Cottage Witchery: Natural Magick for Hearth and Home by Ellen Dugan
Reviewed by Aradian

Our home is something we all wish to keep safe, and special. Now there is a way to do it with the Power of Natural Magic presented in Cottage Witchery. Dugan again presents something for Witches one and all that is centered around practical use of plants and magic.

In this book you will find blessings and protections, spells for happiness and health of the home, and many kinds of Witch Crafts for you to make and enchant. I think this book is a must for people having house problems, or for the everyday Kitchen Witches. But don't be discouraged, everyone could benefit from this amazing book.

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Crafting the Body Divine by Yasmine Galenorn
Reviewed by Aradian

Body modification, ritual pampering, and sacred movement are all common pagan practices, and finally there is a book talking about these things in a sacred manner.

Crafting the Body Divine shows you how to take your spiritual practice and blend it with your self expression, your individuality, and your beauty. As a Witch or Pagan, you need to be intune and in harmony with your body. This book aids the process. Galenorn not only walks you through her own tattoo process, but she also brings in others who have overcome self-esteem issues and disability. This book will show you how to take your body, and make it a temple.

(This book is not recommended for youngsters, and is definitely a beginners book. If you have been practicing the Craft for a while, odds are there will be little in here that you have not yet come across.)

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Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham
Reviewed by Aradian

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs is one of the most useful books any Witch could have in their library. Cunningham not only brings you magical correspondences, but he also includes brief medicinal lists to make sure that your concoctions are as safe as possible.

From the gender and history of each herb, to the deities most associated with them, to simple folk spells that the herb is most know for, this book continues Cunningham's legacy of being a classic.

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The Earth Path by Starhawk
Reviewed by Aradian

The Earth Path proves to be inspirational and magickal. Wrote by one of today's leading Witches, eco-feminists, and earth-activists, this book is a must read for all Earth-lovers.

Starhawk takes you on a journey through each of the elements, while looking at what can be done to lengthen the life of the Earth. Showing us the power of ritual, and composting toilets, Starhawk does a marvelous job inspiring and awakening the Earth healer within all of us. From practical advice on gardening, composting, and grey water usage, to working magick and raising awareness, this book is a must read for every Witch.

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Earth Power by Scott Cunningham
Reviewed by Aradian

Earth Power is yet another extension of Cunningham's mission to show that the Goddess and magick are everywhere, and simple to find. Walking us through the use of earth, air, fire, and water magick, Cunningham takes us further to understanding the language and use of the sea, rocks, candles, mirrors, and wishing wells. This book is loving and uplifting. Perfect for any one beginning the path of the Craft, or anyone who feels pulled to the magicks of the natural world.

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Elements of Witchcraft, Natural Magic for Teens by Ellen Dugan
Reviewed by Aradian

I think this book is a must! This book is truly amazing. Ellen Dugan's way of presenting magic in a easy-to-use format while maintaining a close connection with the Earth and the Elements is amazing. I have recommeneded this book to adults as well as teens. Granted this book is aimed at teens, but if a adult can make it over that little setback this book is wonderful.

In this Guide to Witchcraft, Dugan explains everything from the God and Goddess, to the Sabbats. Any teen who is looking for a beginners book on Witchcraft, this is the answer to your prayers!

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The Enchanted Cat by Ellen Dugan
Reviewed by Aradian

Witches and cats have long been associates of the mysteries of the night... Now, with the help of Ellen Dugan, you too can form a magickal relationship with your beloved pet.

The Enchanted Cat brings you information on cats in history, their use in magick, cat deities, and even feline astrology! Dugan also includes stories of her own felines friend, continuing to follow through with her loving and down to earth writing style.

Included are spells to keep your cat safe and happy, as well as magickal working to strengthen the bond between the two (or three or four...), of you. Plus, Dugan goes beyond the house cat connection, and stretches her paws into the world of feline spirits and totem guides, showing us how Lions, and Tigers, and Cougars might possibly be part of our magickal work.

If you have ever wanted to know your cat on a deeper level, or let them be a part of your magick, this is the book for you!

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Etheric Anatomy by Victor Anderson
Reviewed by Aradian

In this small book, Feri Priest and Grandmaster Victor Anderson, walks you through some of the fundamental principles of the Feri Tradition, as well as your own Etheric anatomy. Covering topics such as the Triple Soul, the Aura, and the Astral Plane and sex, I believe this book is beneficial to anyone, especially those seeking the Feri Tradition of Witchcraft.

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Evolutionary Witchcraft by T. Thorn Coyle
Reviewed by Aradian

I think this book is a must read for everyone who has gone beyond the "Wicca 101". Thorn takes the Faery/Feri Tradition's wonderful aspect of knowing yourself, along with other Feri tools, and creates a book of deep exploration and power. This book is not for the beginner, but a book for someone who is feeling stasis in their current practice. Whether you're interested in the Faery/Feri Tradition or not, there are tools held within it that can lift you up.

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Fifty Years in the Feri Tradition by Cora Anderson
Reviewed by Aradian

Cora Anderson is the widowed wife of Victor Anderson. Together, along with Gwydion Pendderwen, they founded the Faery/Faerie/Feri Tradition of Witchcraft.

In this amazing book, Cora writes about the past fifty years of her life with Victor and the wonders of the Feri Tradition. Included are amazing insights into this secret initiatory tradition, as well as Feri beliefs regarding ethics and life. Written for their fiftieth wedding anniversary, Cora has given us a very special glance into one of today's most mysterious traditions.

(This book is very short, and parts of the book may be incomprehensible if the reader does not have any previous knowledge of the Feri Tradition. However, if you are seeking information on the Feri Tradition, this book is a must read.)

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Garden Witchery: Magick from the Ground Up by Ellen Dugan
Reviewed by Aradian

Dugan does it again! In this amazing book, Dugan teaches the power of plants and how they can help any Witch. She not only covers basic and practical gardening tips, but also how to use flowers, herbs, and trees in your spell work.

Along with the knowledge of plants that she presents, she also gives advise on making gardens for specific purposes such as a garden to attract Faeries, or a garden for basic spell work. There is also information on how to make amazing Witch Crafts! If you're looking for a book that is down to Earth, humorous, and practical, then this is your book.

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The Inner Temple of Witchcraft by Christopher Penczak
Reviewed by Aradian

Wonderfully written with history and applied practice, Penczak has proven to be a well read Witch. Working from his teaching in the Cabot Tradition of Science and Witchcraft, Penczak has put together a 5-degree system which he is now publishing in his written works.

The Inner Temple of Witchcraft is the first degree in his system. It covers psychic ability, meditation, developing a daily practice, and understanding the intersection of science and magick. A wonderful workbook, with a text book slant, this is a perfect book for beginners with a scientific interest.

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The Outer Temple of Witchcraft by Christopher Penczak
Reviewed by Aradian

This is the second installment of Penczak's published 5-degree system. Continuing to work with the intersection of science and magick, Penczak blends knowledge and self proved practice to create a wonderful guide book.

This time Penczak begins to walk us through the world of spells and ritual. Covering the elements, the holidays, and the role of the Priest of Priestess, it is the perfect follow up to its predesecor, The Inner Temple of Witchcraft.

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RitualCraft by Amber K & Azrael Arynn K
Reviewed by Aradian

This book is a must have for anyone seeking a way to deepen their connection to Spirit (God, Goddess, etc).

Amber K has long been an authority in the Pagan community, and now with her partner Azrael, they together have created the ultimate guide to ritual.

Forget books that give you various rituals and correspondences, this book teaches you how to write, perform, analyze, and enjoy ritual. We all have good and bad ritual, and Amber and Azrael are no different. They have included words of wisdom, and wonderful stories regarding their own ritual experiences, making this a personal and enjoyable book.

From ritual in history, to costumes, to the various pieces (including meditation), this book covers it all. Beginning and adept ritualists will both benefit from this fabulous book.

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The Shapeshifter Tarot by DJ Conway and Sirona Knight
Reviewed by Aradian

The Shapeshifter Tarot has to be one of the best decks I have ever worked with. This deck blends together the practices of Celtic Shamanism and Witchcraft to create a very beautiful deck.

The court cards in this deck has been replaced by Celtic deities, and the Major Arcana has been molded specifically to work with the energies of the animal world. Even if you do not understand the Celtic Pantheon, if you understand symbolism and the language of animals, this is a must have deck. Great for a meditation and shapeshifting tool as well!

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The Spiral Dance by Starhawk
Reviewed by Aradian

The Spiral Dance by Starhawk has been one of the most influential classics in Craft history. With it's publication, women and men were shown a way to the worship of the Goddess. However, remember the phrase, "The Goddess is not a single mother." Starhawk did. Although it appears her main goal was the resurrection of the Goddess, Starhawk is not limited in her deity gender preference.

Back when the book was first published, the worship of the God was the most visible. However, the Goddess had not been forgotten. Starhawk's goal with The Spiral Dance was to show people the half forgotten mother. With it she raised questions, and helped restore the natural balance.

In time, as worship of God and Goddess grew more common, it is visible in Starhawk's work that she grew more balanced as well. This suggests that her main was just that, to help restore the balance. Along with the changes in her work, she revised The Spiral Dance in a ten-year and twenty-year edition. The twenty-year edition includes the ten-year notes as well, and it helps to show just how much we can change in our spiritual practice. I think this is important to show that even someone who is as influential as Starhawk can change in their views. This is a important lesson for us all.

Although parts of The Spiral Dance may need to be clarified to a beginning practitioner, it is most definelty a good beginning book. Covering world view, the God and Goddess, the Wheel of the Year, meditation and trance, and even working in covens, Starhawk has put together a book that will last for centuries as a introduction to Witchcraft. Wrote from a earth-loving, eclectic Faery Tradition view, this book shows how simple, personal, and powerful our experience can be.

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The White Wand by Anaar
Reviewed by Aradian

The White Wand is a creative and inspirational book, derived from the artistic views of the Feri Tradition. Written by one of the Grandmaster's of the Feri Tradition, Anaar takes you on a journey using the powers of self and artistic expression, blended with the wonders of the Feri Tradition. Based on the Feri system of colored Wands, The White Wand, guides you through some of the base teachings every White Wand Feri Witch should know.

(Please know that it is possible to practice Feri without a teacher, however since Feri is a initiatory Tradition of Witchcraft, please do not claim Feri training, liniage, or any of the Feri Wands without first having been taught by a initiated Feri Priest/ess. There are Feri teachers out there. If you wish to study Feri, please go in search of a teacher.)

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Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
Reviewed by Aradian

Wicca by Scott Cunningham has long been a classic. And with good reason. Cunningham was one of the first people to not only show that Wicca, the Goddess, and magick could all be experienced alone, but it could be simple. It did not have to be about elaborate ritual and sacrifice. The mere act of placing flowers on your altar, and acknowledging that everything, including us, is God and Goddess, was enough to please the Gods.

This book brings together traditional Wicca correspondences and practices, along with a loving, down to earth writing style that eases you into the core of Wicca.

Cunningham has created one of the books that every novice Witch should read. Covering the Witches tools, holidays, beliefs, and sample rituals and spells, there is something for everyone to learn and explore.

The Wicca Handbook by Eileen Holland
Reviewed by Aradian

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Holland's The Wicca Handbook is a fantastic guide to spell casting correspondences.

Ranging from topics such as Love, Protection, Justice, Money, Magick, Happiness, and Sex, Holland brings you some of the most thorough correspondence lists ever.

The beginning of the book starts off with Wicca 101, covering the ethics and morals, magickal tools, and general information that every Witch should know. Once she gets past the "101", Holland guides you through the world of recipes and tools used in spell casting. She includes everything from possible stones, colors, planets, deities, plants, and numbers that will align with your spell. Plus, she goes beyond giving generic correspondences, she takes it a step further and breaks down the types of spells (example; Love- Man seeking woman, woman seeking man, same sex love, love of pet, love of child, friendship, etc).

Holland not only delivers spell correspondences, but she also includes in-depth charts and information regarding celestial bodies, astrology, numerology, and more!

The only problem I had with this book is that I do not feel it lives up to it's title. Holland has definitely brought us a book that every Witch should have in their library, but I personally would not hand this to a student who is just starting to study Witchcraft. There is too much information regarding spell correspondences, that it would be far too easy for a novice Witch to get themselves hurt.

Other than the fact I personally do not feel it to be a beginner's book, The Wicca Handbook is a must have reference.

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A Year of Ritual by Sandra Kynes
Reviewed by Aradian

A Year of Ritual brings you a complete year of ritual, not only for the solar Sabbat celebrations, but the lunar Esbats as well.

Bringing together Celtic traditions, modern Wicca, and even Tolkin Elvish, Kynes guides you through the Wheel of the Year, one Sabbat and Esbat at a time. Including the stories of the celebrations, and correspondence lists, this is a perfect book for a new Witch trying to get in touch with the Wheel of the Year.

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