the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans

"Drawing Down  the Moon:  Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and  Other Pagans" ~ by Margot Adler.

"study focuses   on  the rise of  the  Neo-Pagan movement  (which  includes  Witchcraft, of  course) especially  as  it  relates  to  the  values  and  beliefs   of   the counterculture   of  the  mid-60's, hippies, flower  children, et. al.  It  is  the  single  most  comprehensive   study  of  modern  American  Witchcraft in existence."

" 'What Witches Do: The Modern Coven Revealed' - 2nd ed. -  by  Stewart
          Farrar. Phoenix trade paperback.

                    If Adler's  book gives  a comprehensive  overview of  modern
          American Witchcraft,   Farrar's   is  a   complimentary   look    at
          traditional      British  Witchcraft.  Concentrating    on    the
          Alexandrian   tradition   (which   is  only marginally  different from
          Gardnerian,   easily  the  largest  Craft  tradition extant),   Farrar
          lays  stress  on  the  actual  working  of  Covens and the integration
          of novice Witches  into  them.   Also  included  is  much  of  the
          Gardnerian  (via  Alexandrian)  Book  of Shadows.  So there  is plenty
          here for someone who wants to begin practice.

            'The Spiral  Dance: A Rebirth of  the Ancient Religion  of the Great
          Goddess'  by  Starhawk (pseud. for Miriam Simos).   Harper & Row trade
          paperback.  This  book  shifts back to America again, this time with a
          slight emphasis on feminist Witchcraft, arguably  the fastest  growing
          branch  of  the  Craft.  Starhawk   is  herself  High Priestess of two
          California Covens and her book is insightful, genuine, and beautifully
          poetic.   This   overview  also  contains specific   instructions  for
          Circles,   chants,   spells,   invocations,  creating rituals  and, in
          short, everything you need  to  get  started.   And  it  is  a
           delight to read."


" 'Buckland's  Complete  Book  of  Witchcraft'  by  Raymond Buckland.
          Llewellyn trade paperback.

                    British-born  Ray Buckland can,  with  some  validity,   be
          considered   Gerald  Gardner's American  successor.   Not only  did he
          introduce  Gardnerian  Witchcraft to  the United  States, but  he also
          founded his   own  tradition   of  the   Craft, called  Seax  (Saxon)
          Wicca, which  has grown to worldwide practice.   His early books, like
          'Witchcraft  from  the  Inside',  did  much  to  dispel  negative
            stereotypes  of  Wicca  in  the 60's.   And 'The Tree: Complete Book
          of  Saxon Witchcraft'  remains  one of  the  best published  Books  of
          Shadows to   date.    The present volume has  a practical orientation,
          with chapters set up as 'lessons', covering every imaginable aspect of
          modern Wicca.   The book is  Traditionalist in approach, making a nice
          counterpoint to works by Adler and Starhawk."


Source and Information on More Books and Texts for your Studies
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bos/bos206.htm