Oberon Zell-Ravenheart (a very influential Pagan, who among other things was responsible for the now-defunct magazine "Green Egg," and who helped start the Church of All Worlds) has a new book out called "Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard." It's an interesting book, drawing mostly from Wiccan practice but also from other magickal systems such as ceremonial magick and shamanism. He encourages the use of the term "wizard" as well as "witch" for both genders.
The book has a strong Harry Potter theme to it as well. While I'm sure that will help the book sales (Harry Potter mania and all) I think it will make the book rather "dated" in a few years as Potter-mania fades. Despite the marketing angle of the book, it really is an excellent magickal primer. I've been practicing Wicca now for over twenty years and I'm thoroughly enjoying reading this book.
When it comes down to essentials, people will choose the titles that they feel are most evocative of what they are trying to achieve for themselves. Some people embrace terms that others find offensive, some choose terms with similar meanings but which might be less commonly associated with negative stereotypes. In the gay and lesbian community, for instance, it has become quite commonplace for gays and lesbians to embrace terms that were meant to be derogatory, and then transform those terms into words of empowerment. It's tough to put another person down when they actively embrace the words that are used to try and hurt them.
Mary Daly's book "Wickedary" and Judy Grahn's "Another Mother Tongue" are two other books that explore wordplay, language, and power with some explicitly Pagan perspectives. I'd recommend them to anyone interested in learning more about wordcrafting/spellcrafting. Language is power!
