Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland

If you want a formal understanding of Wicca, the rituals and the meaning behind them, this is your book. This book covers everything you need to know from initiation ceremonies to Sex Magick (that got your attention, didn't it). Often referred to as "Uncle Bucky's Big Blue Book", this is the go to guide for people wanting to understand Witchcraft and the various branches of Wicca, and it gives a terrific historical context. The writing style of this book is targeted at a mature audience, but while many books written during the same era feel very dated, the Big Blue Book feels as relevant today as it was 40 years ago..

This book does not dictate how Wicca is to be performed, but does let you know the many commonly understood practices. Raymond Buckland studied under the direction of the founders of Wicca, like Gerald Gardner, and was the individual who brought those teachings to North America, so when he writes something, you can trust that he knows what he is talking about.

Now, if your looking for a fun casual read, this may not be your first choice. It is a serious book and reading it feels more like reading a textbook than a novel. But if you want to learn and understand the basics of Witchcraft, you can't go wrong here.