Customer Reviews

HedgeWitch: Spells, Crafts & Rituals For Natural Magick

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I'll never understand why people are so mean. This is supposed to be a path of life that celebrates, not berates. I have seen many people post reviews saying that SRW talks down to her audience, speaks to us like children. Did you know that the New York Times is written on a high school level? She is speaking in a language that everyone can relate to. Reading her book is like having a conversation with her. Now, i have never read any other books on Hedge Witchery, she is my first, so i can't compare her views to the "real" views that some of you have issues with. But isn't it about what makes you feel good? What sits in your heart and soul and just feels right? If it is all about the rules and what is right or wrong, then join one of the traditional religions and go to church every week and follow a book of rules and regulations that are rigid and unchanging. That's not for me though. Whether or not the book is what you might consider "real" Hedge Witchery, all i know is that in the end, the words inside that book resonated with me and made me feel good. If you don't like it, or her, then don't read it. But don't tell other people what to do, let them decide for themselves.

I am only halfway through the nightly rituals, and already I am frustrated. The author requires multiple herbs, candles, equipment, etc., for the rituals which may, or may not, be used again someday. She does not specify that the reader get small ritual candles, which presents a problem when she directs the reader to let the candle burn completely, and the ritual begins at night. It could take till the wee hours for a large candle to burn down! Already, in at least three or four of the rituals, I have found that the author lists materials needed for the nightly ritual which she never mentions again when it comes time to actually perform the ritual. I'm wondering if she proofread her work, or if she actually performed the rites she describes?

I also expected much more explanation for why each action is performed and of the spiritual implications of the colors chosen, the herbs chosen, and the other things that are used or created. The whole book seems very haphazard and poorly executed. I will go through with it because I went out and bought or gathered all the things she lists for each night, but I am disappointed in the quality of the writing and of the lack of guidance. This is not the usual quality of this author's work. It is an interesting exercise, but if I were not retired, I'd never have had the time to gather all the materials and perform the rituals as prescribed on a nightly basis, or even a weekly basis.

I have read many books on Wicca and have been practicing for many years, but I wouldn't recommend this book for the reasons stated above.

First of all, anything with a ritual couldn't POSSIBLY be hedgewitch craft, that's a huge no no... no rituals in hedgewitch craft... no dedication ceremony either. And most traditional hedgewitches feel that there is no wicca in Hedgewitchery either. As this book is the antithesis of the hedgewitch craft that I have practiced for longer than the author has been writing books, I pretty much feel it should be disposed of in the round file. There's so much more information available online that this book is useless anyway, why waste your money?

As usual, this book brings forth problems that Silver Ravenwolf seems to have in all of her books. First is her method of writing. Forgive me for being blunt, but anyone who wants to be 'talked to' like they are in middle school aren't old enough to start embarking on any kind of spiritual journey as a witch. Second is her ego. For once I'd like to read a book by this woman that isn't basically a collection of her talking about how wonderful she is and all the powerful things she can do. This book is intended to teach, not glorify.

As for the actual content...may I ask why Wicca has to keep sneaking into Pagan practices and claiming them to be their own? Most of the "HedgeWitches" that I know aren't Wiccan. But this presents another issue within Ravenwolf's books, this one included: the use of the term Wicca as an umbrella term for everything and anything that sounds nice. Wicca once had a structured religious philosophy with variations according to what tradition you were. Now it seems to be the 'what ever fits the day of the week' religion. Authors like Ravenwolf encourage this trend, which I have to say annoys the rest of us (or at least, those of us that I know, myself included).

Taken out of context and ignoring the horrible writing, this book has some good points. But if you want to learn about this topic or any topic on witchcraft you'll want to pass this book up and move on to better options. The Green Witchcraft series, for example.

I loved this book as I love all her books. Silver Has a special enthusiasm that makes me WANT to get up and practise! That to me is her gift. Of all the many books on wicca and witchcraft I have none inspires me to get in there and create some magic like she does. I also love her sense of humor.

so many people either love her or don't have very nice things to say,i say i liked this book,in my opinion she is an excellient finder of inormation,from old witche's i know that have seen her give workshops,there are things she could improve on[like not prpoperly protecting herself in certain demonstrations]but she is a great researher,i like her books and enjoy her style,there must be somthing good about her or she wouldn't be as suscessful as she is.

Silver entered my specialization-the magical garden. Naturally I had to get a copy of this book, hoping for some creative beds to lay out. Sadly left out. It contains the usual 6th grade reading level. Most HedgeWitches I know are adults, own a garden and do not concern themselves with the justification of becoming a Hedgewitch. It is a mandate from the Earth itself. It is not something you can ordain yourself to be. One can be an aspiring "green wiccan". Hedgewitch is a major undertaking! If it destined, you will get your own garden to learn in. It teaches you.

Silver talks more like a Sunday school teacher, than "the most powerful witch in America", a self appointed title. Personally, any one who takes the title of "Witch" is "most powerful" in their own right. She is the Pope of Wicca. Her Wiccan catechism seems to expand every year. This text "preaches" how to act like a "good little wiccan". Always smiling. There is no such thing as "Hedge wicca". "Witch" is a heavy title. A good hedgewitch works very hard in the garden. Sometimes it is just too hard to smile after dividing irises all afternoon. Dont get me wrong, her philosophy is healthy in our modern society. She forgets the inner smile, that may not show all of the time. Trust me, even on the coldest winter night, I am eager to pick out seed packets.

Silver just needs polished some. Stop wagging your finger and talk to adults! Most of your "teen witches" are grown up now. Charmed has been cancelled. Harry Potter ended. Its time to address those grown up witches. Less preaching, more teaching. There is always something new to learn about witchcraft. It takes many lives to ever get a spell to work. A paying reader is not always a beginner. Focusing on Hedgewitchery is a major undertaking. This is a constructive critique. I did like some of the herbal recipies. That is the only reason I am keeping the book. Perhaps next year, I may actually like reading a Ravenwolf title....

Wicca and witchcraft for the new age library comes to life in HEDGE WITCH, a fourteen-lesson, hands-on guide for initiates into Wicca who would understand aspects of connection with nature. Magick for love, health and beauty along with recipes and tips make Silver RavenWolf's latest title an outstanding recommendation for new age collections specializing in introductory Wiccan nature spells.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I wanted to like this book. I started down my pagan path back in 1997 with the help of Silver's beginner's books, and I still recommend them for newbies. But I couldn't get past the first few chapters of this one. It's too bad, because I suspect there are some good crafts, recipes and meditations later on in the book. But I could only take so many incessantly-repeated reminders like "Don't forget to SMILE!" and "It always works". Silver, I hate to break it to you, but the Craft is not all unicorns, rainbows and cupcakes. Some of us need a little less fluff and a little more substance.

I felt compelled to write a review on this book given the quantity of negative reviews already listed.
I LOVE this book!! In fact, I checked it out from the library and I was going to use the library copy until I saw such negative reviews on Amazon. Then I decided to BUY A COPY in protest and also to give the author my support.

I don't believe she writes in a condescending way. I believe Silver Ravenwolf writes with enthusiasm of the spiritual ideals. Another thing I like about the way she writes is that she ISN'T writing about how crappy other religions are for their discrimination of paganism.

So far, I've only done the first rite. Rather than daily, I'm kind of taking my time with each of them and they're more like weekly rites.

I like the crafty recipes and the suggestions on how to incorporate spirituality into crafty projects.