Starting Out as a Pagan Author: Finding Your Voice, Your Path, and Your Readers

Beginning a journey as a pagan author can feel both exhilarating and daunting. Paganism is wonderfully diverse, spanning recon-structionism, folk traditions, witchcraft, druidry, animism, and countless personal paths. That diversity is a gift - but it also means writers sometimes wonder where they fit, what they can authentically contribute, and how to navigate an often-misunderstood genre. Whether you're writing fiction rooted in myth or non-fiction exploring spiritual practice, here are some grounding principles to help you start with confidence.

Know Your Own Path - Even If It’s Still Forming

Many new pagan writers worry they’re “not experienced enough” to write about their beliefs or practices. But pagan paths evolve over time. You don’t need decades of experience or a formal lineage to have something meaningful to say. What matters is clarity: What draws you to this path? What do you practice? What experiences have shaped your understanding?

Your writing will feel far more authentic when grounded in your lived reality. You don’t need to speak for all pagans - only from your own place in the tapestry.

Read Widely - Inside and Outside Pagan Literature

Good writing comes from good reading. Explore classic and contemporary pagan authors, but don’t stop there. Mythology, folklore, anthropology, environmental writing, poetry, psychology, and history all deepen your craft. Pagan writing sits at a crossroads of spirituality, culture, and story; the richer your input, the richer your output.

Reading widely also helps you identify what already exists and what gaps you might fill. Is there a missing perspective, a neglected deity, a cultural nuance, or a personal experience underrepresented in current books? That might be your opening.

Decide Whether You're Writing Fiction or Non-Fiction (or Both)

The pagan writing world embraces both.

Non-fiction requires honesty, transparency, and responsible sourcing - especially if you’re drawing from closed traditions, Indigenous practices, or historical material.

Fiction, meanwhile, allows myth and imagination to dance freely. Many authors discover their path deepening as they write characters who embody rituals, struggles, and spiritual questions.

Whichever form you choose, let your passion for the craft lead the way.

Build a Writing Habit Rooted in Ritual

Ritual can be a powerful tool for creativity. You don’t need a full altar and candlelit ceremony - unless that inspires you - but small practices help signal to the mind that it’s time to write. A cup of tea, a moment of grounding, lighting incense, or pulling a tarot card can all create a gentle transition into creativity.

Writing is a discipline, and ritual can be the structure that supports it.

Connect with the Community - But Stay True to Yourself

Pagan communities online and offline are vibrant sources of support. Joining groups, attending workshops, or following other pagan authors can offer encouragement and visibility. But remember: no single group defines the entire pagan experience. Seek connections that energise you, not those that limit your voice.

Embrace the Journey

The path of a pagan writer is, like all spiritual journeys, ongoing. Your understanding will change. Your writing will grow. And that evolution is part of the magic.

Start where you are. Write what feels true. And let your words become part of the living tradition.

Let us know how you got started on your writing journey below.

Winter Reading Suggestions

As the days shorten and the nights stretch long and quiet, winter invites us to turn inward - to rest, reflect, and rekindle our spiritual fires. For those drawn to earth-based spirituality, the cold months are a sacred time for reading, dreaming, and connecting with the deeper rhythms of nature. Whether you’re new to pagan paths or a long-time practitioner, here are some beautifully written books to nourish your spirit through the dark season.

The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden

This enchanting novel, part of The Winternight Trilogy, weaves Russian folklore, old gods, and the magic of storytelling into a tale that feels perfectly suited to the cold months. Arden’s prose captures the frost and fire of winter, reminding readers of the power of courage, belief, and the wild feminine spirit.

Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions by Joyce and River Higginbotham

If you’re looking to ground your practice or understand modern paganism more deeply, this accessible guide explores core beliefs, seasonal cycles, and personal spirituality. It’s thoughtful without being dogmatic, and makes an excellent fireside companion for reflection and journaling.

The Spell Book for New Witches by Ambrosia Hawthorn

Winter is a time for stillness - and spellwork. Hawthorn’s book is full of simple, beautifully presented rituals, correspondences, and seasonal magic. It’s a lovely choice if you want to infuse your days with small acts of mindfulness and intention, from simmer pots to moon rituals.

The Mabinogion translated by Jeffrey Gantz

For readers drawn to ancient myth, this Welsh collection is a cornerstone of Celtic lore. Its tales of transformation, kings, goddesses, and enchanted landscapes reveal the deep roots of European pagan traditions. Reading it by candlelight brings a sense of ancestral connection and timeless wonder.

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Equal parts ecological wisdom and poetic reflection, this book bridges Indigenous spirituality and scientific insight. Kimmerer’s reverence for the natural world and her reflections on reciprocity make it a deeply spiritual read - a reminder that winter is not death, but rest and regeneration.

Year of the Witch by Temperance Alden

This modern classic explores the Wheel of the Year through personal practice, history, and modern interpretation. Alden encourages readers to connect with seasonal cycles in a way that feels authentic to their land and lifestyle - perfect for winter planning and introspection.

The Wild Unknown Archetypes Deck and Guidebook
by Kim Krans

Though technically not a “book,” this deck and its companion guide are exquisite tools for shadow work and meditation during the darker months. Each archetype invites contemplation and inner dialogue, supporting the self-discovery that winter so naturally brings.

As the world outside slows, winter gives us permission to do the same. Light a candle, pour something warm, and let your reading draw you closer to the quiet magic that hums beneath the frost - a reminder that even in darkness, the roots of spring are already stirring. 

Let us know your winter reading reccommendations below.

The Pagan Roots of the Day of the Dead

Image by Chait Goli

Each year, at the beginning of November, families across Mexico and Latin America create vibrant altars decorated with marigolds, sugar skulls, food, and photographs. They gather to honour their ancestors in a festival known as Día de los Muertos - the Day of the Dead. Though now deeply entwined with Catholic All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, its roots reach far deeper, into pre-Christian paganism and the ancient rhythms of life, death, and rebirth that have guided humanity for millennia.

Long before Spanish colonisation, Indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica - including the Aztec, Maya, Toltec, and Purepecha - celebrated death not as an end, but as a continuation of life. For these cultures, death was a natural part of the cosmic cycle. Rather than being feared, it was respected, even welcomed as a return to the earth and the divine. The Aztecs, for instance, believed that souls journeyed to Mictlan, the underworld, after death. This journey took four years and was aided by offerings left by the living - food, water, and the guidance of a spirit dog.

One of the most significant deities in this cosmology was Mictecacihuatl, the Lady of the Dead. She ruled over the underworld with her husband, Mictlantecuhtli, presiding over festivals that celebrated the departed. These rituals often took place in the ninth month of the Aztec solar calendar, around August, and lasted for several weeks. Offerings of food, flowers, and precious objects were made to ensure that the dead were honoured and remembered - a practice that resonates strongly with modern ofrendas (altars).

When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, they brought Catholicism and the Christian calendar, including All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2). Rather than erasing Indigenous beliefs, the two traditions merged - a process known as syncretism. The festival was moved to coincide with the Christian feasts, but the underlying worldview remained distinctly pagan. The result was a powerful blend of Indigenous spirituality and Catholic symbolism: candles representing divine light, crosses mingled with marigolds, and saints sharing space with ancestral spirits.

Even today, the Day of the Dead carries echoes of ancient paganism. The use of marigolds (cempasúchil), known as the “flower of the dead,” harks back to pre-Columbian offerings, their bright orange petals said to guide spirits home. The skull, or calavera, once symbolised regeneration and fertility - not horror, but the mystery of transformation. The act of feasting with the dead, of setting out bread, fruit, and tequila, is a ritual of communion that recalls the pagan understanding that life and death are forever intertwined.

At its heart, Día de los Muertos is a celebration of connection - between the living and the dead, the material and the spiritual, the ancient and the modern. Like Samhain in the Celtic calendar, it honours the thinning of the veil between worlds, inviting ancestors to join in a joyful remembrance. It reminds us that to celebrate death is to celebrate life itself: the endless turning of the seasons, the persistence of memory, and the sacred cycle that unites all beings in the dance of existence.

In a world often afraid of mortality, the Day of the Dead stands as a radiant reminder of pagan wisdom - that love outlasts the grave, and that every ending is, in truth, a beginning.

Origins of the Jack-o’-lantern

Museum of Country Life, Ireland

When October rolls around, one of the most familiar sights is the glowing face of a jack-o’-lantern perched on a doorstep. In many parts of the world, the pumpkin lantern has become a symbol of Halloween, casting its cheerful or eerie light into the autumn night. Yet this custom is far older than the modern holiday, and its roots trace back to ancient beliefs about light, darkness, and protection from wandering spirits.

The tradition of carving lanterns for the season began not with pumpkins, but with humble root vegetables. Long before pumpkins were cultivated in Europe, Celtic peoples in Ireland and Scotland carved out turnips, swedes, or even large beets. Into these hollowed roots they placed candles or embers, transforming them into protective talismans. The purpose was twofold: the light was a guide for ancestral spirits returning to the world of the living during Samhain, and the carved faces were a warning to mischievous or harmful beings to stay away from hearth and home.

Samhain, the great fire festival marking the start of winter, was a liminal time when the veil between worlds was believed to grow thin. It was a season both of reverence for the dead and of caution against restless or dangerous spirits. Carved lanterns carried the symbolism of fire - light in the darkness, life against death - and added a protective boundary around homes and villages. Bonfires blazed on hilltops for community protection, while the smaller vegetable lanterns served a household or individual purpose, glowing guardians against the night.

Folklore also tells of “will-o’-the-wisps,” ghostly lights seen at night over bogs and marshes, thought to be wandering souls or trickster spirits. The carved lanterns imitated or counteracted these uncanny lights, giving people a sense of control over the unseen. In Ireland, tales of “Stingy Jack,” a trickster condemned to wander the earth with only a carved turnip lantern, became entwined with the practice, lending the name “jack-o’-lantern” to these glowing faces.

It was only with the migration of Celtic people to North America that pumpkins entered the story. Pumpkins, native to the continent, were larger, softer, and far easier to carve than turnips or beets. Their size allowed for more elaborate designs, and their golden flesh glowed beautifully when lit from within. By the 19th century, the pumpkin had replaced the turnip as the lantern of choice among Irish immigrants, and the practice spread widely, eventually becoming inseparable from Halloween festivities.

Yet behind the modern decorations lies the older pagan symbolism. The jack-o’-lantern is not merely an ornament - it is a reminder of humanity’s ancient relationship with fire and light. It embodies protection, transformation, and the power of the hearth to keep the shadows at bay. In carving faces into gourds or roots, people gave form to their fears and their guardians, shaping spirit-beings from the harvest itself.

Today, when we place a pumpkin lantern in our window or garden, we continue a practice that stretches back centuries. Whether we carve a smile, a scowl, or something more abstract, we are echoing the age-old desire to honour the dead, ward off darkness, and hold a flicker of warmth in the turning of the year. The pumpkin lantern is more than festive decoration - it is an ancient fire, still glowing at the threshold of the worlds.

Suggested Books to Read for Samhain

As the nights grow longer and the air takes on that crisp autumn edge, many Pagans begin preparing for Samhain. It’s a time to honour ancestors, reflect on the cycles of life and death, and celebrate the turning of the wheel into the dark half of the year. Alongside ritual and celebration, Samhain is also the perfect season for curling up with a good book. Whether you’re seeking inspiration for your practice, stories that capture the magic of the season, or deeper insights into death and remembrance, here are some suggested reads for Samhain.

1. The Pagan Book of Halloween by Gerina Dunwich

This classic explores the origins of Samhain and Halloween traditions, tracing folklore from Celtic lands through to modern celebrations. It’s a wonderful introduction for anyone who wants to understand the history behind pumpkin lanterns, trick-or-treating, and other customs, while also offering practical ideas for rituals, spells, and seasonal activities.

2. The Circle of Eight: Seasonal Practices for the Pagan Year by Jane Meredith

While not solely about Samhain, Meredith’s book provides thoughtful ways to connect with each of the eight Sabbats. Her section on Samhain is rich with suggestions for ancestor work, reflection, and ritual. It’s a particularly good choice if you’re looking for a guide that balances personal practice with community celebration.

3. Samhain: Rituals, Recipes & Lore for Halloween by Diana Rajchel

Part of Llewellyn’s Sabbat Essentials series, this compact book is perfect if you’re short on time but want something specifically focused on Samhain. It includes ritual outlines, magical correspondences, recipes, and craft ideas. A handy, accessible resource whether you’re a beginner or seasoned practitioner.

4. The Witch’s Book of the Dead by Christian Day

Samhain is traditionally a time to honour and commune with the dead, and this book delves deeply into that theme. Covering ancestor work, spirit communication, and necromancy from a modern witchcraft perspective, it provides both practical techniques and thoughtful reflections. A good fit for those ready to engage more directly with Samhain’s mysteries.

5. The Book of Ancestors: A Guide to Ancestral Veneration by Mallorie Vaudoise

If you’re drawn to the ancestral aspect of Samhain, Vaudoise’s book offers a compassionate and grounded approach. It’s less about ritual and more about building an ongoing relationship with your lineage, whether through prayer, offerings, or healing ancestral wounds. It’s especially helpful if you’re looking for meaningful ways to connect with those who came before you.

6. The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury

Sometimes the best way to enter the spirit of the season is through story. Bradbury’s tale follows a group of children journeying through time to uncover the origins of Halloween. It’s atmospheric, whimsical, and surprisingly profound, capturing both the wonder and the solemnity of Samhain.

Closing Thoughts

Samhain invites us to slow down, reflect, and connect with the unseen. Books can help guide that journey, offering wisdom, practical tools, and inspiration. Whether you choose historical insights, magical practices, or evocative stories, may your reading this season deepen your connection to the ancestors, the turning of the year, and the mystery of the dark.

Let us know your top Samhain reading picks below.

Do Pagan Authors Need Instagram to Promote Books?

PWC on Instagram

In today’s publishing world, authors often feel pressure to maintain an online presence. Social media, particularly Instagram, has become one of the most popular ways for writers to promote their work, connect with readers, and build community. But when it comes to Pagan authors - those whose work explores spirituality, folklore, and magical practice - the question becomes more nuanced. Do Pagan authors really need Instagram to successfully promote their books, or are there other paths better aligned with the nature of their work?

The Case for Instagram

Instagram thrives on aesthetics. It’s a visual platform, filled with curated images, quotes, reels, and behind-the-scenes snapshots. For Pagan authors, this can be an advantage. Pagan spirituality is often deeply tied to visual symbolism - altars, ritual tools, nature, tarot cards, runes, seasonal festivals, and the beauty of the natural world. A well-curated Instagram account can be an extension of an author’s voice, a living grimoire of sorts that shares their perspective in a visually appealing way.

Readers are also on Instagram. Many people interested in Paganism, witchcraft, and related practices follow hashtags like #witchtok, #pagancommunity, #occultbooks, or #witchyaesthetic. By engaging with these audiences, authors can reach readers who might not otherwise discover their books. Instagram also gives authors a space to collaborate with others, such as book bloggers, witchy influencers, or small Pagan publishers. In this sense, it can act as a digital word-of-mouth network.

The Challenges of Instagram

However, Instagram is not without its downsides. It is a highly competitive, fast-moving platform that rewards constant posting and algorithm-friendly content. For writers who value deep reflection and time away from screens, keeping up with Instagram can feel draining or even antithetical to their practice. Pagan authors, in particular, may worry that the platform’s emphasis on surface-level aesthetics undermines the deeper, lived experience of their spirituality.

There is also the question of authenticity. Many Pagan practitioners value sincerity, groundedness, and community-based knowledge. The polished, market-driven nature of Instagram can sometimes clash with these values. Authors may feel pressured to perform spirituality in a way that fits trends, rather than exploring their path in a genuine and organic manner.

Alternatives and Complements

The good news is that Instagram is not the only option. Pagan authors can reach readers through blogs, podcasts, newsletters, or even local in-person events like bookshops, festivals, and Pagan gatherings. Many Pagan readers appreciate more thoughtful, long-form content than Instagram typically allows. A well-written blog post or podcast episode can build lasting connections in a way that a fleeting reel may not.

Moreover, Pagan communities often thrive in spaces that encourage depth of discussion - forums, Discord servers, or even private mailing lists. These platforms allow authors to cultivate relationships without the pressure of chasing likes or views.

Conclusion

So, do Pagan authors need Instagram to promote their books? The answer is no - but it can be useful. Instagram is a tool, not a requirement. For authors who enjoy visual storytelling and quick engagement, it can be a powerful ally. For those who prefer slower, more grounded forms of connection, other platforms may serve better. The key is alignment: choosing the spaces that resonate with your values, your audience, and your practice.

After all, the most compelling promotion is authenticity. Whether that happens through an Instagram feed, a monthly newsletter, or a conversation at a Pagan moot, the heart of the work remains the same - sharing words that inspire, teach, and connect.

If you're a Pagan author on Instagram, let us know whether you think it's been helpful in the comments below?

The Origins of the Wiccan Rede

The Wiccan Rede is perhaps one of the most recognizable phrases associated with modern witchcraft: “An it harm none, do what ye will.” For many practitioners, it serves as a guiding ethical principle, encouraging freedom of action so long as it avoids harm. Yet, despite its central place in contemporary Wiccan thought, the Rede’s origins are less straightforward than many assume.

Early Influences

To understand how it came to be, we need to look at its historical, literary, and cultural roots. The word rede itself is an Old English term meaning “advice” or “counsel.” Its use gives the statement an archaic, folkloric quality, as though it has been whispered down through the centuries. However, there is no evidence of this exact phrase appearing in pre-modern magical traditions. Instead, the Rede is a product of 20th-century occultism, shaped by the revival of witchcraft in Britain during the 1940s and 1950s.

One of the strongest philosophical influences comes from the works of Aleister Crowley, the ceremonial magician and founder of Thelema. Crowley’s Thelemic law states: “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.” The phrase emphasized the pursuit of one’s true will, the deeper spiritual purpose of life. However, Crowley’s maxim lacked an explicit caveat about harm. The Wiccan Rede, appearing a few decades later, softened and reframed this idea, adding a moral dimension to freedom of action.

Gerald Gardner and Early Wicca

Gerald Gardner, often called the Father of modern Wicca, introduced the public to witchcraft in the mid-20th century. Though Gardner himself never recorded the Rede in its now-famous short form, his writings and rituals contained similar ethical guidance. Gardner emphasized the importance of avoiding harm and recognized the reality of magical consequences. The idea that actions - magical or mundane -carry repercussions ties closely into the Wiccan understanding of the Threefold Law: whatever energy one sends into the world returns three times over.

Gardner’s high priestess Doreen Valiente, a poet and influential figure in shaping early Wiccan liturgy, is often credited with helping crystallize the Rede’s expression. In her writings from the 1960s, she stressed the principle of personal freedom balanced with responsibility, echoing what would become the Rede’s essence.

The Rede as We Know It

The most famous version of the Rede first appeared publicly in 1964 at a speech given by Lady Gwen Thompson, who later published a 26-verse poem in the Green Egg magazine in 1975. This poem, which she attributed to her grandmother Adriana Porter, included the closing line: “Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: An it harm none, do what ye will.” While there is debate about whether the poem was truly a family inheritance or Thompson’s own composition, it undeniably cemented the Rede in the wider pagan community.

Legacy

Today, the Rede is not a rigid law but a guideline. Different traditions interpret it differently - some view it as absolute, while others see it as situational advice. What remains constant is its enduring spirit: encouraging practitioners to act with awareness, compassion, and responsibility. Its blending of ancient language, modern occult philosophy, and community transmission illustrates how Wicca itself was woven together - rooted in tradition, yet evolving to meet the needs of new generations.

Let us know whether you abide by the Wiccan Rede below.