Mystical Kipper

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Mystical Kipper is a very elegant deck of 36 fortune telling cards, created by Regula Elizabeth Fiechter and the artist, Urban Trosch, and published by the card deck specialist, AGM Urania.

Sample: Tree is numbered 17 and is titled 'Receiving a Gift'. It shows a Christmas tree with fairy lights. Gifts are laid out around its base, we guess who purchased these, and who they are for and what might be inside the wrapping paper. Will this be a happy Xmas event. Someone has gone to much trouble to create a perfect setting. It is a card which draws us to the creation of  homely happiness and sharing a time of celebration with others.    

The Mystical Kipper cards, however, do not depict all sweetness and light! Some cards highlight the more difficult aspects of life which are ever present for the unsuspecting. There are false persons, unhappiness, prison, bereavement, and other dangers. All 36 cards can be laid in an 'All Cards' spread, nine cards in four rows and the cards are read horizontally, diagonally and vertically. 

 This is a delightful deck, as is it's companion, the Mystical Lenormand, by the same creators, Fiechter and Trosch. I like to use the Mystical Kipper cards alongside the Lenormand Cards to create a 72 card combined deck. There is sufficient information in the little white booklet in the deck packs to get the beginner started. 

Fatima Oracle Cards

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Fatima Oracle Cards are a 32 card pack inspired by the Portuguese vision of the Virgin Mary in 1927. They are published by Lo Scarabeo have a little white booklet in five languages and are described as 'this rare and beautiful period deck'. These look like block prints in plain colours and have the traditional size of Lenormand. 

I would use these cards alongside another deck and would suggest these cards are suited to an experienced reader. 

Review by Wendy Stokes. Visit: wendystokes.co.uk 

Book excerpt by Caroline Brazier

In Buddhist psychology we are interested in understanding the processes of conditioning which limits our ability to see the world clearly. The mind is conditioned by many factors and these affect our perception, creating subtle biases and colouring our experience in various ways. All of these colourations are in some way reflections of the sense of identity. At an unconscious level, we tend to seek out the familiar because it makes us feel comfortable, and safe, so when we look at things, we interpret them in the light of our pre-existing ‘blue-prints’ and fit them into stories which we already identify with.

Body Healing Cards

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Body Healing Cards - Connect with the Soul of Your Organs written by Ewald Kliegel with artwork by Anne Heng. Set of 56 cards and guidebook in a magnetic flip box. Published by Findhorn Press. US: $30 Can: $37.50

These cards carry channeled messages to increase your awareness and appreciation of your physical body and assist in listening to your health and wellbeing. Through the guidance of the cards, our health can be protected and improved.  

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. 

Tree Wisdom Book Review

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Tree Wisdom - The Definitive Guidebook for the myth, folklore and healing power of Trees by Jacqueline Memory Paterson, 356 pages paperback published by Thorsons. 

"The leaves of the trees are for the healing of the nations" Book of Revelations

Written from a Celtic perspective, indigenous British trees are described. The author, a Glastonbury Archdruidess, and holder of a Bardic Chair of Avebury, died in 2004. She left this beautiful book with text written with great love and reverence. Hailing from North Devon, she appreciated trees as a young child. She senses them in a similar way to her ancestors, valueing, admiring and looking after them.

In today's world, we are disconnected from trees and nature in general and no longer understand or appreciate what trees offer us. This book helps us reconnect with the majesty, wonder  and beauty of the trees. We are invited to communicate with them and forge a relationship with them, getting to know their individual natures.

Moon Magic

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Moon Magic - Harness the Gift of Lunar Energy by Marie Bruce. Full colour hardback published by Arcturus Publishing Ltd. RRP £9.99

A delightful book that would make a nice gift for a friend newly interested in Wicca and ritual. Includes information on the lunar cycle, symbols, myths and stories, moon deities, totem animals, the moon in the astrology chart, how to create a lunar altar and scrying by the moon, keeping a journal, a moon meditation, and how to incubate dreams and dream symbols, all with full colour images. 

The Only Book of Wiccan Spells You’ll Ever Need

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Only Book of Wiccan Spells You’ll Ever Need. By Marian Singer, Trish MacGregor, & Skye Alexander. Published by Adams Media. RRP US: $11.95 Can: $12.50

In it’s 2nd edition, all the authors are wiccans of long standing having appeared on radio, in magazines and on TV. This book provides the basis for all kinds of spellwork, 100 are detailed. The 8 sabbats, correspondences, the use of gemstones, meditations, visualisations, manifesting. how to create a grimoire (Book of Shadows), understanding witchcraft and spellcraft are included. Important information about ethics is described and could have been more detailed. 

Reiki Card Deck

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Reiki Techniques Card Deck - Heal Yourself Intuitively by Bronwen & Frans Stiene Boxed set of 45 cards and 18 page booklet £15.99

The card deck is designed for both experienced and non-experienced Reiki practitioners who are interested in self-healing. The cards use traditional and non-traditional methods of Reiki and are simple and easy to use. Each of the 45 cards carries a self healing idea, most of which can be used anytime and anywhere. The card backs bear a different simple sketch and a title. Overleaf is the instruction for the self healing method. Some titles are: Courage; knowledge; grounding; listening; clarity; compassion; gratitude; surrender; illumination; remembering; tranquility; flexibility.

The Mythic Tarot

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

Archangel Fire Oracle

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

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

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

Jocelyn Chaplin - The Serpent Institute

Jocelyn Chaplin

Bettany Hughes acclaimed series 'Divine Women' has frequently been shown on prime time TV and offers a full appreciation of ancient goddess worship and the role of women in the ancient times. Many women writers and speakers are introducing her various paths and how their worship was practised. As a psychotherapist and artist, I have been bringing her into my work, as goddess in various forms and also as the abstract force of rhythmic equalizing flow.

"My first book ‘Feminist Counselling in Action’ was reviewed for the Guardian (15.11.88) as showing how 'the goddess can be an allegory giving shape and form to the feminine principle' and it can be used to empower women today. My most recent book (published in 2008 by O Books) is entitled 'Deep Equality - Living in the Flow of Natural Rhythm'. This is a tapestry of examples, quotes, exercises, thoughts and pictures on the subject of reducing hierarchical structures and replacing them with rhythmic ones, linked to the goddess as flow.

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. 

Dark Grimoire Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Dark Grimoire Tarot by Giovani Pelosini and artwork by Michele Penco. Published by Lo Scarabeo.  

A Middle Ages Grimoire, the Necronomicon, styled Tarot deck! Hammer House of Horror meets your darkest side! The backs are H P Lovecraft image. No reversals (hardly needed)! 

You will find black magic is woven through these cards and nightmares will be generated as the unconscious mind is programmed by these gruesome images. 

For those who love to be disturbed, for those drawn to necromancy, and for those whose wish is to summon demons. Beware! It’s a life of death situation with every turn of the cards! 

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. 

Shamanic Medicine Oracle Cards

Mind Body & Spirit Ezine Card Deck Review: Shamanic Medicine Oracle Cards - Barbara Meiklejohn-Free & Flavia Kate Peters. Artwork by Yuri Leitch. Published by Blue Angel. 

These are two very experienced oracle card deck creators and book authors, and I recommend this deck to beginners and experienced readers. It is a deck that I would suggest is best read for oneself. It is a reasonably priced concept deck. The deck is associated with ancestors, nature and the mystical traditions. With influence from shaman based culture, this deck provides insight into your life and possible current circumstances. The artworks add to the words in the instruction book. I especially like the popular Earth based relevance to today’s ecology. 

Soul Rescuers!

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: A 21st Century Guide to the Spirit World by Terry and Natalia 0'Sullivan, published by Thorsons.

Taking ideas and beliefs from world religions, the work of the Soul Rescuer is described with Natalia's autobiographical background experiences, poetry and other texts. All about death, spirits, ghosts and haunting, poltergeists, etc. Soul rescue around the world, Spiritualism, possession, psychic protection, etc. How to heal the past, mediumship, bereavement, dreams, dowsing, an entire range of topics. 

The Fourfold Path to Healing

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Fourfold Path to Healing - Working with the Laws of Nutrition, Therapeutics, Movement and Meditation in the Art of Medicine - A Unique Approach to Medicine that Addresses the Fourfold Nature of Man by Thomas S Cowan MD, Sally Fallon and Jaime McMillan. Published by New Trends Publishing.

The Fourfold approach covers nutrition (healing the physical body), meditation (described as healing the mental body, though in most instances this is background information and advice), therapeutics (what is described as healing the lifeforce body), and movement (described as healing the emotional body). With non traditional allopathic material that has influences from Rudolph Steiner, and a non industrial approach to health, the book covers with each of the Fourfold topics: infectious disease, cancer, heart disease, hypertension, diseases of the adrenal cortex, digestive disorders, chronic fatigue, women's and men's diseases, weight loss, depression, back pain, arthritis, neurological diseases, and provides advice on how to be a patient, cooking, exercise, and other useful tips on how to live a health based life. 

Tabula Mortem Spirit Board

Mind Body & Soul Ezine  - Tabula Mortem Spirit Board - Communicate with the Beyond by Judas Knight, Jerome VanDyke, Jacob VanDyke, and Jordan VanDyke. Published by US Games Systems Inc. 5th August 2021 Boxed set of board, pendulum and instruction book. $21.95 : £21.99 

This is a modern spirit board used to contact the spirit world. The box contains a fold out board, 16 inches x 16 inches, and a pendulum with a 12 inch chain. Full instructions are provided in the accompanying book on how to use and store the board and pendulum, to use incense and candles for readings, with recommendations to make notes for this communal activity. There is a poem for blessing the board, a grounding meditation and information on how to make an offering to the Lwa. Information is given on the origins and history of the planchette/ouija (wee-gee) board, with explanations of the process, what happens after death, of superstitions related to the board, and warnings of Lwa, elementals and shells.