Book Recommendations?

Velle · November 16, 2021, 2:08am

Hi all! I figured I’d share my little library I’ve begun amassing and see if you had any recommendations to add to the collection? I’d like to do some reading on the Celtic pantheon, Norse pantheon, possibly some mycology, or even more into green witchery! But any recommendation is a welcome one! I’d love to see what you guys put in!

Susurrus · November 16, 2021, 3:02am

I have a few books on Celtic Paganism to read in my collection:

Celtic Spirituality: A Beginner’s Guide to Celtic Spirituality by: Sarah Owen
Wild Magic: Celtic Folk Traditions for the Solitary Practitioner by: Danu Forest
Celtic Tree Magic: Ogham Lore & Druid Mysteries by: Danu Forest
The Spirit of Celtic Gods & Goddesses by: Carl McColman & Kathryn Hinds

Someone close to me recently shared their interest in Paganism through the Norse pantheon primarily & Celtic Paganism. So I suggested:

Norse, Celtic Mythology & Runes: Explore the Timeless Tales of Norse & Celtic Folklore, the Myths, History, Saga & Legends + the Magic, Spells, & Meanings of Runes (3 books in 1) by: Sofia Visconti

I like to read the Pagan Portals series on specific deities. I follow the Celtic Pantheon, specifically Brighid & the Morrigan.

I will find out what other books regarding Norse Mythology may be suggested that I am not aware of yet. I just have to wait to talk to them again.

Temujin_Calidius · November 16, 2021, 4:23am

Mycology, well well well.

What type though? All of it, or the magic side of mycology

Here’s some beauties I picked locally not long ago and have powdered into capsules for the right moment:

I could talk about these all day. I also grow my own various ones, including more culinary types like Lions Mane.

Lots of books on both types.

Tem

Velle · November 16, 2021, 6:03am

Ooh! Is the top photo Fly Agaric?? I’m pretty new into the study of mushrooms I had recently attended a class taught by Robert Dale Rogers and it really piqued my interest! I do have some of his books on my wishlist already!

I’m not sure what the term is, but if you have any recommendations for good “botanical” style study to learn the anatomy of the fungi that would be amazing! Also identification guides or any books outlining their uses and edibility? I think that would be a good starting point! I could then branch out in to studying further after, but I don’t want to bite off more than I can chew

Velle · November 16, 2021, 6:04am

Ooh I’ll definitely look into all of these! Thank you so much! I just had the thought-- do you have any recommended reading on Fae folk as well?

Temujin_Calidius · November 16, 2021, 7:47am

Sure is! Edible if prepared right, and a great tool for visions if you are willing to take on some of the sickness with it

There are so many guides available if you search amazon for fungi guide. The problem with books though is you can still get these mushrooms wrong when picking from the wild. But I do know another reliable way to identify is to also do a spore print of them. Various mushrooms can look so similar, but by adding in a spore print by leaving it on white paper (or foil if you wish to use its spores) overnight covered with a cup, will reveal a spore print which varies in colour and pattern.

Mycelium is also interesting to study (this is the actual network of the mushroom under the soil. The mushroom is just the fruiting body), and its been shown mycelium connects with tree roots and have a full ‘economic’ trade network, giving and taking from trees for benefit of whole network. They can keep trees alive and immune to infections and so forth!

Did you know about the zombie fungus? It mind controls insects to grow in them and create more spores! So fascinating!

There’s so many books, and it’s another fun hobby to add to herbalism and plant identification when bush walking!

Tem

BryWisteria · November 16, 2021, 8:18am

Look at all of those treasures! You’ve got yourself a gorgeous witchy library, @Velle

It’s a general collection, but if you’re just browsing for new books, I recommend checking out the many books that have been reviewed and examined as part of the Spells8 Book Club!

Here are several collections of book reviews (one for each past session of book club):

You could also explore the “Books” Tag- all forum posts around books!

Good luck and blessed reading, Velle!

Velle · November 16, 2021, 9:07am

Ah yeah! Robert had covered in his class how certain mushrooms have found to be very nutritive for brain health if consumed in the mycelial stage! Lion’s mane is one actually! The Erinacin enzymes (if I’m remembering correctly-- it’s 3 am) are a very valuable neurological builder! Even better, when the fruiting body begins to grow, and the Erinacins break down, a new enzyme is synthesized that is also very important and helpful but the name is escaping me right now

And yes!! I’ve heard of zombie fungus! Cordyceps, correct?

Velle · November 16, 2021, 9:09am

Thank you so much for the links! I hadn’t thought to browse past book clubs for ideas!

Amethyst · November 16, 2021, 12:09pm

I wish I could just loan you my kindle library. I have oodles of books on there, over three hundred and about half are pagan books. I would get ANYTHING by Scott Cunningham, he was a great writer and helped a lot of solitary witches get into the craft.

I also recommend To Walk a Pagan Path. It’s less spellbook and more about creating a daily ritual. If I wasn’t so far behind in my reading I’d go back and read it again it was so good.

Hope that helps you out!

Susurrus · November 16, 2021, 12:26pm

Yes! I agree Scott Cunningham Books are AMAZING I have a few of them myself. I also have 2 different Beginner’s Guides to Astrology, I can find out the author’s names & specific names of the books for you if you are interested in that as well. I have an Irish Paganism book too & a couple of other good reads… The House Witch, I believe that is referenced in 1 of the Book Clubs.

I also have a few books on Crystals if that is something you are interested in too.

I do have Scott Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Herbs next to my altar for when I am making up incense or outside & Llewellyn’s Spell A Day Almanac 2021 with it.

Books for Working with the Fae

Urban Faery Magick: Connecting to the Fae in the Modern World
by Tara Sanchez
A Witch’s Guide to Faery Folk: How to Work with the Elemental World (Llewellyn’s New Age) by Edain McCoy

Working with the Fae is referenced in several books on Celtic Paganism & associated deities too.

If I find any others I will let you know.

christine13 · November 16, 2021, 2:36pm

Thanks for the heads up on Scott Cunningham, I bought the kindle version of Wicca Guide For the Solitary Practitioner. I get nervous sometimes when I buy books that I never heard of the author. I also got Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler
The Gardnerian Book of Shadows and The Meaning of Witchcraft by Gerald Gardner
Since I just got these I haven’t started reading any of them yet. So if anyone could tell me which one to start first it would be appreciated:)

Susurrus · November 16, 2021, 6:42pm

I started with Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham when I first came back to my path. It was easy to understand & follow.

Amethyst · November 16, 2021, 7:59pm

I agree with @Susurrus, Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner would be a great starting point. Gardner is a more strict form of Wicca, well it should be, he created it, but Cunningham is freer, IMO.

christine13 · November 16, 2021, 8:14pm

Alright, Scott Cunningham it is! I do need something easy to follow and understand. Thank you:)

Velle · November 17, 2021, 5:21pm

@Susurrus I actually just ended up buying this book here

I had downloaded a sample to my Kindle and it’s a very interesting read so far! The author is talking about Julius Caesar’s description of the Celtic gods,( equating them to the Roman gods) and how from that the scholars have been able to figure out who the gods are to a point.

My husband got excited and said “Heroes?? Aw, I hope they got Boudica in there!!”

Susurrus · November 17, 2021, 5:49pm

Oh! I will look for that on my Kindle!

I’m helping someone who is starting on their path & recommending books for them. They are interested in a Celtic path honoring the Norse pantheon & Astrology. I don’t want to put them into shock with reading though either

anon87969570 · November 25, 2021, 5:28pm

I just finished Cunningham’s The Complete Guide to Incenses, Oils and Brews. I usually read books through Scribed before deciding if they are hard copy worthy. I will add this book to my purchase list, because it is full of recipes, correpondences and substitutions. I will likely add his Encyclopedia of Herbs to my list.

I’m still working my way through Edington’s Complete Guide to Astrology, with Celtic Tree Magic on my read list.

I found McColman and Hinds The Spirit of Celtic God s and Goddesses to be insightful beyond the advertised title, and a great read!