Teen Witch: Wicca for a New Generation

Rating:
Summary: Better than I thought it would be....
Review: I'm not new to Wicca nor am I a teen, but I picked the book up anyway. I expected to read something that would be a poor excuse for making money...I was surprised. I wish I had this when I was 13, the book offers a lot of basic info that you don't read about in other books. Teen Witch goes over the basics that other books briefly talk about (assuming that you already understand because the author may have forgotten what it was like to be a beginner)--from example rituals to explanations of spells and magick. Some people have a problem with how Silver "talks down" to the reader--but they must remember that Silver is trying to cover a wide range of reading levels and maturity levels--come on, she only says "big people" once--get over it. The book is a good guide for the beginner that sets nice foundation for other books.

Rating:
Summary: negative 5 stars
Review: please do not buy this junk. This is a far cry from wicca. This is watered down junk also known as neo-paganism. Looking for books on magic(k) can be confusing, its hard to know who knows what they're talking about. Instead I reccomend any thing by scott cunningham.

Rating:
Summary: Grow up, girls
Review: There are two types of reviews you will see for Ravenwolf: those who think her blessed by the goddess herself and those who think she needs a good shaking. Those who revere her are the teenage girls she caters to. She tells them what they want to here, and they in turn adore her for it. Ask any true ADULT witch about Ravenwolf, and what us twitch with embarassment, because that is exactly what all of Silver Ravenwolf's books are.

This book, like all her other drivel, feeds on the ego of angst-filled, gothic wannabe teenage girls who "aren't understood" by their parents or friends. She talks as if she talks with authority to speak for ALL pagans, using phrases like "all witches" or "we know". This in itself is an abomination to the craft.

Girls, listen carefully. She tells you want you want to hear because she believes you are so stupid you will buy her books and make her rich. Save your money. There are plenty of quality books out there that you don't have to buy into this self-serving rubbish.

Rating:
Summary: Worse than nothing
Review: Why on earth would anyone write such junk? If $ilver was really a true pagan and a witch she would never have written a book like this. My heart weeps for all those young people who sincerely want to learn witchcraft and this is the first information they get. You should be ashamed of yourself, $ilver!

I originally bought this book because I was developing a website and English not being my native language I thought it would be easier to read and perhaps translate than some of those more complex books out there. Boy, was I wrong to buy this one! It's worse than nothing! You teens out there, reading this book is worse than not knowing anything at all about witchcraft! If you want an easy read buy Scott Cunningham's Wicca, a Guide to the Solitary Practitioner.

First of all the author talks to the reader as if he/she was an eight year old. Secondly she's not self-consistent in the book. For example, she has a whole chapter directed to parents to keep them at ease. And in the beginning of the book she tells the reader that you should always tell your parents that you are studying Wicca and respect their opinion, not go behind their back if they don't allow it etc. But that's just in the beginning and she knows that very few parents would have the time to read the whole book through. So in the end she says that if you parents forbid you to study Wicca and that it's what you really want it's ok to go behind their back. $ilver has also been critizised for teaching the young when she originally said that noone should teach a child younger than 18 years old!

My opinion is that if you are about to teach anyone, no matter what age you choose to limit yourself with, you should always tell the truth. I know some children and teens can misunderstand and misinterpret some information that they are given but those aren't many and most are (of course!) really smart and logical. Saying that this and that isn't part of any witchcraft tradition just because you think kids might take it out of proportion or be misled by it is wrong in my opinion. If you don't trust people's judgement, why bother telling them anything at all? It's better just to tell the truth than giving people information they might truly believe and then be really disappointed when they find out how wrong everything they knew was.

Witchcraft is not all bright and shiny, it CAN be dark and dangerous too. Sex IS sometimes used in magical ceremonies, but only if one is TRULY EXPERIENCED and only with two people if they are both very experienced. That means having studied magic for f.x. 20 years or more. In Wicca it is recommended that it is only the High Priest and High Priestest that do this in the Great Rite and it is better that they are married and know each other well. Sex is never a necessity and can be replaced with other activities. But it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. There's a lot more, but I'll be all day writing this review if I keep on going.

The spells given in the book are CRAP (excuse my language, but strong words are needed). Who came up with ideas like "Beach Baby Sun Spell" Anyway? "If it doesn't work, try again in an hour, and then in an hour..." etc. WTF!? If $ilver honestly thinks this is magic she's not a witch at all. She's not there to help you, she only wants your money. Or so it looks like.

Rating:
Summary: Wiccan Teens
Review: In Silver Ravenwolf's book Teen Witch she has given the reader two introductions for the parents and for the teen. The parent one explains what the book is about and in the teen one she goes into the same thing and also talks about how she became a witch.

In the first chapter she gives us the basics of the craft. This chapter is very detailed and while going into the old language she also writes it into a language that is easier to understand. She also talks a bit on The Ordains which are basically Wiccan Laws: Coven, Spiritual, and Practical. The next thing she talks about is the Cone of Power which is where the Witch's Hat comes from, she goes into detail on this. She also talks about the persecution of the witches this probably would have done better in the front of the chapter or in its own seperate chapter all thogether. She also talks about what real witches do and do not do; it is a long list and some points are more in depth then others.

The next chapter goes into further detail on witchcraft. She talks about who witches are; basically there is no real way to tell a witch unless you get a vibe. She then goes on to say that anyone can be a witch you just have to be willing. She also states that you can combine your old religion with Wicca it just takes time. The next thing she talks about are traditions. The next thing she talks about is the creation story; this probably would have gone better after the introductions section. It is in this section that she talks briefly about the Summerland.

The next thing she talks about is reincarnation. The next thing she talks about is the Cone of Power again. She next starts talking about Daily Devotions: five minutes two times a day. She then starts to talk about The Magick Circle this is a mental art; and considered to be the Wiccan Church. There is no one way to do this and she gives an example using how her daughter does it. Most magickal work and rituals should be done here. She next goes into being properly prepared which should have gone before her talk on Magickal Circles, a rather confusing part of the book in my opinion. I wish she had gone into more detail about this. She talks about symbols. I wish she had gone into more detail on some of the symbols and gone into some history on where they came from.

She then goes into Books of Shadows. The next thing she goes into is the Initiation and Dedication ceremony and the differences between them. She goes very briefly into the High Priest and High Priestess. Then she goes onto talking about the Wiccan Holidays and Esabts spending more time on some of them then others. She talks about what happens during them and gives ideas for how to celebrate them. Then she goes into Cake and Ale which is the Wiccan Communion. Now she gets into sacred space which would have gone better sometime before Magickal Circle. She uses her other daughter for giving an example on this. She next talks about the altar which would have gone better when she talked about being prepared. She also gives some ideas on altar setting from other teens and their situations so we can relate to it.

The third chapter is a chapter on rituals. She starts with a basic ritual. While she says you can't do a spell for someone without their knowledge you can do one with a person's permission but she suggest it would be better if they did it. The next thing she talks about is an Esabt Ritual. She also talks about open and close ceremonies. She gives an example of a group of teens and their Esabats. Finally she lists directions for a sabat Ritual. She also talks very briefly about spontaneous Ritual. Next she does a question and answer type thing. The final thing she goes into is Teen Seeker what it is and the ritual.

The next chapter is about the basics of Magick; she states out by explaining what magick is. She talks about sort of magick you can do then goes into the magick you can use use and gives good detail on using them. She gives advice on choosing the path you choose. She also talks about how magick is balance; because the universe is balance. She ends the chapter with a list of basic rules of magick.

Chapters five through ten give spells: for you, healing, prosperity and abundance, psychic power, and wisdom, protection and fun. She gives rules for casting certain spells and how to go about doing them.

The final chapter deals with talking to people and going on from there. She first talks about talking to parents, then friends, then other people. She also talks about discrimination Networking and going on from there.

All in all aside from it being a bit confusing and seeming to be a bit scattered here and there the essay was good and definitely worth starting out with.

Even if you do not approve of some of her writings she does get the basics down according to her tradition or way or thinking. (...)

Rating:
Summary: Save your lunch money kids!
Review: Do not waste a dime or any time on this book!

It is, like someone has already pointed out, targed towards teens and has been put very simply. This book is very "teeny-bopper-ish" and offensive to any true pagan. (I am no longer a Pagan, just so you know - not because of this book though. It's had very little influence on me.)

Also, I remember when I read this in my teen years a while back and being very offended about how she said Pagans dont dress in dark clothes and listen to dark music. (rephrase: Pagens aren't into gothic culture.) GUESS WHAT: I WAS/AM INTO GOTHIC CULTURE (MUSIC, ART, FASHION, LITERATURE)..so? Does it mean I wasn't a good Pagan?

This lady needs to reword/rethink what she said there. She needs to seperate FASHION from RELIGION because they are two *completely* different things and for her to even say that was just WRONG.

A thing should COULD have said was: Not all Pagans/Witches are Gothic, like many people beleive. (because I think THAT'S what she was trying to get at.)

The only good thing I got from this book was ONE spell that worked called Little Bo-Peep... I lost a very important homework assaignmentt and found under STACKS and STACKS of newspapers. That's what the 1 STAR was for.

Rating:
Summary: I'd give it a 0 if I could
Review: Now, I am sure that if you're getting around to reading my review, you have read all thsoe before me explaining how trashy and offensive this book is to those actually following the path, so I won't focus on that too much. I, myself, am not "Wiccan" persay, I am a Pagan, but on the Shamantic/Eclectic path, and I have been studying 5 years now.

Yes, this book is very offensive. Some of the broad steroytypes she claims and force-fed beliefs she expects readers to instantly swallow down are the ravings of a fanatic who knows how to appeal to the masses and sell many books.

On to the spiritual side of things. The spells she has listed in here are immoral at best, downright dangerous at worst. Messing with another person is a generally not-too-well accepted idea, and those that do usually suffer painful karmatic backlash. The first and most important thing to remember in any energy, or "spell" working is that each person is entitled to their own life, and you are not the center of the world. This book ignores that, and advocates "Do what thou wilt" - a belief strongly supported by Alestor Crowley and many Satanists.

Another danger here is improper energy working. Summoning power and energy from the world around you is always dangerous, and best done if you know what you're doing and know what you're working with. I can just see the disasters this book has probably caused- improperly cast circles, dieties invoked with the right name, and wrong intent- it dosn't matter what pretty words you say, if you don't feel it in your heart, anything will come and visit you in your circle, may it be a demon or some other nasty critter of that sort.

I have no advice for a "quick info" book- everything I have learned I learned through word of mouth, bits and peices of books, and most importantly: my own personal insight and discovery. I had a run in with some nasty energies upon first trying to work energy, and after that waited until I could fully see what was going on and could adequately protect myself (it took about 2 years.. this is not something you learn how to do overnight). If you are interested in the path, tread carefully, and I advise you find some history books and consult the teachings of the forest spirits on your own time before delving into the potentially dangerous and mass-media glorified world of spellcasting.

Rating:
Summary: What a Fake
Review: This book is the worst book of witchcraft I have ever read. She makes it sound like the only "real witches" are Wiccans. That is not true. Also, she makes it sound like being a witch is all spell casting, and being cool. The so called "spells" she has included are stupid, corny, and FAKE! Especially the one involving sand, sun block, and sun glasses. She obviously has not gotten the concept of spellcasting. The photo on the back cover also makes her look like a character in a fantasy book. If you want to buy this book, i have a word of advise. DON'T!! If you want to be a real witch, this book is not for you. I give this book 0 stars. It isnt worth the paper it's printed on.
One of the things I just couldn't stand in this book was how she had some things in here about witchcraft that were totally unhistoracly correct, and unscientificly. She tried to disporve the bible by saying that it didnt make sense that they were the first people, and there were no others because that means their kids would have had to have children with each other. She then says that that is impossable, and if it were true, we would all be retarded. In fact, many times throughout history, people would have childeren with brothers and sisters, especially in ruling familys, to keep the dynasty going. I am not going to rant about this, but she needs to reasearch her things before putting them down in a book.

Rating:
Summary: But I look good in black...
Review: First of all, the tone of this book seems aimed more at preteens than actual teenagers. I hated being talked down to like that when I was a teen.
And is there a reason to encourage young people to dive right in to spells and magic? Does the author really believe that the kids this book is targeted at will take the religion seriously and move on to further study before attempting spell casting and deciding they are already witches?
I'm baffled. There was nothing in this book that couldn't be found in her Broomstick book. If the kids reading it really need her to hold their hands and water down everything, then they probably just aren't mature enough to dabble in magic in the first place.
And enough with villifying the kids in black. I've met one goth wiccan amongst countless goth christians and atheists. It's not the terrible pitfall she makes it out to be.

Rating:
Summary: encourages teens to turn their brains into mush...
Review: Because that is all that this book does. There is less that 100 pages of "substance" (if you can even call it that) and over 130 pages of spells, including spells for fun. Now, let me ask anyone who has been studying the Craft for at least a few years... how many of you perform spells for fun? And how many of you waited a long, long time in your study before you even performed your first spell? I take spellwork seriously and I come from the school of though where I was taught not to perform a spell unless necessary and I have exhausted all mundane ways first (and no I wasn't taught in a coven but by many friends with years and years of more experiance in the Craft than myself). My biggest complaint is that she doesn't spend enough time on ethics and too much time on magic. Also, last I checked Wicca was a spiritual path. What I see here is a book to tell teens how to perform shallow spells without knowing how to communicate and respect the Gods (there are 2! pages devoted to the Lord and the Lady).To see exactly what enrages me check out the table of contents in the take a look area of the book; for simplicity I will include some of my favorite spell titles: "Back Off Baby Spell," "The Glamour Spell" (check out the spelling, LOL), "Call Me Spell," "Don't Call Me Spell," "Do You Like Me? Spell," "Doodle Bug Love Spell," "I Love F;uffy Spell," "Money Maker Shaker Spell," "The Crabby Teacher Spell," and my favorite "Rainbow Curfew Spell."

Also, I don't like this book because it assumes that all that teens do is think on a shallow level. It gives teens spells for things that should be solved in mundane ways. Gives them hope that there is an easy way out. Is this what we want to teach teens? That there is an easy way out of life? Maybe I am wrong. Maybe I should perform those spells and my life will magicaly become better... wait... weren't we supposed to teach teens self-responsibility as well?