'Tis the season of giving, and I'm here to make it easier on you! Witchcraft is in; every social platform is filled with self-proclaimed "baby witches" looking for guidance. The questions I see asked constantly are things like, "Where do I start?", "How do I...?", "What do I need?", and on and on. The answer to all these questions is: Research!
As many of the older, foundational texts can be considered too "dry" for some, I thought I'd compile a list of modern books your baby witch will enjoy.
With everything that's happened this year, we should be supporting our authors and small business owners. Not only can you use your money to purchase gifts for your loved ones, but to help support real people. This in itself is a powerful, magical act. So while we provide Amazon links to the books, I would like to encourage you all to seek out these titles from the authors themselves, indie bookstores, or local occult shops. It might be a little more costly sometimes, but isn't it worth it to make your dollars matter even more? Anyway, off of my soapbox and onto the list!
Waking the Witch by Pam Grossman
What even is a witch? What do they do? Who can be one? Host of the popular podcast The Witch Wave is here to answer these questions and more while exploring the archetype and how it has changed over the years. She also gives readers insight to her own journey and how it has shaped and empowered her.
This book is great for beginners because it gives them a quick, entertaining look at different versions or embodiments of the Witch. From there, they can research more about whatever interests or resonates with them. Grossman's personal account as a modern witch gives readers someone to relate to, which gives it more value. Plus, it's a really pretty book, especially in hardcover (and the hardcover isn't so big that it's uncomfortable to hold like some). Get a copy here!
Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Ph.D.
A little older than the previous book, Women Who Run With the Wolves is another dive into the archetype. However, this book focuses more on the inner aspect of being a Wild Woman rather than the history of the Witch in society. Estes, a Jungian analyst and cantadora storyteller, uses stories, myths, and tales to explore things like transformation, unhealed wounds, reconnecting to what is lost within us, and many other themes within these cautionary tales.
This book is a bit bigger, for readers who want something more in-depth and personal. I listened to an abridged copy on Hoopla one day, and I was blown away by what I heard. I got my hands on a physical copy and am looking forward to getting the full experience. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in a longer, slightly more advanced read. If this sounds like something for you or a loved one, get a copy here!
Inner Witch by Gabriela Herstik
Now that we've covered some books about what a witch is, I'll go over that talk about how to incorporate magic into your daily life. In her book Inner Witch, Herstik goes over things like fashion, feminism, self-love, cleansing your space, witchy holidays, and more. This book is great for anyone wanting to add magic into their daily lives, feel more powerful, and/or create a more nourishing self-care routine.
While I haven't read this book yet, I do love Gabi's content on Twitter and Instagram. She's highly intuitive, hilarious, and her words are powerful. I have a copy at home and look forward to reading and reviewing it for you all soon. *wink* In the meantime, beat me to it by getting a copy here!
Light Magic for Dark Times by Lisa Marie Basile
Considering the dumpster fire that has been 2020, we could all use a little light in our lives. Light Magic is a beginner's introductory guide that's informative, gentle, and makes magic accessible to everyone. Basile has rituals for those who are on a budget, disabled, and more. She also puts a lot of emphasis on the fact that you don't have to come from any particular background or belief system to use this book—it really was created with everyone in mind. It fosters respect for others who are on a different path than us—a sentiment that is lost on many these days.
Like Inner Witch, Light Magic gives the reader information, tools, and practices they can use in their day-to-day. My favorite of these are the journal prompts and guide to working with the moon in each sign of the zodiac. I love, love, love this book and will be going back to it again and again. So I know you'll want to get a copy. Basile also has another book which I'll be covering in another post soon.
Astrology for Real Life by Theresa Reed
Speaking of astrology, this can be one of the hardest topics to get a grip on. Thankfully, Theresa Reed has written this amazing guide to break the information down into something easier to digest. In her No B.S. Guide for the Astro-Curious, Reed explains what all the symbols, angles, and degrees in a natal chart translate to. She also provides readers with blank copies of the charts for readers to fill in with their own information as they go. As someone who learns from experience, I LOVE this. It makes the book so much more personal, too.
Maybe I'm a little biased because I started tuning into her daily Instagram Live "Tarot, Transits, and Tangets" and became a fan. But I've been using this book for a little while now, and I can say it is 100% useful. Everything I've learned about natal charts has helped me better understand transits. This has helped me to, as The Tarot Lady herself says, "be prepared, not scared," and "Cover My Ass-trology" by being more mindful when I'm feeling some type of way. I cannot recommend enough that you get a copy.
Tarot: No Questions Asked by Theresa Reed
Because she's so amazing at everything she does, Reed has also written a guide to tarot! I mean, she IS The Tarot Lady, after all. And a Gemini. What do you expect?
While I cannot personally vouch for this book yet, I definitely have it on my personal wishlist this year. Tarot: No Questions Asked is a workbook designed not to feed readers the same traditional meanings of the cards as so many other tarot books, but train readers to listen to their intuition; to read each card themselves. With this book, it really is less about the cards and more about connecting to that knowing within, taking you from an interpreter to a reader. Sounds awesome, right? Get a copy here!
The Herbal Alchemist's Handbook by Karen Harrison
For the Green Witch, Kitchen Witch, or plant lover in your life, I highly recommend this book. In it, Harrison goes over the names and properties of many plants, their magickal associations, how they can be used, how to create your own formulas mindfully, and has an awesome glossary in the back. She also explains to readers HOW to make things like philters, essential oils, ritual baths, and so on.
This is another book I've enjoyed and know I will go back to again and again. It went beyond what I was expecting when I first saw it. Pick up a copy here!
There are countless other incredibly useful books out there; these are just the ones I've come into contact with and think would be valuable to young beginners. I hope this list helps you complete your holiday shopping!
Have you read any of the ones listed here? Do you have a book suggestion to add? Let me know which one(s) and how you felt in the comments!
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