that makes someone a witch. Buy from Amazon
8 Gardner, Gerald: Witchcraft Today
Gardner_1500
Image Credit: Citadel Press
Gerald Gardner is the founder of modern Wicca as we know it, and of course of th
e Gardnerian tradition. His book Witchcraft Today is a worthy read, however, for
seekers on any Pagan path. He discusses paganism in Europe, as well as the so-c
alled "witch cult", and goes on to demonstrate how many of history's notable nam
es are connected, one way or another, to what we know today as witchcraft. Altho
ugh some of the statements in Witchcraft Today should be taken with a grain of s
alt -- after all, Gardner was a folklorist and that shines through in his writin
g -- it's still one of the foundations that contemporary Wicca is based on. For
its historical value, few things beat this book. Buy from Amazon
9 Hutton, Ronald: Triumph of the Moon
Hutton_1500
Ronald Hutton is the author of a number of books on historical and modern Pagan
ism. Photo Credits: Oxford University Press, Patti Wigington
Triumph of the Moon is a book about Pagans by a non-Pagan, and Ronald Hutton, a
highly respected professor, does an excellent job. This book looks at the emerge
nce of contemporary Pagan religions, and how they not only evolved from the Paga
n societies of the past, but also owe heavily to 19th-century poets and scholars
. In fact, Hutton points out that a good deal of what we consider "ancient" Paga
n practice can be attributed to the novelists and romantics of the late Edwardia
n and early Victorian era. Despite his status as a scholar, Hutton's breezy wit
makes this a refreshing read, and you'll learn far more than you ever expected t
o about today's Pagan religions. Buy from Amazon
10 Morrison, Dorothy: The Craft - A Witch's Book of Shadows
MorrisonCraft
Dorothy Morrison is one of those writers who doesn't hold back, and while her bo
ok The Craft is aimed at beginners, she manages to create a work that can be use
ful for anyone. Morrison includes exercises and rituals which are not only pract
ical, but teaching tools as well. Despite its focus on the lighter side of witch
craft, it's a good starting point for anyone trying to learn about Wicca, and ho
w to create your own rituals and workings. Morrison also has written a number of
other books, including a companion work to this one. Buy from Amazon
11 Russell, Jeffrey: A History of Witchcraft
Russell Witchcraft
Historian Jeffrey Russell presents an analysis of witchcraft in an historical co
ntext, from the early days of Medieval Europe, through the witch craze of the Re
naissance, and up into modern times. Russell doesn't bother trying to fluff up t
he history to make it more palatable to today's Wiccans, and takes a look at thr
ee different kinds of witchcraft -- sorcery, diabolical witchcraft, and modern w
itchcraft. A noted religious historian, Russell manages to make an entertaining
yet informative read, as well as accepting that witchcraft in and of itself can
in fact be a religion. Buy from Amazon
12 Serith, Ceisiwr: A Book of Pagan Prayer
13 Books Every Wiccan Should Read
Share
Pin
Email
Religion and Spirituality
Religion & Spirituality
Paganism / Wicca
Books & Sacred Texts
Basics
Rituals & Ceremonies
Sabbats & Holidays
Gods & Goddesses
Dreams & Meditation
Divination
Herbalism
Christianity
Catholicism
Islam
Judaism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Latter-Day Saints
VIEW MORE
by Patti Wigington
Updated October 14, 2016
Now that you've decided you want to learn about contemporary Wicca or another mo
dern Pagan path, what should you read? After all, there are literally thousands
of books on the subject -- some good, others not so much. Be sure to read What M
akes a Book Worth Reading? for some insight as to what separates the good from t
he bad.
1 Why These Books?
woman reading book in hammock
Andrey Artykov / Getty Images
This list features the thirteen books that every Wiccan - and many other Pagans
- should have on their shelves. A few are historical, a few more focus on modern
Wiccan practice, but they're all worth reading more than once. Bear in mind tha
t while some books may purport to be about Wicca, they are often focused on NeoW
icca, and do not contain the oathbound material found in traditional Wiccan prac
tice.
2 Adler, Margot: Drawing Down the Moon
AdlerDDTM
If you want to learn about birds, you get a field guide about birds. If you want
to learn about mushrooms, you get a field guide to mushrooms. Drawing Down the
Moon is a field guide to Pagans. Rather than offering up a book of spells and re
cipes, Margot Adler presents an academic work that evaluates modern Pagan religi
ons - including Wicca - and the people who practice them. The work is based on a
survey the author took over two decades ago, but the information within is stil
l a worthy read. Drawing Down the Moon makes no apologies for the fact that not
all Wiccans are full of white light and fluff, but instead tells it like it is.
Adler's style is entertaining and informative, and it's a bit like reading a rea
lly well-done thesis paper. Buy from Amazon
3 Buckland, Raymond: Complete Book of Witchcraft
Big Blue
Raymond Buckland is one of Wicca's most prolific writers, and his work Complete
Book of Witchcraft continues to remain popular two decades after it was first pu
blished - and for good reason. Although this book represents a more eclectic fla
vor of Wicca rather than a particular tradition, it's presented in a workbook-li
ke format that allows new seekers to work through the exercises at their own pac
e, learning as they go. For more seasoned readers, there's a lot of useful infor
mation as far as rituals, tools, and magic itself. This book is a classic, and w
ell worth picking up. Buy from Amazon
4 Cunningham, Scott: Wicca - A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner
Cunningham Solitary
The late Scott Cunningham wrote a number of books before his untimely death, but
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner remains one of the best known and
most useful. Although the tradition of witchcraft in this book is more Cunningha
m's eclectic path than any other tradition, it's full of information on how to g
et started in your practice of Wicca and magic. He goes into depth about tools,
how and why they are used, ethics, and the concept of god and goddess. If you're
interested in learning and practicing as an individual, and not necessarily jum
ping into a coven right off the bat, this book is a valuable resource. Buy from
Amazon
5 Curott, Phyllis: Witch Crafting
Phyllis Curott
Phyllis Curott's books emphasize empowerment. Photo Credit: Book cover images f
rom Amazon.com
Phyllis Curott is one of those people who makes me glad to be Pagan -- because s
he's really normal. An attorney who has spent her life working on First Amendmen
t issues, Curott has managed to put together a really useful book. Witch Craftin
g is not a collection of spells, rituals or prayers. It's a hard and fast look a
t magical ethics, the polarity of male and female in the divine, finding the god
and goddess in your everyday life, and the pros and cons of coven life vs. soli
tary paths. Curott also offers up a very interesting take on the Rule of Three.
Whether you're a new student of Wicca, or a veteran, Witch Crafting is worth rea
ding more than once. Buy from Amazon
6 Eilers, Dana: Pagans and the Law - Understand Your Rights
Eilers Law
Dana D. Eilers spent many years facilitating an event called Conversations With
Pagans, and from that she wrote a book entitled The Practical Pagan. She then dr
ew on her experience as an attorney to write Pagans and the Law: Understand Your
Rights. This book goes into depth about precedents in religious discrimination
lawsuits, how to protect yourself if you may be a victim of workplace harassment
, and how to document everything if your spirituality is leading someone to trea
t you unfairly. Eilers is an outspoken woman who has a lot of great advice worth
listening to. Buy from Amazon
7 Farrar, Janet & Stewart: A Witches Bible: The Complete Witches Handbook
Stewart Farrar
Photo Credit: Book cover images courtesy of Amazon.com
The first section of this book is Eight Sabbats for Witches. It goes into depth
on Sabbat rites, and the meanings behind the holidays are expanded on. While the
ceremonies in A Witches Bible: The Complete Witches Handbook are the Farrars' own
, there's a heavy influence of the Gardnerian tradition, as well as Celtic folkl
ore and some other European history. The second half of the book is in fact anot
her book, The Witches Way, which looks at the beliefs, ethics, and practice of m
odern witchcraft. Despite the fact that the authors are a bit conservative by to
day's standards, this book is an excellent look at the transitioning concept of
what exactly it is that makes someone a witch. Buy from Amazon
8 Gardner, Gerald: Witchcraft Today
Gardner_1500
Image Credit: Citadel Press
Gerald Gardner is the founder of modern Wicca as we know it, and of course of th
e Gardnerian tradition. His book Witchcraft Today is a worthy read, however, for
seekers on any Pagan path. He discusses paganism in Europe, as well as the so-c
alled "witch cult", and goes on to demonstrate how many of history's notable nam
es are connected, one way or another, to what we know today as witchcraft. Altho
ugh some of the statements in Witchcraft Today should be taken with a grain of s
alt -- after all, Gardner was a folklorist and that shines through in his writin
g -- it's still one of the foundations that contemporary Wicca is based on. For
its historical value, few things beat this book. Buy from Amazon
9 Hutton, Ronald: Triumph of the Moon
Hutton_1500
Ronald Hutton is the author of a number of books on historical and modern Pagan
ism. Photo Credits: Oxford University Press, Patti Wigington
Triumph of the Moon is a book about Pagans by a non-Pagan, and Ronald Hutton, a
highly respected professor, does an excellent job. This book looks at the emerge
nce of contemporary Pagan religions, and how they not only evolved from the Paga
n societies of the past, but also owe heavily to 19th-century poets and scholars
. In fact, Hutton points out that a good deal of what we consider "ancient" Paga
n practice can be attributed to the novelists and romantics of the late Edwardia
n and early Victorian era. Despite his status as a scholar, Hutton's breezy wit
makes this a refreshing read, and you'll learn far more than you ever expected t
o about today's Pagan religions. Buy from Amazon
10 Morrison, Dorothy: The Craft - A Witch's Book of Shadows
MorrisonCraft
Dorothy Morrison is one of those writers who doesn't hold back, and while her bo
ok The Craft is aimed at beginners, she manages to create a work that can be use
ful for anyone. Morrison includes exercises and rituals which are not only pract
ical, but teaching tools as well. Despite its focus on the lighter side of witch
craft, it's a good starting point for anyone trying to learn about Wicca, and ho
w to create your own rituals and workings. Morrison also has written a number of
other books, including a companion work to this one. Buy from Amazon
11 Russell, Jeffrey: A History of Witchcraft
Russell Witchcraft
Historian Jeffrey Russell presents an analysis of witchcraft in an historical co
ntext, from the early days of Medieval Europe, through the witch craze of the Re
naissance, and up into modern times. Russell doesn't bother trying to fluff up t
he history to make it more palatable to today's Wiccans, and takes a look at thr
ee different kinds of witchcraft -- sorcery, diabolical witchcraft, and modern w
itchcraft. A noted religious historian, Russell manages to make an entertaining
yet informative read, as well as accepting that witchcraft in and of itself can
in fact be a religion. Buy from Amazon
12 Serith, Ceisiwr: A Book of Pagan Prayer
Serith Prayer
There is nothing else on the market like Ceisiwr Serith's A Book of Pagan Prayer
. Despite the fact that some view prayer as a Christian concept, many Pagans do
pray. This unique book features hundreds of prayers written to meet the needs of
Pagans from a wide range of traditions. There are prayers for life events, such
as handfastings, births, and deaths; for times of the year such as the harvest
and midsummer, as well as petitions and litanies offered to different gods. Seri
th also covers the theories behind prayer -- how and why we do it, as well as ti
ps on creating your own, personal prayers. Chances are that once you've started
using this book, it will stay near your altar for years to come. Buy from Amazon

13 Starhawk: The Spiral Dance
The Spiral Dance
While The Spiral Dance is one of the best-known books on Wicca, it's also one of
the most spiritually profound. Written by noted activist Starhawk, The Spiral D
ance leads us on a journey through the spirituality of feminine consciousness. S
ections on raising the cone of power, trance magic, and magical symbolism make i
t worth reading. Bear in mind that the original edition of this book was publish
ed twenty years ago, and Starhawk herself has said she's reconsidered some of th
e things she said the first time around -- particularly in reference to the pola
rity of the male/female. Despite some of the eco-feminist complaints about Starh
awk, this book is powerful because it's one of the first of its kind, portraying
Woman as Goddess. Buy from Amazon
14 Valiente, Doreen: Witchcraft for Tomorrow
Valiente
If Gerald Gardner is the great-grandfather of modern Wicca, Doreen Valiente is t
he wise granny who offers wisdom and counsel. A contemporary of Gardner's, she i
s credited with the beautiful, evocative Charge of the Goddess, and may well hav
e been responsible for much of Gardner's original Book of Shadows. Valiente spen
ds a good amount of the book discussing the historical contexts of a number of r
ituals and practices in use today, but also takes care to acknowledge that pract
ices and beliefs change even if the intent remains constant, and she points out
ancient sources that may or may not be the root of contemporary ideals. Though i
t helps to have some knowledge of British Traditional Wicca beforehand, this boo
k is a must-read for anyone. Buy from Amazon

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by Patti Wigington
Updated August 31, 2016
The following people are some of the most well-known authors in the fields of ma
gic, the occult, Paganism and Wicca. While not everyone agrees with everything t
hese authors have written, reading their work will give you a greater understand
ing of the history of Paganism and Wicca in the modern era. Although this isn't
a comprehensive list, it's a good starting point for anyone who's interested in
reading more about Wicca and Paganism.
1 Starhawk
Starhawk
Starhawk at the Planet Repair Institute, 2011. Photo Credit: Sarah Dent/Flickr/
Creative Commons (CC BY-ND 2.0)
Starhawk is the founder of the Reclaiming Tradition of Wicca, and an environment
al activist. In addition to writing numerous books about Paganism such as The Sp
iral Dance, she is also the author of several speculative fiction books. She is
also co-author of Circle Round, a must-have for anyone raising kids in pagan tra
ditions. Originally born Miriam Simos, Starhawk has worked as a consultant on a
number of films, but spends most of her time writing and working for environment
al and feminist causes. She travels regularly, teaching others about caring for
the earth and global activism.
Photo Credit: Sarah Dent/Flickr/Creative Commons (CC BY-ND 2.0)
2 Adler, Margot
Margot Adler
Margot Adler signs books at University of the Pacific in Stockton, 2010. Photo
Credit: Patrick Giblin/Flickr/Creative Commons (CC BY-NC 2.0)
Margot Adler (April 16, 1946 July 28, 2014) was a highly respected columnist and
journalist for National Public Radio. In 1979 she joined NPR as a reporter, and
covered controversial topics such as the right to die and the death penalty in
America. Later on she became a Harvard fellow.
In the eighties Adler covered a number of diverse topics from making a documentar
y about AIDS patients in San Francisco to reporting on the Winter Olympics in Ca
lgary and Sarajevo. She occasionally appeared as a guest commentator on shows li
ke "All Things Considered", which is a staple for NPR listeners, and was the hos
t of the network's "Justice Talking." Her book Drawing Down the Moon is often re
ferred to as a field guide to modern Paganism.
Photo Credit: Patrick Giblin/Flickr/Creative Commons (CC BY-NC 2.0)
3 Buckland, Raymond
RayBuckland_1500
Wiccan author Ray Buckland in 2008. Photo Credit: Patti Wigington
Raymond Buckland (born August 31, 1934) is one of the greatest living influences
on modern Pagans and Wiccans. He began studying spiritualism in his native Engl
and as boy. He began studying Wicca and developed a correspondence with Gerald G
ardner himself. He was initiated in Scotland in 1963.
After leaving the Gardnerian tradition, Buckland formed Seax-Wica, based on the
culture of the Saxons. He spent several years teaching and training other witche
s through the Seax-Wica Seminary, and eventually turned to solitary practice. Ma
ny people credit his work with getting Wiccans "out of the broom closet".

4 Cunningham, Scott
Cunningham_1500
Scott Cunningham was the other of numerous popular books on Paganism. Photo Cre
dit: Llewellyn Publishing
The late Scott Cunningham is probably second only to Ray Buckland when it comes
to the volume of information he has published on Wicca and witchcraft. As a coll
ege student in San Diego Scott developed an interest in herbs, and his first boo
k, Magickal Herbalism, was published by Llewellyn in 1982. It has since become k
nown as one of the definitive works on the use of herbal correspondences in magi
ck and witchcraft.
In 1990, Scott Cunningham became ill on a lecture tour, and his health gradually
deteriorated. Although he went home and continued to write more books, he event
ually passed away in 1993.

5 Curott, Phyllis
Phyllis Curott
Phyllis Curott's books emphasize empowerment. Photo Credit: Book cover images f
rom Amazon.com
Phyllis Curott (born February 8, 1954) obtained her law degree from NYU' s School
of Law, and has worked as an attorney with a focus on civil liberties, which she
continues to do today. She was one of the founding members of the Religious Lib
erties Lawyers Network, which provides legal assistance and resources for cases
stemming from First Amendment religious issues.
She was initiated into Wicca in 1985, after many years of studying Goddess tradi
tions. Her first book was published in 1998. In addition to writing, she has spo
ken around the world about such matters as religious freedom and the rights of w
omen. Her book Witch Crafting is a must-read for Pagans who are interested in so
cial justice and activism within a spiritual context.

6 Farrar, Stewart and Janet

Stewart Farrar
Photo Credit: Book cover images courtesy of Amazon.com
Janet and Stewart Farrar met in 1970, when twenty-year-old Janet was initiated i
nto the coven of Alex Sanders. Stewart had been initiated into the Sanders' cove
n early in 1970. Stewart and Janet broke away to form their own coven that same
year and spent some time building their group. They were handfast in 1972 and le
gally married a few years later. Stewart wrote a book entitled What Witches Do,
and became a vocal proponent of Wicca.
In the mid-seventies Stewart and Janet left Britain and moved to Ireland, formin
g a new coven and collaborating on several books which have become staples for m
odern pagans. Janet now collaborates on books with her partner Gavin Bone.

7 Gardner, Gerald Brousseau

Gardner_1500
Image Credit: Citadel Press
An initiate of Aleister Crowley, in 1949, Gerald Gardner (1884 1964) published the
novel High Magic's Aid, which was in fact not really a novel but a disguised ve
rsion of Gardner's Book of Shadows. A few years later, Gardner met Doreen Valien
te and initiated her into his coven. Valiente revamped Gardner's Book of Shadows
, eliminated much of the Crowleyan influence, and worked together with him to cr
eate a huge body of work that became the foundation of the Gardnerian tradition.
In 1963, Gardner met Raymond Buckland, and Gardner's HPs, Lady Olwen, initiated
Buckland into the Craft. Gerald Gardner died of a heart attack in 1964.
8 Leek, Sybil
Grimoire
Photo Credit: Emyerson/E+/Getty Images
According to Sybil herself, she was born in 1922 in Staffordshire, into a family
 of hereditary witches (reports from around the time of her death say she was ac
tually born in 1917). She claimed to trace her mother s family of witches back to
the time of William the Conqueror. Leek was initiated into witchcraft in France.
She later joined her family near the New Forest, and then spent a year living w
ith the Gypsies, who welcomed her as one of their own. Later in life, Sybil Leek
became publicly known as a witch, wrote her Six Tenets of Witchcraft and severa
l books, and traveled the world giving talks and interviews about the subject be
fore settling down in America.

9 Leland, Charles G.
Charles Leland
Photo Credit: Book cover images courtesy of Amazon.com
Leland (Aug. 15, 1824 March 20, 1903) was a folklorist who wrote several books a
bout English Gypsies. His early years were spent in America, and legend has it t
hat shortly after his birth an old family nurse performed a ritual upon him, whi
ch was to bring him good fortune and that he would become a scholar and wizard.
In addition to collecting exotic occult objects, Leland was a prolific writer an
d produced over fifty books during his lifetime, some of which influenced Gerald
Gardner and Doreen Valiente. He died in 1903, before completing the bulk of his
work on Italian Witchcraft. To this date, his best known work remains Aradia, G
ospel of the Witches.
10 Murray, Margaret