From starry night rituals to garden toad totems, discover the enchanting craft of the HedgeWitch.
Transform your life with a little help from nature! Working in harmony with the earth's energy is the heart of the free-spirited, simple garden magick known as HedgeWitchery. This guidebook from the immensely popular Silver RavenWolf has everything a new HedgeWitch needs to connect in a personal way with nature's creative, life-affirming energy and use it in magick and spellwork.
HedgeWitch features a fourteen-lesson, hands-on guide that you complete at your own pace, interacting with different aspects of nature in simple yet life-changing ways. The fourteen rituals, which can be done alone or with a group, culminate in an inspiring dedication ceremony.
Along with a wealth of helpful hints on using HedgeWitch magick for love, health, and beauty, this guide presents tips and recipes for soap making, tea-leaf reading, butterfly garden magick, organically growing your own herbs, and a variety of other ways to use HedgeWitchery in your hearth, home, and garden.
Praise for Silver RavenWolf "RavenWolf's prose is delightful and inviting. . . a wonderful guidebook for readers who are serious about beginning a Wiccan spiritual journey." --Publishers Weekly
Silver RavenWolf (Pennsylvania) is a nationally recognized leader and elder of Wicca, and through her writing has been instrumental in guiding the future of one of the fastest-growing faiths in America today. The author of seventeen books, she has been interviewed by The New York Times, Newsweek Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal, and her work has been featured in numerous publications, including Bust Magazine, the Baltimore Sun, the St. Petersburg Times, the National Review, Publishers Weekly, Body & Soul Magazine, and Teen Lit Magazine.
Her many titles include the bestselling Solitary Witch, Teen Witch, To Ride A Silver Broomstick, To Stir A Magick Cauldron, To Light A Sacred Flame, American Folk Magick, Angels: Companions in Magick, Silver’s Spells for Prosperity, Silver's Spells for Protection, Silver's Spells for Love, Halloween, and the Witches’ Night Out teen fiction series. Her new book Hedge Witch is forthcoming from Llewellyn in September 2008.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate You need to know the basics of witchcraft, such as performing a ritual. The book is course style, so it involves a lot of hands-on work.
Pros: - Substantive There's a considerable amount of shadow work and creative visualization required. This is not a book on, say, gardening magickal plants. It's more about what it philosophically means to be a hedge, green, or kitchen witch.
- Structured It's a workbook (with homework), so that you can work your way through the lessons, expanding on the exercises as you get further through the book. Her exercises are effective and surprisingly unique.
Cons: - The writing style. The tone doesn't match the content. Ravenwolf sounds like she's talking to beginners (she's not). She's constantly making analogies and trying to motivate the reader. She explains some basic concepts in detail, like what magick and belief are, why you might embrace them, and how you might utilize them. (As if you've never done a spell before.) Yet, this is not a book for beginners.
- Ravenwolf is really bad at pep talks. She sounds like a snake oil salesperson (she's not) because she frequently says things like, 'It's that easy!' and 'That's all you have to do! It's simple!' She says, "All you have to do is believe!" more than Tinkerbelle. She even talks like she's giving a sales pitch - she says how quickly spells have worked for her (2 weeks, 24 hrs., etc.), she talks about the experiences of other witches who have tried her methods as if their stories are testimonials, etc. (Her methods work though.) Also, she mentions something she said in a T.V. interview that she did on A&E, which is super tacky. It's not like she gave a TED Talk.
- Ravenwolf's narrative voice is super cheesy. She sounds like your uncool aunt who is trying to be cool. She uses a lot of exclamation marks, says "cool" too much, makes lame jokes, and doesn't know anything about technology.
The Hedge witch was always the wise woman who lived on the outskirts of the village in old but homey hut with herbs hanging all over the place and spell book scattered about. The Hedge witch was also able to travel to the realm of the spirits and receive knowledge which would be used on this realm. This book offered something completely different, yet positive none the less.I would hesitate to say that what is offered fit into the definition of Hedge witchery, a a term that bantered about quite regularly.
The first section of the book spoke of connecting to the spirit no matter which way you did it. This could be done via the faeries, your ancestors, wicca or even the Catholic Church. The point is being that you believe in it. The next thing is focusing on what you want. For example "I want a new car" This is an affirmation this is what you ask the universe for. The object is to focus on what you do want not on what you don't want.This is primal language. So it is not a good thing to say "I do not want to get an old car" the universe and the subconscious does not understand that. Later on you can add more adjectives to what you do want. You also have to clear out the old and unwanted stuff before you can receive the new stuff. In a nutshell if you want new clothes then clean out your closet of the old so that you can receive the new clothes. Most of this stuff is pretty basic and has been covered in other new age material. Actually a lot it was somewhat reminiscent of the "Secret" which was published before this book. To be honest I really have no problem with authors restating the obvious because more than not we tend to forget the obvious.
Perhaps the most valuable part of this book is the thirteen part self improvement program. It involves affirmation, herbs, and actions. In this section Silver Ravenwolf give explicit and easy to follow step towards self improvement.This is a program that I myself could use and plan on using in the very near future. After going through the thirteen part self improvement program there is an initiation or self initiation.
Silver Ravenwolf gives and excellent discussion on herbs. Her chapters on how to grow and maintain your herb garden are tops. They are simple and easy to follow. Useful! The recipes given in the book are great as are the various crafts involved. These spellcrafts are easily done and effective. This is Silver Ravenwolf at her best. She brings to play not just elements of Hedge witchery or Wicca but also her extensive background in Pow Wow magic and Hoodoo. I love this stuff and so did my wife.
The appendixes at the end were valuable. I especially like the haggling and the journal keeping. What is wrong with haggling to get the best price? I think it is fine and what a better way to get craft items then at a fair price. Journal keeping helps you keep track of what you learned over the course of the gardening. Did I not mention that I loved the part about the scarecrow.
When it comes to folk magic of old Silver Raven wolf is one of the tops.
There is something both appealing and appalling about Silver Ravenwolf.
This book in particular was a quick, somewhat fun read, and definitely sparked my own creativity. However, as someone who is new to magick and witchcraft, this is probably not the best book to start with. There isn't a lot of explanation and history on the what, who, and why of the rituals used. For instance, Ravenwolf never goes over casting or closing a circle, energy work and shielding, and many other basics of witchcraft. Also, some of her "history" is inaccurate, verified by multiple resources.
I loved the crafting, recipes, and gardening sections towards the end of the book. I think these were the most fun and informative-if only to get one thinking about how one can use herbs, food, etc. for magick. There is quite a bit of information about the days of the week and the moon, as well as working with them.
With some research of my own and by following some online witchy resources (thanks Tumblr!), I've learned that Silver Ravenwolf is not the best source of information on witchcraft, wicca, and/or paganism. It's kind of disappointing, because she has so many books out there and her stuff is accessible and easy to read (other than being told to smile all the time! but hey, I like smiling.....I just don't like being told to do it all the time).
So, with being a beginner witch and not cross-referencing, I can't verify that the information given in the book is accurate in regards to the lunar phases, the days of the week, or even the herbs (only for the herbal portion-it seems okay. You can always cross-check sources/references to make sure).
If you have the basics down, I think this book is great to give you ideas for your own rituals (she gives you a 14 day or 14 week ritual, focusing on a specific thing each day/week).
So, flip through it if you're needing some inspiration or a little bit of guidance on rituals, but not for bonafide specifics or accurate historical information.
What can I say? This book is simply delightful! If you've ever wondered about witches and witchcraft, this is the place to start! Witchcraft and Wicca are not the same thing; most people don't understand this. But, this quirky little tome shows how getting back in touch with the natural world - partnering with Mother Nature - can help us lead more health and happy lives and THAT is the aim of witchcraft. Plus, there's fun stuff like how to make ink out of blueberries! Now, go get the book and play!
Hedgewitch: Spells, Crafts, & Rituals for Natural Magick by Silver Ravenwolf is written in the same style as her classic To Ride a Silver Broomstick. However, I found this one more conversational and approachable -- basically, less stuffy. The book is intended to be used as a course over two short weeks, but you can pace yourself and take as long as you need. I just read the book. I haven't actually participated, yet, but all the materials needed are easily attainable and not too expensive. This book is also in my opinion, less about ceremony and more about getting in touch with your own witchy self and the earth around you, which I liked. You could easily adapt this for a coven or a grove as well, if you are not a solitary practitioner. It also makes great research for any fantasy writer.
I enjoyed the hell out of this book. Currently working my way through the 14 day/week rites and I've incorporated the morning meditation into my daily practice. Great introduction to Wicca, beautifully designed, very thorough. A wealth of herbal recipes. It has been sitting on my coffee table for easy reference for a month now, I use it so often. Good stuff.
a lot of fun home made crafts in this one. I have tried some of them and fell in love with them! I really enjoy creating the grungy style candles I learned how to make in this book. I love the natural aroma of cinnamon and clove!
The main point of the book, which is stated in the first chapter, is that if you just tell the universe exactly what you want, you get it, no special rituals needed... the whole rest of it is special rituals and herbs, which seems pointless if you believe you just have to state your intentions. I realize now that modern witchcraft is just the laws of attraction or manifestation packaged up into a slightly witchy ritual, which I don't believe in at all, so maybe you will love this book. Claiming that the "universe" gave you a new sofa after you spent six months convincing your husband the old one is indeed old and falling apart is just too much for me.
I bought this book years ago, intent on doing the "course" included in the book. I don't remember my reasoning but I donated the book to a Pagan group and then ended up buying another copy because I liked the information on creating your own soaps and such.
This is a Pagan take on the Law of Attraction and the Power of Intention. I am already very familiar with manifestation but it was good to get a bit of a refresher and also to get a Pagan perspective.
I love the first part of the book, about primal language and positive self talk - even though it sounded more like self help than magic, and the 14 days of rituals are beautiful. The later sections seemed more like plain old wicca than something new, and I haven't decided how I feel about that, but I knew what I was getting into with Silver RavenWolf. I've never enjoyed her writing style that feels like she's trying to sell me on something, but I've always loved her rituals and recipes.
Silver RavenWolf never disappoints! HedgeWitch: Spells, Crafts & Rituals for Natural Magick offers one of the clearest and most practical explanations of manifesting I’ve ever read. Packed with insightful tips and recipes. A must-read for anyone drawn to natural magic!
I think Silver is now writing books simply to makes money. Her Newspaper Generation Witchc books To Ride A Silver Broomstick, To Stir A Magick Cauldron and To Light A Sacred Flame really aren't bad. They are text books for the student to learn giving lots of practice exercises, homework and books for the aspiring student to practice and read themselves. They are written in the authors trademark friendly, down to earth, chatty style almost inviting the reader to sit down with the author to chat about witchcraft for awhile. The downside of her books is that a lot of it is her own personal opinions and not all of those are accurate. However there is some useful, helpful material in her earlier books. Her book Teen Witch isn't terrible or as bad as it's made out to be either. It's a nice try at introducing a teen witch to the subject of wicca but it's not entirely accurate and dumbs down wicca which isn't necessary. I do like her book Solitary Witch to which was criticised for being marketed at the younger reading market. In my opinion it doesn't deserve that criticism because the author did put a lot of effort into writing it and did a lot of research for it. Sadly she doesn't do this with all of her books and Hedge Witch is an example of this. Whereas Solitary Witch reviewed all of her material from her previous three decent books To Ride A Silver Broomstick etc and complied some new material and was actually researched and worked on (whether people like it or not Silver did actually put work into writing Solitary Witch) Hedge Witch appears to have been manufactured simply to make money. It is not a good introduction to witchcraft or wicca. In fact it is neither of those things. It is pseudo green wicca. It is comprised of what I think are meant to be self help techniques and fluffy pseudo new age, white light nonsense dressed up as wicca along with some recipes. Now as a person who likes to draw and do hobbies at home and who likes making their own home made candles, cosmetics, toiletries and cleaning products and who also likes to grow some plants I like some of the recipes in the book. However these are absolutely not witchcraft or wicca although some practitioners may incorporate some of those things into their practices. They shouldn't be presented as witchcraft either. I am keeping the book simply because I like some of the recipes not because it has any value as a text on estoric or spiritual subjects because it doesn't. It is absolutely not hedge riding either which is a very different path and is actually a part of my own personal path. I would advise people to give these book a miss altogether. It really is worthless as a witchcraft or wicca text. There are much better books out there for example Hedge Rider by Eric De Varies. Look for those instead.
Silver RavenWolf has a knack for making magick accessible and down-to-earth. In this guidebook, she introduces HedgeWitchery as a free-spirited, practical approach to working harmoniously with nature's energies. The fourteen lessons are designed for you to complete at your own pace, each one encouraging a deeper connection with different aspects of the natural world.
The book is filled with hands-on activities—everything from crafting soaps and reading tea leaves to creating butterfly gardens and organically growing your own herbs. These practices not only enhance your magickal skills but also foster a meaningful relationship with nature. The rituals can be performed alone or with a group, offering flexibility for solitary practitioners and covens alike.
What I particularly enjoyed is how RavenWolf integrates magick into everyday life. She transforms simple acts into rituals filled with intention and meaning, reminding us that the mundane and the mystical are intimately connected. Her writing style is approachable and friendly, making the content easy to absorb.
However, I felt that some sections could have delved deeper into the historical and cultural contexts of HedgeWitchery. A richer exploration of the traditions and lore that underpin these practices would have added depth and nuance to the overall experience.
It's also worth mentioning that while the book is a great starting point for newcomers, seasoned practitioners might find some of the content a bit basic. Nonetheless, there's a certain charm in revisiting the fundamentals and perhaps finding new inspiration in familiar practices.
Overall, "Hedgewitch" is a delightful guide for anyone looking to embrace natural magick and incorporate it into their daily lives. It invites you to step outside, engage with the elements, and discover the enchantment that exists in the world around you.
This book serves as a lovely reminder that magic is often found in the simplest connections with nature, waiting for us to reach out and embrace it.
I truly enjoyed this book. I loved the 14-day rites and I thoroughly enjoyed the effect that those rites had on my spiritual practice and my connection to nature. So why the three stars? The incessant demand to smile. I absolutely hate that in real life, so why would I want the author continually commanding me to smile? I smile when I want to smile, and she spends the WHOLE BOOK asking me to smile on demand. It got very annoying and distracting. I'll continue to do the 14-day rites because they're incredibly beautiful and effective, but I'm going to have to grit my teeth when she asks me to smile for the millionth time.
One of Silver Ravenwolf's better books! The whole book spoke to me more than her other writings. She's less condescending in this book and her rituals are simple and easy to do. Her listing of daily affirmations are a positive way to get on with life. She splits up her Hedgewitch lessons into 14 lessons, including an initiatory ritual that will confirm one as an official 'hedgewitch'. My only real complaint is her urge for the reader to smile and smile often... it's said so often to be annoying.
I can see why this writer has such a divided following. I do call bull on some of the things she discusses but there are glimmers of interesting useful information. She does have a tendency to make you gather items for a ritual and then never uses them. I'd hesitate giving these books to the younger crowd as they might lead to confusion. Better in the hands of an older more educated person to share. An ok read if you don't take it seriously.
This is a read it in 2 weeks and do it along the way and it will change your life!! We shall see. Well I read it the first 2 days and then got pretty busy with Christmas and all, So I'll start all over now. Whoops! Forgot all about this one - guess I'ld better go shake up my book piles and see where this one got to.
I know that Ravenwolf has many fans. But this book fell short for me. It seemed to be another beginners manual when I was hoping for something a little more advanced. Her basic knowledge of Hedge witchery is sound. However, some of the details of practice were misleadingly simple and some of the spells did not work for me. I give it two stars for these reasons. I simply wasn't impressed.
I'm not a fan of Silver RavenWolf. I read one of her teen books when I was first starting out and I wasn't too impressed. The only reason I purchased this one (with a gift card) was because it dealt with hedge witchery. I should have borrowed it from the library instead. The only reason I gave it two stars as opposed to one is because I did get one or two things out of it...near the end.
This is a great book with a fourteen day course for connecting with Nature and attracting what you want while letting go of the negative. I like the straight forward narrative which is sometimes humorous, the easy to follow instructions and the art work.