This may be an odd looking list, but these are some of the books in my own experience and in my Witchy library that I thought helped me understand a few “advanced” concepts, practices, and new ideas. The list starts out with some basic, everyone-should-read kind of books and ends with a couple of books of the occult.
There are so many books on the market that this list doesn’t even make a dent to some other books that would be considered “advanced.” To me, advanced is more than what you can read from books – it’s a personal growth kind of thing; your own knowledge, practice, and dedication. For example, meditation. Meditation is practically an essential part of any spell work, ritual, or just everyday practice. It seems easy to learn and do, right? For the most part, yes. But what you CAN do IN meditation is the hard part. Trying to visualize and see a whole new life and world is an extremely hard task, and goes beyond just closing your eyes and clearing your mind. We go on these “meditation quests” in order to find our spirit guide or even try to discover our past lives. So advancing is more than what you read, it’s what you do.
My type of “advanced” magick has to do with spirit work, occultism, and evocation. But I won’t list those kinds of books because those aren’t exactly the practical, everyday Wiccan topics and practices that everyone shares. Instead, the first few books are some great books that belong in everyone’s Witchy library, and then it ends with a couple of a more Occult, “high magick” kind of thing.
1. Divination for Beginners: Reading the Past, Present & Future.
I’m aware this is supposed to be an “advanced” book list, and “beginner” is part of the title. But I believe divination is a tricky and sometimes difficult task, and just because you read some Wicca 101 books doesn’t make you the next big psychic or gypsy in town. To do any type of divination a true understanding of the art needs to be learned first. If you’re trying to read Tarot cards and all you’re doing is reading the definitions out of a book, then you’re not really doing divination – you’re just reading! The meanings of Tarot cards can be broad; each card does have a general definition, but it has to mean something to you as well. Anyway, this book covers a handfull of different types of divination and it’s one of the best resource books you can use.
2. The Second Circle: Tools for the Advancing Pagan
It took me a couple of years before I actually decided if I really wanted this book. Before I buy any book, I always look at the table of contents and see what different topics the book will cover – if it covers too many topics that I’m already aware and knowledgable in, then why waste my money? And this was one of those books. However, one day I got the courage and just bought it. Tis isn’t a step-by-step guide “for the advancing Pagan,” but just a more detailed and almost new way of looking at things you may already be aware of.
3. Protection and Reversal Magick (Beyond 101)
This is an excellent book and a must-have/read! Miller covers almost everything you need to know about protection for yourself, home, exorcisms, healing, counter-magick, and more. Miller writes about how you can recognize attack and offers guides to daily practices to protect yourself. Topics also include talismans, charms, and amulets. Spirit guardians and ways to connect with them.
4. Buckland’s Book of Spirit Communications
Don’t expect to be talking with the dead after reading this book. Though, just like his “Complete Book of Witchcraft” book, this book follows that lesson-type format where each chapter is a “lesson.” The book isn’t telling you HOW to communicate with spirits, but ways you CAN communicate with spirits. It’s a good reference book about the histories of mediumship, spiritualism, channeling, divination, and ways people use to communicate with spirits (talking boards, automatic writing, trance work, etc.). It’s a good book to own if you want to learn the different ways there are to communicate with spirits and a very brief “how-to” guide on doing so.
5. The Golden Dawn: The Original Account of the Teachings, Rites & Ceremonies of the Hermetic Order.
Now here comes the big boys! We’ve all heard, or at least read some sort of reference to the Golden Dawn. This book is definitely NOT a beginner’s book and would most definitely fall into the “advanced” category of magick. If you’ve never read anything of the Golden Dawn, then you’d be completely lost with this book, because it lacks fundamental instructions and ideas and it would assume you knew some knowledge first. If anything, reading Modern Magick by Don Kraig first would be a great start into the world of the Golden Dawn. Otherwise, this is a must-have for any serious magician.
6. Three Books of Occult Philosophy
Probably one of the hardest reads I’ve ever had to read! (mostly because it’s a HUGE book!). However, this is definitely another book that falls into the “advanced” category. To very many, this is one of the best books on Western Occultism. This book covers so many and broad topics of Occultism. Any Occultist knows the importance of Agrippa’s work, and this is no exception. This isn’t an easy how-to or instructional book. Information is slightly scattered throughout the three books, which is some ways is a good way to learn and absorb information. Anyone whose interested and serious about Occultism, this is a must-have!
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