Books of Magic

The one thing I've found hardest to wrap my head around in Wicca is magic. The books I've read have been very much "Wicca for beginners" type books which while the do talk about magic seem to do it in something of a general way. What I'd really like is a book that goes into some depth about magic and also suggests some spells that I can start on before coming up with my own.

Thanks in advance.

These are the two books (the second one especially, if only because I read it first ) really helped me understand it. It's simple 'folk magick', no ceremony, no fuss, no muss.

Scott Cunningham: Earth Power, and Scott Cunningham: Earth, Air, Fire & Water.

The Magick I typically work is done during ritual. Wicca for One by Raymond Buckland details Magick in the general, and specific sense very well. Bucklands Complete Book of Witchcraft does very well as well. I have a few books written specifically on spellcraft, but I'll have to look those up and get back to you.

If your looking for a book that looks into all the many varied types of magic look into Isaac Bonewits Real Magick.

It doesn't give any spells but it is very informative on theory's about how magic works and how different cultures around the world use magic.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.

Scott Cunningham: Earth Power,

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Picked this up today, look forward to reading it.

The best spells won't be found published. They are created by magicians, written in their book of shadows, and kept private. Pre-written spells are good for giving your mind ideas to put into your own spells. Consider the consequences before you cast any spell though, whether the spell was written by you or others.

Another book I'd recommend is Practical Solitary Magic by Nancy B. Watson.

The problem with finding spells is that spells just give you a list of instructions, like candles to burn and chants to say. To use them effectively, you also need to learn effective use of meditative states and energy manipulation.

My favorites are the Frosts, Gavin and Yvonne! They write simply and practically, yet preserve the mystcial side too. They're great.

The best one from them ive owned was "Power Secrets from a Sorcerer's Magnum Arcanum". sounds cheezy, but its an awesome book if u can locate a copy. Has a bunch of basic, practical drills in there, like: constructing your wand, exercising your psychic senses, basics of generating psychic energy, how to store it and use it in ritual, etc. Very good!

High Magick I & II by Frater U.'.D.'.

That's hands down the best two books you can buy on magic. Everything is covered, explained, and the writing style is mentally engaging even for an old occult buff like me. I'll save you ten years and two-hundred books. Just work through them in sequence and you will be much more a magician than many will ever imagine. Even if you just absorbed only the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram and Sigil magic out of the first two chapters of the first book you would have the basis for cleansing, visualization, and self-improvement that you need to accomplish anything you desire. The second book is much more involved in the theoretical aspects of magic, but still very nice. Also, a very workable practice plan is given so you really just feel like you are working with the master. Trust me, this book is that good but you must approach this work with a very open mind. Frater U.'.D.'. knows explanations only take you so far, so the focus is on developing an active experience of magic. Getting through this basically drops you off at the top of the class provided you do the work. This is a learn by doing book and the background information is given later.

Runner up to me is: Modern Magic By Don Michael Kraig

This book is great but is sort of barraging you with occult jargon from chapter one word one. It works from someone that has read a bit already and is just looking for some direction, but it reads more like a school book than a how to guide. This book runs behind the other two because it isn't not so clear even though it is much more clear than other writers. Not enough information is really given to allow for self-development past a very moderate level of practice. This is sort of given that you will do your own research after reading through this, to contrast with High Magic's approach of taking you through college and giving you job placement. This book is heavily laden with kabbalah from the start. Not every ones cup...

Lay your hands on The Witches Bible Jannet and Stewart Farrar.