What are your favorite or most useful books on witchcraft, occultism, or spirituality in general? Poetry and myth count, too.
The Tao Te Ching. Honestly I really adore The Tao of Pooh as well, and I habitually buy copies for people.
+1 for Tao of Pooh and Te of Piglet. I’m reading it right now and already know I’ll be buying it for some friends.
I came here to say Tao Te Ching as well. It’s an easy read, and short, but it showed me a very different outlook on life than what I’d encountered up to that point.
I have the 1997 translation / version by Ursula Le Guin and it’s fantastic. It’s a more poetic translation and has some great commentary by Le Guin.
I love Le Guin’s version too! Today i found Paul Carus’ translation on archive.org, looking forward to read it.
“It’s Easier Than You Think” by Sylvia Boorstein
“Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung?” by Ajahn Brahm
I learn well from stories, and both of these books teach basic Buddhist philosophy through very short stories.
I really need to reread that. It’s been far too long ❤️
“A God that could be real” - Nancy Abrams
On witchcraft I recommend:
- Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler
- Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland
- Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practicioner by Scott Cunningham
I read these years ago, though I enjoyed the first two more than the third.
Some other books of a spiritual nature that I have re-read (which I suppose is the best recommendation of any book) are Siddhartha by Herman Hesse and The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton.
For myth I have to recommmend The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers. I feel it’s kind of essential reading to more deeply understand why specific types of stories (spiritual or otherwise) resonate with people. Also, there is a lecture series available for free on Youtube if you prefer to watch or listen, or can’t find a copy of the book.
some of my favorites:
- braiding sweetgrass
- the dabbler’s guide to witchcraft
- hausmagick
- queering your craft
- Peter Carroll - Liber Null and Psychonaut
- R.A. Wilson - Prometheus Rising
- Aleister Crowley - Magick Without Tears
- Nicholas Graham - The Four Powers
- Don Webb - Uncle Setnakt’s Essential Guide to the Left Hand Path
- T. Thorn Coyle - Kissing the Limitless
- Israel Regardie - Middle Pillar
- Grant Morrison - The Invisibles
- Patrick Dunn - Postmodern Magic
- Anton LeVay - The Satanic Bible
I want to thank you for your recs but specifically for the second to last one on this list. I’ve been looking for a book exactly like it.
You’re welcome - good luck.
