Fenestra Tarot Review

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Fenestra Tarot by Chatriya, Published by US Games Systems Inc. £18.75 Pack contains 78 cards and instruction leaflet. Card size: 3” x 5” (7 x 12 cm). 

Thai artist Chatriya Hemharnvibul has produced this very beautiful card deck, having previously produced artwork for Wicca Cards. Definitely a fine colourist and expert figurative painter, the artwork will delight. The title of the deck ‘Fenestra’ means ‘windows’ in Latin and the intention behind the title is to open windows within the imagination. I think this is a deck, created by a female for females, due to its gentleness and soft energy. Only a little white information insert with very basic information in several European languages is included in the pack but the artwork of the cards says it all! 

The Egyptian Origins of King David and The Temple of Solomon

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Egyptian Origins of King David & The Temple of Solomon by Ahmed Osman. Published by Bear & Co. US $18.00: Can $22.50

The book’s dedication states it is : “To the followers of Hermes Trismagistus - those people, in different parts of the world, who never forgot the wisdom of ancient Egypt.”

The text questions the accepted narrative of the Old Testament to show its parallels in Egyptian history, including the origin of the 10 Commandments. Akhenaton, the first monotheist Egyptian king is presented as the prophet Moses. Tutmosis III is King David and Tuthmosis III was Solomon. The coronation of king Solomon is in accordance with Egyptian coronation customs and his reputation as a visionary, an animal whisperer, a magician and exorcist (using his ring to command demons with its Seal of Solomon). Solomon was said to have used demons to build Jerusalem and he imprisoned the spirits in water pots in the Temple when it was built. It also states that Isaac’s father was pharaoh Tuthmose III who married Sarah (Queen). Though Solomon founded Jerusalem with a Temple and Palace though evidence of these have not been found. After the Babylonian invasion and exile of 586BC, Cyrus of Persia defeated the Babylonians and gave permission to the Jews to return to their homeland to rebuild their Temple and this was completed around 6th century BCE, destroyed by the Romans in 70AD. 

The Wife of Jesus

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Wife of Jesus - Ancient Texts and Modern Scandals by Anthony Le Donne

Would an itinerant preacher have the responsibilities of a wife and children one wonders, especially as Jesus provoked ire from the powerful Jewish elite! The Essenes were celibate, and John, the cousin of Jesus, an ascetic, may have been an Essene. Maybe Jesus was too! There is question whether The Gospel of Jesus’ Wife is a forgery! Was Jesus married and if so, to whom? This is the subject of this study and unlike many sensationalised and lucrative accounts, it is dealt with in an academic manner by a scholar of Jesus and the time in which he lived, and with an open mind and without an agenda! It is written in a chatty and easy, modern style. 

Oracle of the Phoenix

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Oracle of the Phoenix By Christine Arana Fader. Illustrated by Elena Dudina.  Boxed set of 44 Cards and Guidebook. Published by Earthdancer. RRP US $19.99 : Can $24.99

“Feel the fire of transformation, the change begins within you.”

Each card has an image and title. In the book, more information is provided. Phoenix is a power animal and a soulmate. It is the divine firebird, the highest light of transformation, rebirth and renewal. In Egypt, it was called Benu, and in China, Feng, and in North America, Wakinyan. Consumed by fire, the bird rises from the ashes, transforms negative into positive, wrong into right, and provides messages for new paths, fresh perspectives, rejuvenation, and connects ancient wisdom.  It explains how to get the best from the deck, how to lay out the cards and interpret them. The book contains a prayer and a closing blessing, and 35 titles plus 4 Pegasus Jokers and a Master Card. Each card has a piece of advice, meaning for each card and an exercise. 

Crow Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Card Deck Review: Crow Tarot by M J Cullinane, published by U S Games Systems Inc.  £23.33 Release date: Sept 2023

Sample card: The Tower 16. Keywords: Drastic change, Upheaval, Catastrophe. Element: Fire. Each night, the crows gather to roast in the top of an old belltower that sits on a hill, away from the city lights. The tower has always provided a comfortable shelter that has offered security. However, the tower comes with a warning, do not become too comfortable or complacent. It could be whisked away in a flash. Mentally prepare yourself. Change is always afoot. Sometimes change happens and goes by virtually unnoticed, but not this time. You will feel it. It will shake your ground. How you manage this change will have a direct impact on how you will fare in the future. The energy caused by this change will spark something within that will move you towards a better place. How the pieces fall are up to you. Changes are inevitable, and when the tower is reversed, it is a sign that you are doing everything in your power to prevent necessary action. In doing so, you delay the experience you need to learn from in order to move forward.

The Spirit Animal Oracle

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Reviews: The Spirit Animal Oracle by Colette Baron-Reid, Boxed set of 68 cards and guidebook, published by Hay House, U.K. £19.99 : US $29.99 : CAN $39.99 Card size: 6 “ x  4.5”

“The spirits residing in the natural world have much to share, and the secrets of their forgotten language are now available to us.”

The cards have a number, image, title and subtitle on the face and inside in the guidebook, there is a further 200 words of messages on upright cards and an addition 200 words of a protection message for each card that is reversed. 

The Medicine Woman Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Medicine Woman - Inner Guidebook - A Woman's Guide to her Unique Powers Using The Medicine Woman Tarot Deck by Carol Bridges, published by U S Games Systems Inc.

I like this book very much. It begins with a gypsy story about wholeness and the origin of the tarot. Information is provided on how to use the cards, preparing for a reading, etc. This Inner Guidebook is a teaching manual which takes the user on a journey of personal and spiritual improvement. With a Native American influence, it includes ancient wisdom, Earth honouring, personal power, and spiritual responsibility and progress, which are developed through visualisations, affirmations, exercises, diet advice, colours, invocations, a consciousness map, and grounded learning. 

Designed as a bridge to a loving world and a method of healing. 

The Secret History of Christmas Baking

The Secret History of Christmas Baking - Recipes and Stories from Tomb Offerings to Gingerbread Boys by Linda Raedisch, ISBN 978-0-7387-7235-6, RRP $17:99. Published by Llewellyn Publications. (8 Sept, 2023)

This is a magical exploration of the sometimes dark and always intriguing history of some of our most beloved baked Christmas treats. Many have surprising origins with many twists and turns in their development into the festive delights that we enjoy today. 

The 300 pages of this book are delightfully crammed with recipes, and also crafts! Good old fashioned wholesome crafts like making your own Christmas star shaped cookie tray or a paper angel! Homemade marzipan and how to make your own candied peel to name just a selection of treats. All the instructions are easy to follow and offer the relevant historical information of each.

Gathered from all over Europe and sometimes dipping into the ancient exotic cultures of Persia, Arabia, and Egypt, Linda Raedisch delivers everything you need to get you in the mood for the season. Written with wit and passion, it is an unexpected page turner. 

 

Seeking Faery

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Seeking Faery - An Introduction to the Hidden World of the Fae by Emily Carding, with illustration by Siolo Thompson. Published by Llewelyn US $18..99

Pixies, Will o’the Wisp, the Sidhe, gnomes, and all the wonder of Faery land is here. Their crafts, behaviour and their extraordinary kingdoms are described and beautifully illustrated to helps you to honour and develop your relationship with these otherworld creatures. The book is aimed for beginners, but Faery exponents will also find new enjoyments here.

Ancient myths, history and folklore, poems, journeying, visions and meditations, two dozen voice and movement based exercises, Arthurian and Holy Grail connections, glyphs and symbol gateways, the moon directions and elements, the sacred landscape, wells, springs and guardian spirits, Faery etiquette, offerings and shrines, how to find your Faery ally and enjoin with a Faery tree, how to connect with nature, and Faeries throughout the year, are all wonders that are included, with a Faery vow and a Faery blessing. 

Yuletide Tarot Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Yuletide Tarot by Kristoffer Hughes, Art by Erin O`Leary Brown. Published by Llewellyn Worldwide ISBN 978-0-7387-7045-1 RRP $32:99

Yuletide Tarot is an absolutely charming and fascinating Tarot concept, which I believe is the first of its kind . It was created by Chief of the Anglesey Druid Order in Wales Kristoffer Hughes. He had casually mentioned to his Editor at Llewellyn that there was no complete Tarot that honoured the Christmas season. He was then asked if he would like to create a deck on this theme. The set is gloriously illustrated by Erin O'Leary Brown who specializes in children's illustration as well as botanical and nature themes. 

Moonology Diary

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Review: Moonology Diary by Yasmin Boland, published by Hay House. 

Be reminded and learn more about the moon and yourself as you discover the lunar cycle, the rhythms, and phases, and use these energies to produce joy, meaning and purpose in your life. The words of the diary will guide you with New and Full Moon influences, and with positivity, to plan your months throughout the year. It’s a beautiful addition to your daily life. 

Also by the author Yasmin Boland:

Moonology Oracle Cards

The Rose Oracle

Keeper of the Light Oracle Cards

Celtic Tarot Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Celtic Tarot by Kristoffer Hughes with illustrations by Chris Down, Quality presentation boxed set of 78 cards with accompanying full colour book published by Llewellyn Publications. Cost: £22.34

This deck is designed to connect the tarot with Celtic folklore and therefore embrace the power and magic of Celtic mysteries through the medium of the tarot cards.The book includes a brief history of tarot cards and explains who the Celtic peoples were and what their mysteries entailed. Also how to work with tarot. The Kabbalah is included. Trees were important and are included as a device within readings. The major arcana is divided into three parts from the roots to trunk and then branches.

The Major cards have an image, number and title, a text of explanation for each card, a divinatory meaning and a reversed meaning. There are also keywords and a legend written from the perspective of the card itself as though a channelled message.

Messenger Oracle

 Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Messenger Oracle 50 Cards plus Guidebook by Ravynne Phelan, published by Blue Angel Publishing www.dreamsofgaia.com

Quote from the introduction: "I am Gaia. I am the daughter of Great Spirit who is the Source of All. I am both magical and divine, as is all which I create. I am the Great Mother. I am your mother, and you, beautiful soul, are a physical manifestation of my love."

The artwork has great flair and imagination with dragons, snakes, trees, foxes, big cats, masks, raven, turtle, wolf, fox, owl, raven and other imaginary and real species. She began art as therapy to solve depression issues and began to specialise in the Earthy and magical, in Gaia and the Green Spirit.

Tarot of the Golden Wheel

Mind Body Soul Magazine Card Deck Review: Tarot of the Golden Wheel by Mila Losenko, published by US Games Systems Inc. Boxed set of 78 cards and guidebook. £15.99

With inspiration from Russian folk tales and with bright hand painted artworks of costume and the traditional rural culture of the Slav ccountryside, this is a deck of great beauty and meaning. The artist and concept writer, Mila Losenko originates in the Altai Mountains. She has a degree in Teaching Fine Arts and works as a book illustrator. She has produced a very interesting card deck in the Tarot of the Golden Wheel with exquisite water colour paintings!

The Earthcraft Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Earthcraft Oracle by Juliet Diaz and Lorraine Anderson with art by Danielle Boodoo-Fortune, published by Hay House, boxed set of 44 cards with guidebook. US $19.99 Can $ 25.99 

‘Earth Mother I worship thee for thy body is my temple, my religion reclaimed.’

“Cut the vine, pick the fruit, take a bow, thank the root.”

The topic of planetary welfare is of utmost importance, and this card deck helps us to focus on the planet as our birthplace, our home, our provider and our Mother. It reminds us to reconnect to the Earth, and to ourselves and to respect and appreciate the healing we are offered. Indigenous people have handed down knowledge that we have forgotten about the Earth and its wonders. The importance of the Earth is detailed within the deck’s messages, and the deck can appeal to women (and men) of all races, genders, sizes and skin tones - all are children of Mother Earth. 

Tarot Interactions

 
Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Tarot Interactions - Become More Intuitive, Psychic & Skilled at Reading Cards by Deborah Lipp, published by Llewellyn Worldwide, 252 pages paperback £16.99 www.deborahlipp.com

The author is an initiated Gardnarian witch and high priestess of a coven and teaches Wicca and pagan practices. She has 30 years experience of Tarot. She is keen to express the importance of 'seeing the big picture'. The combinations of possible tarot readings is astronomical, 25,000 combinations easily. With the use of ten or more cards, we approach a quarter of a million possible combinations!

Sibyls Oraculum

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Sibyls Oraculum - Oracle of the Black Doves of Africa by Tayannah Lee McQuillar, with artwork by Katelan V Foisy, Pack contains 44 cards and comprehensive information book. £16.99 published by Destiny Books

"There will be a coming of the day when that which is hidden shall be revealed" 

The Libyan Sibyl

The author, Tayannah Lee McQuillar is a cultural anthropologist, scholar of religion, esoterica and mysticism. She hails from New York but conducted her research in Brazil and New Orleans and has shown great expertise in her knowledge of divination from earliest antiquity in this North African study and uniquely developed card system. She is the author of  'Rootwork'.

The Sacred Power of Your Name

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Sacred Power in Your Name - Using Your Name for Personal Empowerment and Healing by Ted Andrews. Published by Llewellyn Books. 

The late Ted Andrews (1952-2009) was an author of over 30 books, including Animal-Speak, Animal-Wise, Nature-Speak, How to Meet and Work with Spirit Guides, The Healer's Manual, How to Uncover Your Past Lives, and many others in these genres. He was a speaker and seminar leader, qualified teacher, and well known in esoteric and occult fields of study. Ted was also involved with Jewish Kabbalah, Indian mysticism, holistic healing modalities, including music therapy, herbology, hypnotherapy, acupressure and other alternative techniques. 

This book is a revelation for those who will discover meanings within their name that they have never imagined! 

Recommended.  I love all Ted's work!

Romancing the Ordinary

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Romancing the Ordinary - A Year of Simple Splendour by Sarah Ban Breathnach. Published by Simon & Schustsr. £10 

“And did you get what you wanted from this life? I did. And what did you want? To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on the earth.” Raymond Carver. Late Fragment. 

From Lincolnshire, the author, Sarah Ban Breathnach provides us here with monthly write-up of inspiration, support and beauty. She sustained a major head injury and reviewed her life. She turned the hours of lead into days of gold and shares this secret with us. She teaches us to fall in love with life as though it is a soul mate. The book has many quotes, stories from the past, poetry, people and places. Everything written here is sensitively presented for nourishing us and healing us, restoring us to health and strength. Every page is sheer delight and the values it espouses are of the highest. You will not be disappointed. 

Zombie Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Zombie Tarot – Mystical Prediction Oracle is also known as ‘Your Weapon of Choice’ and ‘An Oracle of the Undead’. 

This is a novelty pack published by Quirk Books. It consists of 78 cards illustrated by Paul Kepple (author of The Housewives’ Tarot) and Ralph Geroni of Headcase Designs. 
The pack has a 96 page instruction booklet offering three key words and a brief explanation of the energy, written by Stacey Graham (author of The Girl’s Ghost Hunting Guide). 

The Road to Eleusis

Mind Body & Soul Ezine: The Road to Eleusis - Unveiling the Secret of The Mysteries by the late R Gordon Wasson, the late Dr Albert Hofmann, and Prof Carl A P Ruck. Published. By North Atlantic Books. RRP US $18.95 : Can $22.00 

There are a few b/w images in this book, but mostly you will be impressed with the number of detailed notes on every page written by the three very eminent authors. A Greek initiatory and secret ritual, performed as early as 2000BC every September is the subject of this book which has already been published in previous editions. The Homeric Hymn is translated in over 16 pages describing the story of Persephone and her mother, Demeter. Two families supervised the over night proceedings in the Eleusidean Telesterion. It majors in the use of kykeon, a hallucinogen, and deals with the resultant controversy. The opening chapter is about the use of hallucinogens in religious ceremonies and it continues with autobiographical stories by the late Gordon Wasson, his early interest in mushrooms and the praises that he, and others, sing about them. Plato had drunk the mushroom potion and spent the night in the Eleucidean Temple to see visions.

The deadly Ergot was known in the Middle Ages as St Anthony’s Fire, as St Anthony was the patron saint of those who cared for its victims. Was it this that infected the wheat, barley, and rye? Now it has been synthesised into effective medication for numerous ailments. A chapter is provided Albert Hofmann,  the pharmacologist who developed LSD. 

The Witch’s Familiar Runic Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Witch’s Familiar Runic Oracle by author and artist Athene Noctua. Boxed set of 24 cards and guidebook. Published by Hay House. RRP US $12.99 : Can $17.50

The runes originally had a connection to nature and this connection is important in the reading so the book gives the rune letter, the god-form, and the animal. The book also provides information on runes for the beginner and I think this would make an interesting gift for a young and inquisitive person. The write-up gives explanation of the artwork combined with the rune, a handful of keywords, and offers a magical working. 

Sample: Ingwaz - Lion - Still, but with slowly building intensity, the full maned lion, is poised for action. He holds within himself, the potential for an explosive release of energy. He is the leader of his pride. If called to it, he will make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the survival of the next generation. This rune is of growth, the spark of life, and the germinating seed. It has enormous creative potential, and is the fertile male representation, in balance with his female. If you receive this rune, consider taking time to create space for transformation and inner growth. It is time to build up your energy stores. An explosive expenditure of energy may be needed. In reverse, this rune can indicate impotence, immaturity, scattered energy, and a lack of forward movement. Keywords: creation, wholeness, harmony, evolution, energy, magical workings. This rune can function as a container or receptacle for energy, so on the full moon, consider inscribing it on a clear quartz stone before you charge it in the Moonlight.

Trick or Treat Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Card Deck Review: Trick or Treat Tarot by Barbara Moore, published by Llewellyn Worldwide. Quality boxed set of 78 cards and full colour Guidebook. UK £29.17 release date: 6th Dec 2022 

Sample: 10 The Wheel of Fortune: Generally, we know what kind of candy we have based on the wrapper. It’s nice when life is labelled clearly. But it doesn’t happen often. Mostly, we don’t know, which is one reason that people have a Tarot reading to tell the future. But sometimes, we must make a choice without reliable information, and then it is the luck of the draw. When this card comes up, be grateful because you are in for some good luck and you didn’t do anything to earn it. The best advice is common sense. You have a lucky break, so make good use of it. You can view it as a sign that things are going to change - it might be positive if you are at the bottom of the wheel or negative if you are at the top, since there is only one way to go from there! If you want to get philosophical about it, you might consider that good luck isn’t random. It’s a gift of fate (or possibly the fates) to help you move forward towards your destiny. Keywords: fortune, chance, opportunity, destiny, fate, good luck, change. Reversed: bad luck, misfortune, failure, unexpected setback, reversal, delay.

La Santa Muerte

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: La Santa Muerte Lenormand by Dan M Pelletier with illustrations by Callie L French. Published by REDFeather (Schiffer Publishing) US $ 24.99 : UK £22.99 Published 22nd Sept 2022

The ‘Lady of Holy Death’ oracle cards have a novelty magnetic closure box with eye cut-aways revealing the heads and shoulders of the dancing male and female significator skeletons of this deck. The pack contains a full colour guidebook and 36 illustrated cards without borders. They are the traditional Lenormand size (18cm x 23cm). Motifs are skeletons, skulls, scythes, the hour-glass, scales, tombs and graves, all to do with death and dying, plus flowers, bright colours, beautiful gowns, and that delights and creates fun by dancing and laughing.