The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft, by Ronald Hutton The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft, by Ronald HuttonThis is a truly outstanding book that all Canars should read. It is an excellent, well researched, and scholarly piece that dispels a lot of our myths. At the same time, it establishes the Neopagan religions as legitimate in their own right.
My Life With the Spirits: The Adventures of a Modern Magician, by Lon Milo DuQuetteThis is another book I believe every aspiring occultist of any stripe should read. It humorous and upbeat, but at the same time discusses some extremely serious issues from this one magician's life. It is a good book for realizing what people are getting themselves into.
The Elements of Ritual: Air, Fire, Water & Earth in the Wiccan Circle, by Deborah LippA truly excellent book on breaking ritual down into its fundamental components, discussing the reasons for each of the components, and then bringing them together into a gestalt.
Gods and Myths of Northern Europe, by H.R. Ellis DavidsonThis book comes recommended by The Troth for their clergy program book list, to the point where it lists it as one of the first few books to start out with.
It is an incredible book. Absolutely phenomenal. If you are at all interested in getting into Norse Mythology, this is one of the books to read on the subject. I will almost certainly write more on it later, but I'll leave it at this for now.
Kushiel's Dart, by Jacqueline CareyEasily one of the best books I have ever read. Beautifully written high fantasy with a daedal plot, a set of well thought-out, three-dimensional characters, and a rich world. If you like good fantasy, this book is for you. With this book Carey makes a bid for being one of my favorite authors of all time.
One thing to keep in mind, however, is that Kushiel's Legacy is not for the faint of stomach. Bad things happen to good people and there are realistic consequences for things that happen in the world. In this respect Carey's style reminds me of Martin's in A Game of Thrones and the rest of the A Song of Ice and Fire series. It is also a very adult book, containing several erotic BDSM sex scenes that, while elegantly written, may not be suitable for everyone.
The next book in the series is Kushiel's Chosen.
A Game of Thrones, by George R. R. MartinMy favorite series of all time. Realistic characters and situations that feel real, complex and well-woven plot, realistic consequences and shifts as the result of political machinations. I cannot say enough good things about this entire series.
Last Updated: 5 June 2005.
Copyright © 2004, 2005 David Hartwell Clements, All Rights Reserved.