Angels: Companions in Magick

Rating:
Summary: Universal Appeal
Review: Although uncomfortable for people of different religions to come together and realize that they have more in common than they think, Silver RavenWolf reminds Christians and Wiccans alike that we do share many beliefs and the existance of Angels is one of them. What's great about this book is that maybe a Christian will read it and think that Witches aren't cackling hags with green skin eating children...that they can be deeply Spiritual beings with strong beliefs in Deity! And maybe a Witch will read it and be reminded that not all Christians are judgmental hatemongers out to separate everybody and condemn people to their Hell. Maybe it's a long shot, but at least RavenWolf gives it a try. This is book is bold and daring, and reminds us of the good in two different belief systems.

Bravo!

Rating:
Summary: Silver has done it again!
Review: As I often do when reading Silver's books, I start them and then put them on the shelf for a while and eventually go back to them. This one was no different, and as with all of her books, it is wonderful. I love the structure of her applications, and I really love taking her suggestions and making them fit into whatever magick I am working at the moment. This book is full of wonderful, entertaining ideas. Best of all, as you read the book you really do feel that Angels are with you always. I commend you Silver. You truly give something beautiful to your readers everytime to write.

Rating:
Summary: Angels Are Companions in Magick
Review: I am a conjure man, and have been practicing Magick for over 40 years, and I never read a book as Silver RavenWolf's book on Angels. In my opinion, this book is scholarly written, and if you think that Silver is promoting Christianity then you are sadly mistaken. Angels belong to everyone and not just to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. I have tried all of the rituals in this book, and they all worked nicely for me. I look at a book on Magick from the standpoint of "HOW CAN THIS BOOK AND THE RITUALS THEREIN HELP ME"? Yes, I gave this book 5 stars because it is worth that. The angel want ads work great, as well as the circle casting and the other rituals. If I can't disprove what Silver says in that book, then I will simply look for what good can this book offer to people. If for instance, you don't think that Gabriel is a woman and you think Gabriel is a man, then go for it. Don't judge the whole book because you disagreed with one minor point, just go with the flow. I purchased my copy in 1999, and I have been using it in rituals eversince. I highly recommend this book to people that want to begin using it for practicing basic magick, as this book could lead the Magickal Practitioner towards more advanced works such as Wicca, Santeria, Macumba, Voudou, or Hoodoo, or it could also be used as a stand alone Angelic Grimoire, as all people love Angels, your friends and family from other religious persuasions would accept you easier as a Magickal Practitioner.

Rating:
Summary: Magick With Angels
Review: Most of Silver's book are bad, this one was an execption. I think Silver really worked hard to produce this one of a kind book on angels. Though angels aren't in the wiccan dogma, Silver gave it a whole new and different veiw. I've studied angels extensively for two years and this has to be one of my favorites. I found information in this book that I haven't found any where else. Silver puts her creative personality to give the reader new ideas for add angels into your rituals and daliy lives. I recommend this book to any witch or anyone interested in angels.

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable, but very Ravenwolf.
Review: One of the most famously "commercial" and allegedly "fluffybunny" of all Witchy authors tackles what tends to be thought of as a topic belonging to those sweetness-and-light New Agers. Yet this book turns out to be not only enjoyable, but an informative read as well. As with any Ravenwolf book, the author uses her characteristic warmth and sharing of personal tales to make the topic seem accessible to those of any level of experience. And as with any Ravenwolf book, the stock criticisms of oversimplification, excessive inclusion of "spells" and general lack of meaty information in the text, also apply. This is, of course, only an introduction to a broad and ancient topic.

This book will not offer any blinding insights to those familiar with angels. But for those like me, with only a passing acquaintance with the archangels of the quarters, it opens up whole new avenues for magickal exploration. It contains detailed information on some of the more familiar angelic celebrities - Metatron, Raphael, etc. A system of angelic choirs is also explored, and planetary talismans are given, if not thoroughly discussed. Of particular interest to myself was the suggestion that one can ask for assistance from the angels of the signs of the zodiac, planets, etc. to bring the energy of these concepts into one's life. Silver also offers suggestions for angels who are likely to help with a variety of different situations and needs.

However, although she says at the beginning of the book that it is not intended as an exhaustive study but is designed to facilitate further exploration, the lack of information on many of the angels mentioned is both limiting and frustrating. Those familiar with magick will also find the coverage of basic techniques a little tedious, likewise the many "workings" scattered throughout the book. Admittedly, these do contain some pretty poetry and some lovely ideas, such as the "angelic rosary". As usual, Silver infuses her "how to"s with an emphasis on her own (very servicable) witchy code of honor, and this book is filled with gentle reminders about dealing with situations on the physical plane before launching into an angelic spell-fest.

Ok, so I'm a not-so-closet Ravenwolf fan. But "Angels" is lovely to read, and may even open up readers' minds in some new ways. It is true that one book cannot please everybody, and the author was doubtless aware of the many potential readers from non-magickal backgrounds who may be interested in working with angelic beings. Yes, a witchy world-view is somewhat implied, but it is also explained. As an introduction to the world of the angels, this book is highly recommended. There are plenty of other sources available for those who would like to take this topic further than its scope.

Rating:
Summary: Fluff and Bubbles and the Patriarchy,oh my!
Review: Some of the magick in this book is really good and the angel descriptions such as Metatron and such are pretty good.But there are several problems,first this is not a good book for all religions in one part it says "No matter what religion you are you will need one candel to represent the lord and another for the lady"That is total Wiccan theology(Which this book has to spare).Second,if the angel is a guy then they can be made effemanate or turned into a girl(In the name of balance of course,snicker)but all girl angels have to stay girls or else,any angel that is strong or manly is just the result of male wishful thinking,give me a break!.It also doesn't seem to matter that the Koran,Veda, and Bible say that Gabriel is male,in her opinion Gabriel is female and thats the end of it.All in all this book is so coloured with the writers opinion it is hard a times glean useful non-Wiccan information from it and her endless rants about male domination this and Patriarchal that really get annoying and offensive at times.Bottom line, this book is geared toward young girls just getting into magick and Wicca and is not for the experianced practioner. PS:Every example of magick that she does for people always involves a man cheating on his wife or a man not paying child support.Is anyone else thinking reverse mysoganism?