Any books and or authors you would recommend for someone still finding their path good book or author you want to share and why? No particular path in question just any and all. Is there a book or author you disagree with feel its incorrect and need to be brought to light? Please try to keep it friendly I hope this could be a usefull tool for those new or wanting to expand there knowledge.
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Re: Books and authors? Helpful or useless?
Newbies should avoid silver ravenwolf as she had a big tendency to be biased and/inaccurate at times. Onece a basis of knowledge has been achieved these issues can be easily spotted. However, she can be helpful for the teen/tween in coming out of the broom closet to reluctant or highly "orthodox" for lack of a better word, parents. I think she would be a better counselor than pagan author.
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Supporter
- Apr 2013
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- Astra inclinant, sed non obligant
Re: Books and authors? Helpful or useless?
Oh, my. Well, there are a few books out there (on various subjects) that I don't mind or find helpful for newcomers - but there are probably more that I am not too keen on. I don't really have much bias towards particular authors per se, but the content of their writings can sometimes rub me the wrong way.
I've always thought that Christopher Penczak is a decent author for those new to Neo-Wiccan paths. Most books, not just his, are 101-type books that touch upon the basics really - even the so-called "advanced" books that I've read are not actually advanced at all. Then again, it depends upon the path/tradition/practice which defines the book.
For instance, IMHO, you'd be hard-pressed to find any "advanced" Wicca book full-stop - outside of being exposed to the Mysteries of an initiated tradition - no book on Wicca/Neo-Wicca can really claim to share advanced practices. A recommendation that I often make is the Witches' Bible by Janet and Stewart Farrar.
However, if you're talking about Ceremonial Magic - there are plenty of good advanced books out there, IMHO. Much of what is written about in regards to CM is quite systematic and proscriptive as opposed to "low magick" such as practices within Neo-Wicca or earth-based traditions which tend to be more interpretive/intuitive and subjective. CM can be as complex as you like as much of it tends to be based upon early Grimoire texts and Kabbalistic traditions. Two modern authors whom I appreciate from this perspective are Lon Milo Duquette and Donald Michael Kraig. Of course, I prefer reading texts of the more classic authors such as Aleister Crowley and Israel Regardie.
Books pertaining to Left Hand Paths tend to be more of a gray area for me - perhaps because I, myself, am an author in this field and it is a subject in which I am intimately familiar with on all levels. I try to remain unbiased and judge books on the merit of their content, however - but I can't say that I really have recommendations as far as authors go for this topic. Michael W. Ford is an author who writes prolifically on Luciferianism (even if it is his own "brand") and LHP themes - but I cannot recommend him as I have no respect for his integrity. Another author who dabbles in this realm is Konstantinos, and I have nothing positive to say about him or his work.
I think that reading the works of a variety of authors within a particular subject is beneficial - but I think that people simply need to take care not to take one author's words as gospel.
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PF Ordo Hereticus
- Mar 2009
- 8669
- Jedi
- elsewhere
- The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to the power of the Force.
Re: Books and authors? Helpful or useless?
Don't take anything in most Llewellyn books as historically valid, just don't. The authors may have a decent knowledge of their personal creeds (maybe), they may have interesting ideas and interpretations but they tend not to be historians. When they try their hand at writing history...
Ancient. Irish. Potato. Ritual.
That is all I feel a need to say, move along.life itself was a lightsaber in his hands; even in the face of treachery and death and hopes gone cold, he burned like a candle in the darkness. Like a star shining in the black eternity of space.
Yoda: Dark Rendezvous
"But those men who know anything at all about the Light also know that there is a fierceness to its power, like the bare sword of the law, or the white burning of the sun." Suddenly his voice sounded to Will very strong, and very Welsh. "At the very heart, that is. Other things, like humanity, and mercy, and charity, that most good men hold more precious than all else, they do not come first for the Light. Oh, sometimes they are there; often, indeed. But in the very long run the concern of you people is with the absolute good, ahead of all else..."
John Rowlands, The Grey King by Susan Cooper
"You come from the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve", said Aslan. "And that is both honour enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on earth; be content."
Aslan, Prince Caspian by CS Lewis
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Originally posted by Torey View PostFor instance, IMHO, you'd be hard-pressed to find any "advanced" Wicca book full-stop - outside of being exposed to the Mysteries of an initiated tradition - no book on Wicca/Neo-Wicca can really claim to share advanced practices.ThorSon's milkshake brings all the PF girls to the yard - Volcaniclastic
RIP
I have never been across the way
Seen the desert and the birds
You cut your hair short
Like a shush to an insult
The world had been yelling
Since the day you were born
Revolting with anger
While it smiled like it was cute
That everything was shit.
- J. Wylder
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PF Ordo Hereticus
- Mar 2009
- 8669
- Jedi
- elsewhere
- The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to the power of the Force.
Re: Books and authors? Helpful or useless?
Originally posted by callmeclemens View PostI agree about Llewelleyn but they do seem to always do a good job of creating beatiful imagery with stories.life itself was a lightsaber in his hands; even in the face of treachery and death and hopes gone cold, he burned like a candle in the darkness. Like a star shining in the black eternity of space.
Yoda: Dark Rendezvous
"But those men who know anything at all about the Light also know that there is a fierceness to its power, like the bare sword of the law, or the white burning of the sun." Suddenly his voice sounded to Will very strong, and very Welsh. "At the very heart, that is. Other things, like humanity, and mercy, and charity, that most good men hold more precious than all else, they do not come first for the Light. Oh, sometimes they are there; often, indeed. But in the very long run the concern of you people is with the absolute good, ahead of all else..."
John Rowlands, The Grey King by Susan Cooper
"You come from the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve", said Aslan. "And that is both honour enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on earth; be content."
Aslan, Prince Caspian by CS Lewis
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Re: Books and authors? Helpful or useless?
Originally posted by Lady Fang View PostNewbies should avoid silver ravenwolf as she had a big tendency to be biased and/inaccurate at times. Onece a basis of knowledge has been achieved these issues can be easily spotted. However, she can be helpful for the teen/tween in coming out of the broom closet to reluctant or highly "orthodox" for lack of a better word, parents. I think she would be a better counselor than pagan author.
Originally posted by Torey View PostOh, my. Well, there are a few books out there (on various subjects) that I don't mind or find helpful for newcomers - but there are probably more that I am not too keen on. I don't really have much bias towards particular authors per se, but the content of their writings can sometimes rub me the wrong way.
I've always thought that Christopher Penczak is a decent author for those new to Neo-Wiccan paths. Most books, not just his, are 101-type books that touch upon the basics really - even the so-called "advanced" books that I've read are not actually advanced at all. Then again, it depends upon the path/tradition/practice which defines the book.
For instance, IMHO, you'd be hard-pressed to find any "advanced" Wicca book full-stop - outside of being exposed to the Mysteries of an initiated tradition - no book on Wicca/Neo-Wicca can really claim to share advanced practices. A recommendation that I often make is the Witches' Bible by Janet and Stewart Farrar.
I think that reading the works of a variety of authors within a particular subject is beneficial - but I think that people simply need to take care not to take one author's words as gospel.
Originally posted by MaskedOne View PostDon't take anything in most Llewellyn books as historically valid, just don't. The authors may have a decent knowledge of their personal creeds (maybe), they may have interesting ideas and interpretations but they tend not to be historians. When they try their hand at writing history...
Ancient. Irish. Potato. Ritual.
That is all I feel a need to say, move along.
another one which is not as bad is Celtic myth and magick. pretty much is a book on Wicca but uses some aspects of Celtic culture in it to cite it is entirely Celtic which it s not. Which a lot of Llewellyn authors use which gives them the bad rep they have.
one of her better books is Sabbats:A witch's approach to living the old ways. although another one Wheel of the Year: Living the Magical Life by Pauline Campenelli might be better.both are by Llewellyn but these are some of the better books by them.
and another one to avoid is D.J.Conway as she pretty much does the same thing as McCoy did with Witta and Silver RavenWolf's books.
Originally posted by callmeclemens View PostI agree about Llewelleyn but they do seem to always do a good job of creating beatiful imagery with stories.Do Not Meddle In The Affairs Of Dragons, For You Are Crunchy And Good With Kethup.
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sea witch
- Oct 2005
- 11651
- relational theophysis and bioregional witchery
- coastal Georgia
- *a little bad taste is like a nice dash of paprika*
Re: Books and authors? Helpful or useless?
Ritual by Emma Restall Orr, Circle of One by Diane Sylvan, and Paganism by Joyce and River HiggenbothamWonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of HistoryPagan Devotionals, because the wind and the rain is our Bible
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Silver Member
- Oct 2010
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- solitary pagan witch with a strong interest in Anglo Saxons
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- Phantom Turnips never die. They just get stewed occasionally....
Re: Books and authors? Helpful or useless?
If you are looking for well reference academic books, start with anything by Ronald Hutton. He is really good. I don't always agree with everything he says, but he's phenomenally committed to paganism, plus he came on my Nature Walk last year.
Don't confuse D.J. Conway with David Conway who wrote very good books mostly on ceremonial magic.
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sea witch
- Oct 2005
- 11651
- relational theophysis and bioregional witchery
- coastal Georgia
- *a little bad taste is like a nice dash of paprika*
Re: Books and authors? Helpful or useless?
Originally posted by Tylluan Penry View PostIf you are looking for well reference academic books, start with anything by Ronald Hutton. He is really good. I don't always agree with everything he says, but he's phenomenally committed to paganism, plus he came on my Nature Walk last year.
Don't confuse D.J. Conway with David Conway who wrote very good books mostly on ceremonial magic.Wonderful Life: The Burgess Shale and the Nature of HistoryPagan Devotionals, because the wind and the rain is our Bible
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Mostly Harmless
- Oct 2012
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Re: Books and authors? Helpful or useless?
The Penczak book The Mystic Foundation struck me as a pretty good primer.
"No, no, you're not thinking; you're just being logical." -- Niels Bohr
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Silver Member
- Oct 2010
- 3338
- solitary pagan witch with a strong interest in Anglo Saxons
- South Wales Valleys, UK
- Phantom Turnips never die. They just get stewed occasionally....
Re: Books and authors? Helpful or useless?
Originally posted by thalassa View PostI do like him. Also, I'm a fan of yours too Mrs. P!
Ronald Hutton is a really nice bloke too - very unassuming and down to earth.
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