Heathens, Pagans and Witches discussion

Nearly every book forum to which I belong has a thread about what its members are currently reading and, although members of this group have the ability to add a book to the bookshelf as being currently read, it appears few do. So, I thought perhaps a thread where people can list the books they are reading, with a short synopsis and whether or not they are enjoying the experience so far.

I am currently reading, "The Little Book of Ancient Bird Lore" by T. F. Thiselton Dyer, having recently finished "The Little Book of Ancient Charms". This book is a very small publication that lists a few of the sayings relating to various birds found in the British Isles, relating to weather, personal omens, etc. So far, it's okay, but these days there are much more comprehensive books which overshadow this little reprint.

I am breaking into the several boxes of pagan books that were gifted to me last fall. Over the winter I went through them, sorted out the ones that were books I already owned, of topics I had no interest in, or simply did not want. That eliminated about 40 books (I then gave those away to friends), leaving me around 80 books I either have never read or read so long ago I cannot remember their details.

Last night I had pulled out Witchcraft Today, a book I had read in the 1980s. It will be interesting to read it so many years later.

Well, hello.
Waving at you from Tokyo!

I haven't read too many Witchy books yet this year but just picked up and started

Progressive Witchcraft: Spirituality, Mysteries, and Training in Modern Wicca which has been on my TBR shelves for five years. I'm leaning more toward Traditional Witchcraft, not Eclectic Wicca, these days, but it's a well-written book and definitely beyond the 101 Level.

*waving in the direction of Tokyo*

I must admit it is hard to find books on traditional witchraft, of whichever line, but there does seem to be a lot more reading materials on Wicca and British Traditional Wicca. So, how are you enjoying Progressive Witchcraft: Spirituality, Mysteries, and Training in Modern Wicca , so far?

Well, I have moved on to " The Magic Arts in Celtic Britain " by Lewis Spence. So far he is discussing examples of transformation in various mythic tales and folklore.

It's a bit dry, and this is the second time I've attempted to read it. Here's hoping I can finish it this time.

I do a lot of reading in Ancient Egyptian studies. I've just added a book to my current reading list entitled, "Shamanic Wisdom in the Pyramid Texts: The Mystical Tradition of Ancient Egypt" by Jeremy Naydler. I've been aware of this book for some time, and am particularly interested in it because it combines two very strong interests of mine. I'll review it when I've finished.

Ancestral wrote: "*waving in the direction of Tokyo*

I must admit it is hard to find books on traditional witchraft, of whichever line, but there does seem to be a lot more reading materials on Wicca and British ..."


Progressive Witchcraft: Spirituality, Mysteries, and Training in Modern Wicca
is good so far. I have always respected the Farrar's work.
And I agree, it's harder to find books on Traditional Witchcraft.

I'm actually on a Sci-Fi kick recently, and not a spiritual thing.

Is there a way to copy one's personal booklist across to the group list?

Kendra wrote: "Is there a way to copy one's personal booklist across to the group list?"

Not that I'm aware of and I am not sure that wholesale copying is really the way to go. It would be best if you included only those books you think might benefit others, or which you, yourself, enjoyed.

Grins... but I only keep the ones I do find useful! :-)

Ok, ok, I'll try and upload just a few! LOL!

I've just started reading Masks of Misrule: Horned God and His Cult in Europe. Has anyone else read anything by Nigel Jackson?

I have that one on my Amazon wishlist, Angela. It looked interesting!

Angela wrote: "I've just started reading Masks of Misrule: Horned God and His Cult in Europe. Has anyone else read anything by Nigel Jackson?"

Yes. In fact, I have read the above book years ago, but I remember little of it.

Managed to start " Blood and Mistletoe: The History of the Druids in Britain " by Ronald Hutton early. Much easier to read than I thought and referencing authors I have had a chance to read, which is interesting.

Physics of the soul. Interesting but difficult read even for me. College grad science major. Links to the tibetin book of the dead. Maybe should have read that first?

Have just started listening to " The Fox " by Arlene Radasky as a free audio podcast, on my commute to and from work. This book, not unlike " The Mark Of A Druid ", crosses time, moving from the 1st century AD to modern Britain.

Starting reading " Old Gods, New Druids " by Robin Herne this morning and I am really enjoying the approach this author takes.

I'm trying to get "Death in Salem" by Diane E. Foulds on my Nook. I came across it on PaganNews.com and looks interesting...to me anyway. :)

I'm starting "the book of shadows" by James Reese. A story about an orphan raised in a convent in France early 1800s and she dicovers her true nature and destiny

Hi All I just started to read Whispers From The Woods: The Lore & Magic of Trees and am about to startWitch's Halloween: A Complete Guide to the Magick, Incantations, Recipes, Spells, and Lore I've been trying to get my hands on A World Full of Gods: An Inquiry into Polytheism for the group read but haven't been able to get a hold of it yet.

It took me a while to get a copy of this month's book, but I hope to start it next week.

Ancestral wrote: "It took me a while to get a copy of this month's book, but I hope to start it next week."


I hope too get a copy soon myself, I'm a big fan of the writer John Michael Greer but I've only read his peak oil book the The Long Descent: A User's Guide to the End of the Industrial Age which is excellent

Just finished This Is Burning Man. Not technically Pagan, but one of the best Pagan festivals anywhere.

I cannot acquire the current discussion book (darn). But, did reserve one of Greer's other books from the library. He gets such good reviews, so I am excited. I picked the one Eithne mentioned in message #24.

I am currently reading a book I won on Goodreads, but am not impressed with it at all! Nothing worse than reading a book that you are not enjoying. But, I promised to write a review, so I will keep trudging through it.

Am nearing the end of " Early Irish Myths and Sagas " and have enjoyed it - a lot.

I finally started . The first chapter was a little dry but it's still fascinating stuff.

It is more of an academic book, but the information contained therein I found invaluable.

Ancestral wrote: "It is more of an academic book, but the information contained therein I found invaluable."
Absolutely. I have little patience with writers who haven't done their homework and are too lazy to document their sources (can't help it, I'm an English teacher).
Even if his style is a bit dry, Davies certainly does his research properly, and as you said it is hard to find well-written material on this topic.

Am about half way through " The Land of the Seal People " a collection of stories about the selkie from a Scottish traveller man. The tales contain several references to old women/herbalists who have special gifts of sight, and knowledge, etc.

So far, I much prefer the book " The People of the Sea: Celtic Tales of the Seal-folk " by David Thomson which, to me, was much warmer in tone as the storytellers themselves became characters, too.

Am about 3/4 of the way through " Mean Streets Witchcraft " by Melusine Draco. Aimed at those living in urban areas (cityscapes) who are starting on the path to witchcraft; the craft not the religion.

Just finished " Meeting the Other Crowd " about real life encounters with the Folk, or (shhhhh) fairies as some call them, and am now reading " Singing with Blackbirds: The Survival of Primal Celtic Shamanism in Later Folk-Traditions " but am finding it difficult to get into.

I have recently started listening to, and enjoying the podcast version of a book by John Lenahan, called " Shadowmagic ".

Right now I'm working through Wicca: A Year & a Day: 366 Days of Spiritual Practice in the Craft of the Wise as well as the almanacs Llewellyn's Sabbats Almanac and Llewellyn's 2011 Magical Almanac: Practical Magic for Everyday Living. I also am reading the daily devotionals from Real Witches' Year.

Along with my daily readings I am also reading Buddhism for Dummies which isn't a wicca book but I like to learn about other religions and there are many aspects of buddhism I would like to work into my practice.

Am a fair bit into " Garden Spells " by Sarah Addison Allen and enjoying this foray back into fiction immensely.

Ancestral wrote: "Am a fair bit into "Garden Spells" by Sarah Addison Allen and enjoying this foray back into fiction immensely."

I just finished this book a few weeks ago and enjoyed it a great deal. I also recently completed The Girl Who Chased the Moon by the same author and was not unimpressed with that one either.

Have started listening to the second Shadowmagic novel by John Lenahan, " Shadowmagic: Prince of Hazel and Oak " and so far, so very good, just like the first.

And, yet more fiction in the form of " Practical Magic " by Alice Hoffman.

Greetings. I haven't posted in awhile.
I always have one fiction and one or more nonfiction books going at once. Right now the fiction is a 3rd or 4th re-read of that paranormal classic, Interview With the Vampire. It's actually on the list of 1001 Books to Read before you Die!
My non-fiction is a self-help, not Pagan although I'm sure you'd agree that any successful Witch needs to sort out her mundane issues; but Rootwork is next in the cue. Also, I just got A Grimoire for Modern Cunning Folk: A Practical Guide to Witchcraft on the Crooked Path, which looks really good. I've been reading Peter Paddon's articles for awhile now and I really like his approach and lack of bulls***.

Am just starting on " Legends And Folk Lore Of The Scottish Lowlands " by M. V. Jack.

Well finished the book mentioned above and have now started on Dáithí Ó hÓgáin's " The Sacred Isle: Belief and Religion in Pre-Christian Ireland " for something a little more challenging.

So, today, I made a start on a new podcast (having finished listening to the second book of the Shadowmagic series, " Shadowmagic: Prince of Hazel and Oak " by John Lenahan).

" Ravenwood " follows a travelling wise woman healer, Tanyth Fairport on her adventures. This is Book 1 from Nathan Lowell's series, but, as yet, I have not seen mention of any sequels. In the meantime, this free podcast eases my commute.

Currently listening to " Druids: A Very Short Introduction " by Barry Cunliffe as a audio download.

Having recently finished "Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch" a fictional, humourous book by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, I am making a start today on " A Bewitched Land: Ireland's Witches " by Bob Curran about historical witch trials and belief.

Mostly been on a sci-fi read of late, but I did read Wiccan Meditations by Laura Wildman and Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn. T

The first book is about a how-to for trance work, pretty good, lots of info.

The second book is about mindful meditation. Simple and concise, like I said in my review.

Am making a start on " By Land, Sea, and Sky " by Morgan “Láirbhán” Daimler. I am not sure this is a book to read from cover-to-cover, but one to dip into as and when the need arises.

I just finally got a copy of this book for my own, thanks to goodreads bookswap, so am starting this right away,lol. I guess i dont know how to put the lil green title and author links in here, so here is just a link to the book page,sorry.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/69...

When you create a post, you can see just above the box, the words "add book/author", click on this to retrive the direct links to books and authors. ;-) There is also the edit button to allow people to go back and insert them later.

ok, thanks Ancestral, appreciate it!

So, I have myself another audio book to keep me company on the commute to and from work, " Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell " by Susanna Clarke.

God's Problem by Bart Erhman, and then Prophecy of the Kings by David Burrows