Fairies Healing

Mind Body & Soul Ezine card review: Healing with the Fairies Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue, 44 cards and a 68 page guidebook with general meanings and instructions for working with the cards. £13.99 Artwork by various artists.

Sample reading:  'Awakening Your True Self'. The card's message is about discovering your authenticity and the person who you were born to be. This means you must go on a journey of discovery, for your true interests, passions and desires. You will discover your original sense of humour and childlike, innocent enjoyments. A cloud of falseness will be lifted as you no longer try to fit in with what someone else wanted you to be. Use the affirmation: I now give myself permission to be true to my self.

Doreen Virtue offers workshops, books, cards, etc., and her card decks are suitable for use for oneself or for another person. Within the deck there are no negative concepts and the deck is easy to use and can be used for a first time deck user. The artwork is enjoyable and features unicorns, imps, birds, water fairies, fireflies and otherworld images. Cards provide a title, such as 'Detoxification', 'Honouring Your True Feelings', and 'Stand Your Ground' and further information about each card is contained in the guidebook. 

Tarot of the Elves

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review - Tarot of the Elves by Mark McElroy and designer, Davide Corsi. Published by Lo Scarabeo

Elves are mythological spirits that, like fairies, can be harbingers of change. This Tarot deck tells the complex story of the hero of the elfen folk, Prince Alberich and his extraordinary quest. The story is about those he meets along the way, and their part in the narrative. His is a search for four relics, a sword, a cup, a wand, and a pentacle as these precious objects lie at the heart of the Elfen kingdom. Each Major card has a new title, a named persona, and their part in the storyline. There is a lot to learn about these cards and a story to apply to the Querent. 

The Elf Oracle has a recommended 3 card spread to discover what an upcoming change might mean for you. You lay out 3 Major Arcana cards face down, turning each one face up. The first card represents the current situation which is interpreted literally, emotionally and metaphorically. The middle card is the most important. The numerical value of this card is its only relevance. Starting at 0, the number shows little or slow change up to 21 which is considerable, and possibly sudden and unexpected change. If the number is an even number, the change will be auspicious, if an odd number, it could be an averse situation. The third card reveals what is likely to happen and then the three cards are assed altogether at the end of the reading. If another card is required to clarify the reading, for the lesson to be learnt, one can be drawn from the major Arcana only. 

Circles of Meaning - Labyrinths of Fear

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: CIRCLES OF MEANING – LABYRINTHS OF FEAR The Twenty Two Relationships of a Spiritual Life and Culture – And Why They Need Protection by Brendan Myers, Published by Moon Books Available as eBook and Paperback, 483 pages Author Website: http://www.brendanmyers.net/

Dr Brendan Myers is a philosopher, environmentalist and a teacher of ethics and spirituality. He has a special interest in Celtic mythology and folk-lore and is involved in Druidry. He has written several books, is a columnist for various pagan publications and has made many broadcasts on radio.

Earth Medicine

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Earth Medicine - Ancestors' Ways of Harmony For Many Moons by Jamie Sams, published by Harper. Paperback 383 pages

Native American culture is intelligent,p - it respects nature with respect and conservation - it appreciates beauty - of the variety of the plant and animal kingdoms - of the landscapes of mountains, rivers and beaches - and of the universal rhythms and powers, of the sun, moon and stars.

Journey into the Tao

Mind Body & Soul Ezine DVD Review: Going Nowhere - Journey into the Tao: A Beginners Guide to Eastern Spirituality - available £35.99 from Watkins Books: http://www.watkinsbooks.com/

By Dr Lorenzo Da Costa - website: www.soulace.co.uk Produced by Tim Lee 

It can be a great privilege to share vicariously in the spiritual journey of another, to hear their enthusiasms and to partake of some of the wisdom and practice which has guided them on the path. This DVD set consists of a series of lectures on Eastern spiritual practices and ideas. The lectures are clearly presented and accompanied by diagrams which clarify key points. This makes the set easy to follow for the beginner and sharpens Da Costa’s points for the more knowledgeable. The set is well referenced with pointers to a number of popular authors on the subject.

Fairy Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Fairy Tarot by Antonio Lupatelli Published by Lo Scarabeo 1997 UK £15

Please note: There is another Tarot deck with a similar title ‘Fairy Tarot Cards’ published by Hay House.

Other decks exist with this title, so make sure you get this one, it's such a joy! These are based on the Rider-Waite deck and feature the fairy traditions of pixies, gnomes, etc. This, by Antonio Lupatelli is whimsical with non standard hearts, leaves, bells and acorns. The Elf is the Fool, The Dryad is Justice, The Oread is the Wheel of Fortune, etc. Strength and Justice are reversed. 

Antonio Lupatelli, a children’s book illustrator, was known as Tony Wolf and produced several card decks, such as Tarot of the Gnomes, and Tarot of the Druids. 

Enjoyable! I like a deck that has fairy energies to draw on. Of course, it can be used as a normal Tarot deck too. It has been around for 20 years, but doesn’t go out of date. Fairies never do!

Fairy Messages Cards

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Review: Magical Messages from the Fairies Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue contains 44 cards plus 109 guidebook with 109 pages. £13.99 Various artists. 

This easy to use pack provides information on using the cards, such as how to consecrate them and receive an answer to a question. Ideal for a one card choice per day, there is also a three card spread or use of a multiple card spread suggested.  The book contains not just the title of the card, a picture and message, but in the book there is more information about the message. The card stock is excellent, as usual for Hay House, this deck is edged with gold leaf, and the artwork is of good quality. Some of the card titles are: 'Good-Bye to the Old, Hello to the New', 'Ask for What You Want', Your Wish is Granted', all cards carry a positive message and are ideal for first time users and can be used for self or others.

Higher Reality Therapy

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Higher Reality Therapy Nine Pathways to Inner Peace By Anthony Falikowski Visit: www.falikowski.com

The psychiatrist, William Glasser developed Reality Therapy in the US in the mid 1960s and it was especially successful for those who did not respond to more conventional methods of therapy. The approach, mainly based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) focuses on negotiated ways to create improvements in current behaviour. 'Higher' Reality Therapy is an eclectic approach to a similar goal of problem solving. Reality Therapy, as devised by William Glasser is criticised rather severely but taken as the basic premise and improved upon to create 'Higher' Reality Therapy.

Tarot Card Origins

First published in Psychic News Magazine:

 Playing cards for recreational games of chance and skill were first developed in China and were printed on bamboo strips for use by the leisured class. Due to advances in paper and wood block print technology in the 9^th century Tang dynasty and, over several centuries, a large variety of these card games spread westward along the Silk Routes to appear in the Middle East with ornate calligraphy and elaborate abstract designs. These were known as Mamluk cards (in the Topkapi Palace Museum) and were used by the Sultinate in Egypt from late 1200s with Moorish and Saracen associations. In the 1300s, card games reached Europe with designs of birds and Roman Gods, some included astrological symbols and elements (such as the Minchiate deck) and depicted people in medieval costumes. Cards were used by wealthy nobles, merchants and scholars and were often hand painted and with gold leaf. 

Romantic Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Romantic Tarot by Emanuel’s Signorini. Art by Guila F Massaglia. Published by Lo Scarabeo. 

Set in the late 19th - early 20th century, this is the ideal deck for your clients who have relationship/love issues and are seeking advice. These cards help connect to the beauty and joy of romance. There are 4 suits, Cups (yellow) are set in Venice, Pentacles (green) are set in Rome, Wands (red) are set in Paris, and Swords (blue) are set in Vienna. 

The artist has created art for Golden Art Nouveau Tarot and After Tarot. 

Ancient Egyptian Magic

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Ancient Egyptian Magic Classic Healing and Ritual for Modern Times By Cassandra Eason Published by Vega Books Paperback 192 pages Author website: http://www.cassandraeason.com/

Cassandra Eason is the author of over 30 books on New Age spirituality and she is an international speaker and workshop facilitator. 

This is a book written for those who wish to practice Egyptian ritual, so I must start by acknowledging that I am reading for academic interest and have not tried the suggested rituals. However, this book is full of history, myth and magic. I was fascinated by the perspective. While I am tied to my English roots now, there was a time when I would have enjoyed practicing these rituals. In my teens, this was the book I longed for and craved.

Mythic Oracle

Mind Body and Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Mythic Oracle - Wisdom of the Ancient Greek Pantheon by Carisa Mellado with artwork by Michele-lee Phelan. Boxed 45 card and information booklet set.

Greek gods and goddesses reflect our own human lives and the cards are designed to guide us through life cycles. They reflect the archetypal hero, Odysseus and his epic journey, from departure to initiation and eventual return home. We use this to assist us in our journey through life. We begin with an awakening, experience challenges, overcome difficulties. We must go down into our deepest level to discover new perspectives, our illusions need to be broken, our convictions clarified. We will integrate this new self into the world of the future, mastering both, our inner life and our outer world.

The Goddess

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Goddess - Be the Woman You Want to Be by Elisabeth Wilson. Hardback. Leisure & Lifestyle. RRP £18.99

Over 100 suggestions from 30 Goddess experts, with identifying your goddess archetype, with themed sections, quizzes, ways to find out who you are, and be who you are. You don’t need to be prefect, or wait for the right time, no longer please others, gain better financial security, wear bright colours, think positively, jump start your love life, spice up your sex life, boost your body image, find out your love quotient score, be grateful, become organised, keep questioning, start being logical, throw a dinner party, create your dream home, make a beautiful garden, detox, take vitamins, take exercise, deal with rejection, make sure you bounce! 

Medicine Dance

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Medicine Dance - One Woman's Healing Journey into the World of Native American Sweatlodges, Drumming Meditations and Dance Fasts By Marsha Scarborough Paperback £9.99 198 pages 

The Land in Our Bones

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Land in Our Bones - Earth-based Pathways to Ancestral Stewardship and Belonging in Diaspora by Layla K Feghali. Published by North Atlantic Books. RRP US $24.95 : Can $33.95 

This is a wonderful subject and it is written beautifully. The area of Cana’an, an ancient holy land, and ancestral land that dates back many thousands of years. This and Lebanon, the home of the author is deeply loved and described with moving dedication. With a huge percentage of inhabitants as refugees, with war and economic crisis, this ravaged land still yields magic and beauty and healing. This is a book that needed to be written to rescue and save its swiftly eroding ancient wisdom. It is a very personal account but has great layers of knowledge, wisdom and caring that is rare and impressive. 

This is a book that will change your life! A wonder of healing and magic. 

The Healing Power of Storytelling

Mind Body & Soul Book Review: The Healing Power of Storytelling - Using Personal Narrative to Navigate Illness, Trauma, and Loss. By Annie Brewster MD with Rachel Zimmerman. Published by North Atlantic Books. RRP US $17.95 : Can $ 23.95 

This is a wonderful book, written with deep personal honesty and inner beauty. It a real life story of a caring doctor who faces great challenges, and who takes the reader on an amazing journey towards greater self knowledge and compassion. The book is written by one who understands what life is truly about. You have your own story, as enlightening and astounding as those described here and you are encouraged to tell your story too through the method Dr Brewster describes. Who would benefit from this book? Health professionals, religious, academic, counsellors, all those facing difficulties or who know of those who are. It’s a very moving book, challenging at times, but readers will be wiser and more matured  by the experience. 

Falnama

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Falnama - Turkish Oracle Cards by Asli and Polat Canpolat. Boxed set of 40 cards and Guidebook Published by Schiffer Books. £22.00 

Falnamas are Islamic fortune telling oracles, written in poetry and made for the aristocracy, often by opening a book on historical, mythological or biblical themes, at a random page and finding wisdom within the text. These cards have 3 suits and each card falls into one of the suits, either a Woman (red), Man (blue) or Together (green). You can make a wish and choose a single card, choose a 3 card Man-Woman Opening, or a Sestet Opening of 6 cards. 

The Green World Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Green World Oracle by Kathleen Jenks. Art by Sandra Stanton. Presentation box set of 33 cards and Guidebook. Published by Schiffer Books. RRP US $39.99 : UK £26.00

In the extensive Guidebook, we are given for each card, a number, a title, a quote, a painting and notes from the artist. Then the deep dive begins for each card with The Mythic World, a delicious, poetical and magical write up, nourishing, and vast in its understanding, The Botany/History describes more about the particular plant and its healing and health abilities. Then comes The Reading. When you know all about the card chosen, then you give the reading. Upright and Reversed positions are detailed. 

The deck is dedicated to the Earth’s trees and plants and the humans who seek wisdom. Taking its titles from trees and the natural world, we find a bible of ancient and natural law. 

Tree of Life Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Tree of Life Oracle by Elaine Clayton. Boxed set of 30 cards and Guidebook. Published by Schiffer Books RRP US $24.99 

This is a cute bright yellow deck - all things tree related. Each card shows an image and a title, and in the guidebook, there is a number, title and subtitle, and a few keywords. These are followed by text that explains the meaning in 300 words that applies to both the tree and to YOU ot the one you are reading for. 

In conclusion: “Standing tall, shining and thriving is your birthright. Growing more towards the light with each breath you take, through each life situation, you become more deeply wise. Finding yourself well rooted, yet flexible, you experience the seasons of life as they come, we cannot control what happens to us, but we can control and choose our response to what life brings. This is empowerment itself, to respond to life with strength and fortitude, no matter what the season. Use the Tree of Life Oracle to centre yourself and be reminded of your natural inheritance, which is to explore the meaning of life, as you live the days of your life. Live and celebrate your potential to learn, to expand, and to reach out to possibility and greatness.” From the guidebook. 

The Stone Circle Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Stone Circle Oracle - Transformation Through Meditation by Sophia Kelly Shultz. Boxed set of 45 Cards and b/w Guidebook. Published by Schiffer Books. RRP US $39.99 

There are no wrong answers! 

Sample card and text: Phoenix Emergent: keywords: Rise Out of Darkness. Failure is part of life. Rise up. The courage to try again. Rebirth. Renewal. Emergence of a new consciousness. Out of a dark, swirling void rises the magnificent phoenix, renewed after being reduced to ashes. The Phoenix occurs in many mythologies worldwide. Destined to be destroyed and then rise from its own ashes, it is a creature of rebirth and regeneration. But in order for the Phoenix to rise, it must fall and burn. No one wants to fall, to crash and burn, but it’s normal part of the cycle of life. Whether because of situations of our own making or because of health issues, a family death, or severe injury, we all experience times when we feel like we have been beaten, our lives laid bare. There seems to be nothing to guide us. We are all extremely resilient, and as we explored previously, it comes in many forms. The long darkness evaporates and we find we are not the same person who was plunged into the darkness, but someone different, brighter, with elements burned away. It was a painful process, but look at the result! 

The Paths of Yoga by Andrea Tteja (Part I)

Andrea Tteja - www.infin8space.com

Ashtanga Yinyasa is the system of Yoga taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, India. This method involves synchronizing the breath with progressive series of postures—a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind.

The Bihar School of Yoga (Satyananda) was founded in 1964 by Paramahamsa Satyananda to impart yogic training to householders and sannyasins. The Yoga techniques are a synthesis of many approaches to personal development, based on traditional Vedantic, tantric and yogic teachings in conjunction with contemporary physical and mental health sciences. These techniques are taught by Bihar Yoga Bharati and through health management courses held in the old BSY Ashram. Bihar School of Yoga also guides Yoga projects and medical research in association with prestigious hospitals, organizations and establishments. Programs made by Bihar School of Yoga are used in the education and prison Government sectors, in hospitals, by the Defence Services, private and public sector industries such as Indian Oil Corporation, Coal India Limited, National Thermal Power Corporation, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, the Steel Authority of India, Hindustan Paper Corporation, Hindustan Copper Corporation, etc.

The Paths to Yoga by Andrea Tteja (Part II)

Andrea Tteja - www.infin8space.com

Continued from Part I    

Karma: Selfless Service as a path to Yoga. "Karma Yoga is the selfless devotion of all inner as well as the outer activities as a Sacrifice to the Lord of all works, offered to the eternal as Master of all the soul’s energies and austerities." Bhagavad Gita

Right Attitude It’s not what you do that counts, it’s the attitude while doing it that determines if a job is a karma yoga job, i.e. a liberating job, or a binding job. Work is worship. Swami Sivananda advises us to "give your hands to work, and keep your mind fixed at the lotus feet of the Lord."

Rituals and Practices with the Motherpeace Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Rituals and Practices with the Motherpeace Tarot by Vicki Nobel. Published by Bear & Co. US $15 : Can $18. 

With its focus on the Goddess and the Divine Feminine, this is the workbook to accompany the original round deck, the Motherpeace Tarot created by Vicki Noble and Karen Vogel 45 years ago. It was the first multicultural Tarot exclusively for women. Taking its inspiration from ancient cultures and modern tribal peoples, with non stereotypical settings and design, it has sold in its thousands. 

Tantric Sex

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Tantric Sex - Reawaken Your Desire by Discovering Slow, Luxurious Sex, Mini book hardback £6.99. Kindle: £6.17 Published in hardback by Quiver Minis, US $9.99 : CAN $12.99 : U.K. £6.99 

I love this little book to awaken our desire for slow, luxurious sex! Tantra teaches us to focus, be sensual, and intensify our enjoyment of a slow, intimate and loving caress or kiss, or a full, mindful and prolonged lovemaking orgasm. 

With tasteful naked images and excellent supportive text, this book will brighten up your sex life, restore you to heart felt physical and mental joy, help you to let go of inhibitions and allow you to experience beauty and kindness which flow towards the joy and wonder of sexuality.

Secrets of Paradise Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Secrets of Paradise Tarot by Leticia Ferrer-Rivera. Boxed set of 81 cards and Guidebook. RRP US $29.99 : Can $39.99 Published by Hay House. 

May the oceans bring blessings, abundance, and healing to all who inhabit planet Earth. 

Sample: Coexist - this card has no number because it is not part of a traditional tarot deck. It depicts from left to right, Santierre or Candomble, a Buddhist, monk, a Wiccan high priestess, a Catholic priest, and an Indian bride representing the Hindu religion. The card is about learning to respect the beliefs of others. It is about understanding others, becoming more spiritually and culturally competent, instead of assuming, or judging, when you do not know anything about a tradition or ritual. If this card is pulled, it means you are a tuned with the people around you. If for some reason, this appears in the reverse position, it shows the need to perform shadow work.   Use the pendulum to see which symbol it chooses to learn more. Feel free to remove it from the deck and not use it for certain readings. 

The Seven Types of Spirit Guide

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Seven Types of Spirit Guide - How to Connect and Communicate with Your Cosmic Helpers by Yamile Yemoonyah. Published by Hay House. RRP £12.99

Angels, ancestors, nature spirits, star beings, animal spirits, ascended masters, and deities can be contacted for guidance of all kinds. There is a chapter for each of these, what they represent, how they can most assist you. They each have specific gifts, and challenges. You can find out how to work with these spirit beings, talk to them, conduct a ceremony, and find your spiritual life purpose. There is an extensive quiz that helps you to ascertain which spirit guide is your most dominant. 

The Tablets of Light

Mind Body & Soul,Ezine Book Review: The Tablets of Light - The Teachings of Thoth on Unity Consciousness by Danielle Rama Hoffman, published by Bear & Co, Paperback 290 pages £16.99 Kindle: £16.14 Author Website: http://divinetransmissions.com/author/divinehoffman/

This book contains the channelled message of 'The Emerald Tablets of Light' from Thoth, the spirit guide of the author. We are introduced to a new language and a new way of thinking and speaking. Reclaim yourself by choosing to be a Connected Vibrational Recogniser, claim your Light Body, create through Divine Design, experience the Potency of Life Force Within, remember your Cosmic Choice, reconnect with Source, find out The Blueprint of Unity Consciousness, decode the Divine Sequence Within, lift the Net of the Mass Consciousness Grid, learn to Spiral Multidimensional Wholeness into Everything, transcend your perceptions, choose 'yes and no' at the same time, increase your Bandwidth, discover What You Left For Yourself to Find, take a Divine Mission Hookup, be who you fully are, stand out, get a Divine Energy Spirit, reclaim your Divine Access Point, Awaken to Universal Design Codes - and more!

Fairy Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Card Deck Review: Fairy Oracle with text by Jaymi Elford and artwork by Victorian artist, Arthur Rackham. 36 cards and booklet in several languages, published by Lo Scarabeo, £15.99

Aka 'Oracle of the Good Folk', these cards are positive with a little hint of mischief. The artwork, as one would expect from specialist Victorian fairy illustrator, Arthur Rackham, is delightful and totally believable. They were produced at a time when fairies were extremely popular in children's fairy tale books, such as Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland. From his pen, ink and watercolour illustrations of fairies, sections have been taken to showcase on the cards for insight and creativity.

The text by Jaymi Elford accompanies each individual artwork and is both useful and pertinent. Ask a question for a One card, Two cards or Four cards reading. The card faces offer an image which invites dialogue. In the multi lingual booklet, a title for each card is given with approx 40 word description of the image plus approx 40 word meaning. Sheer magic! Enjoy and deliver your best ever readings! 

Review: Wendy Stokes https://wendystokes.co.uk 

Working With Spirit Guides

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Working With Spirit Guides - How to Make Contact with Angels, Fairies and Power Animals by Teresa Moorey, published by Octopus Books, £12.99

This full colour book has easy and practical suggestions to use  - oils, colours, gemstones, visualisations and meditations, cleansing and healing exercises and rituals to contact ancestors, power animals, goddesses, Ascended Masters, previously incarnated spirits, etc. 

Ideal as a gift for a beginner, the book is easy to read and you can learn how to contact your spirit guides. Ideal for beginners. Teresa Moorey is a clinical hypnotherapist. 

Review: Wendy Stokes https://wendystokes.co.uk 

Jung and Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book review: Jung and Tarot - An Archetypal Journey by Sallie Nichols, published by Samuel Weiser with an introduction by Laurens van de Post.

 

Carl Jung presented the Major Arcana of the tarot card deck as a means to work through the 22 archetypes, each of which demonstrates unrealised or neglected aspects of ourselves. Each card is explained separately to gain an understanding of its unconscious symbolic power and in order to bring into our consciousness awareness its archetypal energy and light. This process Jung calls 'individuation'. The world is a mirror which reflects ourselves, our tendencies, characteristics, potentials and shortcomings, which we place outside of ourselves and into all we perceive in the outside world. Our purpose is to project less so we see ourselves and the world as accurately as possible. This is presented as similar in depth to many of the initiatory card decks currently on this market and is well worth working with for insight into the self and others and to progress to maturity of thought. 

"Who looks outside dreams; who looks inside wakes" Carl Jung

Invoke the Goddess

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Invoke the Goddess - Connecting to the Hindu, Greek & Egyptian Deities by Kala Trobe. Published by Llewellyn Books. RRP US $17.99 

15 powerful ancient goddesses are featured in this book that helps you to connect with them through exercises, guided visualisations, rituals, chants and mantras. Kali, Lakshmi, Radha, Sekhmet, Artemis, Persephone, Hecate, Iris, Ma’at, Hathor, Durga, Nephthys, Artemis, Persephone, Hecate, Iris, Aphrodite, Saraswati, Isis, are described in detail and are chosen to provide blessings, insight and inspiration. All information is provided, no experience is necessary to get the best from this book. 

Colours, chakras, goddess functions, are described, and there is a glossary of terms. I felt I made contact with several goddesses and enjoyed the messages I received from them and felt their presence close to me from using this workbook. 

Chelsea Physic Garden Herbal Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Chelsea Physic Garden Herbal - The Essential Guide to Herbs for Living by Deni Bown, hardback, published by Pavilion.

Divided into chapters of aphrodisiacs, aromatics, balsams, barks and woods, colourings, foliage, poisons, relaxants, edibles, tonics, and more. Everything you want to know about seed, leaf, flower and fruit of the herbal world. Modern high quality colour photography with several full colour plates of antique hand drawn and coloured botany images. 

April card reading

The first card is number 8 and titled Manifestation from the Numerology Cards by Michelle Buchanan. This card indicates a need to acknowledge the power of your mind and your ability to manifest your desires. You are being urged to familiarise yourself with the Law of Attraction and clarify your wants and needs, for you have entered a powerful cycle of Divine manifestation. Provided that your dreams serve the greater good, as well as the intentions of your soul, the Universe will assist you in making them come true. By drawing this card, you are being reminded that successful manifestation requires more than just positive and wishful thinking. You must also surrender the outcome to the Divine and detach from the results. Remember that the Law of Attraction works both ways, so pay attention to your doubts, worries and fears, and monitor your negative thoughts. Then focus predominantly on what you want rather than what you fear or don’t want. In order to improve your current situation, you are being asked to adjust to, and harmonise with, the natural rhythm and cycles of your life – cycles that are leading you towards a time of manifestation. By making peace with your life as it is today and appreciating what you already have, you will create the life you have always imagined. Affirmation: I use my thoughts to make my dreams come true.

Your Secret Self Book Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Your Secret Self - Illuminating the Mysteries of the Twelfth House - A Guide to Using Astrology & Your Dreams for Personal Growth by Tracy Marks. Published by CRCS Publications. 

This book provides specific dream interpretation methods, and majors on Twelfth House astrology. How to deal with self defeating problems, escapism, family dynamics, symbolism, inner conflicts, repression, our shadow, inner demons, what lies in our subconscious mind, and how to gain inspiration, compassion and spirituality, transformation, are fascinating and exciting topics. Examples of case studies are given, we are also provided with a dream journey and questionnaire, worksheets, and information on each planet and sign. 

Though no special knowledge of astrology is required, I think it helps to understand the finer points of this book.

Tracy Marks is a popular astrologer and psychotherapist, and has interests in dream work and journal writing. 

The Witches' Almanac

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Witches' Almanac

A wonderful example of a Book of Shadows for the budding witch, pagan or occultist with recipes, tree lore, moon phases, charms, spells, secrets, reviews, diary events, quotes, places of interest, music, poetry, gods and goddesses, astrology, garden planting, incantations, reminiscences and personal learning. Sketches, photos, drawings, etc.

Delightful and useful spiritual journaling!
Review: Wendy Stokes https://wendystokes.co.uk

The Wild Edge of Sorrow Review & Extract

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Wild Edge of Sorrow - Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief by Francis Weller. Published by North Atlantic Books. RRP US 

$14.95 : Can $19.50 

“Embrace you grief for There your soul will grow.” Carl Jung

This is a wonderfully enriching book, written by a very qualified facilitator who specialises in grief. Many quotes, meditation, guidance, rituals and maps, and five important gates/stages are detailed. If you feel your soul should has broken and you have lost great chunks of it, this book will help you feel whole again. It describes many ways grief is expressed, in retreat, anger, addictions, complexes. 

Extract: this book is a meditation on the sacred ground of grief and the way it enables us to walk with its realities of loss and death, how it shakes us and breaks us open to depths of soul we could not imagine. Grief offers a wild alchemy that transmutes suffering into fertile ground. 

Secrets of Paradise Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Card Deck Review: Secrets of Paradise Tarot - Inspired by Caribbean & Latin American Culture& Mysticism. By Leticia Ferrer-Rivera. Illustrated by Laura Bello. Boxed set of 81 cards and Guidebook. Published by Hay House. Date Jan 2023 UK : £22

“May the oceans bring blessings, abundance, and healing to all who inhabit the Planet Earth.”

Sample: Madre Tierra - About this card - This title replaces The World in traditional decks, and depicts the Ceiba Tree (the sacred tree of the Maya) from Puerto Rico. Animals from Africa, Spain, Uruguay, and Puerto Rico appear in this card, under the Sun and Moon. Card Meaning: This card appears when a person needs to evaluate their position in relation to the rest of the world. Is this person in an eternal night under the moon or burning under the baking Sun? Or are they as grounded, centred and strong as the sacred Ceiba Tree? This card is also a representation of power and shows how much influence someone has over their circumstances. It highlights knowledge and education. We must always learn from situations, and not only be interested in what we can easily master. This card might also show a deep love of nature and a person’s deep caring for the planet. This card honours all wildlife and animals. 

The Tipping Point

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Tipping Point - How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell, published by Abacus. Michael Gladwell's Blog is available on this link: http://gladwell.typepad.com/gladwellcom/

All kinds of 'laws', 'rules' and definitions here! How to live your life! Case studies and stories demonstrate how power and control and belief can change your life!

I always question these definitive ways to live your life, but do I believe that small things matter? Yes, definitely, and the small aspects of life, all congregate together to make the big things!
Also by the same author:
Outliers
David & Goliath
What the Dog Saw
The Box Set 

The Hoffman Process

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Hoffman Process - The World-Famous Technique That Empowers You to Forgive Your Past, Heal Your Present, and Transform Your Future by Tim Laurence. 

The Hoffman Process is a world-famous technique that empowers you to forgive your past, heal your present, and transform your future. This book provides a method to address hurts and heal the self. The method, the Hoffman Process was developed by Bob Hoffman and this book is written by the Founder of the Hoffman Institute UK and a Director of Hoffman International who studied with Bob Hoffman. A personal story is provided, with many exercises, such as a dialog with your parents, releasing resentments, letting go of old hurts, etc.

Persephone Unveiled

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Persephone Unveiled - Seeing the Goddess & Freeing Your Soul by Charles Stein, 140 pages, Paperback RRP US $17.95 : Can $22.50 : £13.85 published by North Atlantic Books. 

A mythical and magical story of ancient rites and initiation is the subject of this extraordinary book, which is full of fascinating potentials and wonders. 

Beginning with Hesiod and the Homeric Hymn of Demeter, the abduction of her daughter Persephone, and into the underworld, here we have a wonderful explanation of this secret and ancient story of  with greater and lesser mysteries and divine revelations. (Were hallucinogen drugs used?) I very much enjoyed reading Dr Stein’s  words and considering the wonderful circumstances that took place 3,000 years ago. He is a poet who specialises in literature and ancient Greek and is very articulate and knowledgeable.  He has authored many books. 

NLP

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: How to use Neuro-Linguistic Programming to Change Your Life by Ali Campbell. Published by Hay House. RRP UK £8.99  

NLP is a powerful method of personal change and this book describes the most important NLP methods in an easy to understand way. All the major parts of Neuro-Linguistic Programming are here. What is NLP, anchoring, modalities, the swish technique, changing states, Meta models, etc. There are exercises, timelines and checklists that demonstrate the method to help you change memories, strengthen your communication, manage your mood and mental health. 

Life Magic

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Life Magic - The Power of Positive Witchcraft  by Susan Bowes. Full Colour Hardback. Published by The Speaking Tree. 

This book is a positive thinking celebration of life. It connects us to nature and to others through the Divine Feminine. Many male and female deities are featured, the meaning of magic, spell making, rituals, candles, the calendar, astrology, the moon, numbers, trees, cards, and other pagan topics are covered here. This is the time of the return of the goddess, of the witch! Accoutrements, rites of passage, and working with spirits of the Otherworld are included. 

The Healing Power of Trees

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Healing Power of Trees - Spiritual Journeys Through the  Celtic Tree Calendar by Sharlyn Hidalgo. Published by Llewellyn Worldwide. RRP US $17.95 : Can $20.95 

We are in a time of recognising the importance of trees in our world. So many entire forests and species are under threat. This book is a joy to read and there is much here to learn from. Tree lore is an ancient wisdom and the author writes about her own personal story, then invites us to walk with her in this enriching journey using the seasonal calendar to cultivate a relationship with trees. The Major Celtic trees are detailed, we are given guided meditations, astrology and runes information, 23 ogham letters, and tree honouring ceremonies. You will develop greater understanding of many common trees and how you can work with them to build a personal relationship with them.

Sephirot - The Spheres of Heaven Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Sephirot - The Spheres of Heaven Tarot by author, Georg Hobmeier, and illustrators, Eliot Baum and Viv Tanner. Boxed set of 80 cards and guidebook. Published by Hay House. RRP US $24.99 : Can $33.99 : UK £18.32

Sample card text: Nine of Cups - Love cannot last in a static form. It either transforms and grows anew or perishes. This is the nature of life of all energy in the universe and it is the lesson of the 9 of Cups. While the fountain of love, like edifice of this card, is magnificent, it’s also strangely ephemeral. Eventually we will have to move on. If we don’t stand up and leave this tranquil fountain of our own volition, something or someone will force us. This is the tale of caution, but also hope. Life is motion, and love is life in motion. If the flow is maintained, there will be countless more fountains. We need not cling to this one.  

Magdalene's Lost Legacy

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Magdalene's Lost Legacy - Symbolic Numbers and the Sacred Union in Christianity by Margaret Starbird, Published by Bear & Co, paperback and kindle. 

Patriarchy has failed us for millennia! The author, Margaret Starbird has written 7 books on the topic of Mary Magdalene’s role in the life of Jesus and has studied original Greek manuscripts to decode embedded gematria (numbers) within the New Testament texts. She has uncovered hidden aspects of the divine feminine, and the sacred partnership between Jesus and his bride, that was the earliest of Christian spiritual relationships. This secret wisdom was corrupted by St Paul and other misogynistic Church fathers. This sacred marriage of the Lamb and the Bride unites the divine aspects of the male and female, known as the 'heiros gamos'.  Margaret Starbird challenges the celibacy of Jesus replacing it with a union with Mary Magdalene that restores the female to its rightful place as bride, beloved and sacred partner, and provides a true understanding of love and commitment. 

Magdalene Mysteries

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Magdalene Mysteries - The Left Hand Path of the Feminine Christ by Seren & Azra Bertrand. Published by Bear & Co. 

Mary Magdalene, as we know from original and earliest sources was a Jewish woman who assisted Jesus and the apostles with their finances. She had seven demons driven from her by Jesus, and was at the foot of the cross when he was crucified. And she is reputed to have been the first person to see the risen Christ. Even this last point about her life is debatable. Women were not considered reliable witnesses, especially one who had been affected with 7 demons. As a Biblical persona, she has been confused with Mary of Bethany, and Mary of Egypt, hence the accusation of prostitution - a terrible slur against her name. 

This book is a NewAge/Fertility Goddess genre paperback. It’s about a pagan Mary Magdalene, coupled with assumptions and corruptions, and it’s about a different kind of Jesus to the one that is prophecies and documented in the Old & New Testaments. For 1,400 years, Mary Magdalene suffered a gross injustice, as she was accused by the Papacy of prostitution. There is nothing in the New Testament to associate her name with this way of making her money. Was Jesus a pimp living off immoral earnings? It is highly unlikely that this Mary was a prostitute, as Jewish women and the entire society were extremely sexually oppressed. At the time, with Roman soldiers in the city, disease would have been rampant amongst prostitutes and they would have been violently driven from the city. 

The Church of Mary Magdalene

Mind Body Soul Ezine Book Review: The Church of Mary Magdalene - The Sacred Feminine and the Treasures of Rennes-le-Chateau by Jean Markale

This book examines the connection between the Templars, the Cathars, and the enigmas of the Rennes-le-Chateau area of France, and its connection to the legends of Mary Magdalene. Does the church hold the answers to the questions that seekers ask about who Mary Magdalene was? Was she ever there? Was she married to Jesus? Did she have children? Was she a High Priestess who anointed the Priest King into his spiritual destiny? Etc. These questions are answered in the text along with the mystery of a newly appointed priest in 1885 and the unusual behaviour and strange building work that occurred during his tenure. Did he discover something valuable while renovating the church, from Roman, Templar, Cathar, or other group?  

Magdalene Oracle Cards

Mind Body Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Magdalene Oracle - An Ocean of Eternal Love by Toni Carmine Salerno, published by Blue Angel Publishing, 45 cards in a boxed set with instruction booklet. £17.99

Mary Magdalene is presented through the modern artwork and text of Toni Carmine Salerno, with figurative and some abstract paintings. Mary Magdalene is the bearer of infinite love and timeless wisdom and the deck can be used for personal guidance or for simple readings. For each card, a 150 word reading is supplied. 

Text description and meaning of the cards follows: 

 

Secrets of Mary Magdalene

Mind Body & Soul  Book Review: Secrets of Mary Magdalene -A Guide to Her Story, History and Heresy by Dan Burstein and Arne de Keijzer. 

The life of Mary Magdalene is examined by the experts, with contributions from Elaine Pagels, Margaret Starbird, Merlin Stone and a host of other writers and researchers throughout all time. Each provides from their perspective who this enigmatic woman was, what do we know about her from the canonical gospels and the many other traditions that describe her as a provider, lover, outcast, harlot, wife, teacher, priestess, healer, apostle to the apostles, and in poetry, painting, fact and fiction. This book has it all! 

It is my favourite book about the Magdalene. It''s brilliant! Easy to read, with broad, fascinating, often new and exciting content. Recommended. 

Magdalene Manifestation Cards

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Magdalene Manifestation Cards - Create Abundance through Love by Danielle Rama Hoffman, published by Bear & Co (22/6/2023) US:$30.00 CAN$37.50 UK£20.99 

The sturdy magnetic lid box holds 44 cards and the accompanying guidebook. Hoffman is also the author of The Temples of Light, The Council of Light and The Tablets of Light. 

Each Magdalene Manifestation Card has a computerised design, a title, a subtitle, and a short message of 15 words. For example, the first card in the deck is titled “Yummy Money and is first of the Resource Codes. The subtitle is Thriving Mission and the message is ‘Money is designed to champion your mission. Let money do things for you and watch your mission thrive.” Others in the Resource Codes are titled: Sublime Time, Divine Relationships, and Radiant Energy’.”

The concept of this deck is to replace lack based consciousness with abundance and prosperity. The guidebook is extensive and the text provides a 10 word quote for each card, a 200 word message and a 400 word Application. The guidebook opens with a dedication from the author and the Magdalene Midwives, and we have lots of information about developing a higher dimensional collective intelligence, harnessing your co-creational power, deepening your Magdalene Manifestation Practice, assisting your ascension, and making intimate connections with Source and learning about Holograms. Your multi-dimensionality will expedite manifestation even while you sleep!