Hedgewitch Botanical Oracle Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Hedgewitch Botanical Oracle by Siolo Thompson. Published by Llewellyn Publications. 40 card set in sturdy presentation box with full colour instruction book. £22.50

Enjoyment from the Boundary Lands! 

Siolo Thompson is a self taught artist living in Seattle, Washington. She uses multi media for her artwork which draws inspiration from the grimoires of the foraging witch and healer. She also created the Linestrider Tarot deck.

The artwork is intended to allow identification of the plant and the book provides information on herb lore, the history of the 40 plants with seasonal recipes, an associated Tarot card, descriptions of plants, where to find them, the way they were used and how to use them, what part is used and whether they are culinary or medicinal. The deck offers guidance for the seeker or a focus for meditation and it can also be used as a flash card study guide as the seeker learns how to identify plants, blossom, leaf shoots and fruits.  It is a way for the seeker to approach the natural world, gaining delight, knowledge and magic.

Rose Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine card deck review: Rose Tarot by Nigel Jackson. Magnetic presentation box containing a set of 78 tarot cards and full colour instruction book. Card size 2.75 x 4.5 inches. Published by Llewellyn Publications. US: $32 : U.K. £26

Every prayer brings an Angel into being and using this deck for consultations is described as bringing the ‘Angel of the Rose Tarot’ into being! 

Truth-v-illusion; being-v-appearances; knowledge-v-illusion; reality-v-trickery! These are cards that “trace the journey towards spiritual reintegration!” 

Moon Magic

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Moon Magic - Myth & Magic, Crafts & Recipes, Rituals & Spells by D J Conway, published by Llewellyn Worldwide, 308 pages with text and black and white sketches.
'How to Make the Moon Work for You!'

This book, written by one of the most knowledgeable persons within the pagan/Wiccan arena, explains how to use the Moon's influences in order to deepen our connection to its cycles. Our ancestors worked with planetary influences, to plant and harvest, to take action, to honour and respect the rhythms of nature, in dark, crescent and full aspects. The female author, DJ Conway, has an extensive catalogue of authored occult non fiction and occasional fictional tales.

Animal Totem Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Animal Totem Tarot by Leeza Robertson with illustrations by Eugene Smith. Published by Llewelyn Worldwide.

"Each animal is a teacher, imparting wisdom beyond words. May their lessons guide you on your way."

This is a workbook that connects animals to the tarot and has with space for writing experiences on the animals wisdom detailed in the cards. The book provides information about power animals and animal guides, totems, archetypes, elemental energies and how to perform a reading with these cards. Each major arcana card represents an animal and has a channeled message from each animal, plus information about the meaning of the card and its message when it appears in a spread. Each card carries information about Business & Career, Family & Relationships, Health & Well- Being, Card- of-the-Day and Journal Prompts.

Legacy of the Divine Tarot

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Legacy of the Divine Tarot by Ciro Marchetti, Magnetic box set of 78 cards plus guidebook. Published by Llewellyn Worldwide. U.K. £25.00 : US $29.99

The accompanying book is titled ‘Gateway to the Divine Tarot’ and it begins with an extensive storyline; a setting of the creation and potential destruction of our planet and the change to civilisation that is coming. Those who are prepared and survive the Great Change - the ‘remnant’ will rebuild. The kingdoms of air, fire, water and earth must be in health. The Legacy Project is decreed by the Emperor’s Council and all knowledge and achievement is preserved within a capsule. 

Jailbreaking the Goddess

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Jailbreaking the Goddess - Radical Revisioning of Feminist Spirituality - by Lasara Firefox Allen, published by Llewellyn Publications, paperback 267 pages US $22.99

This is a deconstruction guide for all you have been told about goddess spirituality and provides new language expertise to express the feminine. Challenging the reproductive model of maiden, mother and crone, this revision ing provides a 5 stage rather than 3 stage model: Fomella, Potens, Creatrix, Sapienyptia, Antigua. Many childless feminists will identify with this path. Colonial and patriarchal language is challenged to reclaim women’s spirituality which heralds a new paradigm, updates the pre existing culture. 

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. 

The Secret History of Christmas Baking

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

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

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

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

 

Seeking Faery

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

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

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

Yuletide Tarot Review

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

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

Celtic Tarot Review

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

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

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

Tarot Interactions

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

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

Trick or Treat Tarot

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

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

Temples of the Grail Book Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Temples of the Grail - The Search for the World's Greatest Relic by John Matthews and Gareth Knight, published by Llewellyn Publications, $24.99

Three medieval texts are freshly examined and given new and interesting perspectives by specialists, John Matthews, author of over 100 books on Arthur and Grail legends, and Gareth Knight, who has written over 50 books on Western mystery traditions, including that of Arthur and the Grail studies. 

This is no dry academic book but one that provides new depth perceptions into these ancient enigmas. This book majors on aspects of oral and written traditions of the Grail throughout the text, including the Grail Castle, the Grail Family, the Grail Hallows, the Grail Island, and the Grail King. Sections include: an examination of 

Soul Cats Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Soul Cats Tarot by Leeza Robertson, illustrated by Adam Oehlers, Presentation boxed set of cards and full colour, large reproduction companion book, £25 Published by Llewellyn Publishing. 

Here we have 78 beautiful artworks with interesting write-ups on each Tarot Card, guidance for uprights and protection for reversed cards. The deck begins with a beautiful creation story. Life, death, faith, love, health, family, prosperity, and numerous other life lessons are given in this deck. The Majors are mixed breeds having adventures, the Court Cats are Kings, Queens, Knights and Pages. Cups are Bengal, Wands are Bombay, Swords are Siamese and Pentacles are Maine Coon. Every one a gem! 

Gilded Tarot Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review:

The Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti and Barbara Moore is a 78 card deck with a 64 page white instruction booklet in a front opening cardboard packet. It is published by Llewellyn Worldwide at £17.99 

Two very big names in the world of tarot, Marchetti and Moore, have combined their extensive skills in this very stylish deck. The setting is mediaeval; that sexy, candle lit era of wanton young ladies dressed in long silk gowns, and ravishing knights on chargers, dressed in equally beautiful brocades. This romantic styling is decorated with animals and birds, leafy bowers, Romanesque arches and twin pillars. Whilst working with the deck, the masquerade quality reminded me Cirque de Soleil performance titled ‘Kooza’ seen recently at the Royal Albert Hall. 

The Robin Wood Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Robin Wood Tarot, created and written by Robin Wood and Michael Short. Published by Llewellyn Publications. 

Robin Wood passed into higher life earlier in 2021 with carcinoma. She is hugely missed and was well known for her visionary artwork of dragons for board and internet role playing games, Second Life, etc.  This deck took nearly a decade to design. It combines traditional tarot with natural symbolism. It is much loved by pagans with its expressive artwork that is full of tarot and pagan symbolism. 

Meditate on each card and make a note of your associations and emotions as this information will become your own personal guide to interpreting this deck. 

There are standard card titles,  with 5 sentences of meaning for uprights and 5 for reversed. Pentacles, Wands, Swords and Cups; Kings, Queens, Knights and Pages. 3 layouts are suggested: The 15-Card, The 10-Card and The 5-Card. 

Tree Calendar

Mind Body & Soul Ezine book review: 'The Healing Power of Trees - Spiritual Journeys through the Celtic Tree Calendar' by Sharlyn Hidalgo Published by Llewellyn Publications, in paperback and kindle 336 pages.

Seattle born Sharlyn Hidalgo has worked as a psychotherapist and has a masters degree in psychology. She has multiple interests as a circle leader, healer, Native American specialist, Egyptian mysteries teacher and Celtic tree book author. 15 trees are described in detail with a drawing for recognition, each have respective deities, totems, ruling planets, month of power, their uses in history and in healing, rituals and higher appreciation and understanding of their spiritual energies. 

Gnostic Healing

 

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Gnostic Healing - Revealing the Hidden Power of God by Tau Malachi and Siobhan Houston, published by Llewellyn Publications, 190 pages, Paperback £12.99

"We are all an emanation of the divine" For those who enjoy deep metaphysical study, these two academics have put together a practical sysnthesis of 'Sophian Gnosticism', based on understanding which combines healing with Christianity, Kabbalah and Rosicrucian belief. The instruction is easy to follow and designed to facilitate a spiritual awakening and there is an importance stressed on the development of inner life. There are suggestions on how to work with negative people, for the laying on of hands, a healing for the self image, and a text for invoking the Holy Guardian angel. There is a section with a Gnostic prayer for the dying and baptism for the dead.

Shamanism

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Shamanism -Your Personal Journey to Healing and Self Discovery by Mark Nelson, Quality paperback, all text 264 pages. Published by Llewellyn Books US $18.99 : Can $26.99 U.K. £14.99

Wholeness, balance and harmony are suggested by the author as keywords for shamanic practice. 

Mark Nelson presents workshops, teaches and provides other services and programs on shamanism. 

The book provides information on the history of shamanism, the customs and practices with additional information on divination, rituals, journeying, dream work, distance healing, the natural world, ancestral healing, types of spirits, seasonal ceremony, sacred space, the elements and directions, crystals, death, spirits of place,  shapeshifting, soul retrieval, altered states, and working with power and shamanic tools.