330 years in the past, the first accusations of witchcraft were thrown about. During the Salem Witch Trials in 1692, fourteen women and five men were put to death on the grounds of witchcraft over a series of about twelve months. However in recent years, witchcraft has not only become popular, it’s become a celebrated and open practice that many witches are unabashedly sharing their experiences with. That being said, here are seven book recs for aspiring baby witches!
I’m going to be honest, a lot of my fascination with witchcraft and witches themselves has stemmed from the movie Practical Magic. I’ve always wanted to learn the ways of the witch, but was never sure what would suit my needs best. With these books, I feel more confident on deciding which path is the right one for me!
Encyclopedia of Witchcraft: The Complete A-Z for the Entire Magical World (Witchcraft & Spells)
Judika Illes
Encyclopedia of Witchcraft comes from Folklore expert Judika Illes and what better way to be introduced to the way of the witches than a comprehensive compilation of every magical term that you’ll encounter during your studies? Judika takes readers on an enchanting tour through witchcraft’s history, mythology, and folklore, where they will discover a miscellany of facts including magic spells, rituals, potions, recipes, celebrations, and much more! And if you’re still hungry for more witch based knowledge, Judika has you covered with four other encyclopedias covering different topics which you can check out here!
The Modern Guide to Witchcraft: Your Complete Guide to Witches, Covens, and Spells (Modern Witchcraft)
Skye Alexander
The Modern Guide to Witchcraft is yet another type of encyclopedia of sorts. Skye focuses are on the spell side of things, being the spellcraft expert they are! That’s not to say they don’t delve into witchcraft as a whole, though! Skye guides readers through each step of witchcraft practices and details ways of personalizing them to their specific situtations. And if The Modern Guide to Witchcraft doesn’t quite suit your needs, you can check out Skye’s nine other Modern Witchcraft books here!
Weave the Liminal: Living Modern Traditional Witchcraft
Laura Tempest Zakroff
Weave the Liminal helps baby witches “create an authentic path of Witchcraft” that works for them. It takes a deep dive into what it really means to be a witch. Laura helps answer questions about Deity work, labels, and the history of witchcraft all in one easy to digest book. Modern Traditional Witchcraft is a path of self-discovery through experience. Let Weave the Liminal be your guide and companion as you explore the Craft and continue evolving the rich pattern of your magical life. Be sure to check out Laura’s other witchy books for more information here!
Modern Witchcraft and Magic for Beginners: A Guide to Traditional and Contemporary Paths, with Magical Techniques for the Beginner Witch
Lisa Chamberlain
Modern Witchcraft and Magic for Beginners pulls back the veil on the mystification of witchcraft. Opening up the historical discussion of the Wicca practice while keeping aspiring witches informed. “Witchcraft is an enormous topic that can be overwhelming for those who are just starting to explore it.” In this particular book of Lisa’s, she primarily focuses on Western Witchcraft, not delving into the many other doctorines. However, she does set clear boundaries between Wiccan, Traditional and Eclectic paths and provides example workings if the readers are so inclined. If you wanting more of Lisa’s work, check them out here!
Witchery: Embrace the Witch Within
Juliet Diaz
Witchery guides witches on a journey to connect with the Magick within you. Indigenous seer, healer, and spirit communicator Juliet Diaz, explains how to cast off what doesn’t serve you and become the embodiement of your truth. “Being a Witch gives you the power to heal yourself, change your life, change the world, and conjure your every dream.” Juliet helps readers discover how to connect with the power of your inner witch, amplify their energy, and connect with your ancestors. And if you’re a fan of Juliet’s teachings, check out her other works here!
The Green Witch: Your Complete Guide to the Natural Magic of Herbs, Flowers, Essential Oils, and More
Arin Murphy-Hiscock
The Green Witch aims to help readers who are wanting to harness their energy through natural magic. A green witch embraces the power of nature; she draws energy from the Earth and the Universe. Arin helps guide readers through finding their center through the power of nature. In The Green Witch, readers learn how to use herbs, plants, and flowers to make potions and oils for everyday healing as well as how crystals, gems, stones, and even twigs can help you find balance within. And if the green witch path is the one for you, be sure to check out Arin’s other works here.
Practical Magic for Beginners: Exercises, Rituals, and Spells for the New Mystic
Maggie Haseman
Practical Magic for Beginners provides clear introductions to everyday rituals and spellcasting while serving as an extensive resource for all new mystics, regardless of belief system! Maggie details Magic 101, Intuitive Organization, and Real-World Application throughout her practical guide. She takes away all the confusion around witchcraft, making the practice accessible to anyone who wishes to learn. If you’re looking for a more in-depth version of Maggie’s teachings, be sure to check out her website for all things witchy here!
Though the history of witchcraft is falsely rooted in blood with the happenings of the Salem Witch Trials, the communities surrounding witchcraft now are thriving. I for one am excited to use these new resources to learn more about witchcraft and what it takes to be a practicing witch!
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