A Witch's Notebook: Lessons in Witchcraft [Paperback]

Silver RavenWolf (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2005

What if you could peek inside the journal of a skilled and powerful Wiccan and read all about her exciting forays into the Craft? What if that Witch was the ever-popular Silver RavenWolf?

Silver's own pearls of wisdom gained along the bumpy road to spiritual enlightenment can be found in A Witch's Notebook. This hands-on guide is designed to work from moon to moon-leading students through five months of spiritual advancement. In discussing cleansing, sacred symbols, renewed spirituality, and magickal ingredients, Silver urges Wiccans to step outside the usual confines of Witchcraft and explore other belief systems. This book also includes exercises, spells, and herbal information to assist in forging one's own unique spiritual path.   

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

While it is commonplace to associate Witchcraft with spells and herbal remedies, it's not every day you hear a witch not only proclaim that the premise of magick lies in quantum physics, but then go on to describe what quantum physics is and how magick is its natural function. RavenWolf, writer and lifelong practitioner of the Craft, offers readers a window into her personal chronicles about becoming a witch, enlivening these with fascinating explanations about the relationship between Wicca and Zen Buddhism, instructions for incorporating symbols from traditional Pennsylvania Dutch quilting patterns into spells, and a discussion of how belief in the Saints is similar to the Wiccan practice of "walking with spirits." Designed as a five-month study guide for embarking on a spiritual journey, RavenWolf guides readers step by step and with painstaking (though necessary) detail through the central rituals within Wicca, consistently reassuring readers with her depth of knowledge and personal experience. While most of the time her prose is delightful and inviting, (filled with insights like: "Witchcraft is divine alchemy—a philosopher's stone for the modern world") it occasionally digresses into overly casual language that detracts from the general flow. Overall, RavenWolf has written a wonderful guidebook for readers who are serious about beginning a Wiccan spiritual journey, complete with an extensive herbal and spell guide. (May)

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (May 8, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738706620
• ISBN-13: 978-0738706627
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,235 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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

38 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Let's not confuse the issue..., December 10, 2005

By 

K. Whitten "Crowkeeper" (Rome, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Witch's Notebook: Lessons in Witchcraft (Paperback)

I read all the reviews as of this date (12-10-05), but the one that most disturbed me was by L. Rutherford. Though I am not a long-time practitioner, as are many, I am versed enough to recognize an unfair and obviously biased review. First, I have yet to get the feeling that Lady Silver was trying to sell this book as a book of Wicca...it is a book about Witchraft. In my humble opinion, the two are not one and the same but different philosophies and practices that meld with one another beautifully and practically. I have been, whether accepting of it or not in my past, a Witch always and long before I became a practicing member of the Wicca. Although, I have not used my copy at great length, I, each and every time I have used it as a resource, have found something useful for a particular type spell, ritual or magickal situation. I would recommend the book and also recommend that others stop bashing and have an open mind and stop with their petty jealousies. They do nothing but belittle the writer and the reviewer. Lady Silver has made great strides to move Wicca and Witchcraft into the mainstream as an acceptable form of spirituality. One may not like her, but she has earned respect and deserves it. Ms. Rutherford, blessings to you, but, please, stop the bashing.

64 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely fabulous!, May 3, 2005

By 

David Wood "Lord SilverStar" (Columbus, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Witch's Notebook: Lessons in Witchcraft (Paperback)

This book reflects deep insight and years of practice by a serious, working Witch.
Not light hearted. A huge leap away from basic "Wicca 101".
Discussions on the demands and rewards of spiritual progression are one of the many highlights in this book along with research into the science of Magic (sorry, I refuse to spell it with a "K", the same as I refuse to accept the idea of Ebonics as a proper form of the English language) by touching on the area of Quantum Physics.
If there has ever been any misunderstanding of this author, they are cleared up here.
I hugged the book when I was finished. Finally a book written by someone who has walked the walk and has knowledge of the occult that far surpasses the boundaries of what Wicca is today.
Applause! Not a typical Llewellyn book calling on friends to gather and klink athames and have a potluck.
For the serious student of WitchCraft.
Five Stars!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent guide book, January 27, 2008

By 

Cynthia Bigelow (California City, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Witch's Notebook: Lessons in Witchcraft (Paperback)

I recently lost all my possesions in a life changeing event. I lost everything and when time came to begin to rebuild, of all the books I lost I knew that Silver Ravenwolf was one I would replace. I had at one time collected all her work and guide books, but financially I can not replace them all now so I chose this one. It has it all, the basics, the wisdom, the strength of belief to continue on. This dear lady does know what she is talking about and she does provide practical and useful rituals and advice that will help anyone looking into the craft as a pathway to higher powers.
One day I will replace all the books I had, but until then this one does meet all my needs.
Thanks Silver for a compact and generous contrubition to this womans life.