Book Review and Store
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The Absolute Beginner
There are a lot of books out there written expressly for the Beginner Pagan and Wiccan Wannbe. We at Ambrosia boast such books by the DOZENS on our collective shelves. We learned the hard (read expensive) way that most of these books carry pretty much the same information at their roots. So we decided to pick the author we felt presented Beginners with the best, most practical and clearly presented material on Pagan religions, Magick in general. That author is of course, the unfortunately late, Scott Cunningham. We highly recommend anything Mr. Cunningham has written on the subject of Paganism and Magick. Pick up anything that strikes your fancy. But if you really want us to help you choose, below we have listed what we consider the 'best' Cunningham books for the absolute beginner.
Earth Power : Techniques of Natural Magic
Marvelous introduction to the world of Low Magick. Easy to follow...Lots of how to's that will get the Absolute Beginner introduced to the Elements.
Earth, Air, Fire, and Water : More...
Takes up where EarthPower leaves off so if you are an Absolute Beginner...get that one first.
The Magical Household
Lots and lots of ways to make Magick part of your everyday life and turn your home into the sanctuary it ought to be.
Spell Crafts : Creating Magical Objects
From wands to candles, tools have a special spark of energy when you make them yourself.
And On from there.....
Nothing from this point on is listed in any particular hierarchy of favor, experience or subject. If prior knowledge or exposure would be helpful where certain books are concerned, we'll tell you. Otherwise, browse...read the descriptions...pick what appeals and expand your mind.
Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets by Barbara G. Walker
An amazing source of information. If you want to know where that story, myth or legend about this goddess or that god actually originated...this book will tell you. Lots of ammo for Riot Girls and Feminists in this one.
Fire in the Head by Tom Cowan
If you have an interest in Shamanism this book is for you. If its Celtic Shamanism you're interested in...so much the better. This work covers it all. Not a how-to but rather a why and what-for.
The Complete Book of Spells, Ceremonies and Magick by Migene Gonzalez-Wippler
The title is a bit misleading...This is not a Grimoire or a Book of Shadows. This is a very complete, very well researched explanation / description of nearly every type of Magick practiced on this planet. If you want to know what it is and some of how it's done, this is a good one.
Complete Book of Amulets and Talismans by Migene Gonzalez-Wippler
Same author, same in-depth explanation. Thank god somebody out there is willing to do all this research for us!
My Life With the Spirits by Lon Milo Duquette
A Ceremonial Magickian's memoirs. Its not long winded...its not egocentric...its actually believable...and parts of it are really quite funny. Lon gives us insight into the world of High Magick Magen without the usual attendant hoopla and hype, for which we are profoundly grateful. Here's what conjuring demons is really like. Read the book and decide if its for you.
Silence, Simplicity & Solitude by David A. Cooper
It's not just for the Buddhist anymore....Extended periods of solitude, meditation and contemplation can be immensely rewarding for the spiritual seeker. For us pagan minded folk, they're called Vision Quests and this book tells you how to do it. It's a bit stringent in places but it's not a bad idea to test your limits now and again. Even if you just take the basics and set up an evening retreat, you might be very surprised what a little silence, simplicity and solitude can do.
