To Ride A Silver Broomstick: New Generation Witchcraft

This book is absolutely amazing for someone who is looking/beginning in Wicca. Has so much information and easy to follow. I would definitely recommend as a first read!

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.

This was the very first book I ever read on Wicca, and Siver Ravenwolf's personality was probably got me hooked on the book. What she wrote about got me hooked on the subject.Silver has a great sense of humor, and her anecdotes lend themselves well to the subjects at hand. No, she doesn't go into a lot of depth in each subject area, but she gives an excellent overview of Wicca, the different ideas that it encompasses, and the different ways one can go about learning.I do find myself referring back to this book, even after about four years of practice. One cannot become an expert in all areas at once; you have to start somewhere. I think she has given us a great reference tool and jumping-off point. She allows for much creativity and freedom in the methods employed for practice, which is one reason I was disappointed in Ray Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft. Although the latter is very detailed, I felt it was too strictly presented. If you need that kind of structure, I recommend Buckland's book. Otherwise, for a more free-spirited and lightly presented text that offers a comprehensive overview geared towards a solitary practitioner, Silver is the way to go.

As a practictioner of Wicca, i've found it extremely hard to find a book that is not only instructional, but accessible as well. Silvers books have a great setup...the format is clear, the excercises make sense, and she doesn't tell you "this is the way it is", she makes you think about how you feel and what you think of what she's presenting. It makes an incredible reference guide as well. I picked it up for the first time 6 years ago, and i still check back for reference today. Blessed Be!

Having read many of the reviews, you can tell which reviewers of "To Ride a Silver Broomstick" are coven-based Witches. Having seen a recent survey on the Witches Voice web site, I can say with certainty that the great majority of practicing witches in the U.S. today are NOT in Covens, but solitary practitioners who have no teachers, and no guidance as they begin. This sort of "this-is-such-a-schmucky-book-because-it's-not-written-by-Raymond-Buckland-and-doesn't-revolve-around-a-coven" talk should really be left to the more mainstream religions. In the Craft, all paths are paths to the Goddess. It's also not realistic; most of us can't find people willing to teach us, and may not feel comfortable even if we could. Buckland's books are great, but they don't speak to Witches who are outside the coven group. (I also didn't know there were such things as "real" rituals...are my rituals less real because they're written by me and not by Buckland or Gerald Garner? That sounds remarkably Medieval Roman Catholic Church-like to me....) For those of us who are not lucky enough or choose not to be in a Coven, this book is a strong foundation, provided it's used correctly. If you simply read through it quickly, it will be informative, but it won't function as a basic course in Witchcraft. If you choose this as your main text (and there are other books that will be equally good depending on who you are), then you should really follow it closely to get the full effects: buy your notebook, take your time, do your exercises, and most importantly...READ the supplementary texts suggested at the end of most chapters. Read them between your chapters in "Broomstick". They will give you more insight and enhance your study, and will also give you ideas of the directions you want to take as you grow. If you do this, you will find yourself better prepared to tackle the mountain of information available on the Craft. I know I sure did.

Silver Ravenwolf's *To Ride A Silver Broomstick* is one of the best beginner's Wicca/Witchcraft books on the market today. Interjecting humor, how-to and practical information, and balancing it with serious discussion is a specialty for RavenWolf. Mixing personal experiences in with facts and history, she creates a hands-on book that even the most impatient learner is apt to finish and enjoy. The rituals are practical, the information breaks misconceptions of Wicca and Paganism that society is filled with. The origins of myths are explained; Wicca's holidays (Sabbats) and work days (Esbats) are detailed, and after no time at all a serious reader can be practicing with ease. This work is one of Ravenwolf's best. All ages can understand and appreciate it. Even if you are not planning on practicing Wicca, or are simply researching, this is a great introduction and explanation of most of Wicca's concepts. Highly recommended. If I (a 15 year old with hardly *any* time to read books outside school) can devote much time to this book, I think that probably everyone can.