Hello everyone. I am Meralia, I am 48 years old. I have four children (2 boys and two girls that are his, mine, and ours) and six of the most beautiful grandchildren woman could be blessed with (3 girls and 3 boys).
By most people's standards I am new to the craft, though I admit two years ago I started reading books on Paganism, Wicca, and Magick. I have since read more books than I can remember by several different authors. I have found much of it to be the same thing rehashed or reworded which I find to be very frustrating, or complete and utter nonsense which sounded like it was written by my 9 year old granddaughter.
I do not really have an interest in joining a coven at this time, either here on SOM or where I actually live but I do know that I have reached a point that I need some direction and/or personal one-on-one instruction.
So while I really would like someone to work with one-on-one I am going to ask a question first. If you could only refer a single book to someone who has had a life-long interest in the craft which book would it be and why? I am trying to discern if what I have read up to this point has been fluff or if I really am on the right road. I like to do as much research as I can before I jump feet first into things, you avoid bruised knees and shins better that way.
Welcome to the site! ^^ Most authors like to cover the "basics" (a generally consistent set of simple or foundation practices like meditation) just to ensure that any beginners reading the book aren't thrown into the deep end before they know how to swim. Although that makes sense, I totally agree with you about how frustrating it is when you buy a book only to find the first half is the same as they first half of every other book.
As to which book I'd recommend, it depends on which area of the craft your interested in. My personal favourite is Magical Herbalism by Scott Cunningham because it's basically a recipe book and instruction manual from a magical perspective. However, if you don't want to work with herbs it's a completely useless book :P So on that note, what is it that interests you?
Welcome, Meralia. If you are seeking Wicca, read anything by Gerald Gardner,Doreen Valiente,and Janet&Stewart Farrar.
But, you will never find a book on witchcraft! Real witches never wrote anything down! I hope you find what you seek.
Welcome! I hope your who enjoying wicca so far. Anyways welcome to the craft, and Wicca. First off like bryson sajd , any of the auors are great,although ssilver ravenwolfe, and Last Sabrina are also good authors. If I were you I would do the year and a day study, ur will teach you the basics like gods, grounding and so fourth. I also suggest that you read one book at a time and pull some things from each book, I know it may be confusing with all the different veiws but that's all it is, there all teachers in the same thing except they teach it all a different way. I suggest you also join a coven, I know you don't want to but it may help a lot with gaining knowledge, I know ur may be weird that your taking advice from a 14 year old kid but age is just a number, anyways merry meet. I hope this helped, if you have any questions please message me, Blessed be.
I'm sorry for the spelling, I meant that all the authors bryson said are good and the witchcraft part is correct. I also meant that I suggest reading silver rvenwolfe, and lady Sabrina, including Scott Cunningham, Raymond buckland, and also some articles on here. I suggest you check the tips and welcome posts in here, bb
