Recommended books on Magic

[jaggednib]

I've just finished reading Phillip Cooper's Basic Magick and I absolutely loved it.
I was wondering if there are any other books that you could recommend on magic? Preferably a little more advanced and with not too much fluff.
Thanks!

[Belphebe]

Magic That Works: Practical Training for the Children of Light (Paperback)
by Frances Harrison (Author), Nineveh Shadrach (Author)

I like Donald Michael Craig too.

[atlantis]

Qabalah, Qliphoth and Goetic Magic by Thomas Karlsson.
Especially for those interested in the Left Hand Path.

[JohnOdin]

I would reccomend Generation Hex a anthology collected and edited by Jason Louv. Its not a how to do magic book in the strickest sense. Its a collection of stories, workings and experiences by a new generation of magicians, its very inspiring stuff sets you thinking on new paths.

[jademermaid]

solitary WITCH BY SLIVERAVENWOLF
ELEMENTAL MAGICK BY D.J. CONWAY
THE MENTALIST'S HANDBOOK BY CLINT MARSH
tHE WITCH'S SHIELD BY CHRISTOPER PENZACK

ONCE YOU GET THE BASICS,
THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ARE USED FOR REFRENCE WHEN WORKING MAGICK\ INFORMATIONAL BOOKS

THE MAGICKAL POWER OF THE SAINTS BY REVEREND RAY T MALBROUGH
THE WITCH'S TEN COMMANDMENTS BY MARIAN SINGER
THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MAGICKAL INGREDIENTS BY LEXA ROSEAN
ANIMAL MAGICK BY D.J. CONWAY

FOR FREE INFORMATION GO TO://

ABOUT.COM SEARCH UNDER WICCA/PAGANISM

Internet Book of Shadows Index (http://www.sacred-texts.com/bos/index.htm)

SEARCH Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/)

Twilit Grotto -- Esoteric Archives (http://www.esotericarchives.com/)

[stepheng98]

There are two books I would recommend for a beginner from experience :-

First read Modern Magick (Llewellyn's High Magick): Amazon.co.uk: Donald Michael Kraig: Books (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Modern-Magick-Llewellyns-High/dp/0875423248/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250755663&sr=8-1) all the way through several times and make sure this really is for you, trying out the rituals and getting used to the Tarot. Once you have done this try the following book and never look back The Baptist's Head - The Camel Rides Again: A Primer in Magick (http://www.thebaptistshead.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=227&Itemid=36) . The reason I suggest the books in this order is I found it good to be able to perform a divination before doing any magick and also to have a 'feeling' for magick before I started more serious work (the second book)

SPG

[Bokeh]

The answer really depends on what kind of magic you are interested in. Eg qabalah, wicca, tantra etc.

If you don't know that yet, then you're best to get your head around what each involves, with the use of a beginners guide to each, or a general encyclopaedia of magick.

I'm on the Hermetic Qabalah path. In those terms, Dion Fortune's Mystical Qabalah is an excellent introduction to the theory, and almost a required starting point if you intend to practice. It's also very well written.

Kraig's Modern Magick sounds like it would be a general intro, but it's still mostly qabalah. It's also fairly watered down, and serves best as a quick reference rather than a complete guide or course.


I can't recommend books on wicca and other systems, as I'm not familiar with them.


If you are just interested in everything, and want to get your hands dirty, I highly recommend Phil Hine's books on Chaos Magick, particularly Prime Chaos.

Chaos magicians use whatever serves their purpose (which has the advantage of flexibility and disadvantage of lack of structure - but if you're dedicated to the work, you can create your own course).

The great thing about introductory books on Chaos magic is they have stripped back all the dogma and only discuss the bare structure of method and ritual (i.e. the common factors across different systems). Even if you don't intend to be a Chaos magician, this process is invaluable for beginners.


I'm fairly academically minded, so I find historical context to be very helpful when learning new things. I recommend looking at the heritage (lineage) of the systems you are looking into. It will help you understand why things are the way they are, and what can be changed. For example, Israel Regardie's Tree of Life draws from older magical texts such as Eliphas Levi and Cornelius Agrippa. If you can build a mental timeline, and read some of the older stuff, you'll get a good feel for how things evolve, and therefore where they can go next.

[Nefas]

If you are planning on using any ancient Grimoires, I like this book-

Secrets Of The Magical Grimoires by Aaron Leitch

Not exactly a beginner's guide, but it is a wealth of information.

Currently I am reading

SSOTBME by Ramsey Dukes

it is a great book about magic. More observations and comparisons than
step by step instructions, still a compelling book.

[Natasha77]

If interested in the LHP....

Thomas Karlsson, EA Koetting, anything by Ixaxxar publications, anything by Michael Ford. These are my main sources.

For Chaos Magick...

Hands on Chaos Magick by Andrieh Vitimus, that's my favorite chaos magick book. any books by Phil Hine, Peter Carrol, and Robert Anton Wilson.

For High Magick...

Modern Magick by Donald Michael Kraig, probably the best primer for high magick. Books by Franz Barton, very solid information! Mystical Kabballah by Dion Fortune.

For Vodou...

Divine Horsemen by Maya Deren, and the website of Mambo Racine

For Paganism/Witchcraft...

Practical Solitary Magic by Nancy Watson is probably the most solid witchcraft book that is non-fluff. Ancient Magick by Michael Ford. The Witches Bible by Janet Farar.

For Shamanism....

ANY of the Carlos Castaneda series. Probably the most impacting series of books on my spiritual life.


Those are my core books. I don't bother with Wicca.

[Tanemis]

I know most of your are just responding to the OP but I would like to thank you as well for this great list of resources as I am a magick newbie as well.. You all are a wealth of knowledge!!!