Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

If you just started in Wicca/Witchcraft there is six books that are a must for your Library: 1. Wicca a Guide For The Solitary Practitioner (Scott Cunningham) 2. Living Wicca A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner (Scott Cunningham) 3. To Ride A Silver Broomstick (Silver RavenWolf) 4. To Stir A Magick Cauldron (Silver RavenWolf) 5. To Light A Sacred Flame (Silver RavenWolf) and 6. Bucklans's Complete Book Of Witchcraft (Raymond Buckland) These six books are a most for any Wiccan/Witch. Just read them and take what you need and forget the rest. I have bought all of Scott Cunningham books that are out at this time and I just bought Slver RavenWolf three books that I have mention and She is great she is a compliment to Scott work! When I grew in the Craft I needed books to help me and RavenWolf books has help me to do just that GROW in the CRAFT. Thanks MS. RavenWolfP.S. It does not matter what name she used to write her books SHE is GREAT!

I give Ravenwolf a round of applause. This book is infomative, but not overwhelming, and fun to read. She guides you through your basic learning as if she were your private teacher. If you are an advanced practicioner, however, this book is NOT for you! She didn't write it thinking, "Wow, I'm gonna teach all the 12 year Witches all over again!" It is focused towards younger, less informed people so that they might have a broad view of the science, art, and religion of Witchcraft. A definat "must" for any first or second year student!

this book teaches you alot and keeps your interest unlike some boring wicca textbooks, it was the first book that showed me how to use planetary hours, it has alot of circle castings, talks about the quarters, alot about the moon, alot about devotionals, plus salutes, different types of magick. also read to light a sacred flame, which i believe to be her best book so far

THIS IS THE FIRST BOOK BY SILVER RAVENWOLF I READ. I'VE BEEN A WITCH FOR 5 YEARS NOW SO THIS BOOK WAS KINDA A REVIEW FOR ME. IF YOUR JUST STARTING OUT IN WICCA READ THIS BOOK! IF YOU BEEN PRACTICING FOR A WHILE THEN STILL READ IT AND JUST ADD YOUR OWN TWIST TO THE RITUALS AND SPELLS IF YOU WISH. WELL I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY THIS WONDERFUL BOOK! BLESSED BE!

Remember the friend who lent me Ravenwolf's first book? Apparently, she decided I should read this book as well so as to 'allign me with the correct path.' Once again, I decided to be patient and give Ravenwolf another chance.

The stupidity continues. After a horrible first book, Ravenwolf (or 'Mama Silver' as she is known to some) returns. Know foremost that you will learn absolutely NO conjuring with this book. If you actually manage to cast strong spells with this book, you should receive an award. The book is another fluff book filled with nothing but blah. Anyone who takes magick seriously should trully avoid this book.

Once again, I'll summarise it like this: if you want a book that will insult your intelligence, teach you one or two 'spells', and nothing more, this is the book for you. If, however, you want a book that will teach you the mystical path and inner mysteries of magick, look elsewhere. For those who desire the latter, I suggest books by Franz Bardon or Donald Michael Kraig.

The Stir picks up where to Ride... left off. A good book to add to any pagan collection, I found it a nice way to go from To Ride and consider my study of Ravenwolf's books.

In this book it begin to become apparent that Ravenwolf is beginning to study under the Gardnerian tradition (I believe she was initiated during the writing of this book). It shows a bit more formality and strucute than To Stir, but still contains interesting ideas and facts.

This book is a good one to go from To Ride... but as with any pagan books, I would suggest reading other books by other authors before deciding which author you like best, and whose words you wish to study by.

of all of silver's books, this is the one that i wouldn't warn people AWAY from. the exercises and anecdotes are useful, funny, and occasionally even spiritually conducive. if all you're seeking in paganism is some magic in your everyday life or some religious expression that's non-threatening and fun, this approach will do it for you. however, if you're searching for a deep, spiritual connection to some being or power greater than and beyond yourself - in other words, to go deeply into the religious life - this book will not help you.