The Dark Daughter Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Dark Daughter Tarot - Goddesses of the World Speak from the Depths. Author and Artist, Ellen Lorenzi-Prince. Boxed set of 78 Cards and full colour qua,ith Guide Book. Published by REDFeather Publishing. RRP US $34.99 : UK £30.00 2026

We have a unique and exclusive presentation box that shows a lady dressed in blue with her finger to her lip implying secrets are held within! She is the High Priestess of the deck. Her door opens to reveal the book’s cover image of a Minoan woman in a topless red dress who dances with a white Minotaur! This is the image of The Moon Card. What a stunning opening! 

The card stock is also excellent quality.  Let me tell you about the content of this extraordinary set. The darkness referred to relates to suppressed, difficult, hidden, deep, the unspoken, but not entirely negative energies! These are the divine feminine shape-shifters, landscape guardians, nature lovers, power-brokers, spell-workers, fair folk, all are expert teachers, some loving, and some scary. The Dark Daughter is child of the Ancestors, of these mysteries, and of these extraordinary female deities. 

Read Like A Queen

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review- Read Like A Queen - Real-Life Insights to SLAY Your Tarot Practice by Stella Boheme. Published by REDFeather. RRP: $19.99 

I Stella Boheme is a debut author but has been reading the cards since she was 14 yrs old in Ohio! Then a. Love to Florida to work in the theme park, you know, the one with the funny mouse on the posters! And who emerged from the Gemini wild child and all time entertainer, a Drama Queen and Drag Queen with wit and wisdom! So this is the tutorial, and she becomes our mentor! 

The introduction is a stream of consciousness, the Queen of Glam Tarot speaks from the page. Her motto is: Uplift and Empower! We are provided with plenty that will strengthen and add delight to readings. 

Majors have keywords, archetypes, characters, zodiac correspondences, Focus suggestions, and music additions. There is a full detailed meaning for each major, and a prompt for a glamorous journal. There is a glamorous meditation for each major also. I would say informative and lots to bring on a smile! 

Rota Mundi Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Rota Mundi Tarot  - The Rosicrucian Arcanum by Daniel E Loeb. Published by REDFeather/Schiffer Publishing. Presentation boxed set of 78 Cards and Guidebook. US: $34.99 and U.K.: £31.99 

Are you seeking a very special conceptual Tarot deck in order to deliver in depth, and extraordinary readings? This is it! 

This innovative deck honours the original Fraternity of the Rose Cross, subsequent Rosicrucians and invisible colleges. Alchemy, Gnosticism, hermeticism, Kabbalah, Judeo-Christian mysticism and other antique secret knowledge sources, known only to selected members of society are revealed.

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 or 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. 

Simply Deep Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Simply Deep Tarot by Chanel Bayless with artwork by James Battersby. Published by Schiffer Publishing. Boxed set of 78 Cards and Guidebook. RRP US $24.99 

Sample card: Ace of Cups - keywords: Gratitude, Refreshment, Compassion. Upright: Unconditional love is overflowing in your life. Let peace fill your heart. This is the beginning of an emotional journey in which you will be called upon to learn a higher form of love, evolving outside of physical intimacy. Reversed: Smothering isn’t good for either party, as it feels like forced affection. Love may be conditional, or this is a negatively energised relationship that outweighs any benefits.

Here we have a Tarot with vibrantly painted images by an Irish artist. The 78 cards come in a magnetic fliptop box with the guidebook. Detachment is suggested for readings without bias, prejudice or emotion. A preparation method is given for highly individual personal readings for yourself. No spreads are suggested, but shuffle the deck and ask your question, lay down one card as an answer. Look up the meaning provided in the guidebook. And look at the card - what do you see immediately? What personal meaning does it have for you? What does it remind you of? Write these answers down. An example of a one card reading is provided and there are a variety of exercises. I like the method presented in this Tarot. 

The Illuminati Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Illuminati Tarot - Keys of Secret Societies by Casey DuHamel and illustrated by Bob Greyvenstein Published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd, Presentation boxed set of 78 cards with full colour guidebook. U.K. : £36.99  US : $39.99

Provided along with the card image, number and title, the Majors have association with the Priory of Sion, all have a quote, an explanation of the card and its symbolism, the keywords and meaning in a reading, in addition to its archangel, astrology sign, Cabala path, element and Hebrew letter. Plenty of new material here for the general Tarot reader. 

The Court Cards are Novices (Pages - Earth), Initiates (Knights - Air) Adepts (Queens - Water), and Mages (Kings - Fire) all are given a quote, an explanation and keywords, and their individual Nature, Element, Tetragrammaton and Card Persona. All Pips have keywords. 

The Healing Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Healing Tarot - 78 Ways to Wellness, by Juno Lucina, illustrated by Monica Knighton. Presentation box containing 78 cards and guidebook. Published by Schiffer Publishing. RRP US $39.99 

This is an interesting study on what each Tarot card means here in terms of Astrology, Qabala, Archetypes, and the traditional RWS perspective. Health, diet, fitness, wellness, balance of body, mind and spirit are provided with upright and reversed meanings for self readings and readings for others. The guidebook contains detailed text for Majors and lessons text for Court Cards and Minors. Each card provides a pencil sketch, title, subtitle, additional title, number, quote, information on the meaning, astrology connections, traditional interpretations, and health advice for upright and reversed cards. 

Spreads suggested are Acute Illness 4 cards, Healthy Zodiac 12 cards, and Diet/Fitness 7 cards. 

The Tarot of Curious Creatures

Mind Body & Soul Card Deck Review: The Tarot of Curious Creatures by Chris-Anne. Published by Hay House. Boxed set of 79 cards and guidebook. UK £18.32 : US $26.99 : Can $35.99

Crazy, weird, eccentric, whimsical, all the wildest adjectives suit this tarot deck - and what a pack! 78 different characters all with a story, and a message of advice and encouragement. How do you feel about animal heads on human bodies, and wearing tasteful fashion? There is more than a hint of  power animals in this deck! These are photo realism people, computer graphics to make you laugh and have fun. You will find your Curious Creature Guide, meet them on Pathworkings, enjoy some new layouts, working with Major, Court Card and Minor 'interesting' messages. 

The creator, Chris-Anne is an experienced card deck designer. Her other card decks are: Lightseer’s Tarot, The Muse Tarot, and The Sacred Creator’s Oracle. 

Tarot Medieval Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Tarot Medieval - The Mysteries of the Initiates Path by Caitlin Matthews with illustrations by Wil Kingham. Boxed set of cards and full colour book. Published by REDFeather (subsidiary of Schiffer Publishing) May 2023 UK £27.99 : US $29.99

A magnetic flip top box opens to display a comprehensive book and 78 cards. Size: 13.5 x 10.5 cm. Caitlin Matthews has translated, edited and provided additional material to revive an original, lost Tarot deck by Francis Rolt-Wheeler. The artwork is produced by Wil Kingham from originals by Christian Loring. 

A fascinating story begins with the highly praised Christian Loring who is a specialist in medieval art, and knowledgeable about Qabala. She meets with the esoteric teacher and L’Astrosophie magazine publisher, Francis Rolt-Wheeler to produce a Tarot deck but during WW2 it is becomes lost. 

Tarot of the Kingdoms

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Tarot of the Kingdoms by Paige Ozma Ashmore. Published by REDFeather, a subsidiary of Schiffer Books. £31.99 Boxed set of 80 cards with full colour guidebook.

• Solid card stock in an attractive box. All 80 cards are pretty pastel crayoned artworks. The deck’s creator, Paige Ozma Ashmore, is a mural artist and creates Soul Portraits. She worked on the film, Eleven, as a film artist.

Sample from the book: Ace of Fire - The Phoenix rises from the ashes of an old dream.  

Divinatory Meaning: A birth of something new. Sometimes a troubling birth, but it rises brilliantly. Direction to Take: An action on your part is required. Take that step. 

This deck is designed to dispel negativity, and to help you find your higher purpose. Majors, described as Archetypes, are rainbows. Air is pink, wands, east, and of the fairy kingdom. Fire is red, swords, south, kingdom of the phoenix. Water is blue, west, and kingdom of the merfolk. And Earth, green, north, pentacles, kingdom of the tree spirits. The fifth element is a card titled Spirit. Another addition is a card titled The Universe. Animals are well represented as are women, nature and multicultural influences. 

The Avalonian Oracle

THE AVALONIAN ORACLE - Spiritual Wisdom from the Holy Isle by Jhenah Telyndru and Illustrated by Emily Brunner. Boxed set containing cards and guidebook. ISBN: 978-0-7643-5058-0 Published by REDFeather Mind, Body, Spirit. Previously issued in 2010 as Avalon Within - A Sacred Journey of Myth, Mystery and Inner Wisdom 

Follow in the footsteps of the Priestesses of Avalon and the Goddesses of the Ancient Welsh pantheon. This is a deck for true seekers of mystery, shadow and light. All things Avalon have a very special place in my heart. I had a strong guide in Morgan Le Fay, and fell in love with Marion Zimmer Bradley’s book The Mists of Avalon. It was where I started my own "path" and remains at the heart of my spiritual life. So it truly is a divine privilege to review this deck.

The Gospel of Aradia

Mind Body & Spirit Ezine card deck review: The Gospel of Aradia by Stacey Demarco, artwork by Jimmy Manton. Boxed set with 36 cards and a 112 page guidebook. Published by Blue Angel Publishing £15.99

"The angels of one religion are the devils of another!"

Cards carry a title in Latin, an affirmation, a poem and a message. 

The story of Aradia is the story of the 'strega' the weaver of magic, mystery and enchantment, empowerment and creativity that can assist the self or others. 

Aradia was lost and wandering through the countryside, hungry and cold. An old woman finds her and invites her to share her meagre meal. The woman has an injured leg and Aradia prepares a poultice and shows the old lady how to make it and use it and she sings a song of healing. In the morning, Aradia is gone, but the woman finds her leg has healed. As she touches her shawl, three gold coins fall to the floor. She looks out the window and her old cow is young again and her old horse is strong again. Vegetables, herbs and berries have been planted in her garden.   

The Crystal Spirit Talking Board

Mind Body & Soul Review: The Crystal Spirit Talking Board - A Spiritual Power Tool for Light Workers by Amy Zerner and Monte Farber. Published by REDFeather Publishing. RRP US $34.99  UK £32.00

The box contains a fold up board (mat), a transparent acrylic indicator, and a guidebook with full instructions. Around the board 5 wheels of crystals, the moon, letters, words and numbers. Details are provided in the guidebook on how to use it. 

There are 15 master crystals, along with moon phases, numbers 0-9, 8 directions, letters, and words of power. These represent symbols with meaning and for, a grid of wisdom that provides answers within the guidebook. These stones are created through millions of years within Mother Earth, they hold great power to help us connect to our higher self. I visited my local gemstone shop to buy the required crystals, and these helped with readings, but the spirit board works well without real crystals.

Eco-Spirituality

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Eco-Spirituality in the 21st Century - ReVisioning Nature, Community, and Connection by Dana O’Driscoll & Nate Summers. Published by REDFeather Publishing. US $19.99 : UK £18.99 : Kindle £10.99    October 2025

This is a quality book with glinting printing on the cover, the reader will be impressed by this excellent material written by two specialists in the area of ecology and how it relates to spirituality. We o-ao-author can all learn a lot from this presentation. Dana 0’Driscoll is an Anamist Druid, currently serving as Grand ArchDruid in the Ancient Order of Druids in America. She authored the book ‘Sacred Actions’ and she is a Permaculture Practitioner. Her co-author, Nate Summers is an ancestral skills teacher and survival expert , and he authored the book, ‘Primal’ and ‘Shadow Survival’. 

Your Life in Colour

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book review: Your Life in Colour - Empowering Your Soul with the Energy of Colour by Dougall Fraser and published by Hay House, paperback £12.99 Author website: www.dougallfraser.com

Dougall Fraser is a Los Angeles life coach and workshop facilitator. He has an ability to see auras and has added interests in meditation, chakras and colour healing. Here he explains how to incorporate colour into our life and includes exercises, affirmations, meditations and suggestions on how to align ourself with colour energies. Colours can create positive and negative reactions so we need to find which colours work for us and he provides a simple course to work with a different colour each week. Dougall Fraser provides examples from his personal experiences and those of his clients. Each colour has a positive and a negative aspect and colour can help us to meet our goals, increase energy, influence and wellbeing. We can imagine a beautiful meditation such as imagining a ball of colour above our head which bursts into a shower of sparkles which rain down over us. He has a radio show on Hay House Radio and offers a blog on his website. White, gold, silver, blue, emerald green, purple, ruby red, orange, pink, mint green. 

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.

Land Healing Book Review

Mind Body & Soul Book Review: Land Healing - Physical, Metaphysical, and Ritual Practices for Healing the Earth by Dana O’Driscoll. Published by REDFeather Publishing. RRP US $19.99  

This is a workbook for all lovers of the land. It is transformative - and when healing the land, we heal ourselves. For healers, who want to increase their healing activity and extend it to nature, this is ideal.  Whether you live in the countryside, town or city, this is an excellent book to increase awareness with deep listening and careful observing. 

For many years, spirituality has mean many things to many people; but spirituality is now being defined by working with nature, our enjoyment of it, and the ways in which we care for it. In this book, there is excellent food for thought, meditations, blessings, rituals, sigils, visualisations, knowledge of sacred timing, herbcraft, guardianship of holy space, creating sacred items, such as a fire ceremony, a Crane Bag, smoke and prayer bundles, seed balls, and a sacred grove. 

The Fool's New Journey Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Fool's New Journey Tarot - Sixty Triumphs for a New Dawn by John Matthews and Charles Newington. Boxed set of 60 cards and full colour Guidebook. Published by REDFeather Publishing (Schiffer Books) RRP US $34.99 

Consider your origin: you were not born to live like brutes, but to follow virtue and knowledge. Dante. 

Magnetic and drawer pull box reveals a new Tarot journey using 60 cards to portray the human condition (though my drawer could not be pulled and I realised the sleeve needed to be removed so the box would open!) The cards backs are The Fool in the midst of his journey, surrounded by clouds, moving full circle, half a mirror image not to show which way up the cards have been dealt. There are some exceptional spreads, a Two-Card, a Three-Card, and a Five-Card. 

The Zerner/Farber Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Zerner/Farber Tarot by Amy Zerner & Monte Farber. Quality presentation box containing full colour guidebook and 78 cards. Published by REDFeather Publishing. £29.99 release date: April 2023

These cards have extraordinary fabric and collage images, created by Amy Zerner, an award winning artist. Her husband and co-creator has supplied the text, which I can recommend as insightful and wise in helping to get the best from a reading. Together they have produced other excellent tarot publications: Enchanted Tarot, Instant Tarot, Enchanted Love Tarot, Creativity Oracle and the Enchanted Worlds Book. 

Traditional Witchcraft for Urban Living

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Traditional Witchcraft for Urban Living, by Melusine Draco, Paperback £9.99 E-book £6.99, Published by Moon Books

Melusine Draco’s many books on the occult have a well-deserved reputation for being informative, interesting and useful. This book is ideal for the solitary practitioner living in a town or city (the author provides differences between ‘witchcraft’ per se and ‘wicca’ per se). It is possible to know about herbal lore, to honour nature and to practice magical arts anywhere in the world. She accepts that criticism of witchcraft is still very common in the twenty-first century and suggests it is necessary to be discreet, yet confident. The book contains excellent advice and many good exercises. It also gives an understanding of the problems that present themselves to those living in a built-up area. 

Celtic Book of the Dead

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Celtic Book of the Dead - An Oracle to Steer Your Life Journey by Caitlin Matthews and Danuta Mayer. Published by REDFeather, an imprint of Schiffer Books RRP £27.99 (release date: 28/1/2023)

“The three candles, that illuminate every darkness, are truth, nature and knowledge.”

 We are given a direction by the author, “May your immram make you glad in your soul, and may its blessing ripple through the world.”  If I had a criticism, it would be that the Lenormand size cards are somber in colouring, and computer graphics rather personal artworks, so I was a bit disappointed. There is a folded card insert in the box for a card spread - I would have preferred a larger sized, and more colourful deck of cards. 

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.

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. £12.99 

There are full explanations on what a spirit guide is, how to recognise the various types, to see what is wrong and make changes, set high standards, find out what specialist spirits can teach you. There are 7 types explained in this book, i.e., deities, ancestors, ascended masters, nature spirits, animal guides, star beings, and angels. Other explanations are of god, how to align with your higher self, how to avoid egotism, how to serve, to live your life purpose, what are the dangers, are there evil and random spirits, what is cultural appropriation, and what is spiritual bypassing, etcetera. All important points!

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. 

Secrets of Mary Magdalene

Mind Body & Soul Ezine 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. 

The Chalice of the Magdalene

Mind Body Soul Ezine Book Reviews: The Chalice of the Magdalene - The Search for the Cup that Held the Blood of Christ by Graham Phillips, Paperback and Kindle formats, Published by Bear and Co.

Was the Holy Grail a cup used at the Last Supper by Jesus and his disciples? Was it able to perform miracles? Did Mary Magdalene collect the blood of Jesus in this cup when he appeared to her following his death on the cross? Was there a relic known as the Marian Chalice taken to Rome by Constantine's mother, Helen? Was a cup smuggled from Rome in 410 AD according to Olympiodorus? Was it brought to Britain for safe keeping? This book focuses on the journey of this grail. It identifies Arthur and the place where the Holy Grail is now. 

The Quest for Mary Magdalene

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Quest for Mary Magdalene - History & Legend by Michael Haag

Extract:  “A woman who needed to earn an income could extend her domestic activities into the marketplace where she could sell clothing, farm produce and bread (the bakers were men)or she could be an innkeeper, letting out rooms in her house. Hairdressers, midwives, and professional mourners were traditional occupations for women. But a woman’s earnings were for the benefit of her family. She was not free to dispose of her money herself.

The Sacred Feminine Anthology

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Voices of the Sacred Feminine – Conversations to Re-Shape Our World, Edited by Rev Dr Karen Tate, Published by Changemakers Books. paperback £10.38 400 pages 

This is an anthology of specially chosen articles from keynote speakers, authors and activists who are supportive of the Divine Feminine, each article is between 400 – 1,000 words in length and a short autobiography of the contributor follows each article. All articles cover some aspect of the goddess and are derived from many cultures, for instance, sacred activism, social change, planetary welfare, healing, empowerment and mutual support, in addition to challenges to major patriarchal religions. Worship of the Divine Feminine fills many a gap in general religious thoughts and fails to promote women to positions of power and influence or to recognise the importance of the many benefits that are offered from honouring matriarchal spirituality. Amongst the articles are several interviews which have been aired on the radio broadcast by the presenter Karen Tate. Several of the articles are written from a US perspective but where-ever one is in the world, one can gain something from each and every contribution provided. I have not provided each of the article titles but just idea/s that caught my eye which I thought worthy to mention.  

The Bloodline of the Holy Grail

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Bloodline of the Holy Grail - The Hidden Lineage of Jesus Revealed by Laurence Gardner. 

Kicking off, by page 4, the author is drawing attention to how far our society has degraded from the Grail ideology. The author promises to set out the Grail Code - which is one of service - of conscience, and therefore the grail transmits a true religious message across the world and across the generations. All credit to the late Laurence Gardner for recognising and teaching this ancient and vital knowledge. 

The late Laurence Gardner (died 2010) was a controversial character, a writer, researcher and one time stockbroker. He believed that the Ark of the Covenant produced monoatomic gold, a white powder that has superhuman healing properties; that aliens from other planets brought us religion; that the origins of Judaism lie in Egyptology; and that Jesus married Mary Magdalene, had children and their offspring are in the House of Stewart. He worked closely with HRH Prince Michael of Albany, Head of the Royal House of Stewart, aka Michael Roger Lafosse who has been entirely discredited. 

Secrets of Mary Magdalene

Mind Body Soul Ezine Book Review: Secrets of Mary Magdalene - A Guide to Her Story, History and Heresy anthology edited by Dan Bernstein & Arne de Keijzer, published by Orion Books, kindle and paperback, 480 pages £6.99 With colour plates.  www.secretsofmarymagdalene.com.

“The Untold Story of a History’s Most Misunderstood Woman!’ Well, certainly there is nothing in the New Testament to suggest that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute, so how did this malign story develop, and who was the real Mary Magdalene and what do we know about her?

The Magdalene Legacy

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Magdalene Legacy - The Jesus and Mary Bloodline Conspiracy by Laurence Gardner, with colour plates, published by Element Books, Hardback and paperback: 416 pages.

This is an exploration of Mary Magdalene by the late art historian and genealogist, Laurence Gardner. He tells us of the duff stuff in the book ‘The Da Vinci Code’ by Dan Brown, and he exposes the scam of The Priory of Sion. He provides information about the French Connection, the anointing, the Nazarenes, Templars, the House of Judah, Mary and Martha at Bethany, explains who the three Marys were, Joseph of Arimathea, the Fisher King, Qumran, Sarah-Salome, the Sangreal, the Jerusalem Temple, Chartres Cathedral, the Ark of the Covenant, the Atbash Code, the messianic lineage, Leonardo da Vinci, Sophia, the Gospels, Simon Zealotes, Sts. Peter and Paul, the Old Testament, including the revelations of the names of the persons who wrote St John’s Gospel and the Book of Revelations, and he explains his take that ‘bread’ mentioned in the Lord’s Prayer was a ‘powder of projection’ that was manufactured by Karnak priests, and was the foundation of the Davidic dynasty (not what you might think but something rather incredible). And you will never believe what Joseph and Joseph of Arimathea did for a living! There are short chapters on Arthur, the Grail Castle, and the Last Supper! Revelations and more revelations, including many pages of genealogy. From Martin Malachi: “Only those of the bloodline of Jesus through his mother qualify for the designation of ‘desposyni’.” 

There is an in depth study of the days of the trial and crucifixion, grail tables and the Merovingians.

The Healing Wisdom of Mary Magdalene

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Healing Wisdom of Mary Magdalene - Esoteric Secrets of the Fourth Gospel by Jack Angelo. Published by Bear & Co. RRP US $16.00 : Can 19.50

Taking as its sources, the Gospel of John, the Gnostic Gospels the fragments of text that comprise the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, we read that she was a gifted visionary and spiritual teacher and was intended to lead the Jerusalem group following the death of Jeshua, a Jewish shaman prophet, but was prevented by the male authority figures who were also the Disciples of Jesus. Jack Angelo, a Welsh writer and now healer, had personal contact with Mary Magdalene, who he refers to as Maryam, hearing her voice and being able to speak with her. The book is his memoir of the insights which endorse the importance of this obscure teaching, and brings about healing and transformation. 

A glossary and suggestions for further reading are included. 

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?  

Mary Magdalene, Beloved Disciple

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Mary Magdalene, Beloved Disciple by Clysta Kinstler, published by Cygnus Books, paperback 320 pages £9.95

The late Clysta Kinstler taught Women's Studies, Humanities and the Philosophy of Religion at American River College, Sacramento, California and is also the author of "Moon Under Her Feet', a biblical account of the myth of Isis and Osiris, and Inanna and Dumuzi and a connection of Mary and Jesus to the ancient stories. 

In this novel, 'Mary Magdalene, Beloved Disciple', the perspective is again in this Middle Eastern 'goddess' culture genre that is woven into the Jewish biblical narrative. Written from the perspective of Mary, as though it is her 'gospel' as the divine feminine spouse of Jesus, her story is one of love struggling against the forces of evil that beset their lives. As the goddess representative on Earth, Mary, a tower to her people, she is strong, capable, caring and sincere. With quotes from Dante's Inferno, the Old and New Testament, Bhaghavad Gita, and other sources, the topic is fleshed out into a highly readable, enjoyable and moving storyline. 

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. 

Ben Mijuskovic - Loneliness

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Loneliness in Philosophy, Psychology, and Literature by Ben Lazare Mijuskovic  is available on Kindle £2.52 with 309 pages and there is a FREE download of the book from the website.

This book focuses on the link between literature, psychology and philosophy throughout time and on humankind's ability to deal with loneliness. The author, Ben Mijuskovic, explores the various ways society uses loneliness, for example, "punishing" prisoners by isolation from others. The book discusses in detail the reasons why children fear being alone and how adults deal with a similar anxiety but do not share their concerns with others. The author is a Professor and this is very much reflected in the style of writing. The book provides in depth academic understanding and will be of great interest to students and fellow academics. Reviewer: Susan Griffiths

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. 

The Wisdom of Mary Magdalene Cards

Mind Body Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Wisdom of Mary Magdalene Inspiration Cards by Sharon Hooper and Susun Luvit published by Sanctuary Publications, Boxed set of 36 cards plus instruction booklet.

These 36 card images are taken from classical paintings, some well known, others rarer, and depict Mary Magdalene in her roles as described in The Gnostic Gospel of Mary, The Gospel of Thomas and other texts related to her roles as the the archetype of an ever unconditional loving Divine Feminine. "If Mary Magdalene were alive today, what teaching would she give to you to address your concerns? Can you recognise love in your life? How would she uplife and guide you in your life?" 

Each card carries a message from ancient texts. 

My favourite Mary Magdalene card deck! Review by Wendy Stokes  https://wendystokes.co.uk

The Power Deck Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Power Deck - The Cards of Wisdom by Lynn V Andrews with artwork by Rob Schouten. Book and 45 cards in pack published by Jeremy P Tarcher. For personal self development rather than reading for others because 'to heal our planet we must first heal ourselves'. You are instructed to pick a card each morning for beauty, health, strength and wisdom. The booklet provides information on how to use the cards. There is also a 'sacred wheel' 6 card spread offered. Cards divide into directions and colours to represent the required energy. There is an exercise to work with fear and instructions on keeping a journal with 7 questions for guidance. A daily prayer for empowerment is provided.

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: 

Sacred Earth Oracle

Mind Body &Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Sacred Earth Oracle by Toni Carmine Salerno & Leela J Williams. Artwork by Helena Nelson-Reed. Published by Blue Angel. Boxed set of 43 cards and guidebook. 

Sample: The card of Discernment. Earthly Meaning: "The books, films and people you choose to spend time with, subtly feed your beliefs about how the world works. Choosing good food means your body can absorb all the nutrients that it needs for optimal health. The same applies for the information and attitudes you surround yourself with. Be selective about the movies, books and the conversations you have. Give yourself the opportunity to absorb higher thinking, greater visions and deeper love. Spiritual Meaning: Breathe in the Divine Mother’s love for this world. Surround yourself with the works of peace and compassion. Take on the beauty and joy of living. Increase your concentration of love, and it will naturally flow out into the world, from high to low, following the channel to where it is needed most. The energy you foster in yourself and in the world is a choice. Be selective. Choose love. Insight: When particles move from areas of high concentration to a low concentration, it is called diffusion. 

Enchanted Earth Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Enchanted Earth Oracle by Jessica Lahoud, illustrated by Amanda Clark. Quality flip top box containing 36 Cards and full colour Guidebook by Rockpool Publishing. RRP US $28.95 :UK £20.99 

Sample card from the Guidebook: 8 Forgive Keywords: Compassion, Healing, Forgiveness. “I allow compassion and forgiveness to flow through me.” This card invites you to embrace the transformative power of forgiveness. When you forgive, you do so for yourself and for others. You are standing at the threshold of healing, only blocked by your commitment to hold onto what wounds you. Don’t allow your heart to be hardened by the hurt you have sustained. Instead release the burdens, resentment and pain and open your heart to compassion for yourself as well as for whoever needs your forgiveness at this time. You may not always feel that someone is deserving of your forgiveness. This card serves to remind you that when you allow yourself to forgive and allow yourself to say “I won’t carry this pain anymore. I deserve to be free of this weight. It’s no longer mine to carry.” Be firm in your boundaries to prevent future pain, while releasing whatever binds you to that wound. Make space for peace within. With your heart open and your spirit brimming with love, you create space in your life with positive energy to flourish. Over time you’ll see your growth and you will blossom, free from the shadows of resentment.

The Angel Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Angel Oracle - Working with the Angels for Guidance, Inspiration and Love by Ambika Wauters. Published by Eddison Books £21.99
36 gold leaf edged cards (card size: 5" x 3") plus explanatory booklet in a high quality drawer pull box.

"Praise be to all angels forever" Tobit 11:15

Cards feature attractive mediaeval style angel images with a title and subtitle. The book provides information about angels of all kinds, their powers and duties, from which realm they originate, their function and gifts. There are stories about angels from history and personal experience. In addition, there is advice on how to use the cards, prepare for a reading, how to ask a question and receive an answer for the highest good - all a beginner would need to know. Spreads are suggested with sample readings, including a one card, a 2 card Yin/Yang, a 3 card Past, Present and Future, a 4 card Four Function Psychological, a 5 card Tree of Life, a 6 card Sacred Cross and a 13 card Zodiac spread. Having worked for some time with angels in this way, I can recommend using them, even just choosing a card to meditate on each day. They have a definite magic and the author, Ambika Wauters, is an expert in the field of angelology!

The Rose Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Rose Oracle by Rebecca Campbell, set of 44 cards and Guidebook. Published by Hay House US $26.99 : Can $35.99 : UK £22.99 (March 2022) 

“Unlock the mysteries of the rose, connect to the divine feminine, nature, beauty. May Her healing mysteries call you home to your true nature.”

The rose is an ancient symbol of love and perfection. It is known as the Queen of flowers. The cards call us to meet the Mother Rose, connect to the goddess, to beauty, and to nature. Its perfume, soft velvet petals and beauty have provided great joy across the generations and across many countries of the world. The cards help us to reconnect with the garden, the Earth, the divine feminine, with seasons and cycles. 

Flower Reading Cards

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Flower Reading Cards - Discover the Language of Nature by Cheralyn Darcey (author and artist), published by Rockpool Publishing, 36 cards in magnetic flip to open box with high quality explanatory booklet £14.99 Author website: www.cheralyndarcy.com

International flowers are featured, each card carries a title and subtitle, and linocut artwork, which is also painted by hand. The meanings have been developed through research and enquiry, personal experience and observation. In the booklet, each card has its common name and latin name, meaning, challenges, a botanical profile and a place of origin. Each flower has been given a personality by this environmental artist who uses recycled materials for the past twenty years for her artworks. Also provided is information on how to use the cards, pick a flower for each day, for oracle readings, meditation, healing and education. 

Archangel Fire Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Archangel Fire Oracle by Alexandra Wenman. Boxed set of 40 cards and guidebook. Published by Findhorn Press. US $25 : Canada $31.50 : U.K. £15.99 

This is an enjoyable deck of cards. It introduces us to 40 high ranking angelic icons who act as Divine Guides through the messages they transmit to us about spiritual evolution, of ‘ascension’ and ‘enlightenment’. The cards are divided into 17 different suits that relate to chakras, colour schemes, and frames and includes a balance of male and female energies. 

Through these, we connect to our inner truths, our authenticity, to move to a place of deeper and higher consciousness. A similar on each card is to assist with attunement and to purify us so we can live to our greatest potential. By working with angelic qualities you can strengthen your connection to the divine. 

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. 

Divine Feminine Archangel Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Divine Feminine Archangel Oracle - Protection and Support from the Divine by Claire Stone. Boxed set of 44 cards and Guidebook. Published by Rockpool Publishing. June 2025. RRP Au $32.99 : US $24.95 : UK $18.99 

Sample Card - Archeia Haniel 6 Moon Magic. “Archeia Haniel, grace of the goddess, is the angel of the moon and the twin ray of Archangel Nathaniel. Among many things they can help you manifest abundance and understand the feminine cycles within nature. Crystals: moonstone, selenite and white howlight. You have an affinity with the moon, which is why Archeia Haniel is attracted to your luminous light. You are a priestess at  heart, a healer and lover of the natural world. Happy and contented in your own skin, you no longer seek reassurance from anybody as you have nothing to prove to the world. Archeia Haniel acknowledges you as an asset to the spiritual community. Continue illuminating the path for others by setting a shining example. Be a living testament to how spirituality enriches lives. If people turn to you for guidance, lead them gently. Allow them to discover their own insights as this is the true essence of a great spiritual teacher. Remember to recharge your batteries after providing a listening ear, otherwise your psychic insights could become distorted. Bask under the moonlight and ask Haniel to wrap you in her brilliant white light so your aura remains crystal clear. Additional meanings: you are sensitive to the phases of the moon and are a natural born healer, psychic and mystic. Join or create a sisterhood circle. Keep your next moves to yourself. Retreat inward. Track your menstrual cycle, if applicable. Actions: make a wish on the next new or full moon. Affirmation: by the power of the moon upon this night, I embrace feminine wisdom and glean insight.”

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.

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.