(FOR ALL PAGANS) Does anyone Know where to find Silver Ravenwolf's teaching books?

Question

I have helped start a coven and need to mfind out where to get Silver Ravenwolf's books (in large quantity) so that the students can start learning the Craft. Can anyone help me? I live in Phoenix ,Arizona and it would help if you could direct me to a place there or on the net please?

Answer 1

First off, I'd say have the students buy the books themselves unless your coven is a registered and legal organization as recognized by your state and the US Federal government. Thats a ton of money out-of-pocket for those books.

Secondly, why Silver Ravenwolf? What is so great and undeniably true about her works that your students must only learn from her books? If you want to better yourself and your students' learning, it would be best to gather several texts from differing authors of which each book clearly depicts differences and variations from one another based on the author's viewpoints, thoughts, theories, and personal tradition.

The best books on Wicca that you will find are the Farrar's "Eight Sabbats for Witches" and "The Witches Way". You might also want to look into Gerald Gardner's books as well, better to get it straight from the horses mouth, no? Doreen Valiente's books will also be helpful in that she very much assited Gerald Gardner later on.

Of course, many people are looking for 'up-to-date' books for modern readers. Just because something is new, doesn't mean that its good! However, one of the best modern books I have read on introduction of Wicca/Witchcraft is Dorothy Morrison's "The Craft". Another good book, which isn't a 'how-to' but more of a 'thoughts about' book, is Ellen Cannon Reed's "The Heart of Wicca". Grimassi's "The Witches Craft" is also fairly good, despite the down-troddened views on his other books. Christopher Penczak's "Temple of Witchcraft" series is also very good with intro, how-to, and theory.

So if you are starting a coven that intends to be truly serious about Wicca and its ways, I suggest the first books by Gardner, Valiente, and the Farrars. After truly exploring those works, then I would advise venturing into the more modern books and authors.

You will find that what Wicca originally is and was, is often not what is paraded around by authors like Ravenwolf. Wicca, at its core, is not self-styled, eclectic and do whatever the hell you want. Sorry, but its not. I'm sure some of you readers just scrunched your face up in a fit of disgust, anger, or rage after reading that one.

But alas, be well and I wish you the best on your adventure into Wicca.

May the Gods of the Wicca watch over you.

Answer 2

Book stores like Barnes & Nobel will carry Ravenwolf's books as well as dozens of other (pagan) authors' books.
Also you can use online book sellers like Amazon.com and others.
However, before you go out spending lots of money on books for coven students (you don't have yet) perhaps it would be best to build up your OWN personal library first, and then decide which books might benefit your group as a whole.
If you are going to get a group together for the purpose of *learning* about paganism in general, or wicca specifically,
then it is more a 'study group' than a "coven".

Phoenix is a pretty new agey, progressive, liberal place,
isn't it? Have you tried to find a group or coven that is already established and maybe joining them? Have you looked into the UU Church? (Unitarian Universalist church).
Many of them have pagan chapters within their group.

It is much easier to learn from "elders" (people over 40 who have been in the craft for more than just a few years) who can help you choose a path or tradition to follow or base your own style upon.

But be careful! Especially if you are under 21 yrs old.
The pagan community at large has their nutcases, scam artists, and predators...like any other group has.

Good luck and many Blessings!
If you email me, I will send you a list of decent book titles to get you started on your way....

Answer 3

OK...if you have started a coven, why are you using someone else's books anyway?
Silver's books are not designed for coven teaching.
Check out Amber K's Covencraft
Design a curriculum and create your own handouts.
Give a reading list of suggested reading that includes Sociology, Anthropology and Interfaith studies.

Running a coven isn't as easy as just going through a book or two. Running a GOOD coven is certainly not using Silver RavenWolf as your text.

Blessings,

Answer 4

Most publishers will sell you the book wholesale- but i would advise you use books by Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki- or Kate West- Silver Ravenwolf is not rated very highly amongst good witches- are you sure you are qualified to be starting a coven? It is a huge and serious undertaking and needs to be done properly and starting with Ravenwolf is very dicey!
Blessed be.

Answer 5

I agree that half-price books is a good resource. There are two stores in Arizona:
http://www.halfpricebooks.com/find_a_store.html

This is another resource that may help you:
http://www.discountnewagebooks.com/index.asp

I also agree with most people's dislike for Ravenwolf as an author. This explains why:
http://www.ecauldron.com/opedtarnishedsilver.php
http://wicca.timerift.net/ravenwolf.shtml

There are many good authors though. Since this is a new coven, I'd recommend "Covencraft" by Amber K. I've also liked Vivianne Crowley, Gerald Gardner, the Farrars, Ronald Hutton, and Deborah Lipp.

Answer 6

Chapters, Barnes & Noble, Walden Books, Silver Ravenwolf is in the New Age Section.

Blessed Be and enjoy your day!

Answer 7

Go to www.llewellyn.com to order in quantities...great prices, and alot of great authors--unfortunately RavenWolf isn't one of them!! If you are truly serious about teaching others in your coven, I suggest starting out with Cunningham, Buckland, and others that folks here have suggested. Give your students a smorgasbord of serious authors--RavenWolf is a joke and an insult! Also try Half.com for unbeatable prices on good used selections. I find alot of great books there. Good luck and Blessed Be.

Answer 8

Hi, Not Pagan. Catholic. (course many fundies will tell you that's one in the same) Answering anyway.

You should be able to get a large number of books (usually discounted) directly from the publisher.

You might have to do a little explaining. Since you are a coven and not a school. Just be certain they know these are for personal use and NOT for resale.

If you're going to sell them to new members you need a resale license.

I'll fuel the fundie wrath against me and say I liked Scott Cunningham's books better.

Answer 9

If you can't find a local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Border's should be able to get those books. I'd also recommend half.com - you can probably get them used for a lot lower price, and since you're talking about a large quantity, that'll probably come in handy. You can try to see if Llewellyn will give a direct ship discount for a bulk purchase, but that'll probably be 20+ books, at least.

I second (third? fourth?) the question as to why Ravenwolf? I know there's a lot of people who swear by her - but there's a number of issues with her writing, up to and including the accuracy of what she puts forth as fact. Might not be the best thing to start folks off with.

Answer 10

You've started a coven.....

Ok, how do you feel about all those participating. Group rituals are going to put you guys at close contact. Why ravenwolf? Try Debra Lipp, she's got better info. Cunningham is pretty decent. Try Amber k as well, I know she's got a book out on running a coven.