Book Review: A Witch's Notebook by Silver Ravenwolf
Published March 13, 2006
What I enjoy about reading Silver Ravenwolf's books is that she is always true to herself, even if some in the Wiccan/Witch community may find her to be a little bit "witch-lite," or as some have called her a "fluffy-bunny" (a derogatory term for a witch wannabe who is all sunshine and rainbows).
The world needs a few fluffy bunnies in my estimation, so I won't rag on Silver Ravenwolf, even though some of her early books having made Wiccans out to be something other than what they are - like cute and cuddly and obsessed with being "good."
Her most recent offering is a mature look at living as a witch that gets rid of at least some of the opinions from her early books that made people cringe with their non-authenticity. A Witch's Notebook is based on the author's personal collection of notebooks that she has kept over the years on a variety of topics that are definitely advanced witchcraft.
It is nearly impossible to find books on advanced witchcraft and the few that I have read really did not have much to offer. Silver's book is a step in the right direction in that she discusses topics that are not usually covered in Wicca 101 books (like Quantum Psychics for instance!).
Unfortunately it is a short book and could have been much more! In fact Silver even says in the introduction that originally she had considered thirteen lessons, but then changed it to five. I think that was a mistake. This volume could have done with a little more MEAT and a little less filler.
The book is divided up into lessons in five chapters.
In the first chapter Silver explores some "mystical truths" and even touches on Zen Buddhism, which got my attention (as a Buddhist Witch).
If you've ever wanted to try chakra cleansing and dealing with your aura, and other New Age things that many witches may not have had much experience with, this chapter will drop you right into that mindset. Or rather, "higher-mind set". I liked that she included this in a book about witchcraft, as too often, those on the path forget to veer off and take a detour.
- Book Review: A Witch's Notebook by Silver Ravenwolf
- Published: March 13, 2006
- Type: Review
- Section: Books
- Filed Under: Books: Philosophy, Books: Nonfiction, Books: Spirituality
- Writer: Amita
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Comments on this articleComments
I agree with the commenter Bruce.
People like Ravenwolf are dismissed by anyone remotely serious about their path. But she is harmless. Just another new-ager this time in the guise of 'witch'.
Quantum physics, Buddhism, chakra cleansing, etc, all fine subjects. Nothing to do with traditional witchery, but if new-age witches are a new breed, then why not?
Some authors sell books by clamining they're channelling a 5000 year old alien, others by calling themselves witches. It's all mostly harmless.
'Advanced' witchery/witchcraft books ARE hard to find, in fact, impossible. No traditional witch shares knowledge/ways through a book.
I rather fancy the concept of a full-service witch whose knowledge is not strictly limited to old traditions. Quantum physics, Buddhism (beautiful mysticism there), and chakra cleansing are hardly "new", though they are lumped in with new-age.
Although it sounds as if this book needed a good fleshing out, I think I might give it a read, or at least a perusal over a latte at Starbucks in B&N. I am not a witch but find the subject matter interesting.
Silver gets alot of bad reviews from people claiming to be more knowledgeable than her all the time. The fact is, she is NOT a "fluffy bunny", nor does she pretend to be. Her books are written for the public. She IS a Traditional Witch in the sense that she has gone through traditional training (Gardnerian, Caledonaii, and British Traditional being only part of it) and is the head of a Wiccan tradition. I believe it was in "To Stir a Magick Cauldron" where she reveals that her patron Goddess is the Morrigan. If you'd like to find out what Silver teaches her students, research the Morrigan. You'll see how un-fluffy Silver really is. She is the face of modern Witchcraft, whether you like it or not. For those who are more enlightened, perhaps you could publish a book and set us all straight....
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For 40 years i have followed the road less-traveled by thinking as i wished and not as i was told..The esoteric community has many parts..a few which remain quiet concerning their beliefs.
The New Age witches such as Silver RavenWolf publicize and sell their harmless opinions of the craft they practice..By making-up all this so-called knowlwdge they earn a living informing gullible people who then pat themselves on the back and call themselves witches,too. This book is a prime example of why real knowledge stays hidden except for those who would search it out
in the dusty corners of libraries..both here in
this country and abroad.As for myself I am not hidden from view and i am not a witch..just a free-thinker...