Most Morrison books are good for beginners. She has a very comfortable writing style and does a great job of explaining things in a manner that anyone can understand. "The Craft" is her book that I usually recommend for beginners as it is a great overview and has some good spells for beginners.
The Mother Goddess is the feminine aspect of the Divine spirit. She is the moon, nature and the bearer of all life. She has had many names over the centuries and spans across many cultures, Greek, Celtic, Norse and many more. A lot of Wiccan scholars say she predates the Christian God. I would like to think that She was there at the same time and that her worship faded as cultures became more patriarchial. There are lots of books out there that can give you a better explanation that I can about this. "When God wass a Woman" is a pretty decent read about this. Most books on Wicca will give you some good info on this.
Z. Budapest is an amazing woman and author, but she can be a lot to take, and not someone I recommend to beginners. And there are authors out there that I won't recommend if I feel that they advocated any form of hate or hate magic as part of a beginners course. There is more than enough hate in the world to attach it to someones spiritual course. PM me for my beginner's book list if anyone is interested.
Sinduction said:
I worry about someone starting off with spells with no background in the other aspects. Doing spells for me, tarot or otherwise, is a very powerful thing and I have been studying the Craft for many years.
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There are people who learn better by practical experience. I read tons of books on the Craft when I first started years ago (back when you had to order out of the Llewylln catalog and then wait patiently), but it wasn't until I set the books down and began just experiencing the rituals and spell work did I really begin to fully understand and appreciate what I was doing. We all have to start somewhere. But, you are right and I was remiss not to throw in a few disclaimers, for a lack of a better word.
The first thing I will warn is that Sindication is right in a way. Spells worked with a great deal of energy and emotion can be extremely powerful things. I almost alway suggest that one start out with small spells, like protection and cleansing. They are usually the least complicated, easiest to follow and only effect the one who is casting it.
Which comes to my next warning. It has been said that with great power comes great responsibiity, and that is absolutely true. You are responsible for whatever spells you cast, good or bad, and how they effect you and the people around you. While not all Pagans believe this, Wiccans have a firm rule, of sorts, that forbid the tampering of free will, in other words, casting spells against other people without their permission even if youu believe it is for their own good. Messing with other peoples lives is just plain bad Karma, even if you think you are doing the right thing. Nobody knows every single aspect of another person's life and therefore are ill eqipped to make decisions on their behalf (unless they ask you to do it). So, unless you get permission first, you are advised not to cast spells on other people.
Next warning involves clear intent. Lets say you are casting a spell trying to get a new job. You have everything set up, you are casting your spell to get this job you saw in the paper that you know you are perfect for. Your mind in the front section is fully concentrating on this amazing job. But in the cheap seats in the back of your mind, there is a discussion going on about how you would have to get up earlier because it is farther away as well as a variety of other minor things that the people sitting there want to bitch about. Guess what? Your spell isn't going to work. Clear intent involves your entire mind. You cannot be working on your grocery list in the back of your head while doing this. You have to be completely focused on what you are doing and why you are doing it. And that is where many casters fail, myself included. There are meditations out there that teach you how to clear everything out of your mind except one thought. I would advise finding them and practicing them.
There are those out there who never need to light a candle or set up a ritual but can gather energy and send it in whatever direction they need to to get what they want. The tools of magic are not really necessary but rather visual aids to bring your mind to focus on the task at hand. It is the same reason why churches are so grand. They are wanting to grab your attention. If you are a visual person, as I am, you need all the help you can get. The candles and other things I use, including tarot cards keep my mind focused on what I am doing. Just useful tools. The magic is all in you.
Oh and by the way, magic isn't everything. Just because you cast a spell, doesn't mean you are going to get what you want. You will still have to get off your butt and do what is necessary to make things happen. You are still responsible for puting the sweat equity into your life. Magic just tweaks your odds, not solves all your problems.
Finally, one of my favorite sayings, "Be careful what you cast for because you just might get it". You have decided you really want this job at the zoo. You havent done any really checking into what it is all about and what it would entail you doing. You just really, really, REALLY want this job at the zoo. You gather all of your stuff, light your candle, focus all your intent and it is a total success. You put in the app, get the call and start the job you really really wanted. Only you come to find out this zoo job you thought was so great is actually cleaning the poo out of the lions' cage for minimum wage while the lions are still in there watching you do it. The lesson here is you really need to look into what you are casting for BEFORE you cast your spell. The universe has a huge sense of humor, and will take every opportunity to exerecise it at your expense.
Think about what you are doing before you do it.
