Rating: 
Summary: To Read a Silver Book
Review: I read "To Ride A Silver Broomstick" mainly because of the ongoing debate I'd been hearing about Ravenwolf's books. Frustrated with the conflicting views, I thought it best to read one for myself and form my own opinion. (And I encourage any other curious readers to do the same.)Personally, I had trouble sustaining interest in the book. I respect Ravenwolf's right to express her opinions and insights regarding the Craft, but the book is not a comprehensive guide and it tends to move very slowly. Moreover, I feel there are other introductory books available that do a better job covering the rudiments. On the plus side, Ravenwolf has a straight-forward presentation style that may appeal to many beginners, and she works to make the book and its subject accessible to the novice. Furthermore, she provides book lists at the end of each chapter that include some fabulous suggested readings. I also appreciated her candor, even when I didn't agree with her approach. So...I didn't love it, I didn't loathe it, and I still don't understand the fervor of the debate. My advice? If you're interested, read it with an open mind and form your own opinion.
Rating: 
Summary: Wealth of Information
Review: Although a controversial writer, Silver Ravenwolf has provided those new and old to the Craft with an indispensable source of knowledge. 'To Ride a Silver Broomstick' covers many aspects of the Craft much more in-depth than other books of its type. The Sabbats, Esbats, corresspondences, divination, meditation, and many more are explored to the fullest, while other books provide only brief outlines. Among the other topics covered are: finding your magical name, spirit animals, reincarnation, magical alphabets, and choosing dieties and element energy to work with. Silver does her best to explain these subjects to the reader in an easily understandable way, without leaving too many questions in his/her mind. She also recommends books at the end of every chapter to help further your learning. If you have read other Craft-related books and are still left with many questions, perhaps this book will help. New students/worshipers will find this an excellent starting point for their studies. Although some readers have expressed dissapoinment in the un-elaborate writing style, this reviewer believes that a simple, un-flowery approach to writing is essential for a beginner book and only adds to the author's charm. Everyone will find at least one thing in this book that is of help or interest to them. Few books on the subject are this informative.
Rating: 
Summary: oh, the agony
Review: oh boy, gee wiz, i love this book! ... HA! DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY! this book is worthless... there she goes again, targeting us teens again. let me tell you something, not all teens are fluff bunnies. and, i suppose, that must be what RavenWolf expects. if you're a teen, and you've had a dedication ritual, think about that name. your dedicating yourself to Wicca. i know most people are into Wicca for the publicity... oh, the glory! look up the word "dedication." here's what i came up with. n 1: complete and wholehearted fidelity so, that means a lot of study. RavenWolf has the idea of a "minute Witch." read this book, dedicate, initiate. thats her way of thinking. maybe if she actually stuck to her age group, her writing would be a smidge better. the first time i even saw the COVER of this book, i was turned off. look at how cheesy it is! oh boy, how stereotypical! a drawing of witch riding on a broom. and look at how prejudiced she is against christianity! if you are into Wicca just because you want to rebel against your parents religion or whatever, you ought to be smacked upside the head. Wicca should not be toyed with. being a Seax-Wican, my obvious favorite authors are Buckland, Cunningham, Grimassi, de Angeles, Gardner, etc. buy some of them. thats some real Wicca for you.
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Introductory Book That Encourages Further Study
Review: A few years ago when I decided to study the Earth-based, Nature-oriented religion of Wicca, I wasn't sure what would be the best book for me to start reading, as there are probably a hundred or more different introductory books available on the market today from a variety of different authors. After looking at quite a few books and getting some advice from several experienced Wiccan friends and acquaintances, I selected Silver Ravenwolf's "To Ride A Silver Broomstick" for several reasons that include the following:
1. It's easy to read and understand.
2. It was intended for solitary study and practice.
3. It provides basic information on the Sabbats, the Esbats, descriptions of the various Wiccan traditions, important vocabulary, basic understanding of deities, meditations and sacred space.
4. It provides suggestions for writing and performing personal rituals that include a ritual for the cleansing & consecration of sacred space & tools, the casting of a circle and a self-dedication ritual.
5. It provides basic information about various types of divination, which includes some information regarding the interpretation of the tarot and runes.
6. It provides basic spell-casting suggestions that include the use of color, candle magick, sympathetic magick, gems, herbs and healing.
7. She includes some information on more advanced topics, such as telepathy, psychometry, astral projection, bi-location and power animals.
8. It discusses Wiccans' views on death, reincarnation and the Summerland.
9. Throughout the book, she encourages further study and suggests other books written by other authors. (She sometimes leaves some information out of her book as an inducement for further study from other sources.)
10. She emphasizes the importance of personal record keeping by encouraging each reader to create his/her own Book of Shadows.
11. She encourages "webweaving" (contact with other Wiccans) using a variety of methods that do not preclude the practical considerations of personal safety and privacy.
12. Also, throughout the book, she describes personal experiences to further explain various topics. Not everyone who reads "To Ride a Silver Broomstick" will like it, but the thing to remember is that it was never intended to be a basis for advanced study nor to be the definitive final authority on the subject. Silver Ravenwolf intended "To Ride a Silver Broomstick" to be a helpful guide to those who are interested in following a magickal Wiccan path. Nothing more. Overall, I rate "To Ride a Silver Broomstick" with 4 out of 5 stars. It's an excellent beginner's book that will not only help a beginner get started with the Craft, it will encourage him/her to study further and to develop their own personal Wiccan beliefs.
Rating: 
Summary: More history than spells
Review: I thought the book was very informative about the craft and history but the spells were not there?? Good to learn about the craft but not for use in spells.
Rating:
Summary: Who says Wiccans don't proselytize?
Review: The book is an sales pitch for the ancient occult religion (dating back to 1939) called Wicca. Of course, it repeats the usual garbage about Wicca going back to caveman days (it doesn't). Ravenwolf cranks out books promoting suprstioin and poor scholarship and puts money in her bank account at the sametime.
For a religion that claims it isn't concerned about Christianity, you would know it from reading their writings. A good example is a line from Ravenwolf (geeze, why does a grown woman want to play witch and have such a ridiculous name???) is the following:
"[T]he breakdown of the patriarchal religions will be complete. If you have been watching your current events, you will have noticed that some of the big boys have begun to drop, one by one. The Savior of the Christians will finally have his bride - but it won't be the Church, as they would like you to believe. It will be the Goddess in whatever form she sees fit to take. The Almighty jealous father syndrome will bite the dust." [Page 274]
Could any Christian read that and not feel threatened??? Wicca is not merely an alternate religion to Christianity...it seeks to replace it...that is, if you believe what Ravenwolf says. And frankly, I think she is right about that. Wiccans are not merely content to do their own thing, they want Christians out of the picture.
The book also inflates the ego of the gullible with promises of magical powers, including the ability to travel back in time. If Wiccans can do this, why didn't they travel back in time and prevent Sept. 11th, 2001??? Follow the advice in the book and you won't be a witch, you will just be out $14.95.
Instead of this book a. read any book by Ronald Hutton b. get a more fufilling life by volunteering at a street mission or homless shelter.
Rating:
Summary: Borrow not buy
Review: Four stars for good beginner content but a borrow not a buy. I would not suggest buying this book as it is very elementary. However, if you are just starting out I do suggest reading it. If you can find it at a local library or if you and your friends are all interested in learning about the craft and you can go in on it that's great. There isn't a lot of in depth information but it covers the basics.
Rating:
Summary: How to Mess Up Magick, Volume I
Review: I was lent this book by a friend in hopes of 'helping me understand the path.' First, I should say that she lent me the book after telling me that my mystical practices were 'invalid' and 'not true magick.' I will give any book a chance, though. This is one of those books I would give the title 'How to Screw Up Magick, or How to Be a Fluffy, Volume I.' The book is totally useless to anyone with even the slightest idea about what magick is. The book also is filled with 'quick fix' spells. There is no depth. The entirety is fluff magick. If the 'new generation' she speaks of wants only fluff magick, we are in serious trouble. 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.
Rating:
Summary: Great for Beginners
Review: When I was first introduced to the Craft by a friend, this is the book that he let me read. It really sparked my intrest to go a little farther and learn a lot more.
While the information is really basic to those who have been involved in the Craft for a while, it is just perfect for someone who is curious about Wicca. It provides enough information to get someone started, and make you want to learn more, without going in over your head with terms you've never heard before.
When I first read the book, I understood just about all the information presented. I learned some very basic things about a way of life that matched me and my life and my views perfectly. There is just enough information in here to open the door for you.
Don't buy this book if you have been around the Craft for a while, it is way too basic. But Definately buy it if you are just starting on your path. That's what she intended the book to be, I think; a way to open up a new path to those who are in no way familiar to it.
It is written in a very informal manner. Silver ties her own experiances into the text, which really puts a human side to all of it. I couldn't imagine picking up another book as my first look into the Craft and being able to start on this path without that human side. To me that is very important. She adds in exercises to help you practice visualizaion, meditation, record keeping, and other important skills. She shows Wicca to be the positive religion/way of life that it is.
I would also reccomend picking up Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practioner by Scott Cunningham in addition to this book. It is also basic, and has some of the same material, but it is presented slightly differently and can also help you on your new path.
Rating:
Summary: Great for the Curious/Beginners
Review: For the just starting out, or the curious. Helpful in channeling thoughts, and getting started in meditation. For more desriptive items in the craft, please visit http://www.fmrstl.com .
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