Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs

•      This and, well, everything written by Scott Cunningham is a must-read.  Though his specialty is Wicca, I’ve found every book that he’s written incredibly insightful and informative.

Davidson, Hilda Roderick Ellis. Myths and Symbols in Pagan Europe: Early Scandinavian and Celtic Religions. Syracuse UP: Syracuse, 1989.

•     A very good historical reference which I, being a history buff, enjoyed a great deal.  However, if you are not terribly interested in history, it may  seem rather dry and uninteresting except for use as a reference book.

Gregory, Lady. Cuchulain of Muirthemne.

• This is an absolutely beautiful rendition of the Cuchulain myth which is so central to any study of Irish culture and mythology.  I’ve read many translations of the same stories, and this compilation is by far my favorite.

Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac. 

•   I buy this every year and every year I am pleased by the variety found within.  Not only does it give the dates for various astrological events, but the articles always promise to be interesting and informative.  Rather than the more specific almanacs, this one always offers articles about a variety of traditions.

Maguire, Gregory.  Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.  Regan Books: New York, 1995.

•   Not pagan, but incredibly fun.  I think a large number of pagan readers would get a kick out of Maguire’s sympathetic portrayal of the Wicked Witch.  (She’s a political activist for Animal Rights!)

McCoy, Edain. 

• Again, this is one of the authors that I would recommend reading in full.  I have found most of her books incredibly helpful, if some are occasionally a tad redundant.  Her books also have more of a Celtic flair than found elsewhere.

Ravenwolf, Silver.

• I would recommend reading this author, but with a cautionary note.  Some of her books perpetuate some of the more difficult-to-overcome stereotypes about ‘white’ witchcraft.  She also has several ‘kits’ that I have problems with, because the idea that someone can become a witch with a kit and no real religious or ethical education in the area is abhorrent.  Such things are the seeds from which fluffy bunnies spring.  After having a few too many teenage girls ask me for a spell to get a boy, I am sorely tired of such creatures.

Yeats, William Butler. Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry. 

• If you are interested in a Celtic path of any sort, this is a must read!  While it is not a pagan book or even written by a pagan, it does contain rather beautiful adaptations of some of the more common Celtic myths and some interesting proverbs.  I would recommend it to anyone, pagan or no, to read for fun.  There is a reason why Yeats is one of the most respected Irish poets!