LivingLore’s

Reading/Resource List

WITCHOLOGY Spring 2025 Frithing Article PDF Link

Here are some favourite titles, links and authors - this is not an exhaustive list but hopefully includes one of two texts you may find useful to add to your library. I have NOT included those titles common to the library of many witches and sorcerers; no Gerald Gardner, Doreen Valiente, the Farrars, Viv Crowley, Starhawk etc. Likewise I have omitted the classic British occultists, I. Regardie, MacGregor Mathers, A. E. Waite, Crowley etc. I will continue to update this list, so keep checking in.

Some of the titles below may be out of print - it is worth have a peek at World of Books or Treadwells for rare and old books, but many of these are available through online open access sites. Where I can help you source something, I am more than happy to. Just drop me a line.

Starred titles are those regularly referred to in classes. Enjoy!

Herb & Plant Lore

Medieval Herbal Remedies: The Old English Herbarium and Anglo-Saxon Medicine, 2010, Anne Van Arsdall

*Culpeper’s Complete Herbal, 1653, Nicolas Culpeper (CLASSIC)

*The Complete Language of Flowers: A Definitive and Illustrated History 2020, Teresa Dietz

*Herb Craft – A Guide to the Shamanic and Ritual Use of Herbs, 1995, Susan Lavender & Anna Franklin

*A Modern Herbal: The Medicinal, Culinary, Cosmetic, and Economic Properties, Cultivation, and Folklore of Herbs, Grasses, Fungi, Shrubs, and Trees with All Their Modern Scientific Uses, 1931, Mrs M. Grieve,

*Green Witch Herbal: Restoring Nature's Magic in Home, Health, and Beauty Care, 1993, Barbara Griggs ( This is my go-to for medicinal work with herbs)

*The Treadwell’s Book of Plant Magic, 2020, Christina Oakley Harrington

*Herbal Cosmetics, 1987, Camilla Hepper

*Tussie Mussies, The Language of Flowers, 2000, Geraldine Adamich Laufer

Make Ink: A Forager’s Guide to Natural Inkmaking, 2018, Jason Logan

*Hermetic Herbalism: The Art of Extracting Spagyric Essences, Jean Mavéric (CLASSIC)

*Flora Britannica, Richard Mabey (All of his books are recommended, including Food For Free, which is a foragers must, especially now it is in pocket size with colour photos!)

Healing with Flowers: The Power of Floral Medicine 2022, Anne Macintyre

Pharmako/Poeia: Plant Powers, Poisons, and Herbcraft: 1, 2009, Dale Pendell

Pharmako/Dynamis: Stimulating Plants, Potions, and Herbcraft: 2, 2010, Dale Pendell

Pharmako/Gnosis: Plant Teachers and the Poison Path: 3, 2009, Dale Pendell

*Wild Food, 1983, Roger Philips (All books by Roger Phillips are recommended, for nature identification and wild food and wine making.)

The Old English Herbals, 1971, Eleanor Sinclair Rohde (A super overview of English herb lore, from the Anglo Saxon charms to 17th century still room books by a most significant figure in the British herbal community.)

*Occult Botany: Sédir's Concise Guide to Magical Plants, 2021, Paul Sédir

Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World, 2005, Paul Stamets

*The Path of Alchemy: Energetic healing and the World of Natural Magic, 2006, Mark Stavish (The best practical alchemy book from a modern author. Excellent outline of spagiric practice.)

Herbs for Pets: The Natural Way to Enhance Your Pet's Life: A-Z Guide to Medicinal Plants, Holistic Recipes, and Nutritional Supplements for Dogs, Cats, Horses, Birds, and More, 2009, Mary L. Wulff & Greg L. Tilford

The Plant Pamphlets, 2024, Mark Watson (Beautiful, gentle introduction to talking with plants)

Healing Wise, 1989, Susan S. Weed

The Green Arte: The Craft of the Herbwise, 2022, Josh Williams (I love Josh’s approach to befriending plants. Very much aligned with the work here at LivingLore.)

Herbs in Magic and Alchemy: Techniques from Ancient Herbal Lore, 1990, C.L. Zalewski

Divinations & Dreams

*The Interpretations of Dreams, by Artemidorus

*Oneirognosis: The Art of Dreaming 2018, Stephen Barnwell

Complete Book of Tarot Spreads, 2014, E. Burger, E. & J. Feibig

The Spellbinding Power of Palmistry: Complete Palmistry Course Book with Exercises, 2008, Johnny Fincham (World Class - he is Britain’s best Chirologist)

Tarot Revelations, 1987, Joseph Campbell & Richard Roberts

The Tarot: History, Mystery and Lore, 1994, C. Giles

*The Magic Mirror Of Michael Nostradamus, 2010 edition, Nostrodamus

Magic Mirrors: Divination, Clairvoyance, Astral Kingdoms, Evocation, Consecrations, the Urim and Thummim, Mirrors of the Bhattahs, Arabs, Nostradamus, Swedenborg, Cagliostro, 2020 edition, Paul Sédir

Geomancy in Theory and Practice, 2020 ,Stephen Skinner

Pamela Colman Smith - Life & Work, 2020 C. Lynch, C. & M.Staiger

The Tarot of the Bohemians. 1975, S. Papus, Access https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.203930

The Language of Birds: Some Notes on Chance and Divination, 2009, Dale Pendell

*The Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom (Parts I and II) 1980, 1983, Rachel Pollack (CLASSIC)

The Forest of Souls: A Walk through the Tarot, 2002, Rachel Pollack

*Letter to Robin: Dowsing Insights and Tested Protocols, 1990, Walt Woods (complete with dowsing charts! Access - https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5fc29ea99698b02c7f2b9f48/t/62e823b84ecff703d0f2d252/1659380664806/Letter+to+Robin+3-25.pdf)

Cunning, Magic & Witchcraft

The Cunning Man's Handbook: The Practice of English Folk Magic 1550-1900, Jim Baker (CLASSIC)

Real Magic, 1989, Isaac Bonewits

Witch Amongst Us, 1986, Lois Bourne (CLASSIC Autobiography)

*Carmina Gadelica, Vol. I & II: Hymns and Incantations, Alexander Carmichael - Access https://archive.org/details/carminagadelicah30carm (CLASSIC)

*Medieval Graffiti: The Lost Voices of England's Churches, 2015, Matthew Champion

Sigil Magic for Writers, Artists and Other Creatives, 2022, T Thorn Coyle. (A modern book on sigil creation. Whilst I am not sure about the efficacy of their sigils, the approach and construction information is very good.)

A Book of the Magi: Lore, Prayers, and Spellcraft of the Three Holy Kings, 2018, Alexander Cummins (A lovely little book about working the Advent Tide from a modern scholar and cunning man).

Grimoires: A History of Magic Books, 2010, Owen Davies

*Anathema!: Mediaeval Scribes and the History of Book Curses, 1983, Marc Drogin

Psychic Self-Defense: The Definitive Manual for Protecting Yourself Against Paranormal Attack, Dion Fortune (A go to author for anyone interested in Western Occultism post 20th century)

*The Charmers’ Psalter, 2017, Gemma Gary (Gemma has written extensively on what is termed Traditional Witchcraft which has a focus on the horned god and follows the form of contemporary Wicca ceremony with some folk-ish tools. This little collection is a gem - and she has collated many of the old biblical Psalm charms here)

A Witch Alone: 13 Moons to Master Natural Magic, 1995, Marian Green (CLASSIC)

Natural Witchcraft: The Timeless Arts and Crafts of the Country Witch: The Natural Way, 2001, Marian Green (All of Marian’s books are worth a read, they are perfect as introductions for the solitary practitioner of witchcraft but contain a lot of solid wisdom in them.)

A Philosophy of Walking, 2023, Frédéric Gros ( Not a book of magic but a wonderful exploration on the spiritual, mental and creative virtues of walking)

*Magical House Protection: The Archaeology of Counter-Witchcraft, 2021, Brian Hoggard (An excellent archological book about witch marks and middens amongst other elements)

*The British Book of Spells & Charms, 2016, Graham King (An excellent over view written by a curator of the Museum of Witchcraft)

*Protection and Reversal Magick: A Witch's Defense Manual (Beyond 101), 2006, Jason Miller

A Century of Spells: More Than 100 Time-tested, Easy-to-use Spells That Really Work, 1988, Draja Mickaharic

*The Archaeology of Ritual and Magic, 1987, Ralph Merrifield

*Amulets: A World of Secret Powers, Charms and Magic, 2004, Sheila Paine. (A CLASSIC - a must have in your resrouce library. Sheila Payne was an expert on global textiles, and has wrtten extensively on tribal embroidery traditions and amuletic objects in clothing. She authored many books and travelled extensively in her work and research. Read her moving obituary here https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2022/mar/27/sheila-paine-obituary)

*Making Magic: Weaving Together the Everyday and the Extraordinary, 2019, Brianna Saussy

Circlework: A DIY Handbook of Practical Ritual, 1994, Shan (An old book, I believe self published, but an excellent DIY to basic ritual construction within the wiccan framework. There is something beautifully home grown and authentic about her approach.)

Cunning Folk: Life in the Era of Practical Magic, 2025, Tabitha Stanmore

A Cunning Man's Grimoire: A Sixteenth Century Grimoire, 2018, David Rankine, Stephen Skinner

Corpus Hermeticum: The Divine Pymander, 1657, Hermes Trismegistus

Six Ways: Approaches & Entries for Practical Magic, 2018, Aidan Wachter

*Weaving Fate: Hypersigils, Changing the Past, & Telling True Lies 2020, Aidan Wachter

Changeling: A Book of Qualities, 2021, Aidan Wachter (I love this book. It is inspired. Written as a set of qualities witches possess, that act as meditations, rituals and points for contemplation.)

*The Crone's Book of Wisdom, 1951, Valerie Worth

The Crone's Book of Words, 1998, Valerie Worth

*Positive Magic: Occult Self Help, 1994, Marion Weinstein

*I also recommend titles by Claude Lecouteux for cross European references to magical practise in folk tradition.

Spirits, Lore & Land Customs

Mythology of the British Isles, 1990, Geoffrey Ashe

Folklore and Customs of Rural England, 1974, Margaret Baker

An Encyclopedia of Fairies: Hobgoblins, Brownies, Bogies, and Other Supernatural Creatures, 1976, Katherine Briggs (all of Brigg’s books, of you an find them are excellent resources on Fairy story, Faith and culture)

*Pattern Under the Plough, 1973, George Ewart Evans (CLASSIC)

Horse Power and Magic, 1979, George Ewart Evans

*Stations Of The Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain, 2001, Ronald Hutton (All of Ronald’s books are excellent, and worth investing in.)

The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies, 1815, Rev. Robert Kirk

*The Magic of the Horseshoe: With Other Folklore Notes, 1898, Robert Means Lawrence

The Winter Solstice: The Sacred Traditions of Christmas, 1998, John and Caitlin Matthews

Britain’s Living Folklore, 1991, Roy Palmer (all of Roy’s books on local folklore excellent introductions to folklore and customs and are a delight to read)

*The English Year, 2008, Steve Roud

British Goblins: Welsh Folk-lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions, 1880, Wirt Sikes

Earth Light, 1992, R. J. Stewart

The Living World of Faery, 1995, R. J. Stewart

Power within the Land: The Roots of Celtic and Underworld Traditions Awakening the Sleepers and Regenerating the Earth, 1998, R. J. Stewart

The Old Straight Track: Its Mounds, Beacons, Moats, Sites and Mark Stones, 1988, Alfred Watkins (CLASSIC)

*The Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries: The Classic Study of Leprechauns, Pixies, and Other Fairy Spirits, W. Y. Evans-Wentz (CLASSIC)

English folklore, 1928, A. R. Wright

*The Celtic Twlight, 1893, W. B. Yeats (CLASSIC)

Chant, Music & Voice

*Magic in Ballads, Dave and Toni Arthur, Access https://mainlynorfolk.info/folk/books/daveandtoniarthur-magicinballads.html

Songs from the Magical Tradition, 2012, Jerry Bird      

*Mystery of the Seven Vowels: In Theory and in Practice, 1991, Joscelyn Godwin

In Search of Albion: From Cornwall to Cumbria: A Ride Through England's Hidden Soul, Colin Irwin

Circle of Song: Songs, chants and dances for ritual and celebration, 1993, Compiled by Kate Marks

*Folk Song in England, 2021, Steve Roud

Chanting: Discovering Spirit in Sound, 1999, Robert Gass

Where is Saint George: Pagan Imagery in English Folk Song, 1977, Bob Stewart

The Underworld Initiation: A Journey Towards Psychic Transformation, 1985, R. J. Stewart

Useful Links

Internet Sacred Text Archive - Free sacred texts resource library. Loads of great available texts including all the classic texts on mythology, alchemy, Wicca. It may be the one reason the internet was invented for us… https://archive.sacred-texts.com/index.htm

The Digital Ambler - https://digitalambler.com/ is Polyphanes ( Sam) - has writen an amazing digital resrource for a variety of occult practices, but he is possibly the best teacher of modern western goemancy I have found. He offers much of his work for free, so please support him and gift yourself a generous and wise teachers!

Mainly Norfolk- An amazing resource for British Folk Song tradition information. https://www.mainlynorfolk.info/folk/

Treadwells Books, London – Britain’s one stop esoteric and occult bookshop, event host and online resource centre. https://www.treadwells-london.com/

Sacred Earth – Brilliant independent apothecary and esoteric supply shop now online only. Email them at https://www.sacredearth.org.uk/