Some books I found worth reading, For some historical background on modern Witchcraft, " Drawing down the Moon," by Margot Adler. " The Book of Shadows" by Phyllis Curott. On some basic magic I love the early Silver Ravenwolf series, particularly, "To Ride a Silver Broomstick" and To Stir a Magic Cauldron". As you get more advanced try "The Goodly Spellbook " by Lady Passion and Diuve. There are many more, books by Raymond Buckland, Doreen Valiente, Starhawk,Scott Cunningham, and when your really good, start reading Agrippa, and look over some of the ceremonial stuff like the "Grimorium Verum". For Hoodoo Magic get Ray Marlbrough's " Charms, Spells, & Formulas", and Marlbrough's "Hoodoo Mysteries ". All kind of books on Shamanism, Druids, Voodoo, and whatever else you might be into. As everyone has said, start with the basics, you will know when your ready to move on.Rilke
I would advise against Silver RavenWolf..as would many members of the occult community. Her "historical facts" tend to lean more towards fiction, her methods and suggestions I find to be questionable, and she is the High Priestess of the fluffy bunnies and McWiccans.
Please don't continue to line her wallet.
I actually know Silver Ravenwolf, and if you know her,and the people around her you would not call her group McWiccans. They are a very pragmatic, tough love kind of followers of the Craft,they are not kids, and are some of the most talented people I ever worked with. I have been around many Occult groups, and Silvers group is most impressive. Silver herself has given freely of her time and energy to many individuals and organizations not only in Wicca, but in other spiritual paths as well. She gave her name, strong opinions, and fought hard to help win the battle over the V.A.so Wiccan veterans can have the Pentacle on their headstones. As far as I am concerned, her books teach valuable lessons, not only about magic, but the ethics of magic. Read her book " American Folk Magic " one of the best around for that subject.Any novice would do well to read Silvers early books on Magic, Spells, and the ethics of being a Spiritual seeker. By the way, her Black Forrest Seminary offers first rate training in all aspects of the craft, and if you ever met a graduate you would never call them fluffy. Rilke
I do not know her, nor wish to know her or her group of followers.
I read her books when I was a child and didn't like them then. Years later, I still don't like them.
They are preachy, manipulative, misleading, elitist, suggest to children that their parents don't care about them if they do not purchase her books or help them to incorporate magick into their lives despite their own personal beliefs, have historical inaccuracies, contains a sunshine and lollipop babble that suggests only positive things come from magick, and tries to enforce her personal view of magick, witches and how it should be telling people any other way is not the way of a true Witch.
Of course, as with everything else in the world, we are all entitled to our opinions. You are free to think whatever you want of her and her teachings. I, however, have a complete opposite view. And I'm not the only one.
lol, wow, I guess you never have met her. In real life she is the complete opposite of what you described. She is tough, practical, neither overly optimistic or pessimistic. I have never read anything that suggests that she has all the answers, quite the opposite. I think her books are well balanced and knowledgeable, and I am not the only one who thinks so as she is still one of the most well read Wiccan authors in the world. I recently saw that Black Forrest Seminary was rated as one of the top 5 Wiccan seminarys in America. Silver Ravenwolf started Black Forrest Seminary. According to the latest data Black Forrest is located in over 35 states and Canada. So I think you eventually might just end up meeting one of her people. I hope you show more respect to them then you do to their founder. That is what is missing in Modern wicca respect for our Elders.
Well, back to your original question. In regards to joining a coven, it all depends on what field of magick you are interested in. Then click the "Groups" tab above and read about the different covens and what they teach. Then, make your pick from there.
