Where to Park Your Broomstick: A Teen's Guide to Witchcraft [Paperback]

Lauren Manoy (Author), Yan Apostolides (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 20, 2002

Modern Witchcraft, often called Wicca, has helped millions of people develop a positive, life-affirming connection to the world we live in. Witchcraft instills confidence, is spiritual kung fu for the annihilation of stress, and is potent mojo against mediocrity. Need help conquering acne and tough exams? Wish you had better family communication and a hot date for Friday night? Chock-full of spells, recipes (all made from easily accessible ingredients), and advice from real teen Witches, Where to Park Your Broomstick has all the information you need to practice Witchcraft and conjure up a little magick of your own.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-This guide begins with a substantial section on the history of paganism and witchcraft, but there is little mention of the torture and killing of witches throughout history. Commonalities with and contrasts between Wicca and 11 other religions are included. The bulk of the work deals with rituals, tools, principles, devotions, holidays, celebrations, and (positive) spells. Self-discovery and self-expression are encouraged throughout. Potential teenage witches are urged to introduce family and friends to their beliefs gently and gradually. They are reminded to respect house rules such as not lighting candles if this is not allowed by parents. Some of the practices mentioned, such as jumping and yelling into the wind during a lively storm and leaving bowls of water on the windowsill to gather moon rays, might cause parental concern. However, discretion and respect for others are mentioned frequently as are safety precautions. Basic meditation techniques are described, as are a few techniques of divination. Advice, elucidation of the text, and personal experiences from four teenage Wiccans, ages 13 to 17, appear in shaded boxes. Ink drawings are informative, but scant. Web sites and contact information for organizations such as the ACLU and "The Witches League for Public Awareness" are included in relevant chapters; more sites and lists of "correspondences" for "magickal" connections are appended.
Ann G. Brouse, Steele Memorial Library, Elmira, NY
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

LAUREN MANOY started studying Wicca at age 14 and was initiated into her first coven at age 15. She lives in Warwick, NY.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; Original edition (August 20, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684855003
• ISBN-13: 978-0684855004
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #608,702 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Real Guide for Teenagers looking at Wicca, September 3, 2002

By 

Boudica (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Where to Park Your Broomstick: A Teen's Guide to Witchcraft (Paperback)

Lauren Manoy started her journey on her path when she was 14 years of age. She has pursued her path and has written a book for teenagers about the witches path from the perspective of a teenager to other teenagers.

"Where to Park Your Broomstick" is a very thorough look at witchcraft and Wicca explained so that the beginning teenager can get a good grasp on what this Spiritual Path is all about. The layout of the book is also excellent in that the material is chapter referenced and cross referenced in the index to make it easy to use this book.

The book uses quotes from a variety of resources, from Joseph Campbell to the Farrar's to Bonewits to other practicing teenagers, the material covered has been expertly researched, clearly stated and covers more than just the usual *cookbook* material included in many other books of this type. While there are spells for general use, there is also practical information on herbs, discussion on comparative religions, working with ritual, history on Wicca and the different traditions, energy work, tools, politics and teen rights, and so much more to explore.

It almost seems Ms. Manoy has left nothing out. There is even "A Note to Parents" from a social worker who explains that a teenager being interested in Wicca is not an unhealthy pursuit. He also lists some warning signs that might show your teenager is on an unhealthy path.

All in all, this book is an excellent resource for Pagan parents looking for a book to help them along in their teachings of their own children, as well as a good starting place for someone who's teenager has shown interest in something they are not familiar with. Written in a language that most teenagers can relate to, well researched, chock full of excellent content, this book can work with adults as well as teens.

This book is a wonderful first presentation from Ms. Manoy, and an excellet reference book for the teenager.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, December 7, 2004

By 

PhoenixChick (Ontario) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Where to Park Your Broomstick: A Teen's Guide to Witchcraft (Paperback)

I bought this book for myself on my 14th birthday while in Chapters with my friends. I had heard of it before, and I looked through it and decided that maybe it was worth buying.

It was!

Lauren Manoy has absolutely stuffed this clever, funny, very well-researched book with information presented in an entirely unpretentious and easy-to-understand way, WITHOUT, mind, "dumbing things down". Unlike some certain authors who've penned books for teens *coughsilverravenwolf!cough*, Lauren takes care to include plenty of background information about Wicca as a religion (Gerald Gardner is actually mentioned several times in here ... which is unusual, for whatever reason, for 'teen' Wicca & Witchcraft books ... wow!), as well as comparing it to several other religions. You'll find chapters on *deep breath* history, meditation, visualization, sacred space, ritual tools, celebrations, spell craft, divination, devotions, herbalism, Book of Shadows ... and so on. The Appendices contain lots more websites and recommended reading, so readers of her book can go further and get serious with their Wiccan practice rather than hovering in the "fluffy phase". There are quite a selection of spells here, but at LEAST they don't have cutesy cheezified names.

Another admirable side of this book is that Lauren stays well clear of slamming Christianity or any other religion the reader might have come from. She encourages teenagers to explore other religious systems rather than attempting to shove Wicca down their throats. There is no talking down to people to be seen (she's young herself -- twenty-four, when she was writing this book, which was published in autumn 2002) anywhere in the text. Even better -- she encourages taking political action and standing up for your religious, and other, rights.

The only nitpick is the ... utterly bizarre cover: a...uh...green and purple sky (is the light green supposed to be a huge surreal moon, and the purple the night sky?), for starters. With what looks like a Latina girl having a bad hair day, standing up on a broomstick (doesn't she know that's dangerous? ;-P) holding up a bottle while various items such as cards, ankhs and pieces of herbs fly around her. Oh, and there's a cat with an abnormally long neck sitting on the broomstick with the girl. Guys might not be especially keen on this strange cover picture! But if you can get past that, this book is a must-read.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Park This Broomstick On Your Bookshelf., December 29, 2002

By 

Emma-Leigh (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Where to Park Your Broomstick: A Teen's Guide to Witchcraft (Paperback)

Lauren Manoy's book "Where To Park Your Broomstick"(Fireside: Simon & Schuster, 2002), is a great book not just for teenagers but for all those new to witchy and pagan paths. Written in a clear and concise style, it provides an essential basic overview of witchy/pagan ethics, history and techniques without being overbearing or condescending. She bring easy yet highly effective magic into everyday life for all, whether inside or outside the broom cupboard; promoting independant research and experimentation: vital skills for a healthy, imaginative pagan mind. What makes this and excellent book for teens is that it encourages communication with their parents - something which can become strained during adolescent years without even mentioning the words: "Hey Mum, I'm a witch!"! It provides good advise to teenagers on how to approach their parents and broach the subject of their faith in a non-confrontational, adult manner. I especially love the "Fuse Your Faith" sections: great advise for everyone who wants to include non-pagan family and friends in their celebration of life. "Where To Park Your Broomstick" is a practical, no-nonsense guide which deserves a place on any witchy teens bookshelf or broom cupboard shelf - whichever the case may be! Lauren's humour makes it a joy to read. I offer my congratulations to you, Lauren, and wish you much luck on your future writing endevours.