Heathens, Pagans and Witches discussion

On many Pagan forums, one hears warnings about certain books and authors. So who are some reputable authors that people would recommend? On the flip side, who are some authors (or specific books) to avoid?

What subjects are you interested in?

Pretty much anything relevant to Pagan life. I'm sort of throwing this topic out there to see what comes up.

I'm afraid it's rather dependent on which path you follow. I have a book list, that I offer to newcomers, which is limited by my own experiences in polytheism.

That said, I prefer more academic books published by universities. One popular author is Ronald Hutton who mostly covers Britain and Ireland, Wicca and the druids, but has made occasional forays into other fields, such as in his book, "Shamans Siberian Spirituality and the Western Imagination".

Scott Cunningham is one respectable author that jumps to mind for me. I also like Patricia Telesco and D.J. Conway.

I've used a D.J. Conway book as a firelighter, and I must admit I have friends who have discovered more inventive uses. *LOL*

Scott Cunningham is also an author who will never appear on any of my recommended lists.

What an interesting topic! I partially agree with Ancestral, as I do think that much of what I read is focused on my primary path. That path is as a solitary eclectic concentrating on the Egyptian pantheon. I can recommend any number of excellent academic books that are applicable, along with some interesting and diverse pagan writers in Egyptology. What also captured my attention is how even with only 6 comments, there are differences about who is on the list and who is off. I found Scott Cunningham very helpful when I first began the journey. Lately I've been reading Christopher Penczak. I don't agree with everything he says, however he makes me think.

I also recommend specific topical books. I'm very fond of Ted Andrews--Animal Speak and Enchantment of the Faerie Realm. And Robert Simmons with a co-author, The Book of Stones.

If you want to challenge your theoretical thinking, try The God Dilemma.

Oh yes, I'm all over the place. I do love to discuss books. Bibliophile for me, aka book addict!

Avoid Silver Ravenwolf. Really.

I have been warned more than once that Edain McCoy does not research well and seems to make other stuff up. I would say to avoid.

Scott Cunningham is fine for like "2 seconds". Then you will never read any of it again.

I am not Wiccan. I get annoyed quite often because too many "pagan", "reconstructionist" and "witchcraft" books really seem to be Wiccan books. I try not too, if the writing is interesting enough I can look past that fault.

Sorry I have no suggestions on what to read; as stated previously by others, it really depends on your path.

Mawgojzeta wrote: "Avoid Silver Ravenwolf."

Why don't you like her?

I don't like her much myself, but her books are okay when you want to cross refrence something.

Christy wrote: "Mawgojzeta wrote: "Avoid Silver Ravenwolf."

Why don't you like her?

I don't like her much myself, but her books are okay when you want to cross refrence something."

Well, she is makes sweeping generalizations, unrealistic expectations, she is bigoted, pretty fluffy, does not give very good advise to younger folks, and her books contain blantantly false information.

I know of coven initiates who were given her books as a lesson on poor information (to see if they had learned enough at that point to identify the issues with her writing).

lol That's fantastic.

Mawgojzeta wrote: "I have been warned more than once that Edain McCoy does not research well ...

Oh yes, something about an ancient Irish potato goddess. *LOL*

Ancestral wrote: "Mawgojzeta wrote: "I have been warned more than once that Edain McCoy does not research well ...

Oh yes, something about an ancient Irish potato goddess. *LOL*

"

I just looked up potato origins - they come from Peru originally and were not imported to Ireland until the 1700s. Funny.

I beg to debate. I personally like silver ravenwolf. I have read several of her books. Although the organization is somewhat lacking I find them good. I do not care for Scott cunnngham as his stuff is pretty boring and more a list of spells etc. Just starting Christopher penczak. His is more of a lesson book to develop various skills. My personal favorite was Wiccan healing by Sally morningstar. If I had only one book to choose that would possibly be it. As you can see my focus is Wicca. Whatever your path. Pagan. Wicca. Whatever. It is your path. Just as all of these authors. They write from their own experience. No one book is a fit all. Although the christians would like you to believe it. I suggest you download kindle program from amazon. Many of these books have samples for free. It gives you a feel for it before buying. Good luck

Lavender wrote: "Whatever your path. Pagan. Wicca. Whatever. It is your path. Just as all of these authors. They write from their own experience. No one book is a fit all. Although the christians would like you to believe it. I suggest you download kindle program from amazon. Many of these books have samples for free. It gives you a feel for it before buying. Good luck ..."

I pretty much agree with you and just wanted to add one thing regarding downloading to Kindle. Most times you can get these books for free through your local public library, either borrow it from there or they can get it from another library for you. No charge. That's how I preview most of my books before I decide if I want to own them or not.

I don't want to end up the only Scott Cunningham semi-fan here. However I do think there's a place for some of his work with newbies. When I knew absolutely nothing and was just beginning to explore my path, I found his book, "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner," helpful. It provided basic concepts and helped me see that my path was different from traditional Wicca. Helpful, if for no other reason than that.

Otherwise, we're all vehemently agreeing with each other when we say that each must find the right authors to facilitate our own journeys. Blessings.

I get real tired of the snobbery related to certain authors. I rarely ever recommend or not recommend books. It's up to the individual to decide what works or doesn't work for them. I've read and have and use all of the authors above (except Penzak, but that's because I haven't had the serious funds for his books). They are all in my permananent collection, and I'll pop in and out of the books as I seek something.

The books all have their own good and bad and it's up to the individual to get off their butt and do their research. I like Mircea Eliade, but there's a huge uproaor as to whether his are valid because he never left Germany to do his work. Cunningham is an easy in and out book for looking up specific things, though I recommend research farther into whatever one is searching for with other authors.

I read with interest the comments in this thread. I have several Cunningham books, but haven't cracked them open in decades. He was one of the first authors to simplify Wicca for the masses. So his books are simplistic. Considering the era when they were written, they were actually a breakthrough. I have looked at several of SilverRaven Wolf's books and except for her first one, find them mostly useless fluff. There are several very good essays on the internet as to why people do not recommend her books if you care to google them. Most of the reasons have to do with her lack of ethical responsibility -- a big deal when speaking about a Wiccan path, since personal owning of one's actions are a huge part of this lifestyle.

I have enjoyed and found informative books by Christopher Penzack. He does have a focus that is general enough for most beginners, but goes into the meat of things as well, so more experienced readers can get useful information from his books.

I do not find DJ Conway's books worth the money, nor do I have use for most of Ms. Telesco's books. I find both author's works to be very repetitive and without much depth. Ms. Conwway's works have been said to be lacking in research and often to be wrong in their facts.

Authors who books I own and recommend are:
Anything by Amber K., many books by Dorothy Morrison, All of Ellen Dugan's books. Many books by Janet and Stewart Farrar, and since Stewart's passing, books by Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone. There are very, very, good books by River and Joyce Higgenbotham. In fact, their first two books cover most lessons and needs of the beginner and seeker on a Pagan path and if you can only afford one book, their book entitled Pagansim would be the one I would recommend.

There are a great many other authors whose works I would recommend who are less well known. Just because an author is a well known name doesn't mean the books are worthy. There is a Pagan book review here: http://magickware.com that has a bunch of reviews on some really good books.

I am curious as to the ethics of silver ravenwolf. As well as what tou consider "fluff". I did read one websites blurb bashing silver. And yes that was my opinion. That particular admin was rude and negative yet claimed to be Wiccan. Today's pagan/Wiccan population is mostly ecclectic and therefore any diversion from the "norm" or added fluff is that authors personal path. Readers shall acknowledge it and take it or leave it.
My opinion is that some books are dated but if the reader feels compelled towards that particlar path then so mote it be.

Although I didn't say it, I'll give my opinion on the fluff subject.

To me, fluff is needless information or details and/or a self-congratulatory tone. Silver does that from time to time.

I love the debate on this thread! While my specific path focuses on Elements, plants and animals, I love to read about other Pagan paths, hence the desire for reputable authors.

I have always pikced up the meaning of fluff as being inaccurate information (mostly when accurate information is available relatively easily), self-important tone, or an "I'm right and others are wrong" kind of attitude.

Well. I guess we all suffer from a bit of fluff from time to time. As a Wiccan healer I've noticed I've had to learn to ring my bell on occasion. Something I'm not accostomed to doing

A bit of history for those who do not know (hope I am not irritating anyone too much but it should be clarified) - mainly an expansion on what Kharm said in message 21.

The original meaning of a "fluff bunny" in the Wiccan community was a bit harsh:

(all of this is and/or) Basically it was someone who became Wiccan in as a form of parental rebellion and never got past that, thinks wearing black and/or a bunch of pentacles makes one a Wiccan (loves the incorrectly assumed fashion of Wicca), cries prosecution whenever their statements regarding the religion are questioned and definitely has the "I am right and others are wrong" attitude , spells magic and magical with a k included, believes simply having read a book makes them Wiccan (never put any real work or serious study into it), thinks the gods and goddesses are all sweetness and sunshine, thinks that if a person does anything bad or hurtful then they cannot really be a Wiccan (taking "harm none" too far), etc.

This wasn't about new practitioners; this was in reference to people who had been around for awhile (although many a "newbie" has been called fluffy). As more books became available, it also had to do with the white-washing of Wicca.

Now, I know adding the "k" to magical is pretty common these days and I know where the practice came from (Crowley), but in the early 90s there was a pretty big split on the "k" and whether it was acceptable or not for Wicca. Most people I knew in the Wiccan community (and other Wiccan-like pagans) said no to the "k".

Lavender - "ringing your bell" does not make you fluffy. Everyone one should tell the world how great they are at least once a week!

Ah, I didn't know that. Maybe because I'm not Wiccan lol

Hey, I just joined recently as well. I am all about nature and the primal, though I am not versed in the deities. Its the energies that fascinate me, name or no name. How could they have a name?

It's good to be well versed on deities when you need to work with energy that is condensed and pin pointed.

Good discussion point Benjamin

I guess there are three main reasons I can think of:

1 - The energies in question are actually personal deities who do actually have some kind of genealogy/lineage from which their names arose

2 - The names are actually combinations of 'sacred sounds' (e.g. Jehovah = YHVH = Yod-he-vau-he) which have both occult meaning and magical power that corresponds with the deity's mythological nature

3 - The names were provided by humans in order to build and deepen a relationship with the perceived energies (e.g. if you perceive an assertive, aggressive and dynamic energy you might create a 'God/Goddess of War'and name him/her. This name then becomes embedded in culture, pantheons and their associated myths spring up. Many pagans, of course, work with deities (divine magic) and to have an associated name, character, history, etc. creates a strong focal point which is widely believed to be vita l in successful magical work (which, if I understand correctly, is what Christy is saying).

BB

Christy wrote: "Ah, I didn't know that. Maybe because I'm not Wiccan lol"


It's not just related to Wiccans, unfortunately. I've seen fluufy bunnies in all paths.

Regarding authors - How many enjoy reading the bibliography at the back of the books? I get a kick out of how many authors who are considered better quality use other authors who aren't considered credible. Kinda of hypocritical, IMO. So, I prefer to just say that I will read most authors, and pick and choose what I can work with, rather then slam those as good or bad.

I read the bibliography if I want to learn more about a given subject. If someone has soruced enough information in a book, I shouldn't HAVE to.

There is a thread on Facebook that is actually going through one of Silver Ravenwolf's books (Solitary Witch) and pointing out the good and the bad. I will post a link for people to check it out, if they like.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/to...

Kharm: that link was very interesting!

In regards to comments previously about how it is really what works or doesn't work personally and that everyone's path is different: I agree for the most part - but there is a problem when blatantly false, misinterpreted, or commonly contested historical information is relayed to the readers as true and/or used to support a point. Not only does that perpetuate a false history, but it tarnishes whatever point it was presented to support.

Even if the author did this because they did not research well enough, it is not an excuse. They have an obligation to their readers. And, if the information is hotly debated, but the author personally believes it to be true, is it that hard to qualify their statements by pointing it out? Then a reader can take the time (if they choose) to research themselves and form a belief on the subject.

This comment is not intended to provoke, by any means. Simply pointing out that some authors, while quite possibly having interesting rituals and whatnot, still have an obligation as writers who reference history, to be responsible about the information they present.

Mawgojzeta wrote: "In regards to comments previously about how it is really what works or doesn't work personally and that everyone's path is different: I agree for the most part - but there is a problem when blatant..."

I think that was really what I was getting at in creating this thread. Which authors have a reputation for perpetuating false history? Who gives "good" history?

History to a point is opinion. For much of the ancient history no one can really be sure as any event in history is recorded by the writers interpretation. Also many historical writings written in other languages may lose some meaning in translation. I personally find little use in arguing about the history of paganism Wicca or the like. I prefer to research and utilize the science and mechanics behind wiccan practices. The beauty of Wicca is it is a living religion personal to the practitioner. You are free to take use or discard any information given by any author. I have Wiccan witchcraft books from over eight authors several from the authors cited earlier. Each has their strengths and weaknesses. I am developing my own path as a consolidation from many of these authors. Eclectic path to serve my needs

Kharm wrote: "There is a thread on Facebook that is actually going through one of Silver Ravenwolf's books (Solitary Witch) and pointing out the good and the bad. I will post a link for people to check it out, ..."

I followed the link. Some of their points are true others matter of opinion. Personally I have read the book cover to cover. Because I wanted to not because I was on a witch hunt ( please excuse the pun) I agree she is no literary pullitzer prize winner but obviously by the numbers of people buying her book( even if only to scrutinze it) she has met her goal. Selling books. Lol.
Sidenote. The same group is/has reviewed one of Scott cunninghams books. I intend to review those comments as well.

Lavender wrote: "Sidenote. The same group is/has reviewed one of Scott cunninghams books. I intend to review those comments as well."

Thanks for pointing that out. I'll have to check it out.