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In an age where social media demands more and more of our attention, you might be forgiven for thinking that books about witchcraft and the occult may have slipped into obscurity, forgotten to the winds of time, but they haven’t. The last few years have seen a steady rise in the popularity of witchcraft and the occult, and with it, communities with a growing interest in magical traditions, pagan rituals, occult practices, and much more.
For thousands of years, books have formed the backbone of witchcraft and occult practices, passing on knowledge from generation to generation, and today their role is just as important. From seasoned tarot readers to beginners experimenting with minor spellcasting, there are thousands of books for all interests.
Today, the internet offers an abundance of tutorials, but nothing compares to the feeling of holding a well-loved, magical text, one that has been read, referenced, and relied upon by generations of practitioners.
In this article, we examine why witchcraft is experiencing a powerful resurgence, how the occult has evolved over time, and which books continue to captivate the imaginations of readers worldwide.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Witchcraft is one of the oldest spiritual practices in the world, with origins spanning thousands of years and stretching across the globe. The forms it has taken, folk magic, ceremonial magic, herbalism, divination, ritual practice, just to name a few, have differed dramatically across countless cultures.
Some key periods in the evolution of witchcraft include:
The Ancient World: Magical traditions can be traced back to early Mesopotamia, Ancient Greece, and Egypt, civilisations where divination, rituals, and spellcraft were part of day-to-day life.
Medieval European Magic: Community healers, midwives, and travelling magicians kept folk traditions and rituals alive throughout Europe during the Middle Ages.
The Witch Trials: Between the 15th and 18th centuries, fear and superstition led to the religious persecution of countless thousands of suspected witchcraft practitioners in Europe and North America.
Occult Revival of the 19th & 20th Century: Organisations such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and writers like Aleister Crowley, reshaped the Western perspective on witchcraft and the occult, leading to its resurgence.
Modern Witchcraft Movements: The emergence of Wicca in the 1950s, alongside contemporary practices and modern reworkings of historic pagan traditions, brought witchcraft back into the mainstream.
Despite centuries of evolution and adaptation, the core of witchcraft and the occult has remained the same.
Before the invention of the internet, the only way to keep the practice of witchcraft alive was by passing knowledge on to others through word of mouth and books. Handwritten grimoires, academic studies, spell collections, and philosophical works were the vessels through which centuries of accumulated knowledge were transferred onto new generations.
Today, occult books continue to be treasured for a variety of reasons:
If you have any of these titles gathering dust on your bookshelf, you might be surprised to discover just how much they’re worth. You can sell your old occult books to WeBuyBooks and turn them into instant cash.
What it’s about:
Wicca Made Easy is a warm and welcoming introduction to Wicca from one of the most respected voices in the modern witchcraft community. Designed to introduce beginners to the ways of Wicca, this book helps readers explore how to connect with nature, work with divine energy, and practise ethical magic.
Why we love it:
Very quickly, Wicca can become shrouded in mystery and an air of uncertainty, but in this book, Curott defies common stigma by creating a far more accessible way to study and understand the practice.
What it’s about:
Starhawk’s The Spiral Dance is a foundational work on contemporary feminist witchcraft. Combining historical, traditional, and ritualistic elements, this book explores how the worship of the Goddess and the celebration of the female body have shaped modern pagan belief and the study of witchcraft.
Why we love it:
Starhawk veers away from traditional beliefs about modern witchcraft and occult practices and opens up the narrative, bringing goddess-centred belief into the mainstream.
What it’s about:
The Secret Teachings of All Ages takes a deep dive into the history and lore behind humanity’s never-ending pursuit of wisdom. This book explores the deepest facets of wisdom, symbolism, and esoteric traditions, from astrology and alchemy to ancient mythology.
Why we love it:
This isn’t just a book to read, it’s a tome to be admired and studied, featuring detailed illustrations, timeless insights, and hidden knowledge.
What it’s about:
Drawing Down the Moon is a comprehensive guide to modern paganism and Wicca. In this book, Adler lays out the beliefs and rituals of a diverse range of practitioners, witches, druids, and more, using interviews, in-depth research, and her own experiences to support her writing.
Why we love it:
As always, Adler delivers an authentic and respectful account that offers insight into modern witchcraft unlike anything else.
What it’s about:
Modern Magick by Donald Michael Kraig is a practical guide to the foundations of magickal practice, suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners alike. Using clear, step-by-step lessons, Kraig covers a wide variety of disciplines, including tarot, meditation, astral work, and psychic development.
Why we love it:
We love this book for its ease of use. For true amateurs like us, it offers an incredibly easy-to-follow guide that not only delivers techniques but also answers the questions of what and why.
What it’s about:
As you might expect, The Book of English Magic is an exploration of magic in England. It spans from the pagan practices of the Ancient Britons through to alchemy, astrology, ceremonial magic, and the secret traditions of modern paganism and witchcraft.
Why we love it:
Philip Carr-Gomm and Richard Heygate have been widely celebrated for their rich storytelling and detailed research in this book, unlocking England’s pagan history like never before.
What it’s about:
The Kybalion breaks down the core teachings that form the baseline of Hermetic philosophy. Established and then lost over 2,000 years ago, The Kybalion restores the teachings and lessons found in its origins for a modern audience.
Why we love it:
The Kybalion is a timeless classic that provides understandable and easy-to-follow guidance through personal development and spiritual expression. Even for beginners, this book allows deeper insight into Hermetic teachings and how their many branches interconnect.
What it’s about:
Gerald Gardner’s 1954 book Witchcraft Today explains Wiccan beliefs and rituals, a modern, nature-based pagan religion. This detailed work also takes a deep dive into the history of witchcraft worldwide, exploring how it has played a part in countless cultures throughout human history.
Why we love it:
Witchcraft Today played a key role in triggering the modern pagan revival, helping to lay much of the groundwork for the movement. Gardner wasn’t content with a one-and-done hit, and in later expanded editions, he added further historical context and modern perspectives on Wicca’s past.
What it’s about:
Women Who Run With the Wolves explores the idea of the “Wild Woman”, breaking down stigmas and examining the wise, creative, and instinctual nature that all women possess. Estés explores every woman’s inner self, drawing reference from myth and folktale.
Why we love it:
This is an incredible book regardless of gender or motivation. It is written with honesty and clarity, with the goal of empowering, comforting, and strengthening women’s lives.
What it’s about:
Written by long-time witch Dorothy Morrison, who has spent many years teaching newcomers the ways of Wicca, this book is a celebration of everything witchcraft.
Why we love it:
This was a big hit in the office. Despite a lack of experience in the ways of witchcraft, several members of the team found the book incredibly intuitive and said it helped them connect with their own creativity and self-trust.
What it’s about:
Written by Israel Regardie, The Golden Dawn is a foundational text designed to help readers understand and digest the teachings and rituals of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. It delves into every facet of the order, from Kabbalah to astrology.
Why we love it:
The exploration in this book is so thorough that it has influenced nearly all modern Western occult traditions.
What it’s about:
Six Ways by Aidan Wachter is a straightforward guide to the practice of magic. Wachter covers everything an aspiring magic practitioner could need to develop effective and safe practices.
Why we love it:
We love this book because it doesn’t beat around the bush. It gets straight to the point, delivering direct and actionable guidance on becoming an effective magic practitioner, with content covering sigils, energy work, relationships with allies, and much more.
What it’s about:
Widely regarded as one of the modern era’s best how-to manuals on practising traditional European witchcraft, this classic guides fledgling magic users through the initial steps of the practice and provides the information needed to build a strong foundation of skills.
Why we love it:
From creating casting circles and using amulets to necromancy and exorcisms, it’s no wonder this book is so highly regarded within the magic community. It certainly taught us a thing or two in the office.
What it’s about:
Judika Illes’ Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells is pretty much exactly what you might expect, an extensive collection of spells derived from witchcraft practices across the world. Whatever you seek from the magical arts, this book includes spells for love, luck, wealth, power, and much more.
Why we love it:
This is the book you turn to for answers, with an extensive range of spells that few others can compare to, not to mention the detailed background information provided alongside them.
What it’s about:
John Michael Greer’s The Druidry Handbook is a one-stop guide to modern Druidry. Based on natural practices, Greer walks readers through the ins and outs of druidic rituals and meditations, giving a solid baseline of knowledge.
Why we love it:
Researching this article took us down many twists and turns, often raising more questions than answers, but Greer’s Druidry Handbook stood out as one of our favourites thanks to its clarity, practicality, and grounded approach. It doesn’t just explain Druidry, it shows you how to weave it into daily life.
Absolutely. Books about witchcraft and the occult often hold far more value than you might expect. As with many books, their specialised nature and loyal readership mean they remain useful and collectable for years. Some titles, particularly those linked to historical occult orders or influential authors, can become high-value collector’s items.
How to Sell Your Occult Books
Whether you’re looking to earn some extra cash or simply make space for new titles, selling your occult books is a quick and easy solution. Simply click “My Basket” at the top of the page to turn your old books into cash in minutes. Or download the app and scan your bookshelf in seconds. Even if you’re not ready to sell just yet, you can enter the ISBN into the search bar to check how much your books may be worth.
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