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

Silver RavenWolf (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 8, 2003

The Ultimate Book of Shadows for the New Generation
This book has everything a teen Witch could want and need between two covers: a magickal cookbook, encyclopedia, dictionary, and grimoire. It relates specifically to today's young adults and their concerns, yet is grounded in the magickal work of centuries past.

Information is arranged alphabetically and divided into five distinct categories: (1) Shadows of Religion and Mystery, (2) Shadows of Objects, (3) Shadows of Expertise and Proficiency, (4) Shadows of Magick and Enchantment, and (5) Shadows of Daily Life. It is organized so readers can skip over the parts they already know, or read each section in alphabetical order.

Selling Features
•By the author of the best-selling Teen Witch and mother of four teen Witches
•A jam-packed learning and resource guide for
serious young Witches
•All categories are discussed in modern terms and their associated historical roots
•Includes endnotes and footnotes that cite sources or add clarification
•A training companion to Teen Witch and To Ride a Silver Broomstick

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Silver RavenWolf (Pennsylvania) is a nationally recognized leader and elder of Wicca, and through her writing has been instrumental in guiding the future of one of the fastest-growing faiths in America today. The author of seventeen books, she has been interviewed by The New York Times, Newsweek Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal, and her work has been featured in numerous publications, including Bust Magazine, the Baltimore Sun, the St. Petersburg Times, the National Review, Publishers Weekly, Body & Soul Magazine, and Teen Lit Magazine.

Her many titles include the bestselling Solitary Witch, Teen Witch, To Ride A Silver Broomstick, To Stir A Magick Cauldron, To Light A Sacred Flame, American Folk Magick, Angels: Companions in Magick, Silver’s Spells for Prosperity, Silver's Spells for Protection, Silver's Spells for Love, Halloween, and the Witches’ Night Out teen fiction series. Her new book Hedge Witch is forthcoming from Llewellyn in September 2008.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Blessings
Whether you can believe you can do a thing or
believe you can’t—you are right.
—Henry Ford
Although today many of us don’t think about
the power of words, sound, or touch, those who
have gone before us knew that all these things
carried an energy of their own, and to give that
positive energy to another was a gift more precious
than gold.To bless is to remove any negative
energy around a person, animal, place, or
thing and instill them with positive energy. To
bless another is to empower them. By sound,
touch, and thought,we can help the sick, lighten
the heart of the troubled, or open a pathway for
a better life by removing negative blockages.The
mere utterance of a blessing can change the
course of a person’s life. In our modern world,
people often scoff at this idea, not believing that
such power could be contained in anything so
simple. Many of us are independent individuals,
and to think that someone else (by mere word
or physical proximity) could alter our pattern of
living may seem unthinkable.
But they can.
In many cultures, past and present, it is customary
to leave a blessing at an individual’s
home when saying farewell. It was believed that
a magickal person could make words turn into
f lesh, meaning by uttering words with one’s
magickal voice (SEE PART III, UNDER POW WOW)
you could create a physical manifestation. To
have your house blessed in such a way by a magickal/
religious person ensured health and prosperity
for the occupants for months to come.
You too can give such a gift. Don’t be shy about
it. If you believe you can do it, so shall it be.
Sometimes the mere presence of magickal individuals
can change the course of one’s fate. The
more spiritual the person, the more pure the environment.
I’ve also noticed that if a magickal
person is involved in a particular type of study,
that study can affect those around him or her.
One Witch who steadfastly worked on building
her prosperity realized after a few months that
every time she walked into a store, especially a
deserted one, her energy attracted paying customers
off the street. Another Witch who
worked on protection experienced the same
phenomenon. He could walk into any establishment
and if there were negative people around,
they would quickly disperse. What you work on
in the magickal world will affect the world
around you.
The mechanism of a blessing is very easy:
• Think of a white light so powerful that it
encompasses your mind, body, and spirit.
• Move the white light into a mental picture
of the person, place, or thing.
• In your mind, allow the white light to burst
through the object (no, this won’t hurt
anyone).
• Intone words of blessing or touch the
person, animal, or thing.
• Seal the blessing with a hand motion of
your choice while pronouncing aloud
“It is done.”
The Thirteen Powers of the Witch
When you truly take the power of Witch training
into your being and strive to do the best that
you can regardless of the situation, the thirteen
powers of the universe are given to you. These
are either transferred through a religious ceremony
by those who have been gifted before
you, or they can come about at their own pace
as you grow and learn on your own. If a power
is abused, it is thought that the gift is taken from
you, either for a period of time or permanently.
The powers speak of blessings that you can give
to others or use for yourself to enhance your
own life as well as the lives of those around you.
PART I
3
Thirteen powers do the Witches claim
their right of lineage by (say the name of
your patron god or goddess here)’s name.
Tie a knot and say the words
or hand on head—the blessing conferred.
A Witch can give success in love
curse or bless through God/dess above.
Speak to beasts and spirits alike
command the weather; cast out a blight.
Read the heavens and stars of the night
divine the future and give good advice.
Conjure treasure and bring fortune to bear
heal the sick and kill despair.
This poem can be said as a blessing when giving
something to another, and can be included
in any spell by adding:
This is my birthright to have and to share
blessings upon you, (the person’s name),
may the spirits be fair.
This poem itself is very powerful and will create
change. Just be careful what you wish for.
Bedtime Blessing
Close your eyes and breathe deeply three or four
times until you feel relaxed and at peace. Imagine
that your entire body is filled with brilliant,
white light. If you like, hold your hands over
your heart, and say:
In the still of the night
while the world around me sleeps
may the angels smile upon me
and the Lady bring me peace.
Blessings upon (list those whom you would
like to remember in your prayers).
I know that You will care for them
and bring them what they need.
Instill in me great harmony
in thought and word and deed.
So mote it be.
Gift Blessing
Hold the object in your hands.Take several deep
breaths, inhaling and exhaling slowly. Visualize
the object glowing with white light. Connect
your mind to Spirit and try to think of nothing
else. Imagine the gift capturing the pure perfection
of the universe. Then say:
Perfect love and perfect peace
the world will dance as one.
I dream the wish to make it real
the magick now is done.
Seal your work by drawing an equal-armed
cross (+) in the air over the object.You can also
empower birthday, get well, and sympathy cards
in this same manner.
Meal Blessing
Hold your hands over the food, and say each line
below three times. This can be worked into a
fun blessing for the whole family if chanted in a
round.
The table round contains the Earth
and thus becomes the Mother.
We share her bounty in this hour
and bless and love each other.
So mote it be.
Personal Journal/Book Blessing
These words herein are mine alone
fashioned deep inside my bones
each picture, thought, and quote you see
are all reflections of what is me.
Beware the urge to take this book
PART I
4
PART I
5
or read it in some private nook
because its magick isn’t blind
and I will know you’ve touched what’s mine.
Charge of the Goddess
The Charge of the Goddess is one of the most
popular ritual invocations in modern Wicca.
The foundation of the work comes from a book
titled Aradia: Gospel of the Witches (Vangelo delle-
Streghe), written by Charles Leland and published
in 1899. Sometime after 1955, Doreen
Valiente, one of the most gifted poets and
priestesses of Wicca in our time, used the information
in poetry while assisting Gerald Gardner
in compiling the material later used for Gardnerian
instruction.The version written here appeared
in The Grimoire of Lady Sheba, first published
in 1972. In later years, the Charge was
broken into two parts, with the second section
standing alone and titled “The Charge of the
Star Goddess.”
Depending upon personal or coven choice,
the Charge is read:
• At the beginning of a ritual. Members of
the coven may practice deep breathing,
grounding and centering, or meditation.
• Before communion.
• At the end of a ritual, as a closure.
• At some point during an initiation rite.
• During daily devotions.
• During personal spellworking.
The Charge (Part I)
Listen to the words of the Great Mother, who
was of old, called amongst men, Artemis, Astarte,
Dione, Melusine, Aphrodite, Cerridwen,
Diana, Arionhod, Bride, and by many other
names.
At mine Altar, the youths of Lacedemon in
Sparta made due sacrifice. Whenever ye have
need of anything, once in the month and better
it be when the Moon is Full, then shall ye assemble
in some secret place and adore the Spirit
of Me, who am Queen of all the Witcheries.
There shall ye assemble, who are feign to learn
all sorceries who have not as yet won my deepest
secrets.To these will I teach that which is as
yet unknown. And ye shall be free from all
slavery and as a sign that ye be really free, ye
shall sing, feast, and make music, all in my
presence. For mine is the ecstasy of the Spirit
and mine is also joy on earth. For my Law is
love unto all beings. Keep pure your highest
ideals, strive ever towards them. Let none stop
you or turn you aside. For mine is the secret
that opens upon the door of youth and mine is
the Cup of the Wine of Life and the Cauldron
of Cerridwen, which is the Holy Grail of Immortality.
I am the Gracious Goddess who gives
the gift of joy unto the heart of man upon
earth. I give the knowledge of the Spirit Eternal,
and beyond death I give peace and freedom
and reunion with those that have gone before.
Nor do I demand au...

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (February 8, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738703192
• ISBN-13: 978-0738703190
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (154 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Wicca

More About the Author

Silver RavenWolf (Pennsylvania) is a nationally recognized leader and elder of Wicca, and through her writing has been instrumental in guiding the future of one of the fastest-growing faiths in America today. The author of seventeen books, she has been interviewed by The New York Times, Newsweek Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal, and her work has been featured in numerous publications, including Bust Magazine, the Baltimore Sun, the St. Petersburg Times, the National Review, Publishers Weekly, Body & Soul Magazine, and Teen Lit Magazine.
Her many titles include the bestselling Solitary Witch, Teen Witch, To Ride A Silver Broomstick, To Stir A Magick Cauldron, To Light A Sacred Flame, American Folk Magick, Angels: Companions in Magick, Silver's Spells for Prosperity, Silver's Spells for Protection, Silver's Spells for Love, Halloween, and the Witches' Night Out teen fiction series. Her new book Hedge Witch is forthcoming from Llewellyn in September 2008.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

347 of 415 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars All ye who enter here are in trouble, July 16, 2003

By 

W. Lambdin "Two Bears" (Ellensburg, WA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Solitary Witch: The Ultimate Book of Shadows for the New Generation (Paperback)

I had read some titles by Silver RavenWolf, and purchased this one.

I can NOT recommend this book to anyone is good conscience, and I have so many problems with this book; I hardly know where to begin.

Ms. RavenWolf is into getting you to practise her spells instead of giving you the knowledgs and tools to write your own.

Simply reading the words without your intent and energy behind them; you might as well say Hocus pocus!, Shazam!, Abracadabra!, etc.

I am very disturbed by the fact that the author did not even devote one sentence to discussion of the Rede, and teaching the newbies the "ethics" of magic. All magic has a boomerang effect. What you send out is visited on you.

I need to speak to a few matters in the book.

Page 20: "She is the Maiden, Mother and Crone, Shr is the sacred trinity of all religions, Indeed, She is the Holy Ghost"

I am a devout Pagan, and have no love lost for the religion calling itself "christianity" today. However; this sounds as if the author is trying to confuse young people that Wicca is compatible with "christianity".

Before a person has reached adulthood; Neither I nor anyone else have the right to interfere with the spiritual guidance of your parents or guardians.

Page 122: altar layout illustration

The altar layout is entirely too complex. Many people do not have all of the tools or feel the need for some of them. Do not become concerned that you can't do magick because you do not have hundreds of $ to spend on tools.

Start where you are. Cut a limb from a tree and use it as a wand, use tealight or votive candles, use a kitchen knife for an athame, pick up two rocks to represent the God and Goddess, you might visit yard sales, and pick up ceramic figurines of birds, etc.

Page 173: "Most magical people begin working with totem animals by choosing their favorite creature."

I thought this was to be a book about Wicca instead of a book on Shamanism. Furthermore; the totem animal chould choose to work with you; not the other way around.

Page 320: "Reiki is s channeled form of energy healing that originated in Japan"

I am a Master/Teacher or higher in five different forms of Reiki, and can state categoricaly that Reiki is not part of the Wicca system or vice versa.

Page 372: "To understand where the concept of demons comes from, we have to look deep into history and the split between the Pagan belief system and Christian superstition used as a vehicle to control the people."

I have no use for "christianity", but I am deeply offended that the author gives her belief credence; but relegate "christianity" to superstition.

Page 435: "Citrine Purpose: Anti-nightmare, protection, psychism".

The Author has Citrine and Amethyst confused here. Citrine is healing, and works withthe 2nd and third chakras. Citrine is one of four stones that do not need to be cleansed of negativity. The other three stones are Kyanite, Obsidian, and Selenite

I sincerely recommend that you leave this book on the book shelf.

If you are insterested in Wicca; see my Wicca listmania list, or investigate the writings of Scott Cunningham, Amber K, Marian Green, Paul Tuitean and Estelle Daniels, and Dorothy morrison.

85 of 102 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Silver Ravenwolf's Encyclopedia, March 30, 2003

By 

Boudica (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Solitary Witch: The Ultimate Book of Shadows for the New Generation (Paperback)

In the introduction of this book, Silver Ravenwolf states "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." She does manage to find that happy medium in this "ultimate" encyclopedia.

This is an encyclopedia/dictionary of terms, ideas, celebrations, rituals and Witchcraft in the Tradition of Silver Ravenwolf. She has put together a massive handbook for those who follow her path, and it is just a huge undertaking on her part.

The book is put together in five parts, covering 'Shadows of Religion & Mystery', 'Shadows of Objects and Tools', 'Shadows of Expertise & Proficiency', 'Shadows of Magick & Enchantment' and 'Shadows of Magick and Real Life'. Each section covers elements of the craft and discusses them in modern terms.

This is Silver Ravenwolf's Tradition and her version of the Craft. "Cakes and Ale" are described as "Communion" and Angels are included in "Spirit Guides". All the material echoes her previous works and is meant for the individual who follows this particular path.

Her approach in this huge work is to provide the Solitary Practitioner with reference material to help them along on their spiritual journey. She has gone into great detail, amassing a huge volume of work. The work includes a good table of contents, a bibliography, and is indexed.

The followers of Silver Ravenwolf will find this book to be a complete compilation of her work and a good reference for their work as Solitary Witches.

40 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solitary Witch: The Ultimate Book of Shadows...., March 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Solitary Witch: The Ultimate Book of Shadows for the New Generation (Paperback)

INDEED! This is the ULTIMATE book of shadows! It is comprehensive, in depth and gives one profound insight into The Craft. Silver writes with her usual humor, sincerity and groundedness. As a purveyor of many different "Books of Shadows", and other Pagan and Wiccan authors, I give this one a A++. She goes into depth on many, mnay subjects related to the Craft. It is deep, yet understandable and not at all "wu-wu." The only thing I can't understand is why people think it's mainly for the younger generation. I'm 51 and very well read and I found this masterpiece truly enlightening!
Many thanks, kudos and blessings to Silver for helping us all on our individual and sometimes lonely paths!
Sincerely,
Moonrose (Kathleen Wilson)