Meris Book List!

[Toast_Francais]

If there's anything I do well, its waste my money on books. Not just any books though, usually I'll buy whatever metaphysical/spirituality material I can get my hands on. While it can be fun and somewhat rewarding, some books just...suck. So! Heres my trial and error list, basically descriptions of each book, my feelings about it, whether its worth the money or not...ect. This list will contantly be updated, as I have a real problem, and wish there were a group for this sort of thing sweatdrop .


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FIRST BOOK MERI STARTED OFF WITH!!!!! Da Dada DAAAAAAA!!!!

The Teen Spell Book: Magick for Young Witches- by Jamie Wood.

I picked this up at one of the more well-known metaphys stores in my area. I was about 16, had read a little bit about this sort of stuff online and already was making my own spells and rituals. Still, I liked the feeling of having a book in my hands, so I bought this on a whim during a rather popular festival involving cherries.

Right, so it has your basic information in it, descriptions of some of the traditions out there (yay for Egyptian being amongst the few!) as well as the other 101 type of things (theory of magick, how to cast a circle, sabbats, correspondences, runes and even animal totems). The authors pretty concise without being totally drippy (sometimes you come across that), and has a general respect towards the teen Wiccan scene. The spells are useful, and she explains the usage as well as writes a little blurb about using each one. They're pretty awesome spells too, not the usual crap that you know doesnt work.

All in all, I loved this book. I gave it to a friend, who in turn sold it to another, and after seeing the heartbreak that caused me (she was a real nasty for -selling- those books...I gave them for free...), he returned it to me. Talk about a journey! I suggest this even to the older crowd, even the experienced crowd! It just has a great feel to it, and reading Woods words only add to it.

Stay tuned for more!! ninja  

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Here, we'll look at an ongoing dispute -politely- referred to as The Case of Ms. Ravenwolf.

Silver Ravenwolf is a relatively published Wiccan author. She has quite a collection of books out right now, and you'd be hard pressed to find a metaphysical book shop that didnt have at least -one- of her titles. That being said, some of the books she has out are a bit...questionable.

Personally, I started off with one of her books, and gradually bought more as time went on. I dont think shes a bad author per se, her brand of magick is just a bit on the drippy side sometimes. For that, she gets flamed by the Wiccan and Pagan community, for watering down practices and breeding more "Fluffy Bunnies". What I think is funny though, half of the slams against her are by people who go more than out of their way to say just how much they know about what they're doing, and how little she does.

While I may not buy a great deal of her books anymore, or read the ones I have in full length, I dont think she deserves that. Crap from "Elitists" isnt enjoyed by anyone (and you'll often find those Elitists are very miserable people). I'm not saying anyone that doesnt like Ravenwolf is a miserable elitist, just that she isnt forcing anyone to read her stuff.

Anyway, after all that, I'll give my two cents on some of her stuff.

Solitary Witch- a.k.a the big red book that looks semi gothic and is on the top of most n00b's lists- I borrowed this one from a friend before buying it myself. I had always wanted it, because rather than being a "how-to" guide, its more like an encyclopedia. You can pick up wherever you want and leave if it doesn't interest you. It has info on a broad range of subjects, and she provides more titles of other books if you want to read further on them. This one has managed to survive my shelves after two clean-outs and "pass-alongs" (when you pass off a book to someone else). Just...take the fluff with a grain of salt and in the end, its not such a bad book at all

A Witches Notebook- Another goth-looking title, this was more of her own reference guide to a -few- things shes done in her years of being a witch. I wasnt a huge fan of this one, only because most of the information didnt interest me. I did do this nice rock/crystal garden, I liked that part. The rest was pretty non-applicable to my studies.

Mindlight- the book on Quantum mechanics and Physics. Ok, this was possibly the drippiest aside from her three book series Ill talk about here in a min. The best that it did, introduced me to Quantum mechanics and physics. I had watched "What the bleep do we know" around the same time, and so it was pretty interesting to read. It helped developed my approach to spells and other workings, and I'll say it made a rather big impact. I mean, aside from being a n00b then, there was a significant difference between my spells before, and my spells afterward. Her stories however, and wording...meh.

The "To Stir a Magick Cauldron" and the like Series- I picked up...I think To Ride a Silver Broomstick and The Cauldron ones with a great deal of promise. I was sorely disappointed however. I think this series is ok for people not so along on the path just yet, but I was a bit past that stage when I bought them. The rituals and practices were kinda dry and truth be told, I found better things to do. I don't suggest these, unless you've taken a good look at some of the material and like it.

Angels, companions in Magick- Now, I liked this one. Bought it used and I think its still on my shelves. It delves into Angels, in depth damnit. I didnt know there were so many for so many different purposes. Sometimes its kinda drippy, but all in all theres some useable info in here.

Hedgewitch- I still have this one, and to the date, I'm still trying to like it. The first part is comprised of 14 some rituals to get you better in tune with different aspects of nature and life (as thats what being a hedgewitch is about). You can tell it was written after Mindlight, as the rituals are leaning towards the Quantum Mechanics side of things, and have a lot to go with affirmations (no ones said that was a bad thing...). The overall message is to get in tune with the Earth around you. Get away from spending $100 on that pretty Athame you think you need, and realize where real power comes from. There are some quaint recipes in here for soap and oil and the like, but nothing you couldn't get from any other spell book. So far I'm 50/50 on this one. It hasnt made a huge impact on me yet, and I havent learned much than what I already knew.


Those are it for the titles I've bought. I tend to stay away from her works now, as none of them have been as satisfying as I had hoped. I dont know. I bought the first when I was 17, and I'm 21 now. I've gone through a lot of experiences that I dont think I could have handled at 17 and...I dont think I'll be buying many more of her future titles. Not before taking a -really- hard look at some of pages and thinking it over a few times. I encourage you to at least do that and make the decision for yourself. If shes too drippy, dont buy it. If you like it, maybe see if the library has it first.

Just DO NOT let the critics on Amazon be your only source of judgment on her stuff. Be your own critic. Stamp out those elitist jerks!  

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OH! One of my favorite reads that was maybe...the second book I had bought!

Chicks Survival Guide-by Marina Baker (I've also seen it labeled Teen's, as the book is geared towards both genders, bit with a nod to girls, sorry).


I picked it up back when I was a n00b and saw that intermittently the author had put in spells (I was trying to hide it adamantly, and the book says nothing about witchcraft on the cover). As I read on, it turns out there was so much more than just mere spells and tips on beauty and girly stuff.

The books a freakin guide to living green. I LOVED it, mind you, back in 2004, living green was still a laughed at dream by many. Ms. Baker covers it with fact too dangit, the womans got the know. (Oddly enough, she used to be a playboy model, a mother, an avid gardener, and now works to help teens wink >) Not only are there ways to help out the plants, shes got stuff in there on volunteer work, alternatives to certain ways of living, and casual spells that even a Non-Pagan might be able to stomach. This book has survived it all with me, and I still look back to it for tips (specially that little blurb on quilting, something I -never do). Baker approaches the lifestyle shared by many Pagans from a non-Pagan approach (even though she says shes one). I rather admire that, as not all people like us wish to share the same religion.

Anyways, if you see it (prolly will be on sale too, I picked it up for $5), I HIGHLY recommend it. Even if you're a guy xd

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Ok, here's my little blurb about possibly my favorite metaphys author yet, Phyllis Curott.

The first book of hers I read was Book Of Shadows, which was an autobiography of sorts about how she stumbled upon witchcraft, joined a coven, and went on to become a priestess. This was all back in the 70's, when witchcraft was often partnered up with Womans Lib groups, and covens were still kinda in the closet for the most part. Not only did she go into her training and experiences, but also she went into how it all came full circle in her mundane life. The "characters" (I say that since they were all renamed and whatnot) were easy to like and care about, and she didnt sugarcoat things. I mean, she may have taken a few poetic liberties here and there, but what witch wouldnt when trying to describe how it feels to raise energy or meditate under the moon?

Her other book that I read was called Witch Crafting, and that was more of a hands on approach to witchcraft. Though she was practicing a branch of Wicca, her viewpoints and exercises were adaptable for any Pagan. It went above and beyond your basic 101 book in my opinion. It's a read, about the size of your average novel, but in each chapter you have work to do, not just "read and poof you should understand".

Possibly the biggest reason why I like her is because of her view towards ethics in the craft. She encourages following the rule of three, but questions those who do it solely to avoid karmic retribution. Do something good, thats great, but avoid doing something bad because something bad will come to you? What about the fact that the action in general is bad? Why not avoid doing bad deeds because they are bad, that they harm others, that its more external than you may think?

But, on the flip side, she also goes into the idea of Adam and Eve (She was raised without much religion, but her parents pushed her to learn about everything under the sun). Eating the "fruit of wisdom" was a radical act, deemed bad by most religions, but it happened. Eve knew it was bad, but did it anyway, and look where we've come from it. Rather interesting and I wish I had more time to go into it...

Anyway, I tried to read her other book, Love Spell, but it didnt grip me nearly as much as the other two had. I strongly suggest both books to those of you who can read most anything and want something a bit more "meaty" than a Llewellyn 101 book (lmao, Im sorry, but I like a few books they manage to publish. Totally honest, though a few are just..."wtf books")


Next up, when I've got more time, is a book that deals entirely with Craft ethics, and should be part of everyones library, even if to just to make you think.  

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So...time again for another book! I was scrounging through my big ol box of books and found one to read whilst in the tub (rub a dub dub...what does that mean anyway?). Thinking that my visualization techniques could just a little buffing up on, I grabbed possibly one of the most quintessential Pagan books out on the market. It's survived over 20 years, was written by an extraordinarily smart woman, and is suitable for anyone, on any path. Da dada DAAAA I bring you:

The Spiral Dance- by Starhawk.

I'll admit, this wasn't a book I ran out to buy the moment I heard the name dropped. I had seen it on most of the books/websites I studied from, and it conveniently sat on the shelves of both a chain bookstore and a metaphys shop. I bought it...3 years ago? Anyways, it wasn't priority, but after scanning my collection, I realized it should have been.

Spiral Dance is broken into chapters about the different subjects that come up in modern Paganism. Its a how-to book without being overly 101 ish...in fact...it took me about 2 reads to fully get where the woman was going...Anyway! There are great meditation/visualization techniques, as well as exercises I recommend 50% of the guild does at some point if they're serious about being a Pagan. Best part, she gives a realistic and factual look at the history of witchcraft.

My only issues with the book is that its written by an ecofeminist, which BY NO MEANS AT ALL IS A BAD THING! It just greatly shows through the book and can get distracting (you start to think about a load of other ideas rather than practice invoking pentagrams...). There are a lot of comparisons made between the Goddess Movement (a more...eclectic Dianic look at Wicca) and Wicca itself. Women might connect to this book moreso, but I encourage our guys to take a gander!!!

If there is a book to buy when you're not sure of where to go next, I suggest Spiral Dance. Its made a HUGE impression on the Neo-Pagan culture.


And now for my tidbit of guilty fiction twisted

The Circle of Magic Series- By Tamora Pierce.

Yes, they're small chapter books written for a younger audience, and yes they're fantasy based. Big picture here folks, big picture. The stories revolve around four young people, each with a special talent for a certain type of magic (Weather, Plant, Metals, and Weaving...there are more in the book as well), each character syncs up to one of the four elements (and even combined make spirit in some chapters...). They learn to control and work with their talents by means of meditation and education, very unlike Harry Potter and rather similar to how I'd prolly teach had I had the willing students ~nudges the few that are part of the guild~. Anyways, there are 8 books, and then one huge book (that I've yet to finish, naughty me...).

I dont know why, but reading them makes me totally relaxed...maybe its my personal story about how I got the first book...maybe its just the flow of them...

Circle of Magic books are great for short reads in between bigger ones whee  

[Toast_Francais]

Thanks to a post made by Scubasgirl 3nodding , I was reminded of a great book chock full of ideas and reference called ~drumroll~

The Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells- by Judika Illes!

Let me first say this is a HUGE FREAKIN BOOK. Noodles will probably remember me being so epically happy when I bought the tome and read it all night in his Mustang sweatdrop . 5000 spells means 5000 spells, recipes, and practices collected over a lifetime by a woman much the same way one might collect recipes for pumpkin bread.

Best part about it, the books a freakin reference guide. Illes doesnt leave out the toxic, harmful, malicious, evil, mean, nasty, gross, unhygienic, hallucinogenic, ect...She doesnt skimp. At the same time though, she'll go into why you shouldnt use it, what it will do to you if you do, and why it might be so outdated. Its a history on witchcraft and folk magick as well, as a good handful of the spells are Hoodoo-oriented, or customs from other countries (I especially love the section devoted to the folk practices dealing with actual vampires. See what I mean? She doesnt leave any of it out).

The book isnt fluffy, nor is it condescending towards what is deemed real or imaginary. It's kinda like "Heres a book that believes in whatever you want to believe in, ignore the rest".

I highly suggest this not only as a reference, but as a great teaching aide on the ethics of spells, as well as a good way to broaden your spellcasting abilities.

mrgreen As an added bonus not many will get...I got the book for a fraction of the price before it went out of print...seemingly overnight however, the book went back into print(with a prettier cover) and is now selling for full price mrgreen

I'll even add in a link to the books site although the history of spells given on the site appeals more to the fluffies (as lik 80% of the population that would be deemed "witches" wouldnt have been able to write, let alone record spells. I am happy she put in the the ceremonial magicians though...they might/probably knew how to read) http://www.judikailles.com/encyclopedia_of_spells.html

Brightest to all