Vetting Witchcraft Books: a Brief Guide
We all know by now that not all books on witchcraft are created equal. But when you're starting out, how do you sort the quality resources from the unreliable ones? Here are some of the strategies I personally find useful. Please feel free to add to these with your own methods!
If I'm vetting a book online
Look up a summary of the book and determine what category it falls under:
Is it covering the history of witchcraft, the writer's personal journey, information about a specific practice or tradition, a list of spells, an introduction to witchcraft, etc.
Is that topic relevant to what you're seeking right now? The witchcraft book sphere is positively littered with Witchcraft 101 style texts, which may be exactly what you are looking for! However, if you've been practising for a while now and already have several 101 style books, is another going to serve you? Will you get more instead out of a witchstory book or book on more advanced spellcraft?
Look up the author. They may not have any online presence, but if they do (a website, social media, etc), have a look.
If their book is about a specific practice or tradition, is that tradition open or closed? If it's a closed tradition, are they a member of it and are you?
Does their content tell you their clear stance on issues relevant to the community including closed practices, mental health and disability, racism and cultural appropriation? If you see red flags for this in their content, such as "taking your meds inhibits psychic ability" or other absolute bullshit, it's probable you'll see the same rhetoric in their book
In their posts, do they cite sources where relevant/possible? If they're willing to put in the extra little bit of effort to cite sources in online content, it's a positive sign they'll likely do the same in a book
Finally, you can check reviews, though reviews on online stores and places like Goodreads aren't likely to be especially comprehensive or useful. I get much more in depth insight from checking to see if anyone who does reviews as part of their content has covered it: they're more likely to give a detailed informative review. This is the least useful tool for me overall though
If I'm standing in a bookstore with the title in my hand
Take a look at the table of contents:
Are the topics listed here what I'm looking for?
Does it dedicate sections to anything that could be described as due diligence? Examples include fire safety, mundane action, ethics and justice, historical context, myth busting. Particularly relevant for Witchcraft 101 style books or books on a specific path or practice.
Check for a reference list at the back of the book:
If there isn't one at all, and the book is about witchcraft history, spellwork, a path or tradition, or an introduction to witchcraft, this is a bit concerning- I'm immediately wary.
If it's about someone's own journey, the presence of a reference list anyway is a bright green flag, though it's less necessary than all other topics.
What sources are included in the reference list? Are all the references just other witchcraft books? Ideally a reference list should contain yes, other books on witchcraft, but also other sources: look for historical primary sources, history books, academic journals, and non-fiction titles and textbooks from outside witchcraft
Does it include any topics addressing practical matters like fire safety, mundane action, etc. Not strictly necessary, but a green flag
Does it include references to items like mental health? If so, flip to that page and skim it to ensure the information is well-founded and safe (i.e. not discouraging discontinuation of meds, not perpetuating indigo child bullshit)
Does it include references to cultural appropriation? If so, find that page and give it a skim. This should give a clear picture of not only their views on this, but how knowledgeable/well-researched they are about the topic
Does it include something related to witch trials? Find that page and skim it. If they're perpetuating the burning times myth, it's a sign they have done vastly inadequate research when writing this book
For the final references section, to be clear the idea is not "it's a red flag if this isn't in the reference section," because that really depends on the subject of the book. I don't expect and wouldn't want every single book on witchcraft to painstakingly debunk the burning times myth. It's more "if it is listed in the references, that gives me a quick little section to skim that should give me insight into how well-researched, accurate and grounded this book is."
Final note: once again this is just a brief introduction to my method of vetting books. If this is useful to you, by all means feel free to use it. But it's not prescriptive and I'd love to hear your methods too!
