The following is a suggested reading list for learning about
traditional
Witchcraft. This reading list is merely a place to begin your studies.
We always
suggest that you find your local university and college library and see
what other resource material is available. Try to find books which are
from the late 1800's and early 1900's which focus on surveys of
folklore and collecting regional folkloric information from rural areas.
We realize that not everyone is necessarily interested in Irish or
Welsh
traditions, and so we have split some of the suggested books into
specific sections organized by culture. Some of the books which are
suggested may be difficult to obtain as they are out-of-print. However,
we have included the ISBN for you to help facilitate you with locating
the books. If you are unable to locate a book, check with your local
library and ask if there is a way to obtain a book through
inter-library loan.
This suggested reading list is merely a starting list and is in no
way meant to be exclusive. Over time, we will be adding new books to
this list, however, we encourage you to read and locate suitable books
and other resource material on your own.
General Studies
Cunliffe, Barry. ed. The Oxford Illustrated Pre-History of Europe. (New
York: Oxford Univ Press, 1994).
ISBN: 0198143850
Jackson, Nigel. Call of the Horned Piper. (Berks, UK: Capall Bann
Publishing, 1994).
ISBN: 1898307091
Jackson, Nigel. Masks of Misrule. (Berks, UK: Capall Bann Publishing,
1996).
ISBN: 1898307679
Jones, Prudence and Pennick, Nigel. A History of Pagan Europe. (London
and New York: Routledge, 1995.)
ISBN: 0415091365
Irish Traditions
Bergin, Osborn. David Greene and Fergus Kelly, eds. Irish Bardic Poetry: Texts and Translations. (Dublin: Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 2003[1970].)
ISBN: 090128212X
Evans, Estyn. Irish Folkways. (London: Routledge, 1957.)
ISBN: 0710028881
Flanagan, Lawrence. The Irish Spirit: Proverbs, Superstitions, and Fairy Tales. (New York: Gramercy Books, 1998)
ISBN: 0517201682
Gailey, Alan and Ó hÓgáin, Daithí. eds. Gold Under the Furze: Studies in Folk Tradition Presented to Caoimhín Danachair. (Dublin: Glendale Press, 1982.)
ISBN: 0907606067
Macneill, Maire. The Festival of Lughnasa. (Dublin: Comhairle Bhealoideas Eireann, 1982[1962].) Volumes 1 and 2.
ISBN 0906426103 (Vol. 1)
ISBN 090642612X (Vol. 2)
Neill, Mac Coitir. Irish Trees: Myths, Legends, and Folklore. (Cork: Collins Press, 2003.)
ISBN: 1903464463
O'Curry, Eugene. On the Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish. (New York: Lemma Publishing Corporation, 1971[1873].)
ISBN: 0-876-96010-7
Rees, Alwyn and Brinley. Celtic Heritage: Ancient Tradition in Ireland and
Wales. (London: Thames & Hudson, 1989.)
ISBN: 0-500-27039-2
Ryan, John. ed. Féil-sgríbhinn Eoin Mhic Néill. (Cork: Four Courts Press, 1995[1948].)
ISBN: 1851821805
Sjoestedt, Marie-Louise. Celtic Gods and Heroes. (New York: Dover Publications, 2000.)
ISBN: 0486414418
Northern Traditions
Fitzhugh, William W. and Ward, Elizabeth I. eds., Vikings: The North
Atlantic Saga. (Washington: Smithsonian Institute Press, 2000.)
ISBN: 1-56098-970-X
Jones, Gwyn. A History of the Vikings. 2nd ed., (New York: Oxford
University Press, 1984.)
ISBN: 019285139X
Roesdahl, Else. The Vikings. (Penguin Books,
1987.)
ISBN: 0140125612
Scottish Traditions
Jones, Noragh. Power of Raven, Wisdom of Serpent. (Edinburgh, UK: Floris
Books, 1994.)
ISBN: 0863151868.
McNeill, Marian F. The Silver Bough: Scottish Folklore and Folk Belief.
(Glasgow: Stuart Titles Ltd., 1957)
ISBN: 0853351619
McNeill, Marian F. The Silver Bough: Calendar of Scottish National Festivals
- Candlemas to Harvest Home. (Glasgow: Stuart Titles Ltd.)
ISBN: 0853351627
McNeill, Marian F. The Silver Bough:Calendar of Scottish National Festivals -
Hallowe'en to Yule. (Glasgow: Stuart Titles Ltd.)
ISBN: 0948474041
McNeill, Marian F. The Silver Bough: Local Festivals of Scotland.
(Glasgow: Stuart Titles Ltd., 1968)
ISBN: 094847405X
Welsh Traditions
Rhys, John. Celtic Folklore: Welsh and Manx, (Ayer Co. Publishers, 1970.)
ISBN: 040508885X