Priestesshood is more than having a mature spirituality and a calling. It’s also having the courage and grace to serve others humbly and compassionately knowing that you will never be compensated for your physical, mental, and emotional labor. It’s giving up your plans. It’s giving up your anonymity. It’s being the bad guy sometimes when a point of moral or legal order must be made. It’s letting go of ego and letting Deity work through you.
If you are committed to doing the work of the vocation of priestesshood, then this reading list is for you. It’s difficult to hit a target if you don’t know what you’re aiming for, and it’s difficult to know what you don’t know if you haven’t been exposed to the business side of being a clergyperson. This reading list is designed to scratch the surface of a variety of essential topics. Some links come from Pagan sources, others from Christian or other religious sources, still others from the secular world. Reading every link, book, and article on this list won’t make you an expert priestess. It will, rather, give you insight into the things you should be aware of as a spiritual service provider. Many of these links have references of their own; I encourage you to refer to them to deepen your understanding of the topics discussed.
In addition, you’ll also want to gather a list of resources for social services in your area such as food banks, rent assistance programs, low-cost health clinics, domestic violence shelters, and homeless shelters. You may wish to familiarize yourself with the local interfaith alliance or identify liberal congregations in your area.
Experienced priestesses, if you have resources that you’ve found valuable in your ministry, please let me know and I’ll add them to the resource list.
Note: Proteus Coven is redoing their library! I’ve linked to the most up-to-date link where possible, but some of the links are not yet available. In that case, I can recommend the Wayback Machine to access these wonderful resources from the former “www.proteuscoven.com”, the content of which is now being migrated to proteanrl.org.
Ethics
Exegesis on the Rede, by Judy Harrow
An It Harm None: High-Choice Ethics, by Judy Harrow
Do What Ye Will: Best-Choice Values, by Judy Harrow
Only If None Be Harmed: Getting Specific about Magical Ethics, by Judy Harrow
‘Tis Evil Luck To Speak Of It: Secrecy and the Craft, by Judy Harrow
Code of Professional Ethics for ACPE Members, by Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
Living With Honour: A Pagan Ethics, by Emma Restall Orr
The Ethics of Caring: Finding Right Relationship With Clients for Profound Transformative Work in Our Professional Healing Relationships, by Kylea Taylor
When, Why …If: An Ethics Workbook, by Robin Wood
Ethics and the Craft: The History, Evolution, and Practice of Wiccan Ethics, by John J. Coughlin
Theology
Wiccan Magick, by Raven Grimassi
Wiccan Mysteries, by Raven Grimassi
The Well Worn Path and The Hidden Path oracle deck guidebooks by Raven Grimassi and Stephanie Taylor
Seeking the Mystery: An Introduction to Pagan Theologies by Christine Hoff Kraemer
Philosophy of Wicca by Amber Laine Fisher
Magick
Casting Sacred Space: The Core of All Magickal Work, by Ivo Dominguez Jr.
Psychic Witch: A Metaphysical Guide to Meditation, Magick & Manifestation, by Mat Auryn
Keys to Perception: A Practical Guide to Psychic Development, by Ivo Dominguez Jr.
The Witch’s Eight Paths of Power: A Complete Course in Magick and Witchcraft, by Lady Sable Aradia
Transformative Witchcraft: The Greater Mysteries, by Jason Mankey
Ritual
RitualCraft: Creating Rites for Transformation and Celebration, by Amber K and Azrael Arynn K
Creating Circles and Ceremonies, by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart and Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart
The Pagan Book of Living and Dying: Practical Rituals, Prayers, Blessings, and Meditations on Crossing Over, by Starhawk, M. Macha NightMare, and the Reclaiming Collective
Neopagan Rites: A Guide to Creating Public Rituals That Work, by Isaac Bonewits
Sacred Dying: Creating Rituals for Embracing the End of Life, by Megory Anderson
Crossing Over: A Pagan Manual On Death And Dying, by M. Macha NightMare
Group Dynamics
Wicca Covens: How to Start and Organize Your Own, by Judy Harrow
Coven Craft: Wicca for Three or More, by Amber K
We Gather Together: An Introduction to Group Dynamics for Pagan Leaders, by Judy Harrow
Endings: Dealing with Departures from and Dissolutions of Pagan Groups, by Judy Harrow and Gwyneth Harrow
Storming: Working Through our Conflicts, by Judy Harrow
Pagan Consent Culture, by Christine Hoff Kraemer and Yvonne Aburrow
All Acts of Love & Pleasure: Inclusive Wicca, by Yvonne Aburrow
Community Tool Box by Center for Community Health and Development at the University of Kansas
Psychology
Common Mental Health Conditions, by National Alliance on Mental Illness
Spirituality and Mental Health, by Royal College of Psychiatrists
The Mental Health Benefits of Religion & Spirituality by National Alliance on Mental Illness
Peer Support
Counseling Basics for Wiccan/Pagan Clergy by Judy Harrow, Marjorie Nelson-Brambir and Gwyneth Harrow
Cherishing Our Elders, by Judy Harrow and Gwyneth Harrow
When Helping Hurts: Self-Care For Caregivers, by Judy Harrow
Spiritual Mentoring: A Pagan Guide, by Judy Harrow
A Gentle Path through the Twelve Steps: The Classic Guide for All People in the Process of Recover, by Patrick J Carnes PhD
A Gentle Path through the Twelve Principles: Living the Values Behind the Steps, by Patrick J Carnes PhD
Support Group Facilitation Guide, by Mental Health America’s Center for Peer Support
National Practice Guidelines for Peer Supporters, by International Association of Peer Supporters
Children
Circle Round: Raising Children in Goddess Traditions, by Starhawk, Anne Hill, and Diane Baker
Children of the Green: Raising our Kids in Pagan Traditions, by Dr. Hannah E. Johnston
Education
The Front Gate: Finding, Screening, Orienting and Dedicating New Students, by Judy Harrow and Gwyneth Harrow
A Teaching Handbook for Wiccans and Pagans: Practical Guidance for Sharing Your Path, by Thea Sabin
Teaching Witchcraft: A Guide for Teachers and Students of the Old Religion, by Miles Batty
Nonprofit Administration
IRS Publication 557 (01/2020), Tax-Exempt Status for Your Organization
Event Planning
55+ Event Planning Resources From Event Experts
Mandated Reporting
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Mandatory Reporting Statutes for Elder Abuse, by The Center for Excellence in Elder Law
Personal and Professional Development
Pagan Leadership Anthology by Shauna Aura Knight and Taylor Ellwood
A Practical Guide to Pagan Priesthood: Community Leadership and Vocation, by Rev. Lora O’Brien
The Wiccan Minister’s Manual, A Guide for Priests and Priestesses, by Kevin M. Gardner
The Pagan Clergy’s Guide for Counseling, Crisis Intervention & Otherworld Transitions, by Kevin M. Gardner
Care of the Soul, by Thomas Moore
Contemplative Wicca: Reflections on Contemplative Practice for Pagans, by Teresa Chupp
The Path of Paganism: An Experience-Based Guide to Modern Pagan Practice, by John Beckett
Paganism In Depth: A Polytheist Approach, by John Beckett
Devoted To You: Honoring Deity in Wiccan Practice, by Judy Harrow
Dark Mirror: The Inner Work of Witchcraft, by Yvonne Aburrow
Version Note: v1.1 2024-04-21