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. 

Healing With Past Life Therapy

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Healing With Past Life Therapy - Transformational Journeys Through Time and Space by Lorraine Flaherty. Published by Findhorn Press. RRP £12.99  

Case studies of regression to past lives and the Inner Freedom Therapy author’s own personal biography are documented. Using the story of the Wizard of Oz, we are taken on a journey of healing, to notice obstacles, and discover a greater purpose. We are given exercises: past lives, soul groups, soulmates, cleansing, spirit attachments, karma, reaching our full potential, a fabulous future? 

A great deal is assumed in terms of belief, and it is a highly promotional book with a great deal of confirmation bias - without any evidence - so do I recommend it? If we can be discerning, and keep an open mind, there are areas that are interesting and worth a read. 

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.  

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. 

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 Transient Light Tarot deck is 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.

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. 

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. 

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 Goddess Changes

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Goddess Changes - A Personal guide to Working with the Goddess by Felicity Wombwell.  

The late Felicity Wombwell was well qualified to write a book about the Goddess in many of her major divine feminine roles, alchemical, Grecian, Celtic, Dianic and she was also an ecologist and campaigned for women’s mysteries, traditions and rights. She was a priestess of the Fellowship of Isis where she was a Priestess of Astraea and she has written and spoken extensively on many specialist subjects. The Changing Goddess is the weaving goddess that becomes twelve and all are explained in the easy to read text. The author gives much personal perspective and personal, intimate history which is to stimulate the reader to embark on their own research. Her own search for the goddess began by reading The Spiral Dance by Starhawk which she read in a day. There is meaning and strength in being a woman! 

Daily Kabbalah

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Daily Kabbalah - Wisdom from the Tree of Life by Rabbi Gershom Winkler. Published by North Atlantic Books. RRP US $17.95 : Can $22.00 

Providing an inspirational reading for each day of the year, this book has original and rare writings and stories from the Jewish mystical oral traditions. 

I love a daily meditational and study topic. Each morning upon awakening, a few sentences are sufficient to motivate me on my spiritual path. Sometimes at night, I will refer back to that page and re-read it and often notice that something happened during the day to which that day’s reading gave insight. 

This is a wonderful book of wisdom. It is full of calm understanding, many truths about life, and it draws our attention to what is beautiful, good and caring. 

The Sacred Path Beyond Trauma

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Sacred Path Beyond Trauma - Reaching the Divine Through Nature’s Healing Symbols by Ellen B Macfarland PhD. Published by North Atlantic Books. RRP US $16.95 : Can $20.00

Written from a Jungian perspective, this text book is for therapists and for the person who wishes to be a healer and work with healing symbols, such as horses, dolphins, wolves, and trees. All terms and concepts are explained in the opening chapter. Depth Psychology, emotions, dualistic thought, imagination, the unconscious mind, are all part of this recovery method. Myths, fictional and real life stories, including her own personal experience are used to give examples of how negative and painful trauma thinking styles can be transformed, mitigated, honed and aligned with greater understanding of positive mental health and life style. 

Jesus, Last of the Pharaohs

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Jesus, Last of the Pharaohs - The Israelite Pharaohs of Egypt by Ralph Ellis, 370 pages paperback and kindle formats. Edfu Books. 

A thorough study of the Biblical and Egyptological records leading to a redefining of the patriarchs of the Old and New Testaments. The author suggests that Jesus was the last of a line of Egyptian kings. There is a parallel between the exodus from Egypt and the Hyksos pharaohs leaving Egypt. The author suggests that the royal line of Jews was in fact the Hyksos dynasty which came originally from Egypt.  Therefore Jesus, as of the royal line of King David, would have been of this ancestry and was a rebel leader. The author also uncovers the life of Saul (aka Paul of Tarsus) as the historian, Josephus Falvius. He suggests that Jesus was the governor of Tiberias and owned a castle there and died during the 70AD siege and not in crucifixion in 33AD. In his sequel to this book, and whilst working on “Jesus, the Last of the Pharaohs”, the author found an ancient Egyptian stele with a Biblical quote about a conference that organises the exodus. He put this discovery into “The Tempest and the Exodus”. Other discoveries are the site of Mount Sinai and Mount Ararat. Interesting? Yes! Very! 

The Coming of the Holy Grail

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Coming of the Holy Grail by Claire Nahmad. 

This book, by author Claire Nahmad, explains what the ‘Holy Grail’ is, how it was created, whether it was stolen, rescued, hidden for safekeeping, and whether and how it can be recovered. The time has arrived for all to be revealed about a new world order that cherishes all life on our planet. Brought to the author from the angels who revealed divine truth, the Great Mother was the Great Originator/Creator, and contained a masculine principle within herself. This is extremely important understanding, as when one accepts the female as the Creative Intelligence, one automatically sees within the natural world fecundity, growth, development, colour, beauty, joy, resilience, strength and other powers and energies that are needed to save our planet from extinction. 

The Art of Ritual

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review - The Art of Ritual - A Guide to Creating and Performing Your Own Rituals for Growth and Change by Renee Back and Sydney Barbara Metrick. Published by Celestial Arts. 

Rituals are explained, the purpose, relevance, power and need for it. The myths that surround it, symbolism, sacredness, grounding, our tools and keeping them sacred, our altars, seasonal rites, etc,m are all covered. We are given 10 guidelines to assist us in creating our own rituals with a useful worksheet, the making of vows, and affirmations. Examples are added, the elements are detailed, and explanations are offered to integrate our ritual experiences. Ritual allows to register and commemorate important times in our life. I liked the ritual for planetary healing. There is a Winter and a Spring ritual provided as a guide. There is advice on depression, for teenagers, and a ‘stop smoking’ and ‘divorce’ ritual! I hope there will be lots of mature applications found. A glossary of terms is at the back of the book. 

Understanding the Messages of Your Body

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Understanding the Messages of your Body - How to Interpret Physical and Emotional Signals to Achieve Optimal Health by Jean-Pierre Barral DO, paperback 240 pages, published by North Atlantic Books £17.99 Author website: http://www.barralinstitute.com/

This is written by the academic expert in this field, and written for professionals more than the average reader. If you are a beginner, I suggest you watch some of the excellent videos which are available from the Barral Institute's YouTube channel. 

The information in the book provides explanations of how to access wisdom from our body, as though our body is speaking to us, warning and applauding our life style, intake of foods, exercise, etc.

Love and Rage

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Love and Rage - The Path of Liberation Through Anger by Lama Rod Owens. Published by North Atlantic Books. RRP US $17.5 : Can $23.95 : UK £14.99

There are several definitions of love and of anger and examples are given for these emotions. Written by the co-author of Radical Dharma, we are guided, using philosophy, meditation, exercises, breathing, and other Buddhist practices, to contemplative steps that look deeply at these subjects, not to bypass them or excuse them, but to find understanding and the love to transmute the rage into something palatable, something related to health and well-being. 

Using the authors own experience, we are invited to share his journey and hear how he has used mindfulness and compassion to transform his woundedness into acceptance and self care, kindness and manageable emotions. We are referred to as ancestors in training, so we hand on our learning and wisdom of dealing with difficult events in our life to the next generations. 

Wild Woman Rising Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Wild Woman Rising - An Oracle Deck by Angi Sullins with artwork by Jena DellaGrottaglia. Published by U S Games Systems Inc. Boxed set of 44 gilt edged cards, a full colour guidebook and an organza drawstring card pouch. $26.95

Find the truth, eat the fruit, unmask the myth, let it burn!’ ‘Many say the end is near; the truth is, the beginning is here!’ 

Sample reading: Dig Deep 24 : She has deep roots, they say of the rising woman. Roots that cannot possibly come from this Earth alone. Through honeycomb and loam, sap and sunlight, and the rich, fertile soil of soul, we are connected to the world tree - the great source that pulses through all worlds, both seen and unseen. When we feel disconnected or disconcerted, our first step towards wholeness is tapping into our root source. When we reconnect inwardly to the source of life, Wild Woman rises!  

The book begins with a poem to “unmask a myth”. It’s an attractive and strong box which has golden highlights and a magnetic clasp. Inside the box is a black bag for the cards which has yellow gold edges. 

The Divine Feminine Oracle

 Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Divine Feminine Oracle by Megan Watterson, Pack contains 53 cards plus booklet, published by Hay House. £15.99 

"For embodying love"
Each card bears an image of a young woman with a title, subtitle and affirmation. Further information is contained in the booklet about each card image. Saints, mystics, gurus, goddesses throughout the world portray divine feminine energies which aid self empowerment and help your discovery of your own answers to questions. Megan Watterson has a relationship with each 'sacred lady' and asks readers to develop their own relationship with the cards which can be developed through reading and meditation on each card. Our story might contain understanding not known to the author. The booklet provides an invocation, and each card carries a question and an intention.
All ages can enjoy working with these cards, though the photographs and computer graphics suggest it is a young woman's deck.

 

The Goblin Market Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Tarot Card Deck Review: The Goblin Market Tarot - In Search of Faery Gold by John Matthews with artwork by Charles Newington. Boxed set of 80 cards and Guidebook, published by Watkins Publishing. £22.99 

This tarot deck is loosely inspired by the dreamlike poem The Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti (sister of Dante Gabriel) and was written in 1862 when she was 32 years old. It is a poem of innocence, temptation, indulgence, redemption and sacrifice. You will find it rich in wild abandon, naked naughtiness, witchy wonder, charms, spells, mystery, mischief, strangeness and forbidden secrets, with fruits, vines and flowers, in mossy glades and forest streams, and with enjoyable, witty and sometimes tricky and fancy characters that are easy to bring to life in your readings! 

Romance of the Grail

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Romance of the Grail - The Magic and Mystery of Arthurian Myth by Joseph Campbell. Published in hard back with b/w illustrations by New World Library.RRP US $24.95 : UK £22.00

The first double page of this book is a mind map by Joseph Campbell of his ideas of this topic. Campbell was an expert in the study of Grail Quests and Arthurian legends and he found metaphors for psychological growth and the development of ‘amor’ - the love where we become more fully ourselves through our loving connection to others. This is the full collected written and lecture works of Campbell on these subjects. His Masters Thesis was on the “Dolorous Stroke”. 

This book covers the backgrounds of this myth, from Neolithic, Celtic, Roman and German sources and including Irish and French writers. The Knights of the Quest have their own chapters, and the Round Table is fully explained and followed up by an explanation of The Wasteland. 

Animal Voices Children's Cards

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Animal Voices Oracle - Connecting to our Endangered Friends by Chip Richards with illustrations by Susan Farrell, published by Blue Angel Gallery. £13.99

This deck is presented in a boxed set of 31 cards and explanatory guidebook. The cards are designed to stimulate children’s understanding for, and enjoyment of, a variety of our planet's species, such as those that swim, run, fly, crawl, climb, etc. Each card carries an image and it's title. The guidebook provides information about each animal and a special message which calls for children to get to know the unique beauty and gift of each rare animal to remember them for a lifetime. A first ever oracle card deck and highly suitable for 7 – 13 year olds - but adults will learn something too! 

Beautiful images! Excellent value!

Review by Wendy Stokes https://wendystokes.co.uk

Heal Your Ancestral Roots

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Heal Your Ancestral Roots - Release the Family Patterns That Hold You Back by Anuradha Dayal- Gulati PhD. Published by Findhorn Press. US $18.99 : Can $23.99 

The author has a doctorate in economics and is an energy practitioner and transformational coach. She has trained in flower essence therapy and constellation therapy and lives in Boston, US. 

Many of the difficulties that hold us back are rooted in our family history. This book teaches us how to recognise unconscious patterns with journaling, exercises, visualisations, mind mapping, and a Vedic ritual. Dr Anuradha gives us her autobiography and life experiences. She dedicates the book to her spiritual lineage, her ancestors, and her parents, saying that they are the wind and sails in her life and she cannot explain how much they have done for her. 

Dreams of the Goddess

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Dreams of the Goddess - Discovering the Divine While You Sleep by Scarlett Ross. Published by New Page Books. US $13.99

Scarlett Ross, the author is a teacher, a dreamer, a seeker, a kitchen witch who provides workshops on personal divinity and a non profit New Age educational group. In this book she gives us nightly rituals, exercises, and guidance to contact the Goddess and record her messages, meaning and visions in the journal provided. 

The Ancient Science of Geomancy

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Ancient Science of Geomancy - Living in Harmony with the Earth by Nigel Pennick. 

Also with the subtitle “Man in Harmony with the Earth”. 

Black and white illustrations and photographs illustrate this interesting and easy to read book that covers architecture, geometry, geography, cosmology, art, archeology, numerology, astronomy, astrology, surveying, religion and mythology. Churches, alignments, sacred sites, tombs, and other visible and invisible aspects are covered throughout the world. Salmon return to their birthplace, the swallow returns to its nest, animals find salt licks and water, homing pigeons find their way back to the coup. Stones, trees, springs, mountain tops, all possess an energy, recognised for millennia. There are places in the landscape that hold special vibrations due to their antiquity. Divination and boundary markers date back to ancient times too. There is lots to interest the reader in this fascinating topic and to increase their knowledge of landscape use and appreciation of vibrational energies. Enjoyable! 

An Inconvenient Truth

Mind, Body & Soul Book Review: An Inconvenient Truth -  The Crisis of Global Warming by Al Gore.

From the award winning film, this is an enlightening book with full colour photographs. Every human being on this planet contributes in many ways to global warming but by being more conscious of our purchases, our uses of power, and by changing our lifestyle, we can reduce our impact.

We are at the turning point in this global catastrophe. If we care about the lives of our children and grandchildren and of millions of people around the world, we must address this crisis immediately.

The Muse Tarot

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Muse Tarot by Chris-Anne, published by Hay House. £21.78 cards and an accompanying guidebook are presented in a quality hard box. Visit website: Chris-Anne.com

Words printed on the inside of the box: "There is magic in truth, there is truth in my veins. Where my blood speaks in sooth, and my mind has no reins." 

The Fifth Agreement

Mind Body & Soul Ezine: The Fifth Agreement - A Practical Guide to Self-Mastery by Don Miguel Ruiz and Don Jose Ruiz. 

With Janet Mills, described as “Mother of the Book”, the author of the Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz introduces us to his apprentice, his son, Don Jose Miguel in this book that follows from the bestselling previous book, The Four Agreements. Once again, stories illustrating the importance of the agreements are detailed. These are agreements we make with ourself throughout life, but clearing old and unwanted agreements and creating new and useful ones are the basis of this book that reminds us of the four previous ones, and introduces us to a fifth. 

The Agreements are:  

Be impeccable with your word

Don’t take anything personally

Don’t make assumptions

Always do your best

Be sceptical and learn to listen

Tibetan Shamanism

Mind Body & Soul Ezine book review: Tibetan Shamanism - Ecstasy and Healing by Larry Peters PhD published by North Atlantic Books. Paperback 208 pages £15.24 Kindle £11.39 

I recommend this as reading for anyone who has a serious interest in shamanism in general whether they be a beginner or not.
Larry Peters has been awarded many academic accolades for his work with indigenous peoples and is the world authority on the Tamang Nepal tradition with twenty years of dedicated study and research. In addition he is an initiated practitioner. He has worked with indigenous Shamans in Nepal, Mongolia, Siberia and China and in this book he presents new and interesting perspectives on the last four indigenous Tibetan Shamans who lived in exile in Nepal. They are no longer alive so the information gathered by Dr Peters is beyond price to posterity. The indigenous Shamans from Tibet have survived as a respected tradition in outlying areas. As Buddhism has been the religion of the area for over a thousand years, shamanism has incorporated many aspects of the dominant culture.

Lynda Stevens - An Interview

Introducing my readers to Lynda Stevens. Please tell us something about yourself Lynda: "I work as an artist and am engaged in creating abstract mixed-media works on canvas using materials ranging from glass fragments, clay and paper with acrylic, and metal foil, in layered landscapes. I work on paper too, creating collages. I see this path as a constant search 'for the pearl of Great Price', an image of wonder and beauty.

"My first degree was in English and Italian literature, but I graduated in 198 and there were 500 graduates to every job! I used my time to get two further qualifications in Art and I am actively involved in the 'alternative' Budapest scene where I exhibit with a group of life drawers, and take part in monthly creative events in the ruined pubs here, and I work outside with the Budapest Montmartre group in the summer. 

The Gospels' Veiled Agenda - Harry Freedman

Mind Body & Soul Book Review: The Gospels' Veiled Agenda - Revolution, Priesthood and The Holy Grail by Harry Freedman, published by O Books, paperback 182 pages £11.99 http://www.harryfreedmanbooks.com/

Dr Freedman here examines the life of Jesus and his mission which has parallels, connections and shadowing in the Old Testament. For instance, Isaac carried the wood for his own death on the pyre - and Jesus carried his cross to his crucifixion. There was a decree for all boy children to be put to death in the OT but Moses was saved in the bull-rushes - and a similar decree occured in the NT but Jesus was taken to Egypt for safety. Moses fasted 40 days and nights, as did Jesus. Many incidents in the lives of Adam, Noah, David, Joseph, Isaac, Elijah and others, find parallels in the life of Jesus, where there are similar roles or similar statements.

Creature Teacher Cards Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Creature Teacher - Animal Wisdom For All Ages by Scott Alexander King, illustrated by Sioux Dollman, boxed 45 cards and guidebook. www.animaldreaming.com

We can learn from other species and their intelligence, beauty and skills can provide us with guidance and inspiration that can enrich our lives. Wild and domesticated species are detailed with imaginary unicorn, dragons, etc., included.

Each card has an animal title and 3/4 word message and a hand painted image. The Guide book contains excellent and extensive information on each card. These are round cards and information on how to use them is provided. Spreads suggested are a one card reading and a three card reading. 

Universal Prophecy Cards

 Mind Body & Soul  Ezine Card Deck Review: Universal Prophecy Cards by Julie McKenzie published by Animal Dreaming Publishing. 

Simple and minimal instructions on how to clear the cards, ask the question, shuffle, choose, bless, and seek meaning. There are gold leafed edges on these high quality cards which are read upright only. There is a card titled The Golden Prophecy which is a master card of the deck. Each card has a title, an image, and a few words of advice. Sample card titled 'colour' with the  image (right) and words of advice: Visualise rainbow colours surrounding you as you breathe in their healing energy. From a calm mind and peaceful heart, the truth you seek will emerge.

Spreads suggested are Single Card Draw - 1 card, Message from your Beloved - 6 cards, Golden Bridge Layout - 10 cards, Yearly Layout - 12 cards, Prophecy Layout, in two parts, 13 cards.

It’s helpful to have the title, image and information on the cards! 
The author is a medium and specialises in children's books. 

Review Wendy Stokes www.wendystokes.co.uk

Book Extract - Homecoming - Reclaiming and Healing Your Inner Child

The wounded inner child contaminates intimacy in relationships because he has no sense of his authentic self.

The greatest wound a child can receive is the rejection of his authentic self. When a parent cannot affirm his child’s feelings, needs, and desires, he rejects that child’s authentic self. Then, a false self must be set up. In order to believe he is loved, the wounded child behaves the way he thinks he is supposed to.

The Enchanted Tarot Review - 25th Anniversary Edition

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Enchanted Tarot - 25th Anniversary Edition. By Amy Zerner and Monte Farber. Published by Race Point. £19.99 http://www.theenchantedworld.net/

Over 250,000 decks of The Enchanted Tarot have been sold since first printed in 1992 and this is the prized '25th Anniversary' deck - not to be missed - as it is a very reasonable price for a boxed deck of 78 individual fabric artwork images plus a full colour book and a plum velvet bag!

Hieroglyphic Words of Power

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Hieroglyphic Words of Power - Symbols for Magic, Divination & Dreamwork by Normandi Ellis. Published by Bear & Co. US $20 : Can $24.99 : UK Kindle £8.99 and quality paperback with b/w illustrations £13.99 

Dr Normandi Ellis is an award winning author, mentor, minister, environmentalist, and archpriestess with the Fellowship of Isis. She is also the author of Awakening Osiris (translation of the Egyptian Book of the Dead) and Imagining the World into Existence. You are learning from a real expert here! You get your money’s worth! 

Rev Dr Karen Tate Book Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Goddess Calling by Rev Dr Karen Tate - Inspirational Messages and Meditations of Sacred Feminine Liberation Thealogy is published by Changemaker Books eBook: £6.99 Paperback: £9.99 Website: www.karentate.com

This book has been glowingly reviewed and praised by Jean Houston, Barbara G Walker, Szuzsanna Budapest and many other ‘greats’ of the women’s spirituality movement of our time. I opened it with considerable excitement to drink in it its beauty and riches and enjoy its poetry, delight and magic. The author provides here a useful manual to explore the many aspects of the Sacred Feminine and to access inspiration, encouragement and empowerment, not just on a personal level, but also to create a “Wisdom Circle”, a community in which rituals can be held to further explore this dynamic and transformational spiritual path specially for women.

Tarot of the New Vision

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review - Tarot of New Vision by. Pietro Alligo with artwork by Raul and Gianluca Cestaro. Published by Lo Scarabeo. £25.00

The ornate artwork, inspired by Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot, is very enjoyable. This is a classy Tarot deck that will impress clients. The images describe the standard scenes shown from the back, so a great deal of information is available from these cards which aid intuition and help flesh out readings with a new perspective. The art creators are brothers. Several animals have prominence, owl, swan, monkey, turtle, lamb, etc. Ask ‘What is my purpose?’ There are two spreads suggested, The Cards of Meditation for journaling on a card each day, and The External and the Internal Cards. 

It would help to have a good knowledge of the RWS cards but having that, I developed a far broader understanding of potential situations than I had before. I like this deck. It is available from Lo Scarabeo and is included in the Total Tarot Collection, numbers 44 and 45. 

Colours - June McLeod

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Colours of the Soul - Tranform your Life Through Colour Therapy by June McLeod, 260 pages paperback £11.99, Kindle £6.99. Published by O Books. 
     For anyone interested in colour, this book covers the topic well, and who isn't interested? We choose clothes, vehicles and decor, but what effect does colour have on our life, and if we choose a particular colour, what does that say about us? The book provides exercises so is more of a work book. It explains what colours mean, the science of colour, how we can choose the best colours for ourselves, choosing foods of particular colours to improve health, colours that relate to the chakra and aura systems, art, etc.

Erotic Fantasy Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Card Deck Review: Erotic Fantasy Tarot by Joseph Viglioglia  Published by Lo Scarabeo Pack of 78 cards plus multi languages information insert. £18.99 

The little white booklet insert is in English, Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese. Setting the scene for this very saucy Tarot deck are a few paragraphs about Eros, the world of our imagination, sex and ourselves, and these are followed by keywords and action suggestions for the Majors, where beautiful unclothed women are mainly featured, there are a few males and some ambiguously gendered archetypes. The Minors are King, Queen, Knight, Knave of Chalices, Pentacles, Wands, and Swords. The spread suggested is the 3 Card, ‘Erotic Relationship’. 

The Chocolate Lover's Message Cards

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Chocolate Lover's Message Cards by Rosie Shalhoub, published by Animal Dreaming Publishing in a magnetic flip top box with 70 cards and instructions on how to use them. 

I enjoyed these cards! Let's get together and have some fun while we learn something about self- development.

Tantric Love Letters

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Tantric Love Letters by Diana Richardson Published by Manta Books Paperback: £12.99  221 pages

The author, Diana Richardson is a leading authority on tantric sex and has written several books on the subject (some with her husband, Michael). She trained with the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh Community and the Barry Long Foundation. A qualified lawyer and therapeutic massage teacher, she conducts 7 day workshops in Switzerland on Tantra with her husband. Also authored by Diana Richardson 'Tantric Orgasm for Women', 'Tantric Sex for Men', 'The Heart of Tantric Sex' and 'Slow Sex'. 

Arcanis Animal Tarot

 Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Arcanis Animal Tarot by David Depasquale. Boxed set of 78 cards and Guidebook. Published by Hay House. RRP US $24.99 : Can $33.99 : UK £22.00

“Animals are referred by many cultures as moral guides, sacred guardians, and door to the spirit world.”

XXI The World - Upright: Completion, New Beginnings, Fulfilment. The World card is a sign that the end of something big is in sight. You’ve achieved what you’ve been working towards, and you feel accomplished. Though you’ve faced adversity, you have come out as the victor, and your hard work and dedication will be recognised. You feel a deep sense of purpose and have found your place in the world. If you haven’t quite reached the end yet, know it is within reach once you tie up those loose ends. Enjoy the fruits of your labour, be at promotion, a marriage, the birth of a child, or graduation. Your contentment is well deserved. Reversed: Lack of Achievement, Loss of Focus, Inability to Complete. The reversed World card signifies that you have some unfinished business to attend to. You may have been on the cusp of finishing something, but then became hesitant, or distracted. You didn’t follow through, which resulted in disappointment and a lack of closure. You need to jump back into the game and complete your goal. You will likely feel frustrated at having to start up again, and will need to make some changes to your approach, but know that in the end, the task will be worth finishing. Proud of his accomplishments, the World sits balancing the Earth, symbolising the fulfilment of his quest to find his place in the world. 

The Dream Weaver’s Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Dream Weaver’s Oracle by Colette Baron-Reid. Illustrations by Joel Makamura. Boxed set of 44 cards and guidebook. Published by Hay House. RRP US $24.99 : Can $33.99

“You are more than you know.”

There are two types of dreams: Dreams that are nightly, unconscious, and those that are conscious aspirations, hopes, and ambitions. This Oracle is about the second type. Information is provided in the guidebook on how to work with this deck, such as choosing a place within your home to keep special for readings. There is a prayer, an invocation offered to begin. Hold a question in your mind. There is a suggestion as to how to ask the right question. These cards are always upright, never reversed. You can choose a single card reading, a Two-Card or a Three-Card reading. How does it serve your highest good? 

Positive thinking! A good reminder. Taking a card a day! All good advice! Marvellous images. 

Soulful Woman Guidance Cards Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Soulful Woman Guidance Cards - Nurturance, Empowerment & Inspiration for the Feminine Soul by Shushann Movsessian and Gemma Summers. Boxed set of 48 cards and guidebook. Published by Blue Angel Publishing.£17.99

Written by qualified psychotherapists who teach the path of the sacred feminine. The cards encourage empowerment and authenticity. 26 different artists work are featured, contributing 48 illustrations of women's faces using computer graphics, multi media and paintings. Each card has an image, a number, title and card affirmation message. The guidebook provides a message for each card plus information on how to use the cards by using the words 'I am'. There is a suggestion of a one-card reading and a 3 card reading. Symbols are the faces of women, flowers, moon, geometric designs, eggs, birds, butterflies, hair and spirals. 

Reflective Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Reflective Tarot (featuring the Radiant Rider-Waite Tarot) Pocket size, Boxed set of 78 pocket sized cards and short information in the little white booklet with extended introduction by Stuart R Kaplan. Published by US Games Systems Inc. $22.95

Sample: Seven of Cups - Strange chalices of vision. Divinatory meaning: Fairy favours, images of reflection, imagination, sentiment, things seen in the glass of contemplation, some attainment in these degrees but nothing permanent or substantial. Reversed: Desire, determination, project, willpower. 

Tarot of the Abyss

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Tarot of the Abyss by Ana Tourian Boxed set of 80 cards and guidebook. Published by US Games Systems Inc. $22.95

Sample: “The rider stands tall on her two flying swans, brave and full of determination. There is no fear as she guides these regal feathered birds. She knows that fear will not help her and any wavering could bring about an accident. So, she guides her steed with steady hands, aware of the power hidden in the wind. She knows it’s useless to go against the wind: Instead she harnesses it so that her journey will be swift and easy on the swans. The rider balances herself with care, taking note of her surroundings, and also her charges. These are wild animals, and at any moment they could go their own way, to pull in the opposite direction. This Tarot Major encourages us to take action. It brings the potential for success. The Chariot appears in your reading, know that now is not the time to procrastinate or let yourself be distracted. Set your goals and maintain your focus. There are many things that can distract our attention on a day-to-day basis. Remain steadfast and know that the road to success is often filled with obstacles. It’s all about how you approach them. It’s your strategies, your tenacity, and your courage, that will ultimately allow you to realise your goals.” 

Oracle of the Birds

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Oracle of the Birds by Jeanne Ruland, illustrated by Petra Kuhne. Boxed set of 46 cards and guidebook. Published by Inner Traditions/Findhorn Press. RRP US $25.00 : Can $31.50 

Lift your gaze to the sky. Be unique, free, and yet connected!

This oracle deck is a collaboration, with assistance from Schirner Verlag who completed the work that was started by the late Jeanne Ruland, so this card deck could be described as Jeanne’s swan song. 

Sample card! Robin- joy, sound and singing. Robin flutters into your life, and invites you to open your heart to joy and happiness. With its companions, it warbles, Hear its tunes in the forest to increase love and enjoyment. If you have chosen this card, join in the merry chorus. Funny, cheerful, and joyful, at the top of your voice, walking, walking. Magic feathers, beautiful, delicate, red feathers, cover my neck. Feel the light reach into your vocal centre and fill it with power. Speak, sing, or raise your voice. Awaken, your sound, full of joy, and express what resonates within you. More meanings: self expression, raising your voice, singing aloud. Affirmation: Self expression conveys my joy of life, I raise my voice to show what makes my heart sing. In addition, the reader can add their own understanding. Robin! A Territorial bird, often a loner but with the most amazing and wonderful song for such a small bird, and so friendly, it will sit at your feet if you are a gardener! 

Motherpeace Tarot Deck Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Motherpeace Tarot - A Way to the Goddess through Myth, Art and Tarot by Karen Vogel and Vicki Noble published by U S Games Systems Inc. 

     This Tarot deck was originally self published but has sold in excess of 150,000 sets. There is information about the history of the tarot and the history of the goddess. The book explains how to use the deck, and information on sacred space, focus, meditation, shuffling, deep breathing, candles, cloths, bags, etc.  Call upon the goddess! One can draw one card asking 'What if I took this particular action?' 'What can I learn from this situation?' to see what the answers might be! Work, close relationship, creativity and spirit life are possible topics. Helper cards can be added. Artwork by Lily Hillwomyn calligraphy and original drawings, Cassandra Light provided the card back designs.

Tarot for Magical Times Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Review: Tarot for Magical Times By Rachel Pollack and Johannes Fiebig. Published by AGM Urania. 160 page full color explanatory book £10.21 

‘Enlightenment is man’s emergency from his self-incurred immaturity.’ Kant

Astrologically, we are influenced by the planet Pluto which entered the constellation of Capricorn in 2008. It will occupy this position until 2024 during which time we will experience a process of cultural and personal transformation due to the breakdown of organisational structures, dogma and habits. Previously, when this planetary configuration occurred, it was the time of the Reformation and the Age of Enlightenment. Tarot for Magical Times focuses on this precise issue and uses the card of the Tower to play a central role in representing this planetary position.

The Mythic Tarot

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

This book is a marvellous substitute for a workshop designed for the Mythic Tarot deck by Juliet Sharman-Burke and Liz Greene. Readers gain knowledge of themselves and can use this knowledge to interpret the cards for other people. Guided fantasy and colouring exercises of the Major Arcana help develop a closer relationship to the archetypes, and details of each element. Astrology signs, myths and divinatory meanings are provided plus questions to help with more accurate readings. A record of your work is used to chart your progress. The mythological references to each Major and its divinatory meaning with full 500 word explanation, followed by the card image are provided for you to colour with space for notes and the thoughts and experiences in the guided fantasies.