This was an Instagram post that I was NOT expecting to turn into an entire blog article until I ended up writing so much that it wouldn't fit on a single post!
Witch With Me is hosting a #witchwithhalloween Mini-Challenge and today's prompt was: Books
I'm a research and information black hole. There's no satisfying my craving for information. So as much as I often wish I lived in the "old country" or in the Roaring 20's or 1800's New Orleans, the privilege of living in the Information Age is not lost on me.
Without further ado, let's jump right in:
1. Jambalaya
This book called to me during my first trip to New Orleans. I wish I could remember the shop name because it was so much more authentic than a lot of occult shops there, and didn't have bad vibes like others. The book is a blend of memoir, folk wisdom, and Afro-American beliefs written by actress, storyteller, and priestess Luisah Tesh. With VooDoo and Voudoun not being my culture, I am careful to respectfully learn about it while not attempting to appropriate or call upon their traditions in any way.
2. Religion and Healing in America
This was assigned reading way back in my undergrad days. I think it was a biomedical ethics class? It touches on how religious views have both conflicted with and worked alongside medical practice throughout history. It would probably benefit me to re-read it again, knowing what I know now!
3. Drunken Botanist
by Amy Stewart "explores the dizzying array of herbs, flowers, trees, fruits, and fungi that humans have, through ingenuity, inspiration, and sheer desperation, contrived to transform into alcohol over the centuries." I couldn't describe it any better myself and as a bartender of ten years this combines two of the things I've spent a lot of time pondering!
4. Spiral Dance
by Starhawk is very near and dear to my heart. I don't even remember what called me to buy it or where I got it from, probably a New Age Bookstore in Portland. I've opened it up a thousand times without thinking and each time it's when I've been searching for answers. Several times over the years when my spiritual practice has been lacking, I'll seemingly out of the blue decide to start reading it again and am reminded that it wasnt a coincidence. That my intuition is always looking out for me. The musings in the book delve beautifully into the how and why of Earth centered and goddess religions, putting into words the feelings I've always carried so deeply. It was first written in the 70's, when Neo-Paganism and goddess traditions we're beginning a rebirth, so be sure to get the later versions with commentary that adjusts with the times.
5. Paganism: An Introduction to Earth Centered Religions
by River Higginbotham and Joyce Higginbotham is everything you want an introductory Pagan book to be. I picked it up originally when I was becoming curious about what Paganism was and why it was always demonized in movies when, to me, it just sounded like they worshiped nature and Christianity was threatened by this (spoiler: I wasn't wrong). I still find myself going to back to it to look things up so many years later.
These last 3 books didn't make it into the photo because I forgot they were on my kitchen table haha.
6. Grimoire for the Green Witch
by Ann Moura is one that I'm still exploring. Personally I feel everyone should make their own Book of Shadows, but so far this is a thorough reference for ritual work, spells, and divination.
7. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs
was written in 1985, and is a compilation of really cool history and lore that folks couldn't just find on the internet at the time. It's an A-Z book that is sometimes lacking on plants you'd think there'd be a ton of info on, and surprisingly thorough on plants you'd least expect. Basically this is the book all the first Green Witch blog posts had to use to list correspondences.
8. The Green Witch
by Arin Hiscock-Murphy is a *beautiful* book, however I haven't spent much time with it since it definitely has more of a beginner vibe. For that reason I do recommend it for a starter guide to the "Natural Magic of Herbs, Flowers, Essential Oils, and More"
What books do I need to add to my collection??
Let me know in the comments below!
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