Light reading for these times

Here's a few books I have set aside for reading this weekend

This week has been one of my busiest, as a journalist.

So I'm planning a weekend focused on quiet and calm, which will likely involve a few naps, some good homecooked meals, and getting lost in a few books.

I have a pile of books that have been haunting my shelves, begging to be read. I decided this weekend would be as good as any other to seek some literary escape. If you're interested in what's on my list, keep reading. I'm including where to buy each, but this post is not sponsored, I do not earn any commission off this post, and links shared may not be the cheapest. If you've got a suggestion for a book, let me know!

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I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend spent reading. Silver RavenWolf's book on Angels, and Benjamin Hoff's Tao of Pooh/Te of Piglet are just two on my list.

Angels: Companions in Magick by Silver RavenWolf

A lot of people have thoughts on Silver RavenWolf's writing. I appreciate her direct approach, as well as her easy-to-follow style. I really liked her HedgeWitch guide so I'm excited for this one. I hadn't really considered diving into this subject in the past, but why not? I'm craving something a bit more uplifting right now.

Available on Kindle for $16.81, paperback $17.69 on Amazon

Goddesses: Mysteries of the Feminine Divine by Joseph Campbell

Its probably going to become more and more apparent that I am a Joseph Campbell fangirl.

I have currently made it through the first chapter, which include sections on Myth and the Divine Feminine, The Goddess in Paleolithic Cultures and The Goddess as Nature. While the book is reminding me of college a bit, as in I feel like I'm prepping to write a paper on the material, I'm still enjoying it as much as when I first read Campbell's iconic Hero with a thousand faces. This book is not a "how-to" book on goddess worship; its a work of literature analysis and anthropology. If you're looking for the history of the female in myth and religion, even in Christianity, look no further.

On Kindle for $9.99, hardcover $18.49 on Amazon

Journeys with the Divine Feminine as edited by Sue Fitzmaurice.

This book is actually a collection of firsthand accounts of women who have taken on a relationship with female as deity. Each story is compelling, uplifting and joyous. Not entirely preachy, but some of the accounts do suggest an idea of interconnectedness between all humans as well as a universal goddess figure in all religions, revealing herself to those who seek her out. A few of these stories really helped me overcome a few tough times I encountered over the summer. I hope to finish a few more stories this weekend.

A great way to approach Journeys with the Divine Feminine is to not try and finish it all at once. There is no chronological narrative so there is no requirement to tackle each story in order, either. Pick a story that sounds interesting to you, when you want or need to.

Free with Kindle Unlimited. Paperback $12.99 on Amazon.

And if I have time: The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

One of those feel-good books that never gets old. The Tao of Pooh breaks down mysterious principles of the Tao (or Dao, or the Way) into allegories involving everyone's favorite bear. It's a sweet way of unpacking some complex East Asian philosophies, and may inspire you to explore the Tao even further.

I was gifted the Tao of Pooh for the first time by a close friend who was at the time my coworker and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructor. I then passed the book along to my brother when I was finished.

I was gifted the Tao of Pooh for a second time (along with the Te of Piglet) by one of my dearest friends, an Episcopalian minister, who married my husband and I. YES. I am a Wiccan, who was married to an atheist, by a Christian minister. His religion did not inform our choice to be married by him, our long friendship did. He formulated the ceremony around the Earth as Great Spirit, and also included messages of Eastern philosophy (he himself is very into studies on Tao), and we were so happy he was there to marry us. I'm going to hang on to Tao of Pooh a bit longer this time.

The Tao's meaning is often discussed as a way to live in harmony with the universe, but it is open to interpretation. In fact, there are many ways one can embrace the Tao, which is why I think some Wiccans are drawn to it (I suppose I'm an example of that.) I've read the Tao before, and I listen to the audiobook of the original Tao Te Ching when I am having a quiet a morning at work or when I need help falling asleep (tons of readings are available on YouTube for free!) I find that I interpret differently, or catch something I may have missed each time.

Tao of Pooh on Amazon: $9.45

Tao Te Ching free audiobook on Youtube

Next week, I hope to dive into intention setting, meditation and maybe something of a review on some recent purchases. Have a magickal weekend, and thanks for reading!