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.