Buried under a pile of books

[elfinmouse]

Hello :D After a long consideration, I've recently started following Wiccanism/Paganism. I do mean recently, and I've come across a bit of a dilemma about what book to consult. Being a solitary practitioner and not knowing of anyone who could help, I'm hoping maybe I could get some advice here.

Comments

[book_of_sage]

i think that many beginner books will always be just that, "beginner". and i think it's like that so that the reader can get a brief introduction of what Wicca is, and find out what areas they want to learn more about. it's not going to get really in depth because it's only just introducing it to you. when i first started learning, i was at the bookstore almost every day reading all the introduction books, to get different perspectives and to compare the information. here are some that i started with

[book_of_sage]

good luck, btw =).

blessed be.

[book_of_sage]

oh! and as far as beliefs... you may have to find out your own beliefs as you learn and experience... i personally don't like the idea of having my beliefs handed to me or written down for me. i've formed my own.

[elfinmouse]

Thank you so much! This is exactly what I was looking for. It's not that I don't like the Cunningham book I have now, not at all, it's just that I'm looking beyond it now to what comes next in my education and ways to suppliement what I've learned in that book. Your recommendation has also lifted that niggling uncertainty I've had about the Cunningham books, there were just some reviews that were so vehemently against them.

I know simple and steady experience will be the main part of my learning, but I want to make sure I read the best books I can to get a solid foundation to figure out my beliefs. I don't like having anything like that handed to me either.

Thank you again, and blessed be to you as well. :D

[book_of_sage]

i understand exactly what you mean. i've personally always found Cunningham's books to be "brief". i have his book Earth Power that deals with spells using the four elements, and they're all very short, too short for me

[elfinmouse]

I like finding new questions, I think that's especially important while I'm still starting out, I just don't want to always be stuck with the same questions. :)

Thanks for sharing how you organize your Book. That was actually really helpful as I've just started concidering how to organize my own. It makes me very glad I found this community to recieve such helpful advice. :D Thanks again

[brock_tn]

I'm going to suggest that you get a copy of Marian Green's A Witch Alone. It outlines a 1-year/thirteen-moon course of self-study and experience which is still, twenty years on, the best introduction to Craft practice for the newcomer forced to work in a solitary mode.

[stellamaris]

+1

[elfinmouse]

Thank you! I'll definately look into that book. An outline of self-study sounds like a very good way to both become immersed and to go about it in a methodic, orderly way.

[silverbullets89]

My first book was "The Truth About Witchcraft Today" by Scott Cunningham. Another book that I found later on but wish I had found first, is "The Real Witches' Handbook" by Kate West.

Also, I second what book_of_sage said in that you really should form your own beliefs. Use books as a guide and a reference, but really what matters is what you're comfortable with and what you truly believe. What you believe is just that, not what's fed to you by a book or another person or whatever. Go with what feels right.

Good luck with your research and blessed be. :)

[elfinmouse]

Thank you for the suggestions. I do want to form my own beliefs, but I want to get all the best information to base those beliefs on. I'll keep reading and learning as I go. Thanks again, and blessed be. :)

[xiao_yan]

Though perhaps not strictly Wiccan, I really love the book "A Witch Alone" by Marian Green. It was one of the first books I bought on the subject, and still an old standby I like to go back and read parts of.

Also, browse the internet and LiveJournal communities' previous posts to look for suggestions on this topic. I've seen this question/topic a lot, though I've subscribed to many pagan/Wicca/witchcraft LJ communities so I'm not sure which.

My own two cents: read a lot, but spend more time developing your own sense of how things work. Don't be afraid to read something and use it as a starting point to adapt to your personal beliefs and really own as your own.

[elfinmouse]

Marian Green's book must be good if I got it recommended four times! :D The fact that you still go back and read it says a lot about it. I'll definately be looking into it.

I know what you mean about searching the internet and communites. Just since I've joined this group I've learned a lot from reading the responses to previous posts, everyone here is so helpful, insightful and thought provoking.

I'll definately be taking your advice and reading a lot, but spending more time developing my own sense of things. Thank you very much for your response. :D