To Stir a Magick Cauldron: A Witch's Guide to Casting and Conjuring (RavenWolf To Series) [Paperback]

Silver RavenWolf (Author)

Book Description

Series: RavenWolf To Series | Publication Date: June 8, 2005

Boasting more than 100,000 copies in print, this indispensable guide has been revised and updated. Silver RavenWolf dishes out tried-and-true Witch wisdom, covering the essentials of Witchcraft.
• New cover • New interior design • New edit

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In her sequel to To Ride a Silver Broomstick, Silver RavenWolf leads us to the next step in craft practice, focusing on intermediate-level magical practices, such as the proper mechanics of circle casting and 10 ways to raise power. However, To Stir a Magick Cauldron is not just a rule book, it is also a candid companion on the road to discovery. Sure, RavenWolf delves into the nitty-gritty of conjuration, but she also encourages us to see the craft as more than a dusty curiosity and reveals how to incorporate our newfound power into our 20th-century lifestyles. --Brian Patterson

From the Publisher

Publisher's Comment:

I am so very enthused about what Silver RavenWolf writes because what she is presenting in To Stir a Magic Cauldron is new generation Witchcraft -- meaning the ability to select any Wiccan tradition you wish to follow, and incorporate aspects of others into your practice. Her presentation of this inclusive, non-dogmatic approach to Wicca has made Silver one of the most popular writers today.
Another reason for her popularity is her writing style. She doesn't tell you what to do, but instead shares her knowledge and experiences, making her books some of the most entertaining around. Who but Silver would describe the altars used by followers of the Caledonii tradition as not "brimming with too many goodies?" Her folksy style is more like that of a friend sitting next to you than a teacher on a pedestal. She's great!
Even though this book is fun to read, it isn't just fluff. In fact, I can't think of any book that has so much information about various ways to cast a circle. There's even more about different styles of magic. And if you want to check your knowledge of Wicca, there is a 158-question test. If you can answer all of the questions you really are an expert on the Craft!
For years, Silver has been involved in networking. She uses this knowledge to discuss various national organizations such as the Witches Anti-Discrimination Lobby, the International Wiccan/Pagan Press, and a raft of Pagan newsletter, publishers and services. She also lists some occult suppliers and internet listings.
When you get this book, browse through it first. Grab what you like, and use it right away. Then take some time to read through the entire book and savor her personable style and delightful humor. This is a book that will be on your "must have" list!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (June 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567184243
• ISBN-13: 978-1567184242
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (110 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #86,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Paganism
  • #99 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Witchcraft
  • #100 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

80 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Well-disguised tripe, April 6, 2005

By 

Katsurina (NB, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Stir a Magick Cauldron: A Witch's Guide to Casting and Conjuring (RavenWolf To Series) (Paperback)

Upon reading this book I finally figured out exactly why so many Wiccans don't like Silver Ravenwolf. It's clear to me now. When I read To Ride A Silver Broomstick I thought it was about average. It turns out the fact that she actually discussed the religion in that book kind of blurred out some of the stuff that's so offensive.

By reading To Stir a Magic Cauldron a learned that Silver's philosophy seems to be "If it looks pretty, do it." This first became obvious when she discribed a ritual that used glitter. Glitter? Those little cloured metal fleks that you get at craft stores? I had no idea that attuning yourself with nature was so commercial.

I think the most amazingly hypocritical thing in the book was a little rant she had about people sending her letters about how they want to study wicca, but have no money, and would like her help. She goes off on a tagent about how money can't buy faith and can't make you a witch. Yeah, ok. This is true. She doesn't address the reasons why someone might believe that money is necessary. Ok, fine, allow her her little rant. She finishes her rant and on the NEXT PAGE she is talking about doing magic using the colours red, white, and black. She suggests going to a florist and buying roses of these colours. Whoa! back up! Why would anyone who reads her books think you need money to be a witch? She constantly suggests BUYING stuff.

If doing the rose thing were really a good idea, wouldn't it be better to plant rose bushes of the appropriate colours? Admittedly, this is also not cheap, but it's more cost effective AND has that whole being closer to nature thing that some wiccans are into... While discussing ritual, Silver believes that the ritual itself is all that's really important. She doesn't care where the tools came from, or even why the ritual is being done. She trivializes the preparations for ritual and what sort of things you decorate an altar with, as long as it looks pretty when the ritual starts.

I think the most offensive thing I read in this book what when she gave an invented calling of the quarters by a fictional witch by the name of Bubblefox. Now, she made this up herself. She takes this little calling of the quarters, disects and critisises it, and makes fun of the witch's name. It's the making fun of the witch's name that really got me. 1) She invented the name herself 2) HER name is Silver Ravenwolf 3) She was basically insulting the people who actually like her books.

If you want to get caught up in meaningless details of ritual and making thing look pretty, this is the book for you. Silver's version of Wicca is very self-centered. It's about making yourself feel good, making yourself feel powerful, and making yourself feel pretty. She doesn't care about feeling at one with nature, she's more about controlling it. She's the author of choice for people who'll do a spell or ritual just to get a rush.

37 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid!, August 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: To Stir a Magick Cauldron: A Witch's Guide to Casting and Conjuring (RavenWolf To Series) (Paperback)

A necessary book for every Wiccan. I wasn't expecting to learn much because I've read hundreds of books and have been practicing for years. Was I WRONG. This book gave me more encite to sharpened my 'spiritual' tools in the first 30 pages. Her explanations are clear, her techniques simply spoken. (The personal stories only add to the feeling of being taught with consideration and patience) The 'Work' sections are, I feel, necessary to truly living this life. Its a book to take you levels deeper, to teach the things you can't learn without being an apprentice of a skilled teacher.(Like Silver) Or in a coven. I suggest anyone who wants to begin learning the ways of Wicca,(Since we never stop learning) to start with Scott Cunninghams; Wicca, A guide for the Solitary practioner & Living Wicca, A further Guide to the Solitary Practioner and Silver's 'To Ride a Silver Broomstick,To Stir... and To Light...' Silver's books are a foundation I wish I'd had 8 years ago.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, April 16, 2000

By 

"xeloisex" - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Stir a Magick Cauldron: A Witch's Guide to Casting and Conjuring (RavenWolf To Series) (Paperback)

I found this book very interesting, with a lot of good information. It had more details and advanced stuff than the first book, To Ride A Silver Broomstick, but I thought the contents were very confused, and not as structured as To Ride.. or To Light A Sacred Flame.

I think it is a good book if you have already read some beginner book; this book will take you a little further, but it will probably take you a couple of reads, or good notetaking, gaining 'control' of the book.

I like Silver's personal writing style, how it is like she's talking to you, instead of the usual boring writing style. It is refreshing, and at times very amusing.

All in all, this book has a lot of good and detailed information, and the writing style is very good, but it also seems a bit unstructured to me.