Books

25 Spell Books For Every Type Of Witch

Try your hand at witchcraft with these practical guides.

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Beginning witches would do well to check out these spell books.
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A lot has changed in the 40 years since the Satanic Panic first gripped the United States: no longer feared or sidelined, witchcraft has become one of the nation’s fastest-growing spiritual practices. If you’re looking to get into witchcraft, or just want to deepen your burgeoning practice, then let this list of spell books be your guide.

Once dubbed “the perfect religion for liberal millennials,” witchcraft isn’t a monolith. The term covers everything from Wicca and New Age movements to closed practices — such as Hoodoo and brujería — so there’s a lot of ground to cover here. We’ve put together a list of mostly tradition-non-specific books below, but there are a few titles, such as Lorraine Monteagut’s Brujas and Abiola Abrams’ African Goddess Initiation, chosen specifically for magick practitioners from marginalized communities.

Whether you’re coming to magick via WitchTok or the recent crop of witchy books, there’s something for you on the list below. Here, the best spell books to pick up at your local bookstore.

We only include products that have been independently selected by Bustle's editorial team. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.

1

The Spell Book for New Witches: Essential Spells to Change Your Life

Witchcraft newcomers would do well to check out Ambrosia Hawthorn’s The Spell Book for New Witches. Including spells for confidence, wealth, romance, and more, Hawthorn’s slim tome is a great point of entry.

2

Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft

A doorstopper at nearly 700 pages, Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft is a comprehensive classic of Wiccan literature, celebrating its 35th birthday in 2021.

3

The Black Woman’s Little Book of Spells: Magical Keys to Transforming Your Life

Blending Wicca, Hoodoo, and other practices, V.C. Alexander’s The Black Woman’s Little Book of Spells contains incantations and rituals meant to enhance everything from your love life to your professional career, as well as a quick primer on common pitfalls faced by new practitioners.

4

Brujas: The Magic and Power of Witches of Color

In Brujas, Cuban-Colombian author Lorraine Monteagut explores the lives and experiences of BIPOC witches reclaiming ancestral traditions for their modern-day practices.

5

Spell Bound: A New Witch’s Guide to Crafting the Future

Chaweon Koo’s Spell Bound guides readers through Eastern and Western occult practices from antiquity to the present. With a focus on honoring your heritage while building new traditions — and plenty of gorgeous illustrations — Koo’s guide is perfect for new and seasoned witches alike.

6

Wiccan Protection Spells: A Defense Manual for Banishing Negative Energy with White Magick, Reversal Magick, and Binding Spells

The No. 1 Amazon Bestseller in Divination & Personal Growth at the time of this writing, Cassandra Jade’s Wiccan Protection Spells is just what you need if the stress of relationships, work, and the overall state of the world is interfering with your day-to-day life.

7

Candle Magic Journal and Handbook: A Guide to Performing Spells, Setting Intentions, and Recording Your Magical Practice

From the author of Witchcraft for Healing and Badass Ancestors comes this guide to working candles into your practice. Patti Wigington’s Candle Magic Journal and Handbook also includes journaling prompts and suggestions for spells to get you started.

8

African Goddess Initiation: Sacred Rituals for Self-Love, Prosperity, and Joy

A spiritual guide for women of the African diaspora, Abiola Abrams’ African Goddess Initiation contains intimate self-care rituals from across the continent.

9

The Green Witch: Your Complete Guide to the Natural Magic of Herbs, Flowers, Essential Oils, and More

Green witchcraft focuses on nature and its blessings, incorporating herbs, crystals, and more in a holistic practice that celebrates life and living things. Arin Murphy-Hiscock’s The Green Witch is the perfect starting point for anyone interested in green witchery.

10

Wild Witchcraft: Folk Herbalism, Garden Magic, and Foraging for Spells, Rituals, and Remedies

From professional forager-witch Rebecca Beyer comes Wild Witchcraft, a guide for beginning herbalists looking to grow their own herbs for use in their practices.

11

Spells for Change: A Guide for Modern Witches

If you want to use your craft to change the world, you need to pick up a copy of Spells for Change: Frankie Castanea’s guide to harnessing your intent, activism, and manifestation skills. This one’s for anyone who’s felt that other witchcraft books failed to provide them with guidance on political magick.

12

1001 Spells: The Complete Book of Spells for Every Purpose

If you want to focus solely on spellcraft, there’s Cassandra Eason’s 1001 Spells, which contains handy how-to’s for every possible scenario, in every possible aspect of your life.

13

Anime Tarot Deck & Guidebook

Witches looking to tackle tarot may find themselves intimidated by overly traditional decks, which can sometimes feel impossibly esoteric to the curious beginner. That’s where McCalla Ann and Mercenary of Duna’s Anime Tarot Deck & Guidebook come in. With 78 cards, each fully illustrated with a whimsical character, and a 128-page book explaining how to use them, this will have tarot novices up and running in no time.

14

City Witchery: Accessible Rituals, Practices & Prompts for Conjuring and Creating in a Magical Metropolis

Caught up in the hustle and bustle of city life? Check out Lisa Marie Basile’s City Witchery, which will help you carve your own path to spiritual satisfaction, even in the middle of a concrete jungle.

15

The Witch of the Forest's Guide to Earth Magick

With information on divination, shadow work, self-care magick, and other helpful practices, Lindsay Squire and Viki Lester’s The Witch of the Forest’s Guide to Earth Magick is just what you need to get started on your witchcraft journey.

16

Jambalaya: The Natural Woman's Book of Personal Charms and Practical Rituals

Recently rereleased for its 30th anniversary, Luisah Teish’s Jambalaya combines traditional African folk traditions with diaspora practices from the American South. Here, up-and-coming Black witches will find spells, rituals, and guidance to help them kickstart their practices.

17

Herbalism for Witches: Witchcraft Guide to Herbal Apothecary With the Use of Plant Witchery Witchery, Root Magic, Flower Essence and Healing Herbs

If you developed a new affinity for plants during the pandemic and now find yourself nursing a new interest in witchcraft, you owe it to yourself to pick up a copy of Herbalism for Witches. Singer and spiritualist Ruby Goldwin’s book is chock-full of helpful recipes, gardening tips, and more.

18

Love Magic: Over 250 Magical Spells and Potions for Getting It, Keeping It, and Making It Last

Looking for a little magical spark to help your love life along? Lilith Dorsey’s Love Magic contains 250 spells that address every aspect of romance, including pleasure, seduction, and harmony.

19

The Art of Lithomancy: Divination with Stones, Crystals, and Charms

One of the latest releases in Moon Books’ Pagan Portals series — a collection of primers on global folklore, deities, and various practices — is The Art of Lithomancy. Rock and crystal collectors everywhere will benefit from Jessica Howard’s compact guide to integrating stones into your practice.

20

Protection Spells of a Wicked Witch: Witchcraft for Protection from Negative Energy, Harmful Spirits, and Magical Attacks

Casting spells is great and all, but what if you attract unwanted attention from an unknown source? In Protection Spells of a Wicked Witch, Thalia Thorne teaches readers how to banish negative energies and entities — and protect themselves from future attacks.

21

Practical Magic for Beginners: Exercises, Rituals, and Spells for the New Mystic

If you aren’t sure where to start with spellcrafting, check out Maggie Haseman’s Practical Magic for Beginners, which includes information on chakras, auras, spirit guides, divination rituals, and more.

22

Psychic Witch: A Metaphysical Guide to Meditation, Magick & Manifestation

From professional psychic and Witches & Pagans Magazine columnist Mat Auryn comes Psychic Witch, a beginner’s guide to energy manipulation.

23

The House Witch: Your Complete Guide to Creating a Magical Space with Rituals and Spells for Hearth and Home

Another title from Murphy-Hiscock, The House Witch helps you to bring magick into every corner of your home. If you’re all about hygge, you’ll be all about this book.

24

Crystals for Beginners: The Guide to Get Started with the Healing Power of Crystals

Crystals — they’re everywhere! Whether you want to learn how to use crystals in your practice or just want to know which shiny rocks to keep around the house, Karen Frazier’s Crystals for Beginners is a great place to start.

25

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs

Last, but certainly not least, there’s Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. If your witchcraft-book collection needs a comprehensive guide to plant life, pick this one up ASAP.

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