The Secret Scroll

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Secret Scroll - by Andrew Sinclair. With colour photos and hand-drawings, acknowledgements and notes. Introduction biography of the author by the author. 218 pages. 2002

I received this book in the post with a request for an honest review! It begins with a beautiful story from 1330 and of the heart of Robert the Bruce, being taken to Jerusalem for burial by an ancestor of the author. Much of the St Clair family history goes back far beyond 1,000 years to the lands of the river Epte in Normandy. We read of the Gnostics, and the connection between the Templars and Freemasons, hidden knowledge, mysticism, hermetic and cabalistic knowledge, and how the Kirkwall scroll of Orkney, now in a Masonic lodge on an island in the North Atlantic, holds the key to many of the greatest mysteries, such as the Ark of the Covenant, the Garden of Eden, and the Grail itself and how geometric designs were learnt from mosques in the holy land. The remains of Templars were often interred in the position of the skull over crossed leg bones, a position which I found extraordinary, like much else in this book. 

The author connects the Christian Templars with the Freemasons who are not Christians. I was shocked that the author criticised Jacques de Molay for “ruining his sect by ordering it to surrender and confess” even under excruciating torture, peine forte et dure! I notice the author has changed the title of the Order from The Poor Fellow Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon to the Order of the Temple, thereby cutting out both the oath of poverty and duty to Jesus Christ. This says a lot about the intention of the book and the way it presents the lives of the Templars especially, and the emphasis of the text on heresy whilst ignoring the New Testament!

The Secret Founding of America

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: 'The Secret Founding of America - The Real Story of Freemasons, Puritans & the Battle for the New World', by Nicholas Hagger, published by Watkins Publishing, Paperback 352 pages, £9.99 Kindle: £5.03 Visit http://www.nicholashagger.co.uk/

This book charts the role of the Knights Templars, the Jacobites, Freemasons and the Illuminati in the discovery of America, and Bartholomew Gosnold's role in the founding of the British colonies. 
Nicholas Hagger takes us on a broad journey of discovery. This book is well researched and offers new points of view, discoveries and connections on this fascinating, controversial and enjoyable subject. You will definitely find something new here! One of a trilogy, see below. 

The Templars History & Myth

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Templars History & Myth - From Solomon's and Herod's Temples to the Freemasons, a Guide to Templar History, Culture and Locations by Michael Haag, published by Profile Books, 384 pages with black and white diagrams and photographs.

"The Templars have something to do with everything!"

A factual and readable account of the building of Solomon's Temple to the instigation of the Knights Templar, including the many crusades, their castles, banking empire, successes and failures, alleged conspiracies, trials and exiles, to the capture, imprisonment, torture of members, and to the eventual burning at the stake of their Last Grand Master. Details of the Chinon Parchment - which proved their innocence - and their escape to various countries, under various guises and denominations.

Turning the Templar Key

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Turning the Templar Key - Martyrs, Freemasons and the Secret of the True Cross of Christ by Robert Lomas 

The book opens to Martin Foulks’ glowing appraisal of Freemasonry and its charitable and self development aims, though fortunately, we don’t need to join a secret society with hidden handshakes, threats and a death ritual with knives and coffins to achieve a Christian life! 

The book begins with a fantasy of the morning of 13th October 1307 when the last Templar Grand Master was arrested by the soldiers of King Philip the Fair in the dormitory of the Paris Temple - the place where the royal valuables were kept for safety. Templar knights were monks. Priests are initiated, they say mass, and are. very different, though some monks were also priests, but not the Grand Masters, as one priest for a few dozen monks would have been adequate. Even with minimal criticisms, did I enjoy the content of the text? Yes, very definitely. It is beautifully written, and the author is a great story teller. 

History of the Knights Templar

Mind Body Soul Ezine Book Review: The History of the Knights Templar: The Temple Church and The Templars by Charles G Addison, 332 pages, reprinted and published. Hardback, paperback and Kindle. 

Written by a member of London’s Inner Temple (ie and licensed to practice law), the author, Charles Greenstreet Addison, refers to Latin, French and Early Modern English citations and source material,  and describes the origin of the Templars, their popularity, their rivalry with the Knights of Malta, (Hospitallers), their activities in the Holy Land, eye witness accounts of the battles' wins and losses, the 1312 suppression of the Order, their arrest, accusations of heresy and secret rites, their torture and the execution of the the last and highest of the Order. The London Temple Church, their headquarters in the UK, its architecture and history and how the area became the centre of the legal profession, a hostel and school for lawyers. All is detailed, with the culmination of the survival of their legacy. Expertly written and researched. 

Rosslyn Revealed

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Rosslyn Revealed - A Library in Stone by Alan Butler and John Ritchie, Hardback at £19.95 

Rosslyn Chapel is a most extraordinary building but so much is known about it already: I wondered what Alan Butler and John Ritche would be able to add to my knowledge. Alan Butler is a Templar expert and an astrologer, and he joined forces with a local expert on Rosslyn, John Ritchie to explore the chapel. 

The Murdered Magicians

Mind Body &  Soul Ezine Book Review: The Murdered Magicians - The Templars and their Myth by Peter Partner, hardback, published by Crucible.

This is an interesting study which is balanced, realistic and well researched. Is it possible to explain the Templars as great rogues, heroic yet ordinary men involved in a blame game by the King Philip 'the Fair' of France with the reluctant collusion of Pope Clement V?  The Order began with a dream of Saint Bernard and ended with a mythic curse from the tortured and dying Jacques de Molay.

This book does not artificially praise the Order, due to accusations of avarice, pride and other sins of their day, yet we are made aware of their honour and of their suffering. Most interesting, the court cases are described in detail along with the privations of their incarceration. 54 were burned to death in 1310 and the two Templar leaders burned to death in 1314. All went to their deaths claiming their innocence. What was their wrongdoing? They had no money and they failed to have further successes in the Holy Land. Were they really stupid to keep the secrets they were accused of? 

The Templars

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Templars - The Dramatic History of the Knights Templar, the Most Powerful Military Order of the Crusades by Piers Paul Read. 

The Templars were a multinational force of religious warriors, the first uniformed standing army in the Western world. They owned and managed vast estates and were pioneers in many fields, including fighting, travel, banking and building. Were they guilty of the charges to which they pleaded guilty under torture of blasphemy, heresy and sodomy yet withdrew their guilty plea knowing that death by fire awaited them? What relevance has their story for our modern times? 

Each of the Jerusalem temples are detailed, the founding of the Templar Order, their daily lives and responsibilities, each of their battles, including Acre and its fall, and the many colourful characters, Saladin, Richard the Lionheart, Louis of France, etcetera are covered. The author provides a balanced account, and documents some interesting scandals, errors and tragedies. Each success and defeat is described and the many complex circumstances that led to their demise are detailed, including a major internecine dispute about the marriage of a Princess in Tripoli. A tracing attempts of the Templars to protect their treasure takes it from Sidon then to Cyprus, with many lost battles along route. An interesting piece, page  249, about Roger of Flor, son of a falconer of Emperor Frederick II, extortionist, commander of the  Falcon galley and the Olivetta, expelled from the Templar Order, he sailed to Marseilles, then Genoa, making vast sums through piracy, leading Catalan mercenaries, in 1302 he commanded 32 galleys and a force of 2,500 men, and was eventually assassinated. He was one of the very few recorded renegade Knights Templar.

Events Psychology, Silvia Hartmann

Mind Body & Soul Book Review: Events Psychology - How to Understand Yourself and Other People by Dr Silvia Hartmann Paperback: £24.97 Published by DragonRising Publishing Author website: www.silviahartmann.com

Dr Silvia Hartmann is a researcher and innovative therapist who has extensive interest in modern psychology. She is at the forefront of the development of brand new therapeutic methods. Every major event, both good and bad, results in inner self talk when patterned beliefs are formed. Events Psychology is a simple, person centred technique to uncover past trauma that can be used by therapists, counsellors and healers. In this training manual, Dr Hartmann details her Events Psychology method. It provides a series of questions, to home in on past events to gently approach painful memories so that relaxation can be achieved. These key events are then used as stepping stones, to turn negative into positive, and bring resolution. The introduction of new healing events to counter-balance the negative can then be introduced.

The Templar Treasure of Gisors

Mind Body Soul Ezine Book Review: The Templar Treasure of Gisor by Jean Markale, Published by Inner Traditions/Bear & Co. Paperback 304 pages, £15.99 Using source documents, this controversial author, the late Jean Markale, considers that Templar treasures were hidden within the Cathedral at Gisor, possibly within the many underground chambers and passageways that are held to be too dangerous to investigate by modern archaeologists. The author accepts that the original confession of the Templars to heresy (conducted under extreme torture) was true and ignores their following retraction. Jean Markale (1928 - 2008) was the pen name of Jean Bertrand - described by himself as a Celtic and mediaeval scholar at the Sorbonne. Here he suggests that within the Knights Templar Order was a secret band of knights who had access to knowledge and wealth, spiritual and material, that is still to be found. This author has been discredited more than a couple of times!

The Sign And the Seal

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Sign And The Seal - A Quest for the Lost Ark of the Covenant by Graham Hancock. 

Graham Hancock is a wonderful story-teller and I love his writing, especially on this fantastic adventure. 

He visited Ethiopia in 1983, a few years after the overthrow and assassination of the reigning ancestral monarch, Haile Salasse. The Red Terror had unleashed death squads which executed people and then claimed the cost of the bullets before the corpses were released to their relatives for burial! Haile Salassie claimed he was the 225th generation in an unbroken line of succession from the Queen of Sheba who visited Jerusalem and returned to Ethiopia bearing King Solomon's son, Menelik. Menelik visited his father and is said to have returned to his mother with the Ark of the Covenant which is guarded in the Church of St Mary of Zion in Axum. The original measurement defined in Exodus is 2.5 cubits x 1.5 cubits x 1.5 cubits (a cubit thought to be 18 inches). Many Ethiopians have similar religious practices to the ancient Jews, and celebrate their sabbath on Saturdays. In every church throughout Ethiopia, a replica of the Ark is positioned in the holy of holies. The Ark is said by the guardian to have raised massive stone blocks with the aid of celestial fire. 

The Hiram Key

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Hiram Key - Pharaohs, Freemasons and the Discovery of the Secret Scrolls of Jesus by Christopher Knight and Robert Lomas 

Written in an easily understandable style with a summary every few pages. This book of discovery and expose took six years of research and unravels the story of Jesus and the earliest Jerusalem church. Were  there initiations practised by early Christians that were similar to Freemasonry initiations? Could these initiations originated in Egypt?  Did the early Christians have connections to other religious groups such as those mentioned in the Dead Sea Scrolls? There are secrets of Freemasonry initiations and their possible connections to Gnostics and Templars. Parallels between Mithras, Attis, Indra, Adonis, Dionysius and others. And revelations of the origins of the Hiram Abiff story. 

The lost story of Jesus is described. Was he from a town called Nazareth, or was he a Nazorean, a word meaning 'fish'? Was he the Messiah? What do the apocryphal Gnostic books state? Who was Jesus Barabbas? Was Jesus a rebel who was an Essene of the Qumran Community and what power had they in the Jerusalem Church? What is special about the white robe? What is the association with the rebuilding of Solomon's Temple, the Essenes, the Knights Templar and Freemasonry?  

The Time Changer’s Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Time Changer’s Tarot by Caitlin Matthews. Quality boxed set of 78 cards and guidebook. Published by REDFeather Publishing. US RRP: $34.99 

Reading for Yourself, Your Community, and Your World with the Waite-Smith Tarot. 

We are living in post pandemic, post elite corruption times and Caitlin Matthews brings the meanings of the tarot cards up to date for all kinds of readings. This is more than just a Tarot for individual readings, it encompasses personal development, taking us to the big picture, with chapters on Groups, institutions and Collectives, Peace and Reconciliation, Community, and planetary issues, as cards step forward to be seen and heard, to provide a lantern in times of despair and confusion. 

The Archangel Metatron Self-Mastery Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Archangel Metatron Self-Mastery Oracle by Amanda Ellis with artwork by Jane Delaford Taylor. Quality boxed set of 55 cards and full colour guidebook. Published by Schiffer Publishing. US RRP : $29.99 : UK RRP £27.99 

Amanda Ellis channels Archangel Metatron, the Gate Keeper, with sacred geometry, the elements, colour and inspirational paintings commissioned by Scottish artist Jane Delaford Taylor which are now all in private collections. The oracle is not intended for fortune telling but is designed to empower, comfort, and heal. Amanda Ellis also authored Christ Consciousness Oracle. 

The Sword and the Grail

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Sword and the Grail - The Story of the Grail, the Templars and the True Discovery of America by Andrew Sinclair.

This book describes the formation of the Templars and the fortunes of the survivors after the inquisition in 1307. Rosslyn Chapel was built as the Grail temple with many indications of possible Templar treasure buried there. Could America have been discovered almost a hundred years before Columbus by Venician Zen brothers and St Clair family, who arrived in Nova Scotia and New England? The St Clair family history is fascinating, from its earliest time - by a healing well in Normandy - to become the Earls of Orkney and other high offices in Scotland. 

Tarot for Lovers

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Tarot for Lovers by E W Neville. Published by Schiffer Publishing £13.99

The retired author, Ed Neville hails from Southern California and spent 28 years working in top management in government whilst combining studies on the Occult, Astrology and Tarot. This book was first published in 1987 - but don’t be disheartened - people haven’t changed, and the information is just as good today as it always was! 

Love is so extremely important throughout our life, from cradle to the grave, but fraught with so many serious difficulties and who, as a reader, hasn’t had numerous questions about relationships? If relationship questions are your weakness, then this is the Tarot book for you! Covering the Majors, Minors and Court Cards, you can not only read for others but read for yourself! 

The Goddess Casts the Runes

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Goddess Casts the Runes - Divination & Wisdom of the Earth Mother by Anu Dudley. Published by Destiny Books. RRP US $16.99 : Can $21.50

A Sacred Planet Book. 

Information on each rune is detailed, along with personal stories from the author, their original female Havamal origin, and how the Elder Futhark runes are cast and read from the perspective of earth based, feminist style goddess ethics and wisdom. Each of the 24 runes is explained individually. They are divided into three sections of Maiden, Mother and Crone. with The Maiden Arc of Birthrights, the Mother Arc of Challenges, and the Crone Arc of Relationships. 

Anyone working with this method of casting and reading the runes will grow closer to the Norse deities, and will grow in understanding of the energies that inspired the development of the runes. If you like runic energies, you will love this way of working with the goddess. 

Written by Anu Dudley, an ordained Pagan minister and retired history professor, you know this book will be an authority on the both the goddess and the runes, and the reclaiming of the runes for the goddess. She teaches courses: History of the Goddess, Paganism 101, and Ethical Magic, and she produces a radio show, Earthwise - Reflections on Earth-based Spirituality. 

Recommended. review by Wendy Stokes 

Ancient Goddess Magic

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Ancient Goddess Magic - Invoking the Queens of the Heavens by Vanessa Lavallee. Published by Destiny Books. £10.99 December 2025

The Canadian author, Vanessa Lavallee MA is an Anamist practitioner and ancient magic enthusiast. Her Masters thesis was in ancient religions and she is working towards a Doctorate in religious studies. She is immensely knowledgeable and yet, explains so simply, the book is very readable, and coming from this academic and expert on the subject, is deep and warm and trusted information. 

The chapters are divided into aspects of the goddess, as Creatrix, Warrior, Healer, Lady of the Sea, and there are additional chapters for rituals pertaining to astrology, and our legacy of celestial magic. Many beautiful images in black and white illustrate the pages. Goddess symbols are included and goddesses are detailed with their time of the seasons, with their principle message and power. There are quotes from texts that pertain to the energies. 

Elemental Goddess Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Elemental Goddess Oracle by Bronwyn Millar. Published by Bear & Co. Boxed set of 45 Cards and Guidebook. US $19.99 : Can $24.99 

No. 44- Goddess of Finding The Way: Hot water and cold water change form. Chinese Element Water. Western Element Fire. Superstition. Inner Direction. “What is there a time in your life when superstition or unfounded beliefs about yourself or the world? Diverted you from your true path and purpose? Have you mistrusted your authentic in a direction? Did you become bounded by a belief that walked your worldview? Maybe it was based on a taboo or myth, or religious zealotry. Have you ever wanted to do something unconventional that would challenge peoples ideas about women? Is there a prevailing belief in your community that isn’t based on fact? Is there something limiting your belief in your own incredible feminine power?How different would you be in the world if you allowed those limitations to fall away? What are new choices you would make? Acupoint diagram, instructions and extensive practice information. Affirmations: I am free to be me - in every way I want to be.” 

The Promethean Oracle

Mind Body and Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Promethean Oracle by Sophia Kelly Shultz and Mark Cogan. Published by REDFeather, £33.99  Boxed set of 50 cards (size 3” x 5”) plus information guidebook. 

"A road less travelled!" 

Hooray! There are so many card decks on the market that appeal to women. The Promethean Tarot has a masculine focus with powerful masculine energies, so it's ideal for male seekers and readers. 

Prometheus was the hero who stole fire from the Gods and brought it to humankind. With this deck, men can learn about themselves, not about their 'small' self, but about maturity and what they are capable of as individuals with great caring strengths and deep courage - the sort of men this world needs!

Couture Tarot

 

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Couture Tarot by Megan Skinner. Published by REDFeather, an imprint of Schiffer Books. $34.99 Available from 28.Nov 2025 Quality boxed set of 78 cards and full colour guidebook.. Nov 2025

A glamorous Tarot deck for your upmarket, fashionista readers and their clients who like their revelations coming with a classy brand. The stout square box has a magnetic closure and is a demure navy with gold detailing and carries a fly leaf of vintage Parisian and Hollywood style images. The tarot archetypes are portrayed in enjoyable colour and collage, cut from magazines, such as Harpers Bazaar and Queen! They are based on the Rider Waite Smith traditions. Court cards are Page, Knight, Queen and King, and the suits are Fire, Water, Earth and Air. 

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 Byzantine Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Byzantine Tarot by John Matthews with artwork by Cilla Conway. Boxed set of 78 cards (3” x 5”) plus guidebook. Published by REDFeather. £33.99

"Wisdom from an ancient empire!"

"O Imperial City, City fortified, City of the great King... Queen of the queen of cities, Song of Songs, Splendour of Splendours." Niketas Choniates, 13th Century.

The founding of Byzantium was 657BC and this deck has an extraordinary ability to give us a 'spirit of place' and transport us in a reading. The instruction book provides the history and myths of Byzantium through new titles of Major Arcana cards, such as Holy Fool, Magus, Sophia, Patriarch, Diabolos and Kosmos. For each Major card, the book provides an explanation of the symbolism in 50 words, the 'Tradition' text is 300 words and a divinatory text of 200 words. For the Monors and Court Cards, the information is the same - symbolism, 'tradition' and in a reading, but will less text, approx, 30, 100 and 100 words respectively. For every card there are 5 keywords for upright readings, and 5 keywords for reversed readings.

Tarot of the Moors

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Tarot of the Moors by Gina G Thies. Published by REDFeather, Boxed set of 78 cards plus guidebook, £28.99

Illustrated and created by Gina G Thies who is Editor and Columnist for Tarot Tips of the Tarot School. She is a member of American Tarot Association and Tarot Professionals. She is also the co-host of Oracle Soup podcasts and has produced Tarot for Pink, and Triumph of Life Tarot, and the book Tarot Coupling.  
 
For each of the Major Arcana cards, the information provided is the image, the numbers in Roman Numerals, a title, esoteric title, astrological, element, Hebrew letter, Path, other keywords and a Basic Interpretation of 50 words, for example: The Chariot, Esoteric Title: The Child of the Powers of the Waters, the Lord of Triumph of Light. Astrological: Cancer. Element, Cardinal Water. Hebrew Letter - Cheth. Path 18th House of Influx. Core Keywords, Victory, Success, Competition, Contest, Motivation. Basic Interpretation: Upright - You have the will and the want to achieve anything you set out to accomplish. Having the trust and confidence of peers and community. Finding enjoyment in racing or other high-risk activities. Reversed, Misuse of authority. Defeat. Lack of control and the absence of willpower.

The American Renaissance Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The American Renaissance Tarot by Thea Wirsching and illustrated by Celeste Pille, published by REDFeather (Schiffer Publishing) Quality presentation box of cards and book $34.99 

New myths from old stories! 

I was very impressed with the pack (pack = box, book and cards). The box masquerades as an old strong box/hardback book for your bookshelf! There is so much of value here in this ‘American time machine’ (1825- 1875) for the Tarot expert to get their teeth into! It is extensive, deep and meaningful! The cards are stylishly illustrated with interesting spins on Rider-Waite-Colman traditions. The Four Court Cards are Pioneer, Queen, King, and Missionary in that order, but the suits are traditional Cups, Wands Coins and Swords (the suit of swords was inspired by Edgar Allen Poe who is considered the ‘gatekeeper’ of the deck while Ralph Waldo Emerson is considered its Magician.  

I loved this Tarot deck where every card tells an important story from the past! I go on learning more and more and making greater connections, and it builds my ability to produce a good reading! More and more connections over time are revelations! If you want a Tarot with extra + + you will enjoy this one! America in the 1800s, with its Social, Esoteric, and Creative History, it’s a brilliant topic to align a Tarot deck with. However, this deck can be used by anyone from other countries because there is meaning and wisdom here within the seekers, scholars, reformers, revolutionaries, radicals, social justice advocates, and those others who created the soul of American life that we see today. You do not need to know anything about the Tarot as all is explained, and you don’t need to know about American literature either! 

The Kingdom Within Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card deck Review: The Kingdom Within Tarot by Juno Lucina and illustrations by Shannon ThornFeather Presentation box set of 78 Cards and Guidebook Published by Schiffer RRP £31.99

‘For behold, the kingdom of heaven is within you.’

The Major Arcana has traditional Tarot titles. King, Queen, Knight and Page of suits, Pentacles, Wands, Cups and Swords. Suggested spreads are: The Triangle and The Cross. Information on questioning the cards, with additional information about apportioning time. Reversed card information is provided, along with archetypes, seasons and celebrations, and Myers-Briggs personality comparisons. 

Each Major card has the usual number and title, with its astrological significance, meaning and keyword, the Element, its Kabbalistic path, and its Hebrew letter and translation. Added to this is an explanation of the artwork, the upright and reversed divinatory meaning, and ten key phrases. 

Alchemystic Woodcut Tarot

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Alchemystic Woodcut Tarot - Secret Wisdom of the Ages by D W Prudence, published by Red Feather. £33.99 Quality boxed set of 78 cards and guidebook. Card Size: 5” x 3.5”. 

Daniel W Prudence is known as Dwell With Prudence. He is a hypnotherapist with a background in esoteric topics, such as symbolism, alchemy, Kabbalah and Tarot. The deck has numerous quotes from the Judaeo-Christian Bible making the deck’s system religious in nature, and leaning towards Christianity.

Star Tarot

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Star Tarot (2nd edition)  - Your Path to Self  Discovery through Cosmic Symbolism by Cathy McClelland published by Red Feather, Qaulity boxed set of 78 cards plus guidebook. £33.99 Card size: 5” x 3”. 

Quality package, as one expects from the prestigious Red Feather imprint of Schiffer Publishing. A magnetic flip top box reveals a substantial book with foreword by Mary K Greer giving her endorsement to this fine deck of Tarot. The card artwork is laced with interesting symbolism, painted by the author who has had a long interest in symbolism, nature, the mysteries of life and beyond. There are no reversed meaning offered. The 22 Majors are introduced as the Fool’s Journey, and the discovery of the multiple layers of the self, towards integrating and balancing the conscious with the spiritual, bringing ultimate union with the Divine. The 56 Minors explore strengths, talents, gifts and resources, your daily dramas are all available to explore, and will help you to discover your true self and your life purpose. 

The Grand Universal Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Grand Universal Tarot, by Bruno de Nys, published by REDFeather, an imprint of Schiffer Books. Boxed set of 78 cards and companion book. UK £27.99  : US $29.99 (28/12/2022)

These are brightly coloured cards with traditional images based on the Marseilles Tarot. Described as an ‘alphabet’ and language’, a ‘road map’, the Tarot is explained, with all aspects of our life covered, it warns, encourages, prompts and guides. 5 rules are important to remember - never impress a crowd with your Tarot readings. Do not use it to control others. Do not live your life based on a tarot reading - you are to remain in control of your life. Keep your readings simple and accessible. And do not assert but suggest! 

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.

After Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: After Tarot published by Lo Scarabeo

“The river of time is constantly flowing.”

The images of the traditional Tarot card deck, the Rider-Waite-Smith (Radiant Wise Tarot) are taken forward in time, and After Tarot images are what happens next. We have new characters with new situations, the artwork all in keeping with the original deck. Some examples, originally Fool walks near a cliff edge, in the After Tarot, he is hanging by his fingertips on the ledge, Hermit has a dog, Star bathes naked in the water, a woman appears in Moon card, Hanged Man has a female helper, Temperance has a dove, and there are similar alterations to the Minor Arcana. 

I enjoyed working with After Tarot. It fleshed out my readings and gives new inspiration!

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.

How to Have a Beautiful Mind

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: How To Have a Beautiful Mind by Edward de Bono.

Excellent techniques for making you an enjoyable person to meet, get to know, to spend time with, in the short and ling term. How to argue without alienated your opponent, be fair, and let go of your ego and needing always to be right. How to be an interesting person, creative, enjoyable, kind! How to be a good listener, patient, interested, pleasant. The avoidance of being critical. How to be co-operative, containing your emotions, making choices, building a life purpose, expressing opinions, taking your turn, being fair to yourself, being constructive, dealing with boredom, finding other people interesting, having something new to say, dealing with anger, and so much more first class advice on how to lead a life that others will respect and admire. 

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’. 

Tarot Gothica

Mind Body & Soul Card Deck Review: Tarot Gothica by Janne Koivuniemi published by Schiffer Publishing. US  $24.99 : UK  £16.99

“Light to lighter - darker to darker!”

78 card deck and a guidebook are contained in this black and blue magnetic box. This Tarot is fashion conscious, modern and unusual. It’s the young goths party tarot reading deck - and ideal for Halloween! Unusually, the card backs are obviously showing which way they have been dealt. I would think no reversal readings, only upright. 

Tarot in the Land of Mystereum

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Tarot in the Land of Mystereum - An Imagination Primer by Jordan Hoggard. Presentation Boxed set of 78 cards and accompanying book. Published by Schiffer Publishing. US $34.99 : £31.99 Quality cards Size: 30cm x15cm with white border. 

 https://jordanhoggard.com/

All similar- each unique! 

The Land of Mystereum Tarot is presented in a smart magnetic box with ribbon drawer and it contains intensely colourful cards in an Avant-garde / Surrealistic leaning genre. I found the card images are complex and enigmatic with a slight overwhelm. The accompanying book contains detailed, elaborate and innovative text for each card. We are told to take a good look at a card image, then say what we are feeling out loud. These strange cards speak from individual characters within the Tarot but not in the usual manner. There are sections of information for each card for explanation and creativity. I am pleased to have an informative book to accompany this non conformist, unconventional concept deck, designed to “take our imagination to new heights and depths”. 

Inner Realms Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Inner Realms Tarot by Saleire, Presentation Box set of 78 Cards and Guidebook Published by Schiffer RRP £40.99

“Let the spirit move you, the cards guide you, and your heart deliver the message.”

Solid flip to box with magnetic closure and quality cards, approx 100 words of meaning provided for each card. On the face of each card is the traditional Tarot title, a modern art image and several keywords to assist with readings. We are invited to trust our interpretations as guidance to help our Querent move forward, with our senses, feelings, thoughts and emotions, but not to use the cards for fortune telling. We are not to pass on negative energies and no reversal meanings are provided as uprights say all there is to say. There is an area in the booklet for first impressions to be written. Meditation is recommended. 

Psychic News Mag

New Oracle Card Deck Release November 2025 Psychic News Magazine Review for October 2025 issue : 

Healing the Inner Child - A Transformative Quest, Boxed set of 44 Cards and Guidebook by Nina Mongendre, with artwork by EdieArt. Published by Hay House. RRP UK £17.99 : US $22.99 : Can $29.99 

What is the Inner Child? As children, there are times when we are upset, confused or afraid, and feelings of vulnerability, trauma and unmet needs are buried, but they still affect our adult emotions, beliefs, and thoughts. When we access these childhood memories, we can provide validation to the child we once were, resolving hardships with compassion, healing psychological wounds with understanding, supporting the crying child, and where there are negative patterns affecting adult life, inserting boundaries and more aware decisions making. 

"Your inner child holds the key to your wholeness as an adult.”

The Sorcerers Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Sorcerers Tarot by Antonella Castelli by Lo Scarabeo 2005 

Good an evil are in an eternal battle! We must get the best from our reading and from our life. Neither positive nor negative magic equates to the soul of the querent. The reader encourages the querent to take responsibility for their life and to be courageous, wise and aware. Information in the cards can be good or bad as we make it. The magic enables us to build our own destiny. Willpower, intention, determination, and ability, these create the magic in your life! Magic deals with the human soul, it exists to transform the person spiritually, though we all want circumstances to be changed, this needs to happen by a change in ourselves - our actions reflect our character and spiritual qualities. Everything is related, all circumstances come together to create a whole - just one decision can have a knock on effect. 

Elemental Goddess Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Elemental Goddess Oracle - A Sacred Planet Deck by Bronwyn Millar. Boxed set of 45 Cards and full colour Guidebook. Published by Bear & Co, imprint of Inner Traditions. RRP $19.99 : Can $24.99 

The text is channelled. We are emerging from the patriarchal age into the intuitive, feminine and transcendent age of mysticism and alignment, where greater balance will be created towards a kinder, more nurturing and supportive age. Spiritual awakening and healing will result. Kudos in the exercises.

Japanese Gods and Spirits Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Japanese Gods and Spirits Oracle by Makoto Akiyama, illustrated by Fumika Tanaka. Boxed set of 36 gold edged cards and full colour guidebook. Published by Rockpool Publishing. UK: £19.99 Feb 2026 

With Buddhist Shinto and Japanese folklore beliefs, we have interesting write-ups and really marvellous artworks. All information on how to read the cards, is provided. Cards have a number, a title, concept and meaning. The introduction explains the energies of the cards, the extraordinary artwork, and the gods, sprites and deities involved. All is explained in the included guidebook, with how to use the cards, how to create interest and insight from the cards using One-Card and Three-Card spreads. 

Celtic Spirit Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Celtic Spirit Tarot - ancient wisdom for the elementals by Nicola McIntosh. Published by Rockpool Publishing. Quality boxed set of 92 cards and full colour guidebook with reading cloth. US $39.95 : UK £30.00  March 2022 

This is a luxury tarot deck. The box glints with gold Celtic knot design, and the cards are beautiful and extraordinary artwork with gold glinting edges. The full colour guidebook is very detailed and this is an excellent tart for all levels of readings. This deck does not disappoint. 

The Celtic Spirit Tarot is a delight. It i a simple as you would like, but has the option of numerology and  Ogham and Runic alphabets to add strength to readings should it be required. All the instructions are in the guidebook. spreads are: One-Card reading, Three-Card Reading, Four-Card Reading, a Celtic Cross Spread of 10 cards, and a Pentagram Spread of 6 or more cards.

Dream Wisdom Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Dream Wisdom Oracle by Greg Mahr MD, and Heather Taylor Zimmerman MD. Magnetic box containing a set of 46 cards and guidebook. Published by Destiny Books imprint of Inner Traditions. UK : £23.99 1st January 2026

Written by two of the most qualified oracle designers, Dr Mahr, a psychiatrist and specialist in dreams, and Dr Zimmerman, a psychologist, trained in Jungian psychotherapy, and she is also a visionary artist. Both co-authored the book The Wisdom of Dreams’ that relates to this oracle deck. 

We have full explanation on how to use these cards, 4 methods are given. The deck consists of 6 cards of text that describe a method of Bringing Dreams to Life. Each of the other 40 cards are titled and numbered and carry an image. They focus on the traditional symbolism. In the accompanying book, we have excellent information on exploring our dreams, and the importance of dream work and how to use it for the best outcome. There are 12 steps to help us befriend our dreams and a chapter on Maintaining our connection to our dream life. 

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. 

The Mythic Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book review: The Mythic Tarot Workbook by Juliet Sharman-Burke.

      The author is  a psychotherapist who co-authored the tarot card deck of the same name. This book is intended for use with the Mythic Tarot cards and is intended to replace a workshop for deepening and widening knowledge through guided fantasy exercises for all 78 cards, meditations, and methods to help interpret the cards. There is also a suggestion for journaling and space is provided for this. There are pen line sketches of the Major Arcana for colouring. Information is provided on how to read the cards for yourself or for others. There are suggested spreads titled: Horoscope, Ten Card, Horseshoe, Triangle and Star.

Arthurian Myth & Legend

Mind Body & Soul Book Review: Arthurian Myth & Legend- A - Z of People and Places by Mike Dixon-Kennedy.

If your favourite topic is King Arthur and the Round Table, you will love this reference book on your book shelves and will refer to it often. As a result of 15 years of study and research, the author has compiled 2,000 entries here for you to learn more about this enigmatic subject. 

Some examples of nuggets of interest: Anfortas, the Grail King, was wounded in the scrotum during a jousting contest. Could his name be a corruption of Infirmtas - infirmity. 

In the battle between Arthur and his son Mordred, they came to the battlefield to make a truce, but one of the knights was bitten by a adder on the foot, pulled out his sword from its scabbard, and its steel glinting in the sun, caused the opposing side to draw their swords and begin the battle frenzy that resulted in Mordred’s death, and Arthur’s mortal wound. 

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. 

Tarot Deck of Heroes

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Tarot Deck of Heroes by Richard ShadowFox Boxed set of 78 cards and booklet published by Schiffer Publishing RRP £22.99 US $24.99

All that is needed is you, your question, such as “What obstacles might I find on my path”, and the cards. We are invited to shuffle the cards, place the deck face down and turn over the top card for a one card reading. Other spreads suggested are a 3 Card, a Celtic Cross of 10 Cards, and a Personality of 6 Cards. 

The card images are digitally produced and I would like to have seen them but the reproduction is far too dark and the artwork is obscured by impenetrable blackness! The video shows a preferable deck where the images can be seen. I don't think it would be unfair to say that the same muscle bound, bare chested man has been used for more than one photo. For this reason, I am not recommending these cards. Though the book text is 50-100 words of upright and for reversed cards, it is not that enlightening and has sometimes left me considerably confused as to its meaning. Though the deck is described as ‘romantic’, I couldn’t find the romance!

Sample reading: King of Cups

The Gorgon’s Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Gorgon’s Tarot by Dolores Fitchie. Published by Schiffer Publishing. US $45 : UK £39.99

Quality presentation box with magnetic closure and ribbon opens to 78 large round cards in black and white artwork, with one wild card, the Blind Gorgon, which has a splash of scarlet and is said to be obscured by the Sun. The size of the round cards means a different shuffle and dealing style, but it’s ok! The cards are like plates to lay out, but ideal to point out motifs to the Querent within the surrealistic artwork. There are several animals, such as horses, cats, snakes, even leopards, and flowers, trees, stars and delicate patterns. The theme is upbeat and young, the energy positive and quirky. It is, I would say, ‘female-centric’. Joyous and good for a celebration! I really liked this deck!

The guidebook begins with the story of the Gorgon. The Minors are Cups, Pentacles, Wands and Swords; the Court Cards are Pages, Knights, Queens and Kings. The guidebook provides an additional subtitle for Majors, a 200 word meaning alongside the traditional meaning and reversals. 

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. 

Beowulf Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Beowulf Oracle  - Wisdom from the Northern Kingdoms by John Matthews and Virginia Chandler, illustrated by Joe Machine. Published by Schiffer Publishing. Drawer pull quality boxed set of 22 cards with instruction book. U.K. £29.99  US  $29.99

“Fate will often save a uncursed man, if his strength is constant.” 

Hwaet! Listen!  This is the first word of the Beowulf poem which tells a long tale of huge difficulties, dangers, interpersonal relationships, battles and treasures, and great acts of courage. 

Auset Gypsy Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Auset Gypsy Tarot by James Jacob Pierri, original illustrations by Rebecca Stotsenburgh and Heather Scott. Published by REDFeather. UK: £22.99 US: $24.99

Mind Body & Spirit Ezine Book and Card Set of 78 Cards and full colour guidebook is contained within a magnetic clip closure quality presentation box. Good sturdy card stock with gold leafed edges, size: 7 inches x 4 inches.

The concept of this deck is unconventional. It’s an ‘on the move’ dream-like adventure, with modern styling and a hint of antiquity. It was 20 years in the making! It dances, struggles, juggles, charms and heals. It’s quirky, joyful, Bohemian, and it is full of the wonder and magic of the goddess Isis and of the Gypsies. There is autobiographical information provided, as the deck is the very personal perspective of the Creator, Designer and Writer, James Jacob Pierri, an Astrologer and International Tarot Reader who was known under the name of the Auset Gypsy when reading cards at Islands of Adventure in Universal Studios Theme Park. From there, he built a clientelle of movie stars and other celebrities. The two female artists are graphic artists who add their quirkiness to the mix. Within the deck are astrology, myths and secrets, gods and goddesses, heroes and heroines, and it has a canny style of know how, and it introduces us to all the fun of the fairground! It unlocks spiritual insights but always suggests you use your own intuition. The cards can be used for meditation, inspiration, and personal development. “The bitter truth is better than the sweetest lie”. 

The Cree Healer and His Medicine Bundle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Cree Healer and His Medicine Bundle - Revelations of Indigenous Wisdom by David Young, Robert Rogers & Russell Willier. Full colour book Published by North Atlantic Books. US $24.95: Can $28.95 

‘Our health is dependent on the health of other species.’

Healing plants of Native American traditions, especially the Cree, with practices and stories. These are 3 experts on the uses of plants and recorded them with warnings against misuse. We are all interdependent. A highly specialised book by Anthropologist, Dr David Young, Ethnologist, Robert Rogers, and Medicine Man, Russell Willier. English and Latin names of plants provided, an extensive bibliography, and maps of where to find the plants. 

The Tarot Wheel

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Tarot Wheel - A Fast & Easy Reading System by Jim Edward Lucier. Published by Schiffer Publishing. RRP £22.99

This ”spin a wheel” Tarot reading system is based on the 78 cards of the Rider-Waite Tarot.  It provides a plastic wheel of 7 rings. Each ring has a title: 1 The Present, 2 The Past, 3 The Future, 4 Ambitions, 5 Spiritual Influences, 6 Strengths, 7 Outcome. Starting with the innermost ring and moving outwards, with eyes closed whilst thinking of your question, turn the transparent dial in either direction for your 7 card reading. Stop. A card will fall within the dial. There is a very simplified keyword crib for each of the 78 cards.