I haven’t done one of these in a while, and it’s the beginning of a new calendar year, so why not?
Here are some books I consider important that you might consider adding to your library. Heck, you might even consider reading them! I’ve tried to link to the amazon page with the most format options, but I do always try to encourage people to frequent their local, independent, brick-and-mortar booksellers.
Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah
This is the book I always always always recommend that my students start with. Actually, I don’t know if I’ve really taught a basic enough class recently, so I may not have recommended it in a while. But it’s an easy read, in novel form, and it will, for most people, set up enough of a mental shift that other, more complex material becomes more accessible.
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book)
If you want your life to get easier, if you want to feel more comfortable in your own skin, Don Miguel lays out some important concepts in accessible terms. It’s Shamanism for the masses, to be sure, but there’s something to be said for writing something that’s easy to digest. Also, he has an awesome hat, although that’s not generally included with the book.
A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles
This book was recommended to me by a spiritual advisor about 20 years ago, and it has held up over time. It’s based on A Course in Miracles, so there’s some very Christian-based mysticism at its core, which will probably turn some people off. I do love this text for rethinking and reworking relationships, though.
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
One of my dear friends threw this book across the room, so it’s probably not as accessible as I think it is, but I do think it outlines a good way to reframe one’s world view, again, to be more comfortable and effective.
Gnosis of the Cosmic Christ: A Gnostic Christian Kabbalah
This is the book that screamed at me from a shelf in some mass bookstore, and was my first real foray into Kabbalah. It’s meaty but accessible, and I love Tau Malachai’s tone.
Spiritual Emergency: When Personal Transformation Becomes a Crisis (New Consciousness Readers)
I offer this as a suggestion with a stern warning – reading this book may trigger a Shamanic Crisis in some people. If you’re already going through a Shamanic Crisis, or you’re willing to take that risk, or if someone you love seems to be having a bit of a breakdown, it’s a great resource. This book is an excellent collection of essays and papers, from everyone from Jung to Leary, on the idea that, in more traditional cultures, what we label a psychotic break would be treated very differently and produce a different outcome.
Cosmic Trigger I: Final Secret of the Illuminati
There is a subset of the esoteric community that loves Robert Anton Wilson, and I’m probably a part of that crowd. I don’t think people pick up this book until they’re ready to drastically shift their world view, but it’s delicious.
The Essene Book of Days 2015
For people who like an outline for a daily practice. The Essenes combine astrology, seasonal information, and spirituality in an easy-to-follow practice.
Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing Art
One of the better western texts on Reiki, and an excellent starting point. I still think people need an in-person teacher, but this is an accessible supplement to that.
Evolutionary Witchcraft
My personal copy of this book has almost as many sticky notes as my copy of Gnosis of the Cosmic Christ. Thorn brings together a synthesis of paths that can be truly inspiring.
Low Magick: It’s All In Your Head … You Just Have No Idea How Big Your Head Is
Lon is one of my favorite teachers, at least in part because he doesn’t take himself too seriously. This feels like a companion piece to Cosmic Trigger, because it has a similar point. It probably helps to have some background in actual Workings to find this book accessible. I can promise, however, that it will forever change your relationship with Ganesh.
A Book of Psalms: Selections Adapted from the Hebrew
Psalms, in addition to being nice poems or songs to the Abrahamic God, are really useful for shifting energy. Stephen Mitchell’s translations are my favorite. He has gone back to the original Hebrew and retranslated the hymns to bring through more of the original feeling. He also has an Anthology of Sacred Poetry he edited which is equally lovely.
