The Bad Witch's Book of the Year

I've reviewed loads of great books about paganism, mythology, magic, herbalism, crystals and witchcraft over the past year, so I thought I'd start a poll to find the best one - The Bad Witch's Book of the Year.

The poll, where you can vote, is at the bottom of the page on A Bad Witch's Blog. You don't have to pick a book you have already read - you can choose the one you would most like to get in your Yuletide stocking if you like - but do help pick a winner. If there is a tie, I will cast the deciding vote.

Here is a list of all the new books I have reviewed this year:

Occult London by Merlin Coverley
I was given this book last Yule and it came out at the end of 2008, but I didn't review it until January 2009 so I thought I'd include it in my poll anyway. Occult London provides an overview of London's occult heritage with chapters on people including John Dee, William Blake and Aleister Crowley, and subjects such as ley lines and psychogeography. You can read my review here:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/01/review-occult-london.html

Crystal Chakra Healing by Philip Permutt
With lovely colour photographs of crystals and minerals, Crystal Chakra Healing explains clearly and simply the properties and benefits of crystals and how to use them with the body's chakra points to rebalance energy and help promote healing. You can read my review here:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/03/review-crystal-chakra-heaing.html

Animal Spirit Guides by Chris Lüttichau
Animal Spirit Guides shows how anyone can find their power animal through dreams and drum journeys - the traditional rituals of the shaman. You can read my review here:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/04/review-animal-spirit-guides.html

Enchanted: The Faerie & Fantasy Art of Linda Ravenscroft
Sometimes mischievous, sometimes poignant, but always beautiful, Linda Ravenscroft's depictions of faeries is captivating. Enchanted: The Faerie & Fantasy Art of Linda Ravenscroft is a gilt-edged hardback book that shows her work to its best advantage. You can read my review here:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/04/enchanted-faerie-fantasy-art-of-linda.html

The Crystal Bible V2 by Judy Hall
The Crystal Bible is one of the best selling books on crystals and Volume 2 includes details of more than 200 new crystals and how they can be used for healing and psychic work. You can read my review here:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/06/review-crystal-bible-v2.html

The Mythology Bible by Sarah Bartlett
Myth is at the heart of most religions and belief systems and The Mythology Bible is a guide to myths from all over the world as well as comparative mythology - themes that reoccur in many tales. You can read my review here:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/06/review-mythology-bible.html

The Signs And Symbols Bible by Madonna Gauding
The Signs And Symbols Bible covers the ideas and concepts behind images from ancient civilizations; eastern religions; heraldry; esoteric and magical traditions; animals, plants and minerals; symbols on amulets, charms and talismans; the significance of shapes and colours; and spiritual and magical alphabets and letters. You can read my review here:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/07/review-signs-and-symbols-bible.html

The Book of English Magic by Philip Carr-Gomm and Richard Heygate
Reminiscent of The Dangerous Book for Boys, The Book of English Magic teaches how to dowse for water, cast a spell and plot a ley as well as covering the history of England's famous magicians and magical past. You can read my review here:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/08/review-book-of-english-magic.html

Forbidden Rites by Jeanette Ellis
Forbidden Rites attempts to cover pretty much everything a witch needs to know, including details about gods and goddesses; festivals; rituals; the magic of gems and metals; herb and plant lore; how to make incense; the meanings of symbols; spellcasting; and how to work with animal spirits and familiars. You can read my review here:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/09/review-forbidden-rites-introduction-to.html

Grimoires: A History of Magic Books by Owen Davies
Books of conjurations, charms and spells have played an immensely important part in the history of magic and the occult. Grimoires: A History of Magic Books reveal the truth about these books, their origins, authorship and influence throughout the world and through the ages. You can read my review here:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/10/review-grimoires-history-of-magic-books.html

Cunningham's Book of Shadows: The Path of an American Traditionalist by Scott Cunningham
American witch Scott Cunningham's personal collection of spells and rituals was discovered in an old manilla envelope years after his death. The publication of Cunningham's Book of Shadows provides a useful and fascinating resource for witches in the US or in other parts of the world. You can read my review here:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/11/review-cunninghams-book-of-shadows.html

The Green Wiccan Herbal by Silja
The core of Silja's Herbal focuses on 52 major magical herbs that can be used for healing, spellcasting, rituals, cooking and making teas, salves and potions. There are also pages of spells and recipes using herbs . You can read my review here:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/11/review-green-wiccan-herbal.html

Myths & Legends by Philip Wilkinson
Covering the myths of Europe, South and East Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania, Myths & Legends has lots of beautiful pictures and photographs as well as fascinating tales and facts. You can read my review here:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/11/some-bedside-reading.html

I have only included recent, non-fiction publications in my poll to find The Bad Witch's Book of the Year although over the past 12 months I have also written about many older books that I cherish and would recommend highly.

Scroll right down to the bottom of the page to see the poll and place your vote.