ok pagans, how do you feel about silver ravenwolf?

Question

the good, the bad or the ugly - spill it!

if you don't mind, can you please star this for your pagan contacts to see since there aren't many of us in here and i'd like to get lots of opinions. thanks

lol @ primo - thanks for trying buddy! love you too : ) enjoy your 2 pts

jack - great answer - i guess you're not just a pretty face afterall!

Answer 1

I am not a Pagan, or any religion, but I have read a number of books on different metaphysical topics, and had happened upon her book "Hexcraft" and was interested as an artist in the different hex-signs it depicted. I emailed her (This was back in 2000) and she responded politely. As a writer, I was not overly impressed with her writing style, but imagined it would be aimed towards an audience that was not interested in challenging material.

As far as her responsibilities as a visible member of the Pagan/Wiccan/Metaphysical community, I have no opinion of my own, although I defer to those who are expert in this field, and know that there are deep reservations about her and her impact.

Answer 2

IMO, Ravenwolf is just another viewpoint for Pagans to use as part of the foundation for building their own opinions. Anything read about religion a person should take with a grain of salt since faith is all about having confidence in that which cannot be proved or disproved, so a person in the end should form their own opinions and not base their religious beliefs solely on what someone else says.

Answer 3

I admire your courage to explore. To me religion is all the same it is how it resonates with the spirit that makes it personal. I have studied a lot of religions and most have a sacrificed King, whether they be a person or the grain at summer. There are similarities in all. Just follow your heart, ask for true guidance take inspiration where it comes , even from SilverRavenWolf, and the Gods will lead you in your growth. Don't worry about what others say, Worry about what your heart/spirit says. I am Gardnerian, I know Gards that are fluffy bunnies, because their heart is not true. Don't worry what others say. You will get into trouble if that is your focus.Blessed Be! Harm None.

Answer 4

I don't like her at all. She writes just for the money and most of her info is inaccurate. She does tell people to research other things, but she also leaves the reader thinking that if other info contradicts hers than it must be wrong. Especially when it comes to "The Burning Times" and the #'s she gives for it (which has been debunked several times over... even before she started writing). She also has a persecution complex that rivals the Fundie Christians. She warns people that the "Burning Times" will start again if anyone tells others they are Pagans and/or Witches. By using these tactics she sells even more books... yet why those who believe her don't realize that you can find out where she lives and what dates her tours are and where... and see that she hasn't been attacked in the way she warns others, is beyond me.

lol @ $ilver Ravingwoof.

Answer 5

I might as well reply as I have starred it ;)

Honestly, I remember the fuss when her books came out. I kinda like to Ride a Silver Broomstick and is good for what it is: an intro book. (I jsut took a peak at the book and her mini write-up on the runes is actually hilarious but in a bad way. Anyway...) When the Teenage book came out, I bought it to know what all the fuss was about and was not impressed by it. That was the last time I bought any of her books.

Llewellyn has authors under contracts and, even though they don't have anything else to write, they have to pump a unit. I tend to avoid books with the Lellewelyn "seal of approval" on them because 9.9 times out of 10, they are crap.

Answer 6

I have seen her books countless times throughout the years, yet I have never been drawn to them nor have I ever done more than give them a quick flip-through before returning them to the shelf.
Her books are obviously not for me, but that does not mean that they have not served other Pagans on their own unique spiritual paths. In other words, I have a very neutral feeling about her, which is likely to continue, since I have no intention of looking into her work further.

Answer 7

I believe that every-ones individual path is right for them.
I also believe that she is out to make a fast buck for her work and therefore cheapening our faith.
While i understand that she may well be under contact to write simplified books from Llywellyn ~ there are may authors using this publisher who produce quality informative books.
She is a skim the surface type ~ and i actually wonder if she practices herself at all~ her books have loads of flowery words but no substance or passion.
She also aims her writings at the younger people and instills in them that her way is the only right way to be a Pagan.
Quite frankly i would never recommend any of her books or but them myself.

Answer 8

I thought To Ride a Silver Broomstick was a very good basic intro to Wicca. Her following books gave me the impression that she was writing for the money. Her Teen Witch Kit convinced me that she sold out to money and easy sales in the Llewellyn publishing house. Some good books get through but a lot of junk is published there.

Answer 9

I think its about the money. Its one thin to write a book and then when new information becomes available write another one. But silver ravenwolf writes with the idea of only spilling so much knowledge at a time and then writes more to make more money. Nothing wrong with that but there are much better sources

Answer 10

I've had the pleasure of meeting her and having dinner with her. What most people don't seem to realize is that she is under contract to write simplified books. Llewellyn only accepts basic "how to" books because they sell the most. There are many times in her books she expressly states to research other books and not to take any of them as the one and only way. People must wear blinders when they get to those statements though. They are the easiest books for a beginner to start with, but I would never recommend anyone JUST read hers. They should read a wide variety of authors and books from various publishing companies.