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New Generation Witchcraft #3
To Light a Sacred Flame: Practical Witchcraft for the Millennium
Originally released in 1999, this bestselling guide to magickal practices-based on the experiences and successes of a third-degree working Witch-has been revised and updated! Written for today's seeker, To Light a Sacred Flame contains techniques that unite divinity with magick, knowledge, and humor.
360 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2000
66 people are currently reading
1017 people want to read
About the author
Silver RavenWolf
75 books537 followersSilver 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 24, 2012
If you're new to paganism, this is one that some people will recommend. I cannot stress enough the need to be a critical reader while going through this book, as well as understand that quoting any material by the author CAN and MAY cause you problems further down your pagan path.
There are a few good topics the author brings up that were otherwise neglected or not explained in layman's terms in other material. Something I found particularly useful was that some self-magic is equated with self hypnosis (something it took me a long time to realize). I also like that bylaws and ethics are discussed to some length here. One might even go so far as to say I liked seeing the tonality of "I won't do this for you, it's up to you to do it for yourself." That's about all I could stomach from the book though.
Significant time is spent patting herself on the back with how fast and well she can perform magic or get results. It really feels like magics and spellwork are commercialized- the "magickal minutes" [sic] and other interspersed random notes really break up the material in a distracting way. The way the spells and the material components were set also rubbed me wrong. Every mundane act is practically given a way to be "magickal" (Can you tell I hate that spelling?) This takes a bit of the reverence/special feeling away from our work.
I've read this book multiple times and always find myself annoyed after the groundwork is done. Perhaps it's my fault for expecting something different from framework spells and rituals from the book. If that's what you are looking for, you'll be pleased and have room to grow if you so choose to keep it as a FRAME. If you're looking for a more serious study of Wicca/witchcraft without interest in spellwork, there are better books out there.
There are a few good topics the author brings up that were otherwise neglected or not explained in layman's terms in other material. Something I found particularly useful was that some self-magic is equated with self hypnosis (something it took me a long time to realize). I also like that bylaws and ethics are discussed to some length here. One might even go so far as to say I liked seeing the tonality of "I won't do this for you, it's up to you to do it for yourself." That's about all I could stomach from the book though.
Significant time is spent patting herself on the back with how fast and well she can perform magic or get results. It really feels like magics and spellwork are commercialized- the "magickal minutes" [sic] and other interspersed random notes really break up the material in a distracting way. The way the spells and the material components were set also rubbed me wrong. Every mundane act is practically given a way to be "magickal" (Can you tell I hate that spelling?) This takes a bit of the reverence/special feeling away from our work.
I've read this book multiple times and always find myself annoyed after the groundwork is done. Perhaps it's my fault for expecting something different from framework spells and rituals from the book. If that's what you are looking for, you'll be pleased and have room to grow if you so choose to keep it as a FRAME. If you're looking for a more serious study of Wicca/witchcraft without interest in spellwork, there are better books out there.
February 12, 2017
As I've said before in my other reviews of this author, people either love or hate her. I say, read the book with your own critical thinking skills. There's nothing wrong about reading various author's and their books on the topic of wicca and witchcraft etc. SRW is one author, who presents her own style and tradition. This book is 18 years old and still quite popular in the pagan community. Her writing style feels down to earth to me, I don't feel that she 'talks down' to the reader as some have said in their reviews of her books. She's a mama bear type and is willing to share her perspective of what the craft is, in her eyes and worldview. There's nothing wrong with that, even if you don't agree with her. I enjoy reading her books even if I don't agree with all she presents. I respect the time and effort she has put into her work. Take what you can from this book, leave what doesn't agree with you and keep on researching (reading from various authors).
August 17, 2020
As many other reviewers have stated, this book claims to be for all new practicing witches, but the entire book focuses primarily on Wicca. The author’s grandiose spells are unnecessary and feel very far from what witchcraft is truly about. Her personality also comes off as a mother scorning her child, saying things like, “No no no,” and, “That’s a big no-no” quite often. For that reason I found the narrative to be quite annoying.
She also approaches various issues within witchcraft (like using totem poles when you are not a Native American, stating that some western cultures- possibly the Celts- used totem poles too), but she never fully supported her arguments. They came across as half-assed arguments with her reasoning essentially being, “Because I said so.”
She also uses the word “Gypsies” a lot, which is a racial slur. And at one point she even states that it is “okay” for her to be using the word. I have no idea why this woman is so unaware of racial slurs and cultural appropriation, but once it was clear that she had no remorse for her words & did not care to understand things from others’ perspectives, I checked out of this book.
She also doesn’t provide the reader with any useful witchy tips. She merely lists very long and detail-oriented spells and group spells, which I did not find to be helpful with her grandiose choice of words.
Overall, I would not recommend this book.
She also approaches various issues within witchcraft (like using totem poles when you are not a Native American, stating that some western cultures- possibly the Celts- used totem poles too), but she never fully supported her arguments. They came across as half-assed arguments with her reasoning essentially being, “Because I said so.”
She also uses the word “Gypsies” a lot, which is a racial slur. And at one point she even states that it is “okay” for her to be using the word. I have no idea why this woman is so unaware of racial slurs and cultural appropriation, but once it was clear that she had no remorse for her words & did not care to understand things from others’ perspectives, I checked out of this book.
She also doesn’t provide the reader with any useful witchy tips. She merely lists very long and detail-oriented spells and group spells, which I did not find to be helpful with her grandiose choice of words.
Overall, I would not recommend this book.
April 10, 2013
This book is so incredibly different from the one I thought I read years ago, I just have to count this a newly-read. I still don't want to touch the SRW debate with a 13 foot pole, and still note that I'm more of the MorningStar craft type, but this book is not anything like as bad as I remember. Admittedly, I couldn't read the long rituals, really, but this book is really more about witchcraft and spirituality more than anything, and the importance of self-work. What happened to the Burning Times witch I remember from my teens?!
Anyway, love her or hate her, I had to give this book 4 stars. It's not great, but it shocked me so much from my memories of her that I gave her the benefit of doubt and stuck with it.
Anyway, love her or hate her, I had to give this book 4 stars. It's not great, but it shocked me so much from my memories of her that I gave her the benefit of doubt and stuck with it.
September 18, 2015
I strongly believe that Silver Ravenwolf has done more harm to Paganism than any other author. Half the facts she writes about in her books are completely wrong. She doesn't even know the proper dates of Pagan Holidays a lot of the time.
She presents puritanical views towards sex in her books, she suggests that teen readers lie to their parents about what they're practicing, and she acts as though Paganism is fluffy and pure and that anything you want is at your fingertips if you just cast a spell. A hint: If any author proposes love spells, they are not to be trusted.
PLEASE do your research and read some books from authors who actually have a clue what they're talking about. If I could give this a 0/5 I would.
She presents puritanical views towards sex in her books, she suggests that teen readers lie to their parents about what they're practicing, and she acts as though Paganism is fluffy and pure and that anything you want is at your fingertips if you just cast a spell. A hint: If any author proposes love spells, they are not to be trusted.
PLEASE do your research and read some books from authors who actually have a clue what they're talking about. If I could give this a 0/5 I would.
July 29, 2018
Misleading title.
Witchcraft is not a synonym for Wicca, which is what Silver seems to disregard here.
This is more of a beginner’s Guide to Wicca.
Very little is offered to advance the individual practitioner’s working skills. Definitely a religious book rather than a useful collection of spells.
Witchcraft is not a synonym for Wicca, which is what Silver seems to disregard here.
This is more of a beginner’s Guide to Wicca.
Very little is offered to advance the individual practitioner’s working skills. Definitely a religious book rather than a useful collection of spells.
February 17, 2016
Title in German:
Ritual & Harmonie
Ritual & Harmonie
October 13, 2014
This book has lots of information for the average practitioner as well as novice. I would recommend it as it supplements other learning materials, making it a robust book.
June 28, 2021
Tou either like her work or you dont,I like her work. She has a way of talking down to you or talking to you as if you are a little kid and I dont much care for that but over all I like the chants and saying she adds in her books. I would definitely recommend her books to a beginner but add to take a look at other authors. As its said not one path or one way is the right way.
December 16, 2023
The 3rd book in this series and provides a more "mature" look at wicca and ties in with the other books. Not really one you can read without having read the others as they reach refer back to one another.
March 22, 2018
A long time favorite
March 16, 2020
Informative and interesting although I still feel like it is for the charmed generation. But I would still recommend you read this.
August 20, 2016
You know, when you read Silver RavenWolf with an open mind and are a little critical of what you read, you can get something out of her writing. She has a beautiful way with words and can really paint a picture. This book is the third in her series of Practical Witchcraft for the Millennium. I really liked this one, because it is for advanced readers. When you are starting your journey on the Craft, there will be a myriad of beginner books but it is not as easy to find advanced books on Wicca. Now this is one of the more lighter advanced books out there, if you want to getting deeper into theory and practice and magick, please look elsewhere; BUT if you want an easy to read intro to the deeper aspects of Wicca, this isn't a terrible place to start. I would recommend this to anyone who can keep an open mind and is wise enough to know BS when they read it. There is some truly valuable and beautifully written materials contained in this book.
February 27, 2012
She writes and writes and writes! A little dictatorial, and almost overwritten but still a great source book and guide. Of her series Ride a broom, stir a cauldren, etc, this is the only one I own, but I have looked through the others via the library. I refer to her at times when I need a spark of creativity, a new angle, a direction to go or think in. Her 'Mindlight' is still my favorite of what I have read of her so far. I recomend Silver Ravenwolf to those who already know the basics and want a push to go further.
I believe I have also read one of her novels and it was enjoyable.
Will look for reviews on it here.
I believe I have also read one of her novels and it was enjoyable.
Will look for reviews on it here.
October 25, 2021
I enjoy reading SRW, but always read knowing that I will ultimately do things my own way. I find her spells long and tedious and she can come across strong on things that ultimately may not matter very much to the reader. However, I find her work to be full of practical advice for anyone looking to get into Wicca and/or entry-level paganism ideas and rituals.
July 10, 2007
Silver RavenWolf offers the most down-to-earth, practical, non-fluffy guides to Wicca and magick. Though Wicca is no longer the right path for me (I'm just straight-up Pagan these days) I still find Silver's books to be full of useful knowledge, ethics, and practices.
January 30, 2008
Easy fast read.
May 22, 2010
Magickal book that has a well-rounded approach and still allows one to choose and follow their own deity...or more.
October 11, 2010
Another fantastic book by RavenWolf, I enjoyed it greatly. Full of wonderful magickal wisdom and facts.
September 24, 2013
Good read. I love the style Ms. RavenWolf uses to write. Very easy to read and answers many questions. Recommend.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews