Witchin': A Handbook for Teen Witches
By: Fiona Horne

ISBN: 0007136951
Released: February - 2003
List Price: $12.95

As a young Witch, I have enjoyed very much the introduction of Witchcraft books focused on the teen in the past few years, beginning with Teen Witch, by Silver Ravenwolf (Llewellyn), published in 1998.  I know she took a lot of flack for writing a book aimed at the younger Witch, but I found it to be not only groundbreaking, but also very helpful to me in filling in some of the blanks of information I was unable to get from my mother and father (both Witches, but not Witches until they were adults). 

Being a Witch as a young person is, I presume, a whole different life with an entirely different set of challenges and rewards than what an adult Witch faces and Fiona Horne address the teen Witch life head on and without fear or reservation.  There are very few subjects left unexplored (some of which made me a little uneasy, such as the strong chapter on sexuality) and the overall feel of the book is very warm, inviting and "I'm your friend, Auntie Fiona." 

I feel the book is a very positive addition to the Pagan book market and I enjoyed reading it very much.  The spellwork that is offered is very age appropriate and the basics of the Pagan/Witch life are aptly covered.  Where many of the "adult" Craft books are dry and confusing to the younger mind and eyes, Witchin provides a hip and conversational approach that is very approachable and friendly.

I give it:

 Five pentacles out of five

 

Second review by Delena's mom, Katrina:

I was one of the adult Witches who wasn't thrilled with the marketing of books on magic and Witchcraft being aimed at non-adults.  My perspective on this is that the process of being "Craft" and moving forward in this world as a true Witch is one of a strong psychological progression and an exploration of inner strengths and weaknesses for which I do not feel the younger set is prepared.  It's not all about saying the spells and knowing what elements go in what quarters.  It's something of an internal boot camp that takes you through levels of experience that are largely based on life experience and resilience, which isn't natural to younger people.

Given that heavy bias, I have been challenged with a persistent, driven and high inquisitive young Witch under my roof and wing.  I thought I would be able to instill in her a set of ethics specific to our way of life and raise her with a basic knowledge of "other worlds" and an openness to the unseen around them.  Well, that was great in theory, but she wanted to know about RITUAL, about all of the Gods and Goddesses and why this does this and this does that and what herbs should she use to make an incense to help her pass this test and what spell should she use to make good friends... yikes!  There was no dissuading her and finally, I had to say, "Enough!  I give up!  Let's do this!"  For that, I am grateful that someone thought ahead and created literature for this. 

Although Horne's book is quite good and we are by no means prudish in our home, I was pleased to see that the section on sexuality made my daughter squeamish because it bothered me as well.  She pushes a strong sense of, "This is very natural, exciting, wonderful thing and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!!"  There is only a brief mention in the pages long chapter called, "Let's Talk About Teen Sex" on responsibility, merely urging the reader to educate themselves and "find out all you can about safe sex, contraception..."  After that one line nod toward "educating" oneself, there are pages and pages about the joys of sex without any discussion of the responsibility and consequences.  There is even spell work the author suggested to a 17-year-old who was having difficulty with premature ejaculation when having sex with his 16-year-old lover.  Marketed as "a handbook for teen witches," I really didn't think the average young teen needed to read a work extolling the pleasures of sex and actually teetering dangerously close to applying an old, fuddy-duddy label to those backwards adults who would encourage abstinence to teens.  While I'm all for avoiding the denigration of burgeoning sexuality to young people, in my opinion, this book actually encourages it and rebukes the parents for attempting to curb this vibrant, exciting time of sexual discovery.  May the cakes and ale be liberally laced with Ortho Novum, please?

Beyond that one point, the book is very well written and would be an asset to the parents of teen Witches, as well as their young Witchlings everywhere.  I'm telling you, though, I'd definitely temper down that one chapter, particularly for the under 18 crowd.

from mom

Reviews by Delena Rasbold and Katrina Rasbold