Your Secret Self Book Review

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

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

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

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

The Witches' Almanac

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

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

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

The Wild Edge of Sorrow Review & Extract

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

$14.95 : Can $19.50 

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

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

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

Secrets of Paradise Tarot

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

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

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

The Tipping Point

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

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

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

The Hoffman Process

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

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

Persephone Unveiled

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

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

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

NLP

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

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

Life Magic

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

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

The Healing Power of Trees

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

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

Sephirot - The Spheres of Heaven Tarot

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

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

Magdalene's Lost Legacy

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

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

Magdalene Mysteries

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

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

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

The Church of Mary Magdalene

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

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

Magdalene Oracle Cards

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

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

Text description and meaning of the cards follows: 

 

Secrets of Mary Magdalene

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

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

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

Magdalene Manifestation Cards

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

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

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

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

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 source the fragments of text that comprise the Gnostic Gospels, we read that Mary Magdalene was a gifted visionary and spiritual teacher and was intended to lead the Jerusalem group following the death of Jesus but was prevented by the male authority figures who were also the Disciples of Jesus. Jack Angelo had a personal insight in France that the Gospel of St John the Evangelist was actually written by Mary Magdalene to endorse the importance of women’s teaching, and bring about healing and transformation. 

A glossary and suggestions for further reading are included. 

Mary Queen of Angels Cards

Mary who is the beloved mother of Jesus and is known as the Queen of Angels for her ability to bring healing and positive change where hope has been lost. She works closely with advocates, teachers, therapists and mediums. She is devoted to making a safe world where our children and grandchildren can be happy and healthy. Her message to you is to expect a miracle and have faith that your prayers will be heard and answered. Faith is the light that illuminates your pathway. Without faith, the future can look threatening. It is essential for you to take any necessary steps to keep your mind focussed and your emotions balanced. Do not give up hope on yourself or on others. Keep the candle of faith burning within your soul. Just an inkling of light can eradicate the darkness of despair. You can be the light for others at a time of hardship, loneliness or sadness, to be there for others, shouldering their problems, help making them stronger, as in doing this, you will make yourself stronger too. You are asked to let go of worry and keep your thoughts positive. Notice and follow divine guidance, as it will present itself to you over the following month. If you can seek healing as it will help you manage situations that might be unexpected. If you would like to work closely with Mary, ask her at Christmas for a divine gift. 

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. 

The Secret Legacy of Jesus and Mary Magdalene

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Jesus Mary Joseph - The Secret Legacy of Jesus and Mary Magdalene by Ariadne Green published by Palm Leaf Press, 316 pages £10.80

'The truth is not hard to kill and a lie well told is immortal' Mark Twain

In the sixth century, Pope Gregory manipulated information provided in the New Testament about the life of Jesus of Nazareth, and he accused Mary Magdalene of being a prostitute! He also changed the role of Jesus and the message of his mission. This book explains that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married and had children, and they travelled from Judea to Egypt and then to Gaul and to Britain. This is a well researched book which provides detailed information and new material of considerable interest. I sensed whilst reading it, a peace and tranquility, and a beauty that the author, Ariadne Green, imparts to the reader. Green has a background in Educational Psychology, with a thesis in the Philosophy of Psychology, focussing on consciousness studies. She is also a dream expert who devoted ten years to producing this particular book, including a visit to places in the Middle East associated with the life of Jesus and Mary Magdalene.

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 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 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.

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 Virgin and the Pentacle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Virgin and the Pentacle – The Freemasonic Plot to Destroy the Church by Alan Butler, published by O Books, paperback 192 pages £12.99 

This book opens with describing the vision of the Madonna at La Salette, France, on 19^th September 1846 when two illiterate children (a 14 year old girl and an eleven year old boy) delivered to the church authorities a message of great criticism. The date was strategic as it was the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (which takes place in the sun sign of Virgo, that of the Virgin). On this date, the planets were aligned in such a way as to be very extraordinary and the place also was very interesting. There are ancient lines throughout France known as ‘salt lines’ often ending in ‘al’ or ‘hal’ meaning ‘salt’. La Salette is on one of these ancient lines. It is stated that when many of the Knights Templar escaped when their order was persecuted, they arrived in Switzerland, Portugal, Scotland and perhaps America, and taking with them their secrets, such as the honouring of Mary as a symbol of Isis, the ancient goddess. The KT had connections to the great Cistercian abbeys, created by St Bernard and possibly they had connections to the Essene Brotherhood which were thought to have influenced Jesus and John the Baptist. 

The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary Book Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary from the Visions of Ven Anne Catherine Emmerlich, published by Tann, 385 pages.

Anne Catherine Emmerlich (1774 - 1824) was an eminent German Roman Catholic nun who was at first refused her wishes to join the convent as she was poor and uneducated. She was a mystic and had the marks of stigmata and lived alone in a tiny shack. There was controversy as to whether she bore the true marks of the crucifixion on her body and she was assisted in the writing and translation by Bretano, a matter than was questioned as to its authenticity.

Emmerich was a visionary of the life of Mary the Mother of Jesus. Women were only briefly mentioned in the New Testament and much of their life is unrecorded, so this gives a highly possible understanding of a women of Mary's time. 

Cathedral of the Black Madonna

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Cathedral of the Black Madonna - The Druids and the Mysteries of Chartres by Jean Markale. Published by Inner Traditions.

It’s been 50 years since I visited Chartres Cathedral on a road trip through rural France. The countryside was almost mediaeval in those days and Chartres stands out in my mind as place of great peace and holiness. I wonder if it retains this atmosphere! In place of a visit, this book by Jean Markale will sustain you! He describes the site as a Druid grove where the Gauls met annually to honour ‘virgo paritura’, the pure young woman who gives birth to the world, to humanity, to the role of women in perpetuity, a symbolic representation depicted in the black Madonna of the Pillar statue. He describes the Christian Mother Mary with Jesus on her lap as having pagan roots in the solar goddesses and in Cybele and Isis. 

Sex Shamans

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Sex Shamans - True Stories of Sacred Sexuality and Awakening. Published by Destiny Books. b/w illustrations and photos. RRP US $19.99 : Can $24.99 

How to reach higher consciousness through sexuality! A great subject for a book! Many different experts have contributed and their short biography is provided. KamalaDevi McClure is the Editor. In addition, there are chapters by Bruce Lyon, Lin Holmquist, Laurie Handlers, Dr Deborah Taj Anapol, Ohad Pele Ezrahi, Dawn Cherie Ezrahi, Stephanie Phillips, Patrik Otterman, Sean O’Foolain, Ria Bloom, Raffaello Manacorda, Ellie Wilde, Stephen Soulove, Crystal Dawn Morris, Matooka MoonBear, Janine Ma-Ree, and Baba Dez Nichols. 

Topics are the initiation into the art of love, how to make love for all ages, storytelling, meditation, poetry. The text is supportive, enjoyable and interesting. 

The Three Stages of Initiatic Spirituality

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Three Stages of Initiatic Spirituality - Craftsman. Warrior. Magician. By Angel Miller. Published by Inner Traditions. RRP US $18.99 : Can $23.99 

The three stages are detailed, each archetype described in turn, with meditation, tools, energies, symbols, rituals, practices, inner experiences, and how to gain balance and spiritual growth through the initiation. 

The text covers history, religion, psychology, Freemasonry, art, the New Age, the supernatural, and includes a great deal of occult information. Topics are alchemy, consciousness, death, the divine, the Golden Age, the Higher Self, 

It is presented as a practical text book with vast amounts of notes and in depth understanding. The bibliography is considerable. Kabbalah, meditation, rituals, shamanism, energies, warfare, the Will, and many other popular topics of occultism and magic. 

Transient Light Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Transient Light Tarot by Ari Wisner. Published by Hay House. Boxed set of cards and guidebook. Poetry by Fausta Joly. RRP US $28.99 : Can $35.99 : £19.16

Londoner and queer artist, Ari Wisner’s previous Tarot deck is titled ‘Trinity Tarot. The the inspiration for this Tarot deck in his personal life and in his understanding of transience in circumstances and in life. Using imagery and symbolism, he has made a genderless Tarot where everyone can find themselves, and for this reason the titles of some of the Majors are changed: Revealer, Nurturer, Defender and Proclaimer are examples. The Court Cards are: Apprentice, Champion, Keeper and Crown and the suits are Wands, Vessels, Swords, and Coins. There are suggestions for ritual and personal practice. 

Old English Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Old English Tarot by Maggie Kneen, 78 cards and instruction booklet in pack, published by U.S. Games Systems Inc.

"Focus your knowledge of the past - and your hopes for the future - on the present moment."

The artist, Maggie Kneen, researched at the British Library, and discovered the Luttrell Psalter written and illuminated in the 14th century by a wealthy landowner. This, and the oldest available tarot card images inspired this beautiful card deck. Peasant life, religious scenes, mythical beasts, musical instruments, transport, fashion and footwear, architecture, kitchen utensils, furniture, harvest scenes are some of the delights in this deck, and the borders and patterns are extremely enjoyable.

Divine Beloved Oracle Cards

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Divine Beloved Oracle Cards by Tosha Silver. Artwork by Lasha Mutual. Boxed set of 52 cards. Published by Hay House. RRP US $21.99 : Can $28.99 : UK £15.82

“Change me, Divine Beloved, into one who can allow Love to lead my life.”

Strong card quality, gentle, beautiful artworks, and loving prayers. All the information is given on the card faces which provide a title, subtitle, an image, and a few sentences of advice. Images are figurative, of nature and places of relaxation and beauty. Mostly women, of various cultures, traditions and races - of not exclusively youthful, slim frames - I enjoyed the artwork very much. 

The author invites us to use this oracle to address problems, connect to the Divine and invite Love into our lives. These cards call for a ‘shift’ towards our highest self. We can use the cards for ourself or to give others a few words of prayerful advice. I am using a card a day for a short prayer in the mornings. 

The Feminine Universe - An Extract

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Extract - The Feminine Universe - An Exposition of the Ancient Wisdom from the Primordial Feminine Perspective by Miss Alice Lucy Trent. Published by the Sun Daughter Press.

“When above the heavens had not been formed, when the earth below had no name, Tiamat brought forth them both. Tiamat,m mother of the gods, Creator of all.” 

From the Introduction: “This book is the first systematic exposition of the perennial wisdom. It is an attempt to express in the clearest possible terms, and in the smallest possible space, the primordial philosophy accepted and understood in all times, and an all places before the aberrations of the modern world. It gives this philosophy in its feminine form - that being the earliest known on Earth.

The Sacred Cycles Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Sacred Cycles Oracle by Jill Pyle & Em Dewey. Illustrations by Jessie White. Boxed set of 50 cards and Guidebook. Published by Hay House. RRP US $21.99 : Can $28.99 : £14.99

Reminding us that our own health cycles are natural. There are greater natural pulses, such as night and day, the seasons, the moon and sun rhythms, and these are linked to animals and plants and all other species. All cycles are sacred and have great wisdom. We bless these cycles and honour them through our knowledge and recognition. 

Information is provided on how to use these cards that can be used alone or with other card decks. We can give a reading to friends or use them ourselves. Instead of choosing a card at random, I worked with choosing a suitable card that represented a current cycle. I suggest the cards are for women, maybe a young woman just finding out about her own cycles. 

Spellcasting Oracle Cards

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Spellcasting Oracle Cards by Flavia Kate Peters & Barbara Meiklejohn-Free. Artwork by Lisbeth Cheever-Gessaman. Published by Hay House. Boxed set of 48 cards and Guidebook. RRP US $22.99 : Can $29.99 : £14.99 

Hail and Welcome!

Moon phases, candle magic, herbs and crystals, invocation and incantation, favourite spells and messages are here for you to use and enjoy, any day of the week! Practical tips are included, do’s and don’ts, directions and elements, how to cast a spell, steps to choosing a card and a selection of card spreads. The Guidebook provides magical guidance, a spell, and the meaning of choosing that card.

Healing Ancestral Karma

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Healing Ancestral Karma - Free Yourself from Unhealthy Family Patterns paperback £14.99 Kindle: £8.79 by Steven Farmer PhD Published by Hierophant Publishing. Author website: www.earthmagic.net

Westerners believe that anyone is capable of becoming a shaman but becoming a shaman is something that finds you, rather than you finding it! Melodies are given to the shaman in dreams. Singing them elevates consciousness and readjusts energy level and activates healing. Shamanism brings the Otherworld into this world and includes morality and also involves attending to the needs of the community. 

The Dance of Intimacy

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Dance of Intimacy - A Woman’s Guide to Courageous Acts of Change in Key Relationships by Harriet Lerner PhD. Published by Harper Collins. RRP US $14.00 : Can $20.00 

Author of The Dance of Anger, women and family relationship expert Harriet Lerner, helps to build self esteem, create boundaries, and improve our intimacy with this excellent book, another in the stable of this successful writer, magazine columnist and senior psychotherapist at the Menninger Clinic. She provides examples and case histories to illustrate her methods. How to create a Genogram is provided. 

A Mindful Evening

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: A Mindful Evening - Complete Each Day with a Calm Mind and Open Heart by David Dillard-Wright PhD. Full colour. RRP US $14.99 : Can $19.99 

This book offers a short write up with quotations from old and new writers to read at night before sleep. Whatever your thoughts of the day, put them to one side with a reading from this book to uplift and put you in a good mood at bedtime. Slow down, reflect on good things in life. Much needed good advice and tips on a healthy mind set! 

David Dillard-Wright is a doctor of philosophy, religion and ethics who studied under the Trappist monastery tradition of contemplative prayer which he coupled with Eastern practices. He is the author of several books on mindfulness and meditation. 

Sky Shamans of Mongolia

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Sky Shamans of Mongolia - Meetings with Remarkable Healers by Kevin Turner, paperback, 210 pages published by North Atlantic Books, £19.99 kindle £15.19 Website: http://www.shamanism-asia.com

Kevin Turner MA travelled extensively throughout this region, and this book has colour photographs and other illustrations of his travels. The ancient shamanistic traditions and practices are being revived in this area after Buddhist and Russian Communist oppression. Many ancient healing methods have been retained and are now being re introduced in the country districts. If you are interested in shamanism, you will find some gems here. 
Review: Wendy Stokes www.wendystokes.co.uk

Holistic Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Holistic Tarot – An Integrative Approach to Using Tarot for Personal Growth by Benebell Wen published by North Atlantic Books

Licensed Attorney specialising in venture capital and global investments, qualified Tarot Master, Benebell Wen is a member of the American Tarot Association and the Tarot Association of the British Isles. She is a Feng Shui consultant, I Ching practitioner, numerologist and an astrology enthusiast.

With these impressive credentials, Holistic Tarot is highly academic but also very practical. It is a comprehensive textbook for those who wish to use tarot for professional purposes. The recommendations for this book come from the echelons of our greatest tarot experts, such as Kat Black Liz Dean, Barbara Moore, Bonnie Cehovet and many more who have written extensively on tarot, some even creating their own decks.  

The Twelve Faces of the Goddess

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Twelve Faces of the Goddess - Transform Your Life with Astrology, Magick, and the Sacred Feminine by Danielle Blackwood. Published by Llewellyn Worldwide. $19.99 

This book profiles 12 goddesses, one for each of your astrological sun sign. Each sun sign Goddess has a full explanation, a pathworking and a ritual. The topics covered in the text are: archetypes, archetypal astrology, the shadow, recipes, and which Goddess represents which sun sign. Astrological elements, modes, space clearing, music, the Wheel of the Year, casting a circle, and creating an altar are detailed. The Heroine’s Journey is a new horizon in our life with the development of our authenticity, the claiming of our connection to the Goddess, and the living out of our soul’s mission with passion and purpose. We will find the fierce face of Macha, the depth of Inanna or the compassion of Kwan Yin. 

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.

Alexander Arbachakov and the Shor Shamans

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Last of the Shor Shamans by Alexander and Luba Arbachakov published by Moon Books. Lyn Roberts introduces this book as she visited the area to meet tribal elders of Tuva and Altae region with Bill Pfeiffer, founder of the Sacred Earth Network. 

Alexander Arbachakov is a native of the Shor region of Siberia and raised in a traditional village in the area. He is a photographer, an environmentalist, a local conservationist and a forestry specialist and he is Vice President of the Shortsi People’s Association. His co-author is Luba Arbachaka from a remote mountain farming area. She is an environmentalist, a folklorist and language specialist.

Cave and Cosmos

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Cave and Cosmos - Shamanic Encounters with Another Reality by Michael Harner, paperback 301 pages £15.58, Kindle £10.50 published by North Atlantic Books. www.shamanism.org

The late Prof Harner was one of the earliest pioneers, advocates and investigators of indigenous cultures and he repackaged them for Western consumption making shamanism a popular healing method. His followers describe him as a 'shamans' shaman' on account of his vast travelling and study of this subject matter as both an academic and a practitioner. The advantages of sharing his personal experiences is that he provides a glimpse into the nature of indigenous shamanism. Shamanism was his life long passion and this book is the sequel to his classic book The Way of the Shaman, upon which he made his name as a dedicated researcher. 

Dark Nights of the Soul

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Dark Nights of the Soul - A Guide to Finding Your Way Through Life's Ordeals by Thomas More. Published by Piatkus. £10.99 

A quest for the meaning of life can occur at any time but mostly it occurs during the most difficult times in our life, at a time of loss, illness, or distress. Written by a Catholic monk and psychotherapist, this book brings comfort and inspiration to the seeker who is facing major life challenges and seeking answers. 

It takes us through the night sea journey, rites of passage, the underworld, love and other emotions, ways of coping and our learning about ourselves and others. 

This is a classic, a resource, a tour de force and a luxury. To be read at any time, it is a major work on this deep and painful place that some find themselves in and need to make sense of. 

Thomas Moore is the author of the bestselling Care of the Soul. 

The Hoodoo Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Hoodoo Tarot - 78-Card Deck and Book for Rootworkers by Tayannah Lee McQuillar. Drawer pull presentation box containing card and book. Published by Destiny Books. US: $35 CAN: $ 43.99 UK: £17.50

American occult and esoteric syncretism is combined with native species plant lore, and words from the Judeo-Christian Bible, alongside personalities drawn from history, myths and storytelling. They all feature in this fascinating deck of cards. I liked the personalisations. We are introduced to selected characters that I found I got to know through my imagination as much as their introduction by the deck creator Tayannah Lee McQuillar.

The Healing Power of Illness

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Healing Power of Illness - Understanding What Your Symptoms are Telling You by Thorwald Dethlefsen and Dr Rudiger Dahlke. Published by Vega Publishing. RRP US $14.95 : Can $22.95 : UK £9.99 

This is an alternative to allopathic medicine, it looks at illness as though it is a symptom of a psychological condition that carries a message for us. When we change our consciousness, we create greater balance and harmony rather than excess, and the thinking that creates the symptom - that creates illness - will change. All kinds of illnesses are explained, including infection, disease of body organs, even our sexuality, and accidents. We are introduced to thoughts that govern our health, including good and evil, addictions, cancer, etc. 

Rage

Mind Body & Soul Ezine: Rage - Sources of Rage, Strategies for Dealing with Rage by Helen Robinson. Published by Geddes. RRP US $11.95 : Can $15.95 : UK £4.95 

We are familiar with many types of extreme anger that can result in all kinds of tragedy. Ungovernable anger surrounds us. This book asks a lot of important questions and has a number of interesting responses. We are given strategies to deal with anger, in ourselves or in another person. Bottling up our anger is unhealthy. By dealing with our own internal distress we can become more organised, have better relationships, and be more fully functioning. 

There are a host of topics in this book of anger wisdom. Every page has very important information to share and you will be an expert on this subject by the time you get to the end of the book. You will learn so much from this book, written by Helen Robinson, who is well qualified to write it from a perspective of experience and training. 

This Tragic Gospel

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: This Tragic Gospel - How John Corrupted the Heart of Christianity by Louis A Ruprecht JR. Published by Wiley. Hardback. RRP US $24.95 : Can $26.99 

I was intrigued by the title of this book. St John’s Gospel is critiqued and compared to the synoptic Gospels by this very eminent academic. Did St John’s Gospel hope to supersede the three earlier gospels? Did John re-frame a very important event in the life of Jesus? Did John’s Gospel create a different emphasis on Christianity than the one we most accept? How much manipulation took place and how are we to live as Christians with such deep divisions and questions posed by today’s world? 

It’s good to ask questions and come up with new ideas. The New Testament is a very creative space. 

The Forgotten Gospels

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Forgotten Gospels - Life and teachings of Jesus supplementary to the New Testament. This new translation is published in hard back by Constable & Robinson, edited and compiled by Tim Newton. 

This fascinating and thorough book identifies key texts, many of which are tiny fragments, but are the most significant outside of the New Testament. Each is explained and newly translated. There are two unknown gospels, plus gospels of the Ebionites, Hebrews, Nazareans, Egyptians, Thomas, Secret Gospel of Mark, Miscellaneous sayings of Jesus, Clement of Rome’s sayings of Jesus, Quadratus, Papias, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Julius Africanus, and many other important texts. In addition, the chronology of texts, sources, the family of Herod, Christianity and the family of Jesus are included, and a suggested genealogy of Jesus. Though many are not ‘forgotten’ but more accurately lost and re found, these are not as we think of as gospels, but fragments of sayings and reported moments in the lives of Jesus and his disciples. The Forgotten Gospels has a long introduction, with maps and a glossary. I really enjoyed this book! Recommended. 

Overcoming Traumatic Stress

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book review: Overcoming Traumatic Stress - A Self-help guide using Cognitive Behavioral Tecnhniques by Dr Claudia Herbert and Ann Wetmore. Published by Constable & Robinson. 

This is a useful workbook using the Cognitive Behavioural Approach to heal and remedy dysfunctional patterns as a result of excessive stress and trauma. The book helps those who are in deep distress to understand reactions and  learn methods to cope and move towards recovery. Many emotions are dealt with, such as guilt,, shame and lack of confidence. Charts are provided to help with regular self care, sleeping, etc. There is a useful book land contact list provided.. 

Ancestral Healing Review and Extract

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Ancestral Healing - for Your Spiritual and Genetic Families by Jeanne Rutland & Shantidevi. Published by Earthdancer (an Inner Traditions Imprint). RRP US $15.99 : Can $19.99 

The book begins with an instruction by Jeanne Rutland. This book uses practical exercises, meditation, journeying and rituals using Hawaiian Huna, trauma and shadow work, shamanic and energetic traditions that pertain to Aumakua spiritual ancestors, your higher self and your forebears that can go back thousands of years. Repressed emotions, family secrets, betrayals, injustices, unfulfilled lives, distress and illness can be handed down the generations. The Aumakua and other terms are explained. Love and gratitude are at the core of this book.

Text from the introduction:

The Road to Eleusis

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

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

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