Pagan Books: Why Dumb It Down?

We tend to automatically go to the lowest common denominator when it comes to recommending reading material to people new to Wicca and paganism. While many prefer basic, the trend of assuming that a new person cannot handle anything in-depth at the start is, I feel, a detriment to the pagan community.

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• wicca
• wiccan
• pagan
• paganism
• reading
• books
• newbie
• witch
• witchcraft

[FearedBliss]

I actually started off by reading Wicca: A Guide for the solitary practitioner by Scott Cunningham, I like it very much. I love the emphasis he puts on being Eclectic and using Wicca as a foundation for what you feel is right. I believe that is the correct way to do it since it's your connection with the deities that matters. Everyone has to discover their own personal connection.

[WiccanTexan]

@FearedBliss - Scott is a good basic intro, and it sounds like you've got his point.

[AloofPeregrine]

Rumor has it you are selling tickets to Hell. I'd like one. I'm overdue for a vacation and I'm looking forward to some of the most delicious ice cream in the USA. What is the weather like in Michigan this time of year? LULZ.

[WiccanTexan]

@AloofPeregrine - I have no idea; I'm in Texas. It's pretty much as hot as Hell at the moment.

[GreatLakesNighthawk]

Thanks for this, I completely agree that we need people to recommend books with substance. So many of the lighter books out there have misinformation and a lack of ethics. I feel so much more understanding and appreciation of my religion as I continue to look into books with substance.

[WiccanTexan]

@GreatLakesNighthawk - I don't feel that a beginner in the Craft means that they're a beginner to research, and find it insulting that the automatic response is offering pablum.

[RivaWitch]

If you are a high schooler or entering college (usually the age that younger generations starts studying Paganism) Why would books like Triumph of The Moon be "Too Academic"?

This country is dumbing  down it's youth.

As A Non-Wiccan Pagan I turn to books on Druids even if not geared toward modern Druids' practice it is a good reference. Many of the Lewellyn Book are not out to teach, Just to make money.

[WiccanTexan]

@ufoplejarenbarbie - "muggles" is a fantasy term, hon. Educated Wiccans know the difference between the Eastern karma and what it has been bastardized into. As for justifiable magick for harm, I feel the same way you do. The second part of the Lycian Rede is, "an it cause harm, do as you must." We believe in striving to do no harm, but not being stupid about it.

[AloofPeregrine]

@WiccanTexan I'm in Texas too and I can say, it is hotter than Hell. It's only going up to about 80 degrees fahrenheit there today.

Just another one of my usual dumb jokes on Hell, Michigan. :)

[ScooterSam82]

great videos, from Binky. (my online name :D

but I cannot change this one to that lol

[GaleZMe]

@GaleZMe PS: another one is "Resurrection of the Meadow".

[GaleZMe]

"The Masks of Misrule", are all quite good as witchcraft books go. There's some new ones just out too from some of the same authors. Look them up if you're into this stuff. They're even interesting for someone like me who is just wondering what the heck's being peddled in society these days.