Essential Reading
From Barbelith
| Table of contents |
Essentials
Being a library of books that give a good, more-or-less accurate background for magickal practice - overviews of both the general Western occult variety and various oft-encountered specialist flavors.
Based on a question from this discussion. (http://www.barbelith.com/topic/17074/from/2590#post753066)
Modern Magick
- Jan Fries: Visual Magick
- Phil Hine: Condensed Chaos
Historical Western Occultism
- Margot Adler: Drawing Down the Moon
(history of modern paganism)
- Bonewitz & Francis King: Real Magic
- Chic and Sandra Cicero: Essential Golden Dawn
(history of the Western esoteric tradition)
- Sir James Frazier: The Golden Bough
(not exactly accessible, but comprehensive)
- Ronald Hutton: Triumph of the Moon
(...ostensibly "a history of modern pagan witchcraft" but gives a fair account of the roots of modern paganism and magic in all its (western) branches. He doesn't shirk from thoroughly debunking the various myths of modern paganism and its construction....)
- Donald Michael Kraig: Modern Magick
(practical instruction in Western esoteric tradition)
- Skinner & King: Techniques of High Magick
Biblical Tradition
Because so much of Western magic is based on (mis)interpretations of Jewish and Christian scriptures and lore....
- James Kugel: How to Read the Bible
the creation of the Old Testament)
- Burton Mack: Who Wrote the New Testament
(the creation of the New Testament)
Kabala
- Lon Milo DuQuette: The Chicken Qabalah
(a reasonably intelligible explanation of kabala)
See also Barbelith Kabbalah
Northern Tradition & Runes
(Read these first, to get background)
- Freya Aswynn: Northern Mysteries and Magick
(good text, although the Wiccan/HCM influence of the time colours it a bit)
- Kvedulf Gundarsson: Any works, starting with Teutonic Religion
(read after Aswynn & Krasskova)
- Galina Krasskova: Exploring the Northern Tradition
(covers a lot of the basics and offers ritual forms and devotional acts)
- Else Roesdahl: The Vikings
(accesible work on the history and culture of the time)
See also Barbelith Runes
Vodun, Voodoo, Lucumi-Santeria & Afro-Caribbean Tradition
- Maya Deren: Divine Horsemen
See also Voudou FAQ
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