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Domination: How to Bend Others to Your Will by Anna Riva(January 1, 2006) Paperback
Take command, be the dominant figure in every that is your goal. Understand and master the techniques for bringing those around you under your domination. Make a commitment to make things happen in your life, enjoy the successful outcome of your labor; your accomplishments will be many.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 29, 2025
Anna Riva’s title alone—“Domination: How to Bend Others to Your Will”—was enough to sell this small book. Most people (at least the ones that I know, especially those in witchcraft) define domination as a form of negative black magic. As compared to the author’s other works, this booklet came out much later, in 1995, and was republished in 2002.
The author states that dominating another person “…carries with it a very big responsibility…” but fails to really explain exactly what that responsibility is. Amazingly, Riva follows this with a pretty incredulous statement:
“…You must accept the obligation [!!!] and be willing to conquer in any situation. With these limits in mind, you will be able to create those spells that will best serve everyone involved [!!!]…” (pg. 7).
One of the biggest problems with this publication is that the author **never** discusses limitations. And neither did she outline why dominating—or attempting to dominate—another human being is, in reality, a really, really, very bad idea. Almost as shocking, Riva actually advises people to read the Psalms as part of the preparation! It’s only on page 19 where readers **finally** start to realize the ethical dilemma:
“…When you control someone, you will be eternally held accountable for his/her well-being…” (pg. 19).
But of course, this shouldn’t bother readers too much because on the very next page, Riva actively encourages her readers to,
“…Accept your role of Domination knowing that your subject will be fortunate under your control [!!!]…” (pg. 20).
After having read this, and several of Riva’s other books, I can definitely state that she wasn’t a gatekeeper. And that’s a good thing. Too often, pagan authors think that they’re doing readers a favor by withholding information about black and gray magic. Riva, on the other hand, just lets readers decide for themselves. However, I do wish that the author would have incorporated more information on the ethics of doing this kind of magic. Being a self-elected gatekeeper is never a good thing, but being a let-them-figure-it-out-for themselves kind of writer isn’t either. In order to make an educated decision, readers need to have ALL the information; an explanation of the benefits of the Wiccan Rede would have enlightened readers.
The author states that dominating another person “…carries with it a very big responsibility…” but fails to really explain exactly what that responsibility is. Amazingly, Riva follows this with a pretty incredulous statement:
“…You must accept the obligation [!!!] and be willing to conquer in any situation. With these limits in mind, you will be able to create those spells that will best serve everyone involved [!!!]…” (pg. 7).
One of the biggest problems with this publication is that the author **never** discusses limitations. And neither did she outline why dominating—or attempting to dominate—another human being is, in reality, a really, really, very bad idea. Almost as shocking, Riva actually advises people to read the Psalms as part of the preparation! It’s only on page 19 where readers **finally** start to realize the ethical dilemma:
“…When you control someone, you will be eternally held accountable for his/her well-being…” (pg. 19).
But of course, this shouldn’t bother readers too much because on the very next page, Riva actively encourages her readers to,
“…Accept your role of Domination knowing that your subject will be fortunate under your control [!!!]…” (pg. 20).
After having read this, and several of Riva’s other books, I can definitely state that she wasn’t a gatekeeper. And that’s a good thing. Too often, pagan authors think that they’re doing readers a favor by withholding information about black and gray magic. Riva, on the other hand, just lets readers decide for themselves. However, I do wish that the author would have incorporated more information on the ethics of doing this kind of magic. Being a self-elected gatekeeper is never a good thing, but being a let-them-figure-it-out-for themselves kind of writer isn’t either. In order to make an educated decision, readers need to have ALL the information; an explanation of the benefits of the Wiccan Rede would have enlightened readers.
October 25, 2016
This wasn't as much a book as it was a pamphlet. It was light reading...very light. About thirty-four pages light. At first I wasn't going to buy this, but my curiosity got the better of me, so I bought it later. It was one of Ms. Anna Riva's writings that I didn't have yet, so I decided to go on and add it to my collection.
Unlike some of her other books, the author put in a lot of positive commands aimed toward the reader...You must be this...You're subject will do that...You will be this...and so on. It felt like a book on BDSM (with emphasis on B&D) as much as it did on magic. I guess the point was to get the reader to not have doubts about being in the driver's seat, whether s/he wants to bring a person, a number of people, or a situation under control. S/he is the Dom, and these are the weapons. Any questions?
This is probably a conjure-style book, but since it was copyrighted in 1984 rather in the early 20th century, I recognized there were a few elements of Wicca, if not the Western European Magical Tradition, that snuck in. There's the altar, there are the candles, but no cast circle, no called quarters, and no inviting of any other otherworldly beings besides the one that resembles the supreme being of the Bible. Astrology plays a part of this, but I couldn't identify the normally Western European magical symbol system, so I'll hazard a guess that the author is using a symbolism based off one borrowed from Western and Central Africa, rather than me tossing the whole thing out the window just because I didn't get it. That system I don't recognize very well...yet. These are two different magical languages, even though they happened to meet and more or less mixed together on Native American soil. As for astrology itself?...That came from the Middle East, as did the Bible. So I have to refer to a few other books before I can go back in and sort this out, because the astrological symbol meanings don't match what I'm used to, 'sorry to say. I'll figure it out.
That's a lot to do for simply a light read.
Unlike some of her other books, the author put in a lot of positive commands aimed toward the reader...You must be this...You're subject will do that...You will be this...and so on. It felt like a book on BDSM (with emphasis on B&D) as much as it did on magic. I guess the point was to get the reader to not have doubts about being in the driver's seat, whether s/he wants to bring a person, a number of people, or a situation under control. S/he is the Dom, and these are the weapons. Any questions?
This is probably a conjure-style book, but since it was copyrighted in 1984 rather in the early 20th century, I recognized there were a few elements of Wicca, if not the Western European Magical Tradition, that snuck in. There's the altar, there are the candles, but no cast circle, no called quarters, and no inviting of any other otherworldly beings besides the one that resembles the supreme being of the Bible. Astrology plays a part of this, but I couldn't identify the normally Western European magical symbol system, so I'll hazard a guess that the author is using a symbolism based off one borrowed from Western and Central Africa, rather than me tossing the whole thing out the window just because I didn't get it. That system I don't recognize very well...yet. These are two different magical languages, even though they happened to meet and more or less mixed together on Native American soil. As for astrology itself?...That came from the Middle East, as did the Bible. So I have to refer to a few other books before I can go back in and sort this out, because the astrological symbol meanings don't match what I'm used to, 'sorry to say. I'll figure it out.
That's a lot to do for simply a light read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews