Into The Green: Collecting References

Today you can choose from thousands of books about Witchcraft, Asatru, Druidry, Santeria, Native American traditions, and much more. The question is, which of these many titles should a beginner buy, and why? Not everyone has an unlimited budget to spend on new books -- or a place to put them once purchased. Here, then, are some guidelines for developing a solid Pagan reference library.

First consider the issue of balance. You want your library to cover as many topics as practical, yet emphasize the ones which interest you the most. You also need your library to grow with you, so over time expect that it will accrue a selection of beginning, intermediate, and advanced texts in your favorite subject area(s). Your library should contain a healthy mix of opinions, because authors don't always agree with each other.

At minimum you need a general guide to Pagan history and religions, and a guide specializing in your own religion. A good collection should also include manuals for a few of your favorite disciplines, like herbalism or candle magic; an encyclopedia of deities or symbols; and a sampling of related subjects such as Science, History, Mythology, Women's Studies, Archaeology, Anthropology, and Art. Unless you decide to take up writing in the Pagan field, or found a coven, you won't need a whole bookcase of Pagan titles. One shelf of Pagan books (about three dozen assorted volumes) is a reasonable average for the beginning or intermediate student.

When selecting books, scan through them and see if they make sense to you. If the material seems disorganized, ludicrous, or downright wrong – buy something else. You will probably wind up with a combination of serious works and lighter reading, which is also good. Trust your instincts. Shop around. Once you become familiar with the kind of material offered and the topics you like, it will be easier to fill in the gaps in your collection. Watch for authors (like Starhawk or Scott Cunningham) and publishers (like Harper or Inner Traditions) who consistently produce accurate, engrossing books so that you can look for their titles first. You might want to try researching Pagan books through interlibrary loan programs; then you can go buy your own copies of favorite titles. Used bookstores offer wonderful opportunities. Bibliographies at the end of good books or articles can give you ideas for books to track down, too.