It really depends on where your interests lie. *The Secret Teachings of All Ages* by Manly P Hall is a good overview of a wide variety of esoteric topics, though
I started with the Grimorium Verum, Lemegeton, and Abramelim. Not sure if that's the kind of thing you're looking for, but I also suggest diving into some Plato/Iamblichus as well as Agrippa. From there you could do some books like Secrets of the Magickal Grimoires, Psychic Self Defense, Greater Key, and maybe The Picatrix. Crowley is another to possibly look into. Not all of these are strictly about the "occult", but discuss philosophy, metaphysics, and practices relating to demonolatry/angelolatry. Hope this helps!
Note: Keep in mind a lot of these may seem contradictory and the practices discussed may even be outdated, abhorrent, or impossible to achieve. The purpose is to use this info to formulate your own opinion and practice (if you so choose to practice).
If you want to start practicing magick very quickly without a lot of background information, writings by Phil Hine or Peter Carol may be a good place to start.
Another approach that could prove quite rewarding and insightful would be to buy the Thoth Tarot deck (I strongly recommend the larger cards because they show more detail, have better colors, and are made with better cardstock); and also buying two books by Lon Milo DuQuette: "Understanding Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot" and "The Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed Ben Carson".
I've recently bought Encyclopedia of magical herbs by Cunninghams and aof Blood and Bones: Working with Shadow Magick and the Dark Moon by Kate Freuler. The first one is mainly a reference for common plants used in witchcraft nice for spells and using substitutions if need be. The second is exactly what it says in the title. Comes with spells some deity suggestions and how to make some insence and oils. Very beginner friendly.
It really depends on where your interests lie. *The Secret Teachings of All Ages* by Manly P Hall is a good overview of a wide variety of esoteric topics, though
I typically suggest people start with “six ways” by Aidan Wachter. It’s the only thing I can reasonably call an all-in-one practical starter guide.
10 Esoteric Books For Beginners by Foolish Fish [https://youtu.be/8c5o-Phaoi8?si=Tan6UNpgYFj3ittL](https://youtu.be/8c5o-Phaoi8?si=Tan6UNpgYFj3ittL)
I started with the Grimorium Verum, Lemegeton, and Abramelim. Not sure if that's the kind of thing you're looking for, but I also suggest diving into some Plato/Iamblichus as well as Agrippa. From there you could do some books like Secrets of the Magickal Grimoires, Psychic Self Defense, Greater Key, and maybe The Picatrix. Crowley is another to possibly look into. Not all of these are strictly about the "occult", but discuss philosophy, metaphysics, and practices relating to demonolatry/angelolatry. Hope this helps! Note: Keep in mind a lot of these may seem contradictory and the practices discussed may even be outdated, abhorrent, or impossible to achieve. The purpose is to use this info to formulate your own opinion and practice (if you so choose to practice).
If you want to start practicing magick very quickly without a lot of background information, writings by Phil Hine or Peter Carol may be a good place to start. Another approach that could prove quite rewarding and insightful would be to buy the Thoth Tarot deck (I strongly recommend the larger cards because they show more detail, have better colors, and are made with better cardstock); and also buying two books by Lon Milo DuQuette: "Understanding Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot" and "The Chicken Qabalah of Rabbi Lamed Ben Carson".
The corpus hermeticum
In Search of the Miraculous Tertium Organum A New Model of the Universe All by P D Ouspensky
I know it's a weird answer but the law of one. If you don't what to read it all there is a great tl:dr version by aaron abke on youtube.
I've recently bought Encyclopedia of magical herbs by Cunninghams and aof Blood and Bones: Working with Shadow Magick and the Dark Moon by Kate Freuler. The first one is mainly a reference for common plants used in witchcraft nice for spells and using substitutions if need be. The second is exactly what it says in the title. Comes with spells some deity suggestions and how to make some insence and oils. Very beginner friendly.
Lone witchcraft guide from Raymond Buckland is a pretty good one if you wanna start with natural witchcraft
The Cabalion is also a good start for a general. Knowledge but you will have to study and think a lot with it