12 Essential Books Every Witch Must Read
By Amira Asmodea
Today, I wish to share with you twelve books that have shaped not only my practice but the very essence of modern witchcraft. These aren't mere suggestions from an old crone's dusty library—they are the foundation stones upon which any serious practitioner must build their craft. Whether you're a curious soul just beginning to feel the call of the Old Ways, or someone ready to take their first tentative steps into the world of magic, these books will be your trusted companions on this sacred journey.
The Foundation: Where Every Witch Must Begin
1. Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
Oh, how this gentle soul touched my heart when I first encountered his work! Cunningham understood something that took me decades to learn in my own practice—that witchcraft need not be shrouded in intimidating rituals or require membership in secretive covens. This book is like having a kind grandfather explain the mysteries of nature magic while you sit by his fireside.
When I began my journey in the 1960s, finding a teacher was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Cunningham's approach would have saved me years of stumbling in the dark. His nature-based spirituality is pure, positive, and refreshingly non-dogmatic. If you're starting your path alone—as many of us must—this book will be your gentle guide.
2. Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland
Ah, "the Big Blue Book," as we old-timers fondly call it! Raymond Buckland was like a stern but fair professor, and this tome is his masterclass. I remember when it first appeared on my shelf in the 1980s—it was revolutionary. Here was someone brave enough to lay out the craft in a structured, methodical way, complete with lessons, exercises, and practical applications.
This book doesn't coddle you, dearies. It expects you to do the work, answer the questions, and truly engage with the material. If Cunningham is your gentle grandfather, Buckland is your no-nonsense mentor who'll make sure you learn properly or not at all.
3. The Spiral Dance by Starhawk
Now here's a book that changed everything! When Starhawk connected witchcraft to feminism, environmentalism, and social justice, she gave voice to something many of us had felt but couldn't articulate. I was already in my forties when this book came into my life, and it helped me understand why my practice had always felt inherently political.
This isn't light reading, mind you. Starhawk challenges you to think beyond personal magic and consider how our craft can heal not just ourselves, but our communities and our wounded earth. It's dense, transformative, and absolutely essential for understanding the soul of modern American witchcraft.
Developing Your Inner Witch: The Psychic Arts
4. Psychic Witch by Mat Auryn
If I could travel back in time and place one modern book in my younger hands, it would be this one. Mat Auryn has accomplished something remarkable—he's written the book I wish had existed when I was developing my psychic abilities through trial and error.
Magic, you see, isn't about the fancy tools or elaborate rituals. It's about energy—feeling it, directing it, working with it. This book teaches you to develop those crucial psychic muscles that make all magic possible. I've spent decades honing these abilities, and Auryn has created a clear roadmap for what took me years to discover.
5. Protection & Reversal Magick by Jason Miller
clucks tongue Oh, the number of young witches I've seen rush headlong into spellwork without proper protection! It's like learning to drive without understanding brakes. Jason Miller's book fills a crucial gap that too many beginners ignore.
Before you invoke anything, before you cast your first circle, you must learn to protect yourself. I learned this lesson the hard way during a particularly foolish experiment with spirit communication in my twenties. Miller's practical, no-nonsense approach to magical defense would have saved me considerable trouble. Trust an old witch—learn protection first, everything else second.
Specializing Your Craft: Finding Your Path
6. The Green Witch by Arin Murphy-Hiscock
The earth has always called to me. Some of my most profound magical experiences have come not from elaborate temple workings, but from simple moments in my herb garden at dawn, or brewing healing teas by candlelight. Murphy-Hiscock understands this connection to the green world.
This book bridges the gap between ancient plant wisdom and modern life beautifully. Whether you're growing herbs on a windowsill or foraging in the woods, it teaches you to see the magic inherent in the natural world around you.
7. Kitchen Table Tarot by Melissa Cynova
chuckles warmly Melissa reminds me of myself at her age—practical, funny, and wonderfully irreverent about sacred things. Learning tarot shouldn't feel like memorizing a textbook, and this book captures the conversational, intuitive approach that makes the cards come alive.
I've been reading cards for over fifty years, and I still recommend this book to beginners because it strips away the intimidation and gets to the heart of what tarot really is—a tool for conversation with your deeper wisdom.
8. Moon Spells by Diane Ahlquist
The moon and I are old friends. She's watched over my rituals for decades, her silver light illuminating countless spells and ceremonies. Working with lunar cycles is perhaps the most fundamental rhythm in witchcraft, and Ahlquist provides a perfect introduction to this ancient practice.
This book will teach you to align your magical workings with the moon's phases, creating a natural rhythm in your practice that connects you to the cosmic dance above.
Your Magical Reference Library
9. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham
If you own only one reference book, let it be this one. I've consulted my copy so often that the pages are soft as silk and stained with decades of herbal preparations. Cunningham catalogued the magical properties of over 400 plants, creating an indispensable resource for any witch working with the green world.
This isn't a book to read cover to cover, but rather a trusted friend to consult whenever you need to know which herbs support love magic, which offer protection, or which can enhance your psychic abilities.
10. The Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells by Judika Illes
eyes twinkling with delight Oh, what a treasure trove this is! Illes has gathered spells from cultures across the globe and throughout history, creating a massive compendium that never fails to inspire. I've discovered forgotten techniques from my own Louisiana roots alongside exotic practices from distant lands.
This book isn't meant to be followed blindly, but rather to spark your imagination and show you the incredible diversity of magical practice throughout human history.
Modern Perspectives for the Contemporary Witch
11. Weave the Liminal by Laura Tempest Zakroff
Laura represents the new generation of witches—those who honor the old ways while creating something entirely fresh and personal. Her book encourages you to build your own practice from the ground up, drawing inspiration from traditional sources while making it uniquely yours.
This approach resonates deeply with my own philosophy. After eight decades, I've learned that the most powerful magic comes not from rigid adherence to someone else's tradition, but from the authentic expression of your own spiritual truth.
12. The Dabbler's Guide to Witchcraft by Fire Lyte
nods approvingly Finally, someone who encourages healthy skepticism! Fire Lyte's book is a breath of fresh air in a field often clouded by commercialism and shallow spirituality. It encourages beginners to think critically, experiment freely, and avoid the trap of collecting spiritual practices like souvenirs.
This book reminds us that being a "dabbler" isn't something to be ashamed of—it's a natural part of finding your authentic path.
A Personal Reflection
You know, dear ones, in my eight decades of practice, I've seen witchcraft evolve from a hidden, whispered tradition to a vibrant, diverse spiritual movement. These twelve books represent that evolution—from the foundational teachings that kept the craft alive during darker times, to the modern voices that are shaping its future.
Each book on this list has earned its place not through academic merit alone, but through the practical wisdom it offers to real practitioners facing real challenges. They've been tested in the crucible of actual magical work, refined by the experiences of countless witches walking countless paths.
If you're curious about my own journey through these many years of magical practice, I invite you to read my biography, where I share more stories from the shadows and moonlight of a life devoted to the craft.
Your Journey Begins Now
Remember, my dear seekers, reading about witchcraft is just the beginning. These books will give you the foundation, but magic lives in the doing, not the knowing. Start with one book that calls to you most strongly. Read it thoroughly, practice its teachings, let its wisdom settle into your bones before moving on to the next.
The path of the witch is not a race—it's a lifetime journey of discovery, growth, and wonder. Some days you'll feel connected to ancient mysteries, other days you'll struggle with doubt. This is natural, even necessary. The craft teaches us that wisdom often comes through cycles, just like the moon that watches over our workings.
Don't be discouraged if progress feels slow. I've been walking this path for eighty years, and I'm still learning, still growing, still amazed by the mysteries that reveal themselves to those who approach with genuine heart and open mind.
Trust your intuition, honor your experiences, and never stop asking questions. The moment we think we know everything about the craft is the moment we stop being true witches and become mere collectors of magical trivia.
Follow me on social media for more insights from a lifetime of magical practice, seasonal wisdom, and the occasional story from my adventures in the liminal spaces between worlds. The old ways need new voices to carry them forward, and perhaps yours will be among them.
Blessed be, dear ones. May your path be illuminated by moon and star, and may the ancient wisdom find new life through your practice.
—Amira Asmodea
Witch, Teacher, Guardian of the Old Ways