Top 10 Best Witchcraft Books in the UK 2021 (Raymond Buckland, Juliet Diaz and More)

Witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism are terms that are often used interchangeably. However, these practices are really not the same at all. It may seem a little complicated if you're new to the game, but the differences can be broken down quite simply. 

 
Witchcraft is the practice of magic via the use of spells, rituals and divination. Witches practise witchcraft by working with the natural energies found on Earth (and beyond). It encompasses many activities, and one who practices witchcraft doesn't necessarily follow a particular path as no two witches, nor their paths, are the same.

Paganism is a term that covers many Earth-based religions, Wicca being one of them. Founded by Gerald Gardner in the 1950s, Wicca has a strong affinity with nature, and working with the Earth is at the core of Wiccan beliefs.

So, to clarify, Wicca is Pagan, but not all Pagans are Wiccans. All Wiccans practise witchcraft, but not all witches are Wiccans. And only some pagans practice witchcraft. Make sense?

Witchcraft is such a broad category, and searching for 'Witchcraft Books' will come up with everything from horror novels to dedicated books on tasseography (reading tea leaves). In this section, we'll go through a few ways you can narrow down your search and what to look for in your new witchy read!

Both fiction and non-fiction have their time and place, and it's doubtful any witches stick to either one. Fantasy, enchantment and seeing the magic in all things is part of being a witch. But, as they say, knowledge is power, and as you'll find out, witches in the know are powerful beings! 

Witchcraft-themed novels are aplenty! In fact, it's one of the most popular subjects in the fantasy and horror genres. We all know of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Charmed, and Harry Potter, but that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to witchy fiction. If you want to be transported to a mystical world, and captivated by the magical lives of witches, then fiction is a good choice.

Just because a book is fiction, doesn't mean you can't learn a few things. These books are often written by witches or those familiar with the craft and draw upon leading themes in a witch's life. Whilst reading a witchy novel, you'll most likely be guided through a few hot topics such as feminism, female empowerment, self-discovery and being true to who you are.

An informational book on witchcraft will discuss ideologies and themes, bestowing practical guidance on performing the craft itself. A witch is often widely knowledgeable about a broad range of subjects such as astrology, herbalism, tasseography and tarot, just to name a few. You can either find a book that focuses on one particular subject, or an overview of witchcraft as a whole.

Specific Wiccan and Pagan books will teach about witchcraft as a practice too. However, these titles tend to focus on imparting information about the religion, the history and religious celebrations held throughout the year.

If you're new to witchcraft, it's best to start with a book that contains an overview of all witchy related activities and knowledge. These books act as a sort of grimoire or journal, or 'Book of Shadows' as witches like to call them. The content will, of course, vary, but most beginner witchcraft books follow a similar format.

A beginners' guide will cover all witchy matters, including celebrated days (Sabbats), correspondences between crystals, plants, planets and so forth, as well as spells, recipes, folklore and history. If you want to continue your research after reading one or two of these 'witch 101' books, you can always delve a little deeper into any subjects that took your interest.

Once you've started to dig a little deeper past the introductory texts, the world of witchcraft really begins to open up. But with so many options and so many paths, where do you start? The simple answer is, choose whatever you're drawn to. For example, if you have an interest in herbs, look into books about magical herbalism. 

Even within this theme, there are countless ways herbs are presented. This could be memoirs of witches recounting their lifelong journey with herbs, books focusing entirely on herbal recipes, herbal encyclopaedias, or books containing journal prompts and reflections, taking the energies of each herb as inspiration. 

 
As well as herbalism, there are books on divination, scrying, candle magick, astrology, palmistry, moon magick, tasseomancy, ancestral magic, deities, Goddess worship, tarot, runes, astral travel, crystals, elemental magick...This is by no means an exhaustive list, but you get the idea!

The next thing you need to think about is whether you want a modern interpretation of witchcraft or something a little more traditional. Both have their benefits, so make sure to check the first publication date if this is important to you.

 
Modern witchcraft books tend to be freer, led more on intuition and the importance of doing what's right for you. For example, a modern witchcraft book will likely suggest that if you don't have any 'mugwort' to hand, you can easily substitute it with any herb that you feel suits your purpose, whereas a more traditional book will probably be a bit more strict about which herb can be used for what purpose. 

Most avid readers have a preference when it comes to the format of book they buy, but there are pros and cons to each. Paperbacks are perfect for short reads, or if you're after something you can throw into your handbag to enjoy on the bus. They don't take up much room, and they're often cheaper than a hardback. 

Hardbacks are a much sturdier, but are also a bulkier option, making them best read at home or beautifully displayed in your growing witchy library. Audiobooks are ideal if you like to multitask, whether you like to listen while you run, clean the house or whilst laying back in your meditation corner.

 
Kindle editions and eBooks are the best format for saving space, reading on the go or whilst travelling. As many witchcraft books contain recipes, kindles are also good to prop up whilst you're in the kitchen blending and mixing magical things as a paper book will no doubt get splashed with some sort of concoction.

Whether your a high priestess who's been revelling in the magical realms for decades, a beginner witch who's just getting her bearings, or perhaps you're just a little witchy-curious, we've narrowed down our top 10 favourites for our ranking of the best witchy books out there. We're sure you'll find something that takes your fancy!

There are many tools that witches use in their craft, and depending on which path you've chosen, your list of essentials will vary. That said, there are a few staples that most witches say they simply couldn't live without! From mortar and pestles for grinding herbs, to fragrant incense sticks, take a peek at our articles below to start stocking up on witchy goods.

We hope our article on the best witchcraft books has got you riled up and ready to read. The rise of witchcraft has almost definitely begun - will you too be delving deeper to embrace your inner witch?

Author: Roxy Pratley