First of all don't worry. All the books about any subject will all contain conflicting advice - whether it be Wicca or gardening. You will need to cover the basics, which should be the same, such as the Wiccan Rede, Guardians, Sabbats, Esbats, the Wheel of the Year and such like. This will let you know how and when Wiccans practice their religion. Wiccans work with the seasons and the moon phases as well as watching the sun's progress over the year. The other information will probably be about setting up an altar, how to cast a circle, call the guardians and the gods. Every one of the books I have read gives different wording for these activities and you need to know that you are quite at liberty to write your own words for this. The same goes for spell work. Copying someone else's words when you start out is okay and a very good place to start but you'll find, as you go along, that you 'feel' your own words may fit better. It is the sentiment behind the words that is important and, while ritual is important - and so is your security - once you have been practising for a while you will know what is and what is not relevant to you. Make sure you know how to close down your chakras and how to open them up again, as closing them will guard you well. At this stage do not use angels and archangels to help you as you need to be sure you are safe in your circle casting/security before doing any invoking/evoking of spirits. I personally never do this anyway as I don't feel the need. So, to sum up, read widely and then go with whatever feels right for you. Good luck and bright blessings. Tastra

Read anything and everything!

Once you have a grasp on the basics that everyone seems to agree on take what resonates with you and leave the rest.

I found "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham an excellent place to start and I know that his books come highly recomended by many others too.

Personaly I steer clear of books by Silver RavenWolf, I know that she is well known but I find her books simply don’t delve into the depths of Paganism and the Occult that other authors’ works do. She deals very little with the “why”, and extensively with HER version of “how”.

Blessed Be,
Jacen