Suggested Reading

The following books and articles are noteworthy as they provide insight into Pagan community-building, events, practice, beliefs or history. Some are from local writers while others are from further afield. This list is by no means exhaustive, but provides a good starting point if you are looking for something specific.

Please note that the authors listed below are not necessarily affiliated with the PCV in any way. Similarly, the views expressed within these texts remain those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect those of the PCV or its committee.

This page is being regularly updated with new resources.

The Basics

We have not included a lot of resources under the “basics” of Paganism, simply because these are often the easiest to find on the internet. If you are new to Paganism, take a look at the material available on www.paganwiccan.about.com – a comprehensive and no-nonsense guide for beginners.

• About Paganism – PAN
• Pagan Paths: an Overview (PDF) – PAN
• Truths and Tales about Paganism (PDF) – PAN
• What is Paganism? – The Tasmanian Pagan Alliance
• What’s So Special About the Full Moon? (PDF) – PAN
• Your First Pagan Event – The Pagan Fringe

• Defining Pagan – Jason Mankey
• Five Things you Can Learn from a Pagan – Karen Clark
• Singing Down the Sun – Magenta Griffith
• The Pagan Community: A Survivor’s Guide – Dave Smith
• What is Paganism? – Patti Wigington
• Campanelli, P. (1991). Ancient Ways: reclaiming Pagan traditions. Minnesota, USA: Llewellyn.
• Hutton, R. (1999). The Triumph of the Moon: a history of modern Pagan witchcraft.  Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. (ISBN: 0192854496)
• Illes, J. (2005). The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft – Judika Illes. New York, USA: Harper Element. (ISBN: 0-00-719293-2)
• McColman, C. (2002). The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Paganism. New York, USA: Alpha (ISBN: 0-02-864266-X)
• Starhawk (1989). The Spiral Dance: a rebirth of the religion of the Great Goddess. New York, USA: Harper Collins. (ISBN: 0062508156)
• Zimmerman, D. and Gleason, K. (2002). The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft – New York, USA: Alpha (ISBN: 0-02-863945-6)

Pagan Etiquette

• Safety in Circle (PDF) – PAN
• Pagans, Hugging and the Fine Art of Consent: a PSA – Thorn Mooney
• Paganism and Sacred Knives (PDF) – PAN
• Skyclad: the Bare Facts (PDF) – PAN
• Your First Pagan Event – The Pagan Fringe
• Your Responsibilities in Ritual – Jason Mankey
• How to Make Sure Everyone at the Open Ritual Thinks You’re Full of Shit – Thorn Mooney
• How to be a Traditional Witch on the Internet (humour!) – Seth David Rodriguez

Paganism in Australia

• Let Me Count the Ways: an alphabet of modern Paganism in Victoria – Galloway
• Australian Paganism: remnant of the past or way of the future? – Carole M Cusack
• Bodsworth, R. (2003). Sunwyse: celebrating the sacred wheel of the year in Australia. Glen Iris: Hihorse pty ltd (ISBN: 0909223033)
• Hume, L.(1997). Witchcraft and Paganism in Australia. Melbourne: Melbourne University Publishing (ISBN: 052284782X)

Groups and Traditions

You can find a comprehensive list of Australian Pagan groups and traditions on our Links page.

History

• History of PAN – Pagan Awareness Network inc
• History of the Pagan Alliance – Julia Phillips
• Memories of Mount Franklin – Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering inc
• Previous AWC Gatherings – Australian Wiccan Conference inc

Land

• Geographical Considerations – Inga Leonora
• Moore, A. (2004). Divining Earth Spirit: an exploration of global and Australasian geomancy.  Australia: Python Press. (ISBN: 0646217003)

Music and Art

• Kate McCredie
• KC Guy
• Louisa John-Krol
• Oak, Smash and Thorn Morris
• Setjataset
• Spiral Dance
• The Hearthfyre Ensemble
• Wendy Rule

Traditions

• 5 Reasons You Can’t Find the Right Spiritual Path – John Beckett

Druidry and Bardism

• Ár n Draíocht Féin (ADF): A Druid Fellowship – ADF
• Silver Birch Grove ADF – Shaz Lizzy
• Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD) – OBOD
• Druidry for Beginners 1: The Senses – Dave Smith
• Druidry for Beginners 2: Bringing the Sacred Back Home – Dave Smith
• Druidry for Beginners 3: The Ritual of the Wild – Dave Smith
• Druidry for Beginners 4: Spiritual Cartography – Dave Smith
• Druidry for Beginners 5: Beliefs – Dave Smith
• Fable: The Lost Art of the Spoken Word – Dave Smith
• Internal Alchemy: Fear, Deadlines and the Creative Life – S.J. Tucker
• Hutton, R. (2007). The Druids. UK: Hambledon & London. (ISBN: 1847252109)
• Orr, E. R. (1998). Spirits of the Sacred Grove: the world of a druid priestess. UK: Thorssons Publishers. (ISBN: 0722535961)

Heathenry

• Heathenry – BBC Religions
• Gaiman, N. (2017). Norse Mythology. New York: W. W. Norton and Company. (ISBN: 978-0393609097)
• Gundarsson, K. (2006) Our Troth: History and Lore. USA: Booksurge. (ISBN13: 9781419635984)
• Gundarsson, K. (2007) Our Troth: Living the Troth. USA: Booksurge. (ISBN13: 9781419636141)
• Paxson, D. (2006). Essential Asatru: walking the path of Norse Paganism. New York, USA: Citadel. (ISBN: 0806527080)

Wicca and Witchcraft

• Wicca and Witchcraft: which is which? (PDF) – PAN
• What Exactly is Wicca? – Jason Mankey
• Unbroken Traditions: how the death of traditional Wicca is a myth – Benny Bargas
• Witchcraft before Wicca: three important magickal books – Jason Mankey
• The Dangers of Witchcraft – Laura Tempest Zakroff
• Alexandrian Tradition – Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering
• Gardnerian Tradition – Yvonne Aburrow
• Reclaiming Tradition – Australia Reclaiming
• Georgian Tradition – Georgian Tradition of Wicca website
• Hellenic Tradition – Nuri
• Correllian Tradition – Correllian dot com
• Advice for the Absolute Beginner Wiccan – Thorn Mooney
• Buckland, R. (1986). Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft. USA: Llewellyn. (ISBN: 0875420508)
• Gardner, G.
  • (1954). Witchcraft Today. London, UK: Rider.
  • (1959). The Meaning of Witchcraft. London, UK: Aquarian.
• Mooney, T.
  • (2018). Traditional Wicca: A Seeker’s Guide. Minnesota, USA: Llewellyn (ISBN: 9780738753591)
• Valiente, D.
  • (1962). Where Witchcraft Lives. UK: Aquarian Books.
  • (1973). The ABC of Witchcraft. London, UK: Robert Hale.
  • (1975). Natural Magic. London, UK: Robert Hale.
  • (1978). Witchcraft for Tomorrow. London, UK: Robert Hale.
  • (1989). The Rebirth of Witchcraft. London, UK: Robert Hale.
  • (2014). The Charge of the Goddess: the poetry of Doreen Valiente, expanded edition. London, UK: The Doreen Valiente Foundation. (ISBN: 0992843006)

The Wheel of the Year

• Pagan Festivals: the Wheel of the Year – Mount Franklin Pagan Gathering
• Rituals and Holidays – Raise the Horns
• The Horned God: An Unofficial Biography – Dave Smith
• Campanelli, P. (1989). Wheel of the Year: living a magical life. Minnesota, USA: Llewellyn.
• Hutton, R. (1996). Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. (ISBN: 0192880454)
• Pennick, N. (1992). The Pagan Book of Days: a guide to the festivals, traditions and sacred days of the year. UK: Destiny Books (ISBN: 0892813695)
• Slade, P. (1990). Natural Magic: a seasonal guide. London, UK: Hamlyn. (ISBN: 0600570649)

Yule/WinterSolstice

• Celebrating Yule – Jason Mankey
• Christmas is Not Yours or Mine – the true origins of the holiday season – Jason Mankey
• Leaving a Legacy: Winter Solstice – Lee Pike
• The Longest Night – Cerri Lee

Imbolc/Candlemas

• A Tale for Imbolc – Cerri Lee
• The Confusion of Imbolc – Jason Mankey

Ostara/Spring Equinox

• 8 Ways to Celebrate Ostara – Jason Mankey
• Eostre, Easter, Eggs and Bunnies – Jason Mankey
• Ostara: A Solitary Ritual – John Beckett
• Reflections on Ostara – Galina Krasskova
• The Summoning of Spring – The 2017 Australian Wiccan Conference

Beltane/May Day

• Beltane: a Holy Day – John Beckett
• Beltane: a rose by any other name would smell as sweet – Lee Pike
• Beltane, Maypoles and Spring into Summer – Jason Mankey
• Pomp, Pageantry & Paganism: Beltane Fire Society rekindles Celtic quarter holiday – Rynn Fox

Litha/Summer Solstice

• High Summer: The Reflection – Lee Pike
• Midsummer: Purge, Protect and Burn Stuff – Katrina Rasbold
• The Ancient Nature of Midsummer – Jason Mankey
• The Bad Faeries of Litha – Danette Wilson

Lammas/Lughnasadh

• A Tale for Lughnasadh – Cerri Lee
• Lammas – Yvonne Aburrow
• Looking for Lughnassa – Jason Mankey
• Lughnasadh: A Heathen Perspective – Mark Hills
• Lughnasaywhat? – John Halstead

Mabon/Autumn Equinox

• An Autumnal Story – Cerri Lee
• Five Ways to Celebrate the Autumnal Equinox – The Pagan Fringe
• Gods Save us from Bad Pagan Rituals: 10 signs you’re half-assing your Mabon ritual – John Halstead
• Mabon, Mabon-Not – John Halstead
• Reflections on the Autumn Equinox – Jason Mankey

Samhain/Halloween

• A Halloween History – Jason Mankey
• A Samhain Tale – Cerri Lee
• ANZAC Day: a Pagan perspective – Galloway
• Celebrating Halloween in Spring – Lee Pike
• Foremother Stories at Hallowmas – Inga Leonora
• Reflection tells us to Live our Lives, Now – Dave Smith
• The Ancestors and ANZAC Day – Inga Leonora
• The Morrighan and Samhain – Morgan Daimler

Community and Community Building

• Everyone is Sort of Terrible: on taking breaks from community participation – Thorn Mooney
• Five Signs you Shouldn’t Run a Pagan Group – Thorn Mooney
• From the Shadows: burning the straw men – Sable Aradia
• Pagan Relationships: building a lasting community – Alyxander Folmer
• Pagans Online and Offline: locating community in post-modern times – Angela Coco
• Paganism as Fandom – Thorn Mooney
• Paganism for Beginners: Controversies – Yvonne Aburrow
• The C Word – Galloway
• The Care and Feeding of a Pagan Group – Thorn Mooney

Working in a Group or Coven

• Between Siblings – Alicia
• Five Signs you Shouldn’t Run a Pagan Group – Thorn Mooney
• How Do I Find a Coven? – The Pagan Fringe
• Building Fences: Vouching, Communities and the Internet – Thorn Mooney
• How Does a Coven Manage to Stay Together for Nearly 40 Years? – Steven Posch
• Initiation – Benny Bargas
• Into the Coven: Five Essential Tips – Jason Mankey
• Solitary, Coven and Group Rituals – Jason Mankey
• Ten Responsibilities of a Host – Jason Mankey
• Your Responsibilities in Ritual – Jason Mankey

Working Alone

• Solitary, Coven and Group Rituals – Jason Mankey
• Solitary Witch: where do I start? – Sephira
• Spiritual But Not Religious and the Solitary Pagan – Star Foster
• Cunningham, S. (1988). Wicca: a guide for the solitary practitioner. USA: Llewellyn. (ISBN: 0875421180)
• Cunningham, S. (1983). Living Wicca: a further guide for the solitary practitioner. USA: Llewellyn. (ISBN: 0875421849)

Rituals

• Solitary, Coven and Group Rituals – Jason Mankey
• Ten Responsibilities of a Host – Jason Mankey
• Writing Group Ritual – Jason Mankey
• Your Responsibilities in Ritual – Jason Mankey

The Environment

• No, I Will Not Take Cakes and Ale from your Styrofoam Cup – Shauna Aura Knight
• Sin Revisited: Pagan Theology and the Problem of Climate Change – Steven Posch
• Orr, E. R. (2007). Living with Honour: a pagan ethics. UK: O Books. (ISBN: 184694094X)

Paganism and Commercialisation

• Craft for Sale – Alicia
• Does Witchcraft Really Need to be Promoted? – Galloway
• Orr, E. R. (2007). Living with Honour: a pagan ethics. UK: O Books. (ISBN: 184694094X)

Sex and Gender

• Gender Variance in Wicca – Benny Bargas
• Herstories: women in mythos – Benny Bargas
• Not My Goddess, Not My Feminism, Not My Priestesses – Susan Harper
• The Horned God: An Unofficial Biography – Dave Smith
• What Nature Has to Say About Gender – Rua Lupa
• Orr, E. R. (2009). Kissing the Hag: the dark goddess and the unacceptable nature of woman. UK: O Books. (ISBN: 1846941571)

Fiction

• Auel, J. M. Earth’s Children series.
• Gaiman, N.
  • The Sandman series.
  • (1994). The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mister Punch: a romance. London, UK: Victor Gollancz. (ISBN: 1-56389-181-6)
  • (2001). American Gods. UK: William Morrow. (ISBN: 0-380-97365-0)
• Kay, G. G.
  • (1990). Tigana. Canada: Penguin Canada. (ISBN: 0-451-45028-0)
  • (2004). The Last Light of the Sun. Canada: Penguin Canada. (ISBN: 0-14-305148-2)
• Marillier, J.
  • The Seven Waters Trilogy
  • (2006) Wildwood Dancing. Australia: Pan Macmillan (ISBN: 9780330422468)
• Paxson, D. L.
  • The Hallowed Isle series.
  • Wodan’s Children series.
• Paxson, D. L. and Martine-Barnes, A. The Chronicles of Fionn Mac Cumhal series.
• Pratchett, T. The Discworld Series.
• Pratchett, T. and Gaiman, N. (1990). Good Omens: the nice and accurate prophecies of Agnes Nutter, witch. London, UK: Victor Gollancz. (ISBN: 0425132153)
• Rothfuss, P. The Kingkiller Chronicle series.
• Slade, P. (2004). Tales Round the Cauldron. London, UK: Capall Bann. (ISBN: 978-1861630469)
• Starhawk (1993). The Fifth Sacred Thing. New York: Bantam Books (ISBN: 0-553-37380-3)
• Valente, C.
  • (2006). The Descent of Inanna (ebook). USA: Papaveria Press.
  • (2006). The Orphan’s Tales: in the night garden. USA: Spectra. (ISBN: 978-0553384031)
  • (2007). The Orphan’s Tales: in the cities of coin and spice. USA: Spectra. (ISBN: 978-0553384048)
  • The Fairyland Series

An oak forest near Creswick, Central Victoria, starts to awake from its Winter slumber. Photo taken by Ryan M.