Recent Haul. Any thoughts?

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[Fagan_the_Pagan]

I was able to acquire 8 books for $5 at a swap meet recently, and I wanted to know if anyone found any of them to be particularly good, or particularly terrible.

Sacred Sounds, by Ted Andrews
Intermediate Studies in Alchemy, by Saint Germain
Awakening Osiris, trans. Normandi Ellis
The Magician's Companion, by Bill Whitcomb
A Witch's Guide to Faery Folk, by Edain McCoy
Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs
Witchcraft, Magic, and Alchemy, by Grillot de Givry
Faery Wicca: Book Two, by Kisma Stepanich

I will, of course, ultimately make my own decisions, but I'd like to hear opinions of anyone who has read them.
Thanks,
~Fagan

[Nitz]

I was able to acquire 8 books for $5 at a swap meet recently, and I wanted to know if anyone found any of them to be particularly good, or particularly terrible.

Sacred Sounds, by Ted Andrews
Intermediate Studies in Alchemy, by Saint Germain
Awakening Osiris, trans. Normandi Ellis
The Magician's Companion, by Bill Whitcomb
A Witch's Guide to Faery Folk, by Edain McCoy
Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs
Witchcraft, Magic, and Alchemy, by Grillot de Givry
Faery Wicca: Book Two, by Kisma Stepanich

I will, of course, ultimately make my own decisions, but I'd like to hear opinions of anyone who has read them.
Thanks,
~Fagan

I liked the Ted Andrews book on auras, but so fat that's the only one I've read. Cunningham also did an encyclopedia of crystals, gems, and metal magic, and a book on incense oils and brews, the book on magical herbs you've got is sort of a companion to the incense oils and brews book, so I'm planning on getting that one next. I like both of those books by Cunningham so far.

But you can't go wrong with $5 for 8 books, that's a heck of a good deal.

[Aster Breo]

A Witch's Guide to Faery Folk, by Edain McCoy

McCoy's book on "Witta" is the source of the notorious Ancient Irish Potato Goddess.  So, while I haven't read this particular book, I can tell you to make sure you warm up your critical thinking muscles before you open anything by Edain McCoy!   

Also, I'd be careful with Cunningham's herb book.  It was published quite a while ago, so might include dated and/or erroneous info.

[Jenett]

I was able to acquire 8 books for $5 at a swap meet recently, and I wanted to know if anyone found any of them to be particularly good, or particularly terrible.

Sacred Sounds, by Ted Andrews
Intermediate Studies in Alchemy, by Saint Germain
Awakening Osiris, trans. Normandi Ellis
The Magician's Companion, by Bill Whitcomb
A Witch's Guide to Faery Folk, by Edain McCoy
Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs
Witchcraft, Magic, and Alchemy, by Grillot de Givry
Faery Wicca: Book Two, by Kisma Stepanich

I've got notes on four of these.

In order of seriousness: Stepanich's Faery Wicca books are no longer published because she lost a copyright suit about them, way back when. Beyond that, the content's also somewhat problematic if you want any kind of connection to history. (http://www.cyberwitch.com/wychwood/library/WhenIsACeltNotACelt.htm goes into this.)

The McCoy suffers some of the same problem, though in this title, she's not particularly looking at history.

The Cunningham is fine as far as it goes, but check the edition, and double check any herb you use in a recent herb-focused source for safety: Cunningham's initial edition didn't include much safety info, and the 2nd and 3rd editions had a review by a competent herbalist for safety notes, but both of them are a little out of date these days.

I own the Andrews Sacred Sound one - he's got some good ideas, but there's also some stuff that goes in directions I don't think are particularly well supported/well-argued.

[Fagan_the_Pagan]

In order of seriousness: Stepanich's Faery Wicca books are no longer published because she lost a copyright suit about them, way back when. Beyond that, the content's also somewhat problematic if you want any kind of connection to history. (http://www.cyberwitch.com/wychwood/library/WhenIsACeltNotACelt.htm goes into this.)

The McCoy suffers some of the same problem, though in this title, she's not particularly looking at history.

The Cunningham is fine as far as it goes, but check the edition, and double check any herb you use in a recent herb-focused source for safety: Cunningham's initial edition didn't include much safety info, and the 2nd and 3rd editions had a review by a competent herbalist for safety notes, but both of them are a little out of date these days.

I own the Andrews Sacred Sound one - he's got some good ideas, but there's also some stuff that goes in directions I don't think are particularly well supported/well-argued.

McCoy's book on "Witta" is the source of the notorious Ancient Irish Potato Goddess.  So, while I haven't read this particular book, I can tell you to make sure you warm up your critical thinking muscles before you open anything by Edain McCoy!   

What I've read from Andrews book is appealing so far, but I will keep an eye out for anything suspicious.  Haven't really gotten to the others much yet, but I'll make sure to keep a pound of salt handy 

I'm not the biggest fan of Scott Cunningham in general, but his more encyclopedic works seem to be useful.  This one does seem to be a first edition, though, so I will be extra careful with it, and make sure to cross-reference for safety.

For Stepanich and McCoy, I will make a note that their history is iffy at best, and not treat them as authorities.

Thanks for the info!

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