Reddit reviews Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Saints, Angels, Fairies, Demons, and Ghosts

Here are some good “starter” books to go through. Starter in the sense that they give a good overview of generalized modern western Witchcraft along with a basis for Wicca is that so interest you. It also has some supplementary guides for those interested in alchemy, mirror work, spirit work and the like.

Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft and Buckland's Book of Spirit Communications are good books for getting a decent understanding of what could be (subjectively speaking) considered “traditional” witchcraft. I myself am NOT a fan of the Llewellyn branch of magick, as it is heavily based around forming structured groups and covens and much of the information seems more ceremonial than anything. That being said, these books give a great basic rundown into alot of different styles and tools you will most likely be using or want to use.

Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner is great if you want to go down the Wicca path AND it’s made specifically for solitary practitioners along with having some of Scott Cunninghams own spells in it as well.

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs is a good rundown of many common and uncommon reagents used in witchcraft along with their metaphysical uses. Reader's Digest Magic and Medicine of Plants despite the name is a more practical and scientifically written book on the historical and medicinal used of many N. American plants.

Inside the Mirror Box: Spells and Theory for All Practitioners was actually written by a friend of mine. His book gives alot of information on actual spellwork, along with a large selection of Mirror Box spells and a short section on other uses for mirrors (such as divination).

And finally the Encyclopedia of Spirits is a great reference guide for those of us who want to work with specific entities. The author covers the full gamut of spirits and deities from the ancient gods to christian saints and archangels to lesser known spirits.

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/0061350249?pc_redir=1414420411&robot_redir=1

On mobile ... so ...

Anyway, this one is really good.

You should check out the book Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes. Here is a link to it on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Spirits-Ultimate-Fairies-Goddesses/dp/0061350249?ie=UTF8&qid=1322406654&ref_=sr_1_1&s=books&sr=1-1

Complete accident. Looking back, I suspect I called upon her and devoted myself to her when I was all of about 13 and doing a solo initiation. It was a full moon and I defiantly felt bright, comforting energy.

I knew she was a goddess of the moon and stars. She was trying to guide me in dreams and was comforting me even without my knowing what name to call her. Years (and years) passed and one day, because it was driving me crazy, I got a huge book listing all spirits and gods and just went through trying to figure out which goddess I had been feeling the presence of for all those years. When I read about Arianrhod and all that she is associated with and what she's about... well it was like a ding went off.

It's made worship of her more joyful and much, much easier. That said, I think that if you feel pulled to worship a certain way to an entity whose name you aren't yet sure of, alright. Just, you know, make sure the entity has your best interest at heart.