Customer Reviews

Solitary Witch: The Ultimate Book of Shadows for the New Generation

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

I'm a practicing teenage wiccan who got her start when given Teen Witch by Silver Ravenwolf. I have to say that 4 years and many books later Teen Witch has finally fallen to second place on my list of great additions to a witch's library, but only because Solitary Witch has taken first. This BOS is absolutely glorious. It's true that it's not the best resource for actual spells, but it's jam packed with other information. I mean, this book has background on EVERYTHING. It's wonderful for info on circle casting and rituals, astrology, auras, herbs, stones, elements, runes, healing, tarot, and so much more. I highly recommend you buy this. It's true that Silver does "dumb things down" but I have to say that I've been frustrated with other books when they didn't. I have never been frustrated by Silver's books. This is a perfect stepping stone if nothing else. Great for beginners. I think it's safe to say that you won't regret this purchase.

I purchased this book to help study the foundations and history of the religion. I found it to be a mockary. I resented being talked down to and the inplication on almost everypage that all readers are between 13 and 16 years old. "...when your mother or father walks in and interupts your ritual..." "...your mom and dad may not understand..." "when your frustrated with your parents..." and it goes on. the book only lead readers to the understanding that the religion is a newage fix to all their emotional teenage struggles and that life and can simplified with spells. Witchcraft is not a get out of jail free card. It's a respect and a love for a way of life and a belief system that consists of more then just casting a spell to get a cute boy to ask you out. Do not purpetuate all the negitive views and misunderstandings that already exist by buying this book, and if you already own it, pray its not to late to return it.

Only this go around it's all on one book!

I've had my issues with Silver RavenWolf in the past. One of my biggest complaints was her "Mama Silver" approach. That may be fine for the teenage witch market, but those of us who have been on the path for serveral years find it a bit annoying.

In this particular volume, Silver manages to recap everything that she's written in the past few years (errors included) in a type of encyclopedia form.

While some of the information is very detailed and well researched, other areas lack such attention. You can see here, yet again, Silver's marketing towards the teen witches in Spells she has included. I would also like to note that several of her spells are not Wiccan in format, they are more based on the Pow-Wow teachings.

Personally I am a bit torn on this book. I have definately found useful information in an easy to find format, but I feel this isn't a starter book. If you're a more experienced witch wanting something easy to grab off the shelf when you can't recall exactly what kinds of spells to do during Jupiter's retrograde, this is the book for you. However, if you're just looking to get started this book might not be what you're needing just yet.

RavenWolf said it herself in the book's introduction: "How you use this book is entirely up to you. Feel free to skip over the parts that you already know, or read each section in alphabetical order - doesn't matter." ... "On the other hand, if you feel the information is too basic, I beg your indulgence - it isn't my desire to insult your intelligence, I'm simply trying to find a happy medium."

I think overall she's done it.

I'm a praticing teenage Witch and Wiccan, and I have to say that this book is pretty informative, though not the best place for spells and such. Yes, Ravenwolf does "dumb" things down, but for super beginners and young teens, I think that it's appropriate to do so as to not confuse them.

This book contains *a lot* of information that you cannot find in most other beginning/teen Wiccan books. It contains info on auras, charkas, runes, explanation of the major and minor tarot, and much more.

Yes, this is *not* the place to go to for spells because there really aren't any, and they take about 10 minutes to complete, with circle casting and all.

If your looking for information on Wicca than I suggest that you either buy this or Scott Cunnigham's "Wicca - A Guide for the Solitary Practioner." Both are pretty good though I would go for "Wicca" before you buy this. Both are good, but, "Solitary Witch" does contain more information, while "Wicca" contains better [and more] spells and chants.

Overall, is it woth your money? I would say yes, if your a beginner and/or a teenager. It contains a lot of information that you cannot find in other beginning or teenage books.

I want to like Silver. I really do. I want to give every Pagan writer the benefit of the doubt, and believe that even if they are saying things that make me want to rip my hair out, they have the best interests of the community (as they understand that to mean) at heart.

I just wish she'd *write* better.

For someone who claims to have started out as an editor, she writes with a cloying tone, often fails to explain her terms or to present information in a logical order (here she doesn't even try), and leaves in all sorts of mistakes, both of information and of clear writing.

So why three stars? Because for once, this one occasionally spits up some information that I haven't already seen everywhere else. In amongst the Christian bashing and the winking and the poems so bad I have to scream (an affliction that is hardly unique to Silver, I'm afraid) there are actually some "articles" that contain information. Particularly, there's a lot of astrological lore that is less common in other books. Unfortunately I can't take her at her word about any of it, because I've seen her make so many mistakes on things that I know more about - but at least it's a starting place. It's far from the worst thing she's written.

While this book does have good basic information for beginners, I would only reccomend it to people who have already read books by Cunningham, Buckland, or other authors; this book tends to gloss over what Wicca should really be about, and instead focuses on the fancy shiny tools and fun easy spells. She talks in the book about the power of visualization, meditation, and focus, but her spells generally seem to omit it. Some of the spells or incantations could be built on by more experienced Wiccans, and there are occasional gems of information in the book, but overall, it isn't worth it. Read other books about Wicca first, and if you absolutely must come back to this one, don't bother to buy it. Borrow it from the library or from a friend.

If you really want to read a book by Silver Ravenwolf, I suggest her book on American Folk Magic instead. Even if you don't use or don't agree with the ethics of some of the spells, it's an interesting kind of magic that I haven't seen many other books about.

I bought this because it seemed to cover a lot of territory. In the end, that's its biggest fault--kind of a lick and a promise approach. Even worse is that this author seems to devote much of her efforts to feeding the usual teenaged angst, and giving youngsters the idea SHE is the only one who understands them. . . very dangerous territory, IMO. One thing to offer generic advice, and another to try to generate a cult following. Some useful stuff within, but even more to have to sift through with a grain of salt. If you're new to this topic, don't make the mistake of ending your search here.

This book is a huge collection of reference material. However, it confused me a great deal. On the back cover it warns that the book is serious magick, so if you are looking for curses and the likes then put it down. The thing is that upon opening it up, one finds those same curses that the back cover indicates are missing. It is worth the money for the reference material.

I am a bit disheartened by the last few reviews of Ravenwolf's newest book. Constructive criticism is one thing but to write an entire section blaming the author is another. I am a avid Pagan reader and I find her work to be informative and yet at the same time very helpful in remebering the basics(which is the foundation of others magicks. sSe speaks to a younger audience which is apparent in her titles...Teen Witch, New Generation, terms like this are in reference to a younger generation of Witches. She wants a no fuss, no muss approach by laying it all out and encouraging and even at times enticing us to know more. Ravenwolf's work may at time seem to be repetitve with the pages on circle casting, grounding and centering etc but the book is geared towards the basics.(The important things we should not forget to do when we get caught up with all the directions and guidleines to rituals)

This book was a great read. Her humour and style comes across marvelously through the pages of her work(she even had me laughing to myself a few times!)

Although I understand that there are many levels to being a Witch and many levels for magickal practice, we should never be without humour and the ability to make it fun and inviting for others. I think part of the reason why so many people are afraid of Witchcraft is that they hear about complicated rituals with strict rules and guidelines. That could easily scare them off, or even hinder new practicioners. Ravenwolf encourages readers to make the craft their own and explore it further.(she does list other books to read for further information doesn't she?) I think this is probably one of her best books and I am going to recommend it to mid-learners and adults alike. You can never have too much Silver in your life!

The size of the book will grab your attention. The contents are something to be desired though. This book is a very good example of what happens when you take a lot of "new age" garbage and put the word Wicca or Witch in front of it.

It is marketed for the teen. It does more to blur the lines of Wicca and Witchcraft than it does to explain it.

Simply, there are other books out there that do a better job. A lot of other books.

Save your money.