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Post by Angaridatha on Feb 11, 2005 2:53:31 GMT -5
HI everybody! (Hi Dr. Nick!)
Ok, I'm going to post the books that I have in my *massive* library (moo is dreaming...for now) and their possible uses for y'all, and whether they get two hooves up or not. I get to cover common books like the Craft, so it might be an interesting read, and if not, well you don't have to listen to me go on and on about my books if you don't feel like it, that's why they're posted in parts.
If you're thinking of getting a book, you should post the author and title on here, odds are someone has heard of it/read it. Tis a good idea.
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Post by Angaridatha on Feb 11, 2005 3:01:38 GMT -5
Title: The Craft: A Witch's Book of Shadows
Author: Dorothy Morrison
Publisher: Llewelyn
Basic Overview: Basic witchery, including explanations of tools, practical exercises, and theory.
Moo's reccomendation: If you're Wiccan, this is one of the essentials. It is not only a great source of basic information, it has appendices with runes, holiday observances, etc. Has been one of Katie's lesson books.
A look inside the book:
Pertinent contents:
*The Rede, charges, invocations.
*Theory; God and Goddess, Wicca general theory, tools and sabbats/esbats
*Practical exercises; good exercises for most basic tools and also visualization/basic skills.
*References and appendices; reading list, the Book of Law, Deity Associations, Stone Associations, Herb Associations, Common Dream Symbols, Futhark Rune Chart, Theban Chart.
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Post by Angaridatha on Feb 11, 2005 3:12:21 GMT -5
Title: Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft (i.e. Uncle Bucky's Big Blue Book)
Author: Raymond Buckland
Publisher: Llewelyn
Basic Overview: A mostly coven oriented reference including lessons and information across the standard degrees and traditions. Bucky was Gardnerian, and started his own trad of Seax wicca, their influence can be seen here but he tries to be impartial.
Moo's reccomendation: Another essential and another book that Katie has used in lessons. Has a wide range of information that is always useful, including the basics on most wiccan skills.
A look inside the book:
Chapters:
1. The History and Philosophy of Witchcraft
2. Beliefs (Deities, Reincarnation, Retribution, etc.)
3. Tools, Clothing, and Names (inc. how to make tools)
4. Getting Started (coven work, self-dedication, initiaion, etc.)
5. Covens and Rituals (degrees, hierarchy, basic ritual structure and sample rites)
6. The Sabbats
7. Meditation, Dreams, and the Minor Sabbats
8. Marriage, Birth, Death, and Channeling (inc. handfasting rite, wiccaning rite, etc.)
9. Divination (astrology, tarot, scrying, etc.)
10. Herbalism (Uses, herbals charts up the wazoo...and no I haven't found the wazoo yet)
11. Magick (circle, cone of power, timing, cord magick, sex magick, etc.)
12. The power of the written word
13. Healing
14. Getting Set up (forming a coven, breaking the news to family, rituals and construction)
15. Solitary Witches
Appendices inc. Denominations, Examinations, Music, Chants, and Reading List.
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Post by Angaridatha on Feb 11, 2005 4:30:45 GMT -5
Title: Wicca; A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner
Author: Scott Cunningham
Publisher: Llewelyn
Basic Overview: Geared for the Solitary Practitioner, this book includes basic theory and initiations that have a different twist on them than coven oriented books.
Moo's reccomendation: Another essential book for the Wiccan library. Cunningham tends to be a very thorough and easy to read author, and this book is one of few exclusively for the solitary (which although we have tended coven, most of us are primarily).
A look inside the book:
Contents:
Section I: Theory
1. Wicca and Shamanism
2. The Deities
3. Magic
4. Tools
5. Music, Dance, and Gesture
6. Ritual and Preparation for Ritual
7. The Magic Circle and the Altar
8. The Days of Power
9. The Spiral of Rebirth
10. Concerning Initiation
Section II: Practice
11. Exercises and Magical Techniques
12. Self-Dedication
13. Ritual Design
Standing Stones Book of Shadows (I almost forgot about this, handy little book of shadows in the back of the book-different and useful)
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Post by Angaridatha on Feb 11, 2005 5:34:52 GMT -5
Title: Cunningham's Encyclopdia of Magical Herbs
Author: Scott Cunningham
Publisher: Llewelyn
Basic Overview: Kick ass book of herbs, their uses and anything else you'd want to know about them, indexed multiple ways.
Moo's reccomendation: Well, if you can't guess from the description...lol. This is seriously a must have for an herbalist. Encyclopedia. Good idea, Cunningham.
A look inside the book:
over 400 herbs
extensive tables
cross-reference of folk names
glossary and annotated bib (so you can look around more!)
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Post by Angaridatha on Feb 11, 2005 12:35:17 GMT -5
Title: Cunningham's Encyclopdia of Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic
Author: Scott Cunningham
Publisher: Llewelyn
Basic Overview: Not as useful in the long run as the herb book, but still a great reference for crystal workers
Moo's reccomendation: I am a crystal worker, as you all know, and I find this book occasionally useful as a reference. However, with crystals I find myself needing a reference less, so...ya know. But it's still one of the best I've found.
A look inside the book:
16 page color insert
Birthstone and jewelry magic lore
Tables listing both planetary and elementary rulers of stones, magical intentions, and magical substitutions (oh I almost forgot- cunningham makes great substitutions, this almost makes any of his encyclopedias worth it alone)
over 100 gems and metals
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Post by Angaridatha on Feb 11, 2005 12:44:16 GMT -5
Title: Grimoire for the Green Witch
Author: Aumiel (Ann Moura)
Publisher: Llewelyn
Basic Overview: I have found this book to be exceedingly useful. It's for advanced practitioners and is indeed a full and organized book of shadows.
Moo's reccomendation: Excellent reference, contains a lot of premade meditations, recipes, references, and such, and I've found myself consulting it often, perhaps even more than bucky's blue book. But you have to know what you're doing to understand this book, and you have to know how to discriminate between what you should use and shouldn't.
A look inside the book:
Every symbol reference chart you really would ever need is probably in here; herb associations, runes, druidic plant associations, various symbols, magic squares and sigils, etc.
The first half/two-thirds of the book is mostly rituals of Aumiel, including everything from meditations to sabbat observances to crystal chants to etc. etc. etc. The channeling rits that Katie and I are using come from this book at the moment. It has some great references, but also some very dark references. Pulls no punches and assumes you know what you're doing.
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Post by Angaridatha on Feb 11, 2005 12:49:36 GMT -5
Title: The Wiccan Mysteries Author: Raven Grimassi Publisher: Llewelyn Basic Overview: Excellent book, not a shelf reference per se but a necessary read. Moo's reccomendation: Katie gave me this one, so of course it's good.  It's sometimes a bit of a weighty read, but it is one of the best theory books in my library. No spells in here, just history, background, information, theory, things you won't easily find in other books but should know. Good book to read, kind of difficult to understand and master. A look inside the book:Chapter listing: 1. Roots of the Wiccan Mysteries 2. Principles and Beliefs 3. The Sacred Wiccan Texts 4. Wiccan Deities 5. The Watchers 6. The Cycle of Rebirth 7. The Planes of Existence 8. Psychic Centers 9. The Magickal Arts 10. Wiccan Rites 11. The Celts and the Wiccan Mysteries 12. The Mystery Tradition 13. Women's Mysteries 14. Men's Mysteries 15. Sexuality and Magick 16. Living the Mysteries Appendices: The Elemental Doorways, The Astral Temple, The Wiccan Mystery Script (Theban) Wiccan Symbols, Wiccan Ritual Tools, The Elusinian Mysteries |
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Post by Angaridatha on Feb 11, 2005 12:57:05 GMT -5
Title: The Second Circle
Author: Venecia Rauls
Publisher: Kensington
Basic Overview: Mostly totally theory. It assumes you have a solid grounding in magic and will give you ideas on where to go once you have mastered the basics.
Moo's reccomendation: I like this one, it was a solid read and gave me a lot of ideas that took me that one step further. No spells in this one, but it won't spit out at you the traditional stuff. You know when you get to a point where you start thinking all the books on the shelf have the same info? This is one you can read after that. However, it's a one time read, mostly, not a reference, so if you want to borrow mine you can.
A look inside the book:
on the back of the book
Increase your wisdom through a four-step process; reading, thinking, questioning, doing
Make sense of the advanced techniques you'll need to become a master pagan
Release yourself from the unhelpful thought patterns that are ingrained in you
Establish your own personal and ethical brand of witchcraft
Discover how your strengths and weaknesses can help you choose what kind of Pagan you shouuld become
Effectively use your knowledge in the natural world
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Post by Angaridatha on Feb 11, 2005 13:09:13 GMT -5
Title: A Magician's Reflection; a complete guide to creating personal magical symbols and systems
Author: Bill Whitcomb
Publisher: Llewelyn
Basic Overview: Total shelf material, this one. References on basically everything, and it's not wiccan completely, but if you're looking for something different it's very good to have on hand.
Moo's reccomendation: Useful as it seems, I haven't used this one much yet. But it will come in handy someday. Associations are awesome for people who sit down and come up with their own stuff.
A look inside the book:
Working with Archetypes
Color Symbolism
Creating a Myth
Numerology
Natural Phenomena
Alphabet of Metals
Communication with Stones
Pathworking through Locations
Alphabet of Substances
Meeting a Spirit Animal
Symbolic Objects
Plants and Herbs
Druidic Tree Alphabet
Assembling a mythological Animal
Working with Physical Gestures
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Post by Angaridatha on Feb 11, 2005 13:17:02 GMT -5
Title: Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard
Author: Oberon Zell-Ravenheart
Publisher: Career Press
Basic Overview: Good book, lots and lots of references, charts, and information, though I find some of the info to be a bit skewed occasionally (not much of it).
Moo's reccomendation: Decent book to have on your shelf. It's no cunningham, but it's seen its share of time in my hands as reference or reading. Mostly reference. The unique thing about this book is it's not completely wiccan. They formed what they call the "grey council" made up of some of the greater witches of our day and they apparently got together and wrote the book. But it's not the normal fare by any means.
A look inside the book:
Foundations of Magick, Nature Mysteries, Ethics, tools of Magick, Rites and Rituals, Meditation, Healing, Wortcunning, Divination, Conjury, Alchemy, Beast Mastery, Cosmology, Mathemagicks, Ceremonial Magick, Lore Mastery, The Dark Arts, Lore, and a lot a lot a lot of different references and ideas.
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Post by Angaridatha on Feb 11, 2005 13:22:05 GMT -5
Title: Angels; companions in Magick
Author: Silver Ravenwolf
Publisher: Llewelyn
Basic Overview: Obviously, this is a moo book. Tells you how to contact your local neighborhood angels, has hierarchical charts, sigils and correspondences, most of which are right.
Moo's reccomendation: It's a moo book! w00t! Seriously though, it's a decent book if you're looking at working with angels, great listings and enough of them right to make it worth it. But I don't think any of us are angel workers, really, so it's worth a borrowed read at best to most of ya.
A look inside the book:
Chapter listing:
1; seek and go find the angels
2; the angelic altar
3; angel hierarchy and the queen of angels
4; angels and magickal correspondences
5; angels and meditation
6; angels and ritual
7; guardian angel express
8; angels and the element of air
9; angels and the element of fire
10; angels and the element of water
11; angels and the element of earth
12; angels and the zodiac
13; angels and the planets
14; angels, sigils, and symbols
15; angel talismans
16; angels and divination
17; combating chaos using the angels
18; living with the angels
Appendix; needs and their associated elements and angels
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Post by Angaridatha on Feb 11, 2005 13:27:32 GMT -5
Title: Advanced Witchcraft
Author: Edain McCoy
Publisher: Llewelyn
Basic Overview: Awesome theory book. Again, not a reference book, but most good advanced books are not. They are those that can take you beyond all the reference books and put information elsewhere to use. This is obviously like the Second Circle, a good advanced text. I haven't cut all the way through it yet, but it's been very awesome so far.
Moo's reccomendation: Another good book for the advancing practitioner (and they're rare). If you have a solid handle of things and need something a little more in depth and advanced this would be a good read for you.
A look inside the book:
Chapter List
1. The advanced witch and the craft
2. The process of living as an advanced witch
3. The terror of the threshold
4. New initiations, new invocations
5. The three worlds...or four, or more?
6. How many selves have I?
7. Advanced warding and psychic defense
8. Wiccan shamanism
9. The animals and the shapeshifters
10. Dark witchery
11. The labyrinth and the maze
12. Advanced tree spirituality
13. Augury and advanced divination
14. Advanced-intermediate magick
15. Magick and ritual using the Fine Arts
16. Advanced Magick; the art of witchcraft
17. The healing arts
18. The Faeries and the Power in a Name
19. If you think your house is haunted...and even if you don't
20. The Dark Night of the Soul
Appendices and resources
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Post by Angaridatha on Feb 11, 2005 13:38:46 GMT -5
Title: The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need
Author: Joanne Woolfolk
Publisher: Scarborough House
Basic Overview: Contains explanations and interpretations in all key areas of astrology, and full planetary charts back into the 1900's. Also how to use them.
Moo's reccomendation: Simple enough. I've been studying astrology since I was ten. This is the only book you need. Hopefully not the only one you'll ever want, but it really is the only one you'll ever need. All astrologers should have this indispensable reference.
A look inside the book:
Sun, Moon and Ascendant interpretations and charts
Full House charts
Planetary Charts
Everything you need to make a natal chart, including samples
Full ephimeris in back for each planet from the year 1900 to 2025. (in my edition, which is older)
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Post by Angaridatha on Feb 11, 2005 13:42:15 GMT -5
Title: The Complete Book of Magic and Witchcraft
Author: Leonard R. N..Ashley
Publisher: Barricade
Basic Overview: .hooooo boy. Lots of dark in this one.
Moo's reccomendation: Don't get this book. I rescued it from its would be owner. it's good for a laugh. There are many dark magicks within.
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It's sometimes a bit of a weighty read, but it is one of the best theory books in my library. No spells in here, just history, background, information, theory, things you won't easily find in other books but should know. Good book to read, kind of difficult to understand and master.