Top 16 Books About Witches Nonfiction Updated 06 /2023

Besides candles, what is one thing that a witch loves more than anything else? Books are, of course! If you're as into books as we are, check out our top 10 witchy books. We have put together a list of our favorite non-fiction and fiction books for you to read. Non-fiction Books on witchcraft

The Green Witch by Arin Murphy-Hiscock

There's more to The Green Witch by Arin Murphy-Hiscock than help for new witches. It's useful for witches no matter where they are on their journey. Murphy-Hiscock talks about what it means to be a green witch and shows you how to do things that will help you connect with nature and your own green skills. This book is also about witchcraft as a spiritual and magical practice, which makes it easy for people from any religious background to read.

The Witching Herbs by Harold Roth

Every witch who has read The Witching Herbs says it's the best book they have ever read. We aren't any different! Make sure you get your hands on this book if you want to learn how to use traditional witchcraft herbs in your work. Roth talks about 13 magical herbs that are important to witches, like sage, poppy, yarrow, hyssop, and wormwood. Focusing on the history of each herb and its esoteric properties, Roth's book is both beautiful and useful.

Earth Air Fire Water by Scott Cunningham

For people who haven't read a Scott Cunningham book before, now is the time to do so. When we were younger we used to read a book by Cunningham called Earth, Air, Fire, and Water: More Natural Magic. We still love it. It is true that Cunningham's writing has a Wiccan flavor to it, but the information he gives to the reader is easy to understand and can be used in everyday witchcraft, so it isn't that bad.

An ABC of Witchcraft Past and Present by Doreen Valiente

There are so many modern books on witchcraft that talk about the same things, and sometimes witches don't want to read them. When it gets boring and doesn't challenge the witch's mind, some of it stops being interesting. So, our answer is to read witchcraft books and lore from the past to learn about witchcraft. If you want to learn more about witchcraft and the occult, Doreen Valiente's book, An ABC of Witchcraft Past and Present, is a good place to start. It talks about historical witches like Alice Kyteler, Baphomet and the Knights Templar, the Basque witches' god Janicot, and more.

The Inner Temple of Witchcraft by Christopher Penczak

In Penczak's "Inner Temple of Witchcraft," the witch will be able to improve her or his psychic skills. What Penczak picks up on is how to focus one's mind through meditation and visualization. This is where many witchcraft books fail. Practices are then done to improve one's psychic abilities, learn how to travel in the ether, meet spirit guides, and more. If you want to improve your skills, read this book.

"Waking the Witch" by Pam Grossman

Waking the Witch was very important in helping me think about and rebuild my relationship with the witch. A long time ago, I was studying folk horror and craft archetypes. I'd been trying to nurture and strengthen my relationship with the witch over the last few years, both for myself and for work. When I need help or inspiration, I go back to Grossman's book. It's full of history, art, poetry, and power. I quote it and Grossman a lot when I teach. If you're writing a witchy book or collection, or if you're looking for something to help you embrace your own fire, I think you should buy her book and listen to her podcast, The Witch Wave.

"Witch Hunt: A Traveler’s Guide to the Power and Persecution of the Witch" by Kristen J. Solee

There are so many great things about Kristen J. Solee's work that I can't say them all! My first book by her was Witches, Sluts, Feminists: Conjuring the Sex Positive, and it helped me to change, revisit, and undo some patriarchal bias and religious teachings that I no longer agreed with. It also opened my eyes to a different way to connect with women, our choices, and our bodies. When Witch Hunt: A Traveler's Guide to the Power and Persecution of the Witch came out, I couldn't get it out of my cart quickly enough. Plus, it came out during the height of the pandemic in 2020, so it quickly became my vacation and a way for me to see and learn about other cultures and beliefs without leaving my house. I learned a lot from this book, and now I have a lot more places I want to go.

"Literary Witches: A Celebration of Magical Women Writers" by Taisia Kitaiskaia

The best thing to do if you don't already know Taisia Kitaiskaia is to spend some time getting to know her writing and poetry. "Literary Witches: A Celebration of Magical Women Writers" came out in 2017. This book not only introduces us to some of our favorite authors through a different lens, but it also gives us a new way to think about why and how we call someone a witch. My favorite writers became more connected to me as I read the biographies and creative interpretations of their work. I found a connection with new writers I hadn't yet read about and got to know, too. As a beautiful extra, there is also an oracle deck/guidebook that you can buy to help you connect with these women and the symbols that represent them. My own classes use this a lot for both reflection and writing, so it's a great tool to have.

"Witches, Midwives, and Nurses: A History of Women Healers" by Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English

I'm interested in how witchcraft and modern medicine work together. During the pandemic, I spent a lot of time studying botany and herbalism (and books like Plant Witchery by Juliet Diaz were and continue to be a fabulous guide). When I was looking for a book about the history and persecution of healers, I wanted something that talked about records and facts. This book was a great and easy way to learn about the subject. It's always one of the first things I recommend to people who want to learn more about the history of witchcraft and how it evolved over time.

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