Awaken the High Priestess Within

Mind, Body and Soul Ezine Review of the Isis Oracle Cards, 44 card and 220 page book boxed set by Alana Fairchild. Full colour illustrations by Jimmy Manton Published by Blue Angel Publishing.

🌟 My most favourite oracle deck! We are invited to ‘Awaken the High Priestess Within’ but the card deck can be used by males and females alike. The book has b/w illustrations of the cards, all with wonderful titles, such as Enter the Chamber of Healing, Lady of the Stars, Serpent of Fire, Temple of Black Obsidian. Each card has a substantial write-up and offers an in-depth understanding of the card, a practical healing ritual and a poetical incantation.    

We are invited through 'ancient mystery teachings of Isis' to become 'initiated' through our struggle with difficulty and uncertainty to re-activate our soul talents for healing, love and self-mastery. Practical ways are suggested to help us to do this. 

Water Color Lenormand

Bouquet - The Card of Wishes Granted

WATER COLOR LENORMAND

This deck consists of 39 cards designed by S M Senden, a scientific illustrator who was impressed with the amazing accuracy of the Lenormand system of cartomancy. The elegant simplicity of the images are presented in original water color paintings by Senden that are true to the original Lenormand images without the inserts.

This deck is perfect for the beginner who is learning the symbols of the Lenormand cards, and it is also suitable for the advanced readers who like the clean lines and elegant simplicity of these cards. The Dog card is a beautiful rendition of an Irish Wolfhound that captures the nobility of this handsome animal - a fiercely loyal dog that is gentle and loving unless threatened. The Ring card features intertwined rings as another way to express the concept of cycles. The Mice Card are nibbling and wielding their destructive actions. The Snake card is pictured with two heads to underscore the deception that this card implies.

Mystical Lenormand Review

The Mystical Lenormand Cards are a small size which are useful when laying the entire deck on the table for an 'All Card Spread' reading. They are small, the size of cards used in the 1800s. 

Each card is numbered and has an astrological designation. The reader looks at the chosen scene as though through a window, as if into another world. Animals are frequently featured. The Mystical Lenormand is a card deck that any card reader will find meditative and enlightening, not just in the short term, but as a deck of great depth and understanding that they will never tire of using.

Nature Quest Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Nature Quest Oracle  - Taoist Wisdom for Modern Times by Theresa Hutch. Boxed set of 50 cards and guidebook. Published by U S Games Systems Inc. £21.67 

Sample: Truth - Lao Tzu We give without expecting anything in return. We do not dwell on past accomplishments, and do not glory in any praise. Great savages never praise or blame. They live above the common drama of ordinary folks. In doing so, they tap into a greater consciousness and glow in a way that draws others near. Not much is known about Lao Tzu, the writer of the Tao, but he was able to tap into greater consciousness and describe the importance of humility, balance and flow. Tao #77 The Tao of heaven works in the world like the drawing of bow. The top is bent downwards and the bottom is bent up. The excess is taken from and the deficient is given to. Who is able to give to others from the excess? Only someone who is following the way of the Tao. Reflections: find lightness and playfulness in your day. Notice when you get caught up in a drama. Be more like water, strong yet yielding. Affirmation: go with the flow. 

Totem Guardians Oracle Deck

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Totem Guardians Oracle Deck by Tanya Bond. Boxed set of 42 cards and guidebook. Published by U S Games Systems Inc. £16.66 

Sample: 18 Cat. Cat spirit animal reminds you to embrace your physical form, connecting with internal feelings and physical sensations. We often reside in our head and rarely consult the wisdom of our body. Sleep when you need to, move when you yearn for physical activity, eat when you need nourishment. There is an intrinsic wisdom in your body. It helps you notice internal issues, energies and emotions that have become stuck. These feelings and memories need an outlet. Listen to your body, explore the sensations, even the uncomfortable ones. They all carry a message for you of an inner hurt denied, and inner cries unheard, that desperately want to communicate with you. As you direct your attention towards your inner life, you will notice that stuck feelings can manifest as heat, cold, electricity and magnetism. Your conscious attentions will help release these trapped thoughts and feelings from your body. 

Spirit of the Animals Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Spirit of the Animals Oracle by Jody Bergsma. Published by U S Games Systems Inc. £25.00

Sample : Moose- Wisdom. The Moose is a powerful totem. This is a powerful totem. It has a unique energy with many contradictions, awkward yet graceful, plain but beautiful and they have a strong presence. Most are masters of wisdom and perception. In spite of their large size, Moose are swift, confident and fearless. They stand 7 feet tall with a crown of antlers almost as wide. The antlers are said to act as antenna in the secrets and teaching from the wise ones. If Moose is your totem, you are a mystic and sit in the council of the ancestors. You are smart and outstanding in your field. You are intuitive, and from an early age you have experienced connections to spirit that have alluded others. You area survivor. Moose live a long life. Your lofty heights are not for the many but for the few. With Moose, you are sure to travel the long winding path to your destiny, wisdom and mastery. If the card falls upside down, have you wondered into negative territory? Have you ignored your intuition and been led down the wrong path? Do not worry. You are a strong individual that can handle anything. When in a struggle, take the higher ground. 

Vlad Dracula Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Vlad Dracula Tarot created, written and illustrated by Travis McHenry, boxed set of 78 cards plus book. Published by Rockpool Publishing. US $ 25.95 : U.K.: £21.99

Gold leaf edged cards in a red and black box with gold lettering. Card size: 2 and a half inches by 4 and a half inches. 

After a visit to Romania and hearing stories of Vlad the Impaler (1431-1476) the author developed an obsession with the character, his exploits, and the times and place in which he lived.

Tarot Apokalypsis Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Tarot Apokalypsis, published by Lo Scarabeo, text by Kim Huggens, artwork by Erik C Dunne. Boxed set of 79 cards and full colour hardback book 464 pages. £27.99

Who are you today in the Land of Apokalypsis?

This is the follow up to the award winning Tarot Illuminati, which was the first collaborative tarot deck between these two great tarot specialists, Kim Huggins and Erik Dunne, and is produced by the prestigious Tarot publishing house, Lo Scarabeo. It offers rich symbolism, astrological and kabbalistic meanings, and takes us across the world to ancient myths. To this deck, a new card has been added, creating 79 card deck.

The Kuan Yin Transmission

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Kuan Yin Transmission by Alana Fairchild, 55 printed text cards in a box £16.99, published by Blue Angel Publishing. Card size: 4.5cm x 10cm. 

For use for the self, not for readings for others. Cards carry a text of 30 words. An ideal gift of short aphorisms for a young person embarking on life! Choose a card and read the short text. I miss artwork on cards. 

Examples of text: 

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

 

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Tarot 78 cards and guidebook Headless Horseman edition by Nick Lawyer. Published by Red Feather Publishing, RRP 29:99

What a wonderful way to honour the Irving Washington classic gothic novel of 1822 "The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow" and the season of Autumn as well as the art of Tarot all in one hit of a magical creation - if it emitted a pumpkin spice aroma as it was opened it would be too much!

As it is, it is perfect. 

Nick Lawyer is a genuine lover of all things Halloween as can be seen by his "grim" but gorgeous artwork which can be found on his Instagram page. Only seconded by his love of the classic novel The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

which he reads every October with his family as an Autumn tradition of their own. The passion shows through in this stunning deck. The artwork is a clever blend of the classic RWS Pamela Coleman Smith style along with striking use of colour and symbolism that weaves the dark mysteries of the story and its famous characters seamlessly with the classic RWS Tarot. 

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.

Seeking the Spirits of Palo Kimbisa

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Seeking the Spirits of Palo Kimbisa - Exploring the Mysterious World of the Afro-Cuban Religion. Tata Rodriguez as told to Sophia Kelly Shultz. Published by Schiffer Publishing (2021). $16.99 ISBN: 978-0-7643-6090-9 

'The law of the jungle!'

There are several branches of the Palo practice - Nriycomba, Briyumba, and Kimbisa. These are oral traditions. Kimbisa developed 150 years ago from the Bantu people of the Congo who came as slaves to America. It includes influences from Franciscan, Freemason and Afro-Cuban philosophy. It is related to primitive Spiritism practices such as Candomble, Umbanda, and Santería. 

African Goddess Rising Pocket Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Card Deck Review: African Goddess Rising Pocket Oracle by Abiola Abrams. Boxed set of 44 Cards and Guidebook. Published by Hay House UK £8.99 : US $14.99 : Can $19.99 Dated Oct 2021. 

“Sawubona” - a Zulu greeting which means welcome, “we see you”. 

This is a neat pocket cards that invites us into the sacred goddess temple circle of this oracle. Each card represents a revered deity, matriarch, regal ancestor, or supernatural creature, all wise and loving divine feminine energy. Each bestows a gift of knowledge. The 44 goddesses are divided into 9 temples: threshold guardians, ancestors, conjurers, warriors, shadows, lovers, griots, queens and high priestesses taken from the 54 countries of Africa and the African diaspora, such as Haiti, Cuba, Barbados, Brazil and Guyana. You must face and integrate these 9 inner temples to awaken the goddess within. 

The backs of the cards are a gold Adinkra symbol, a sacred geometric hieroglyphic of the Akan people of Ghana. The symbol means “that which does not burn”. Nothing within this deck is intended to cause harm. 

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. 

Journey to the Dark Goddess

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review:  Journey to the Dark Goddess – How to Return to Your Soul by Jane Meredith Published by Moon Books  Paperback: £12.99 Author website: http://www.janemeredith.com/

Jane Meredith, a Goddess practitioner, writer and ritualist, provides a valuable method to relieve depression and grief by integrating a darker part of our life which is repressed to our detriment. The ancients provided a map in the form of myth. Life wisdom is achieved in confronting death before it happens. The Goddess was the one who wove the thread of life, cast on, and struck down, and She is the one to guide our journey to a life review - and to wholeness.

Dark Goddess Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Dark Goddess Tarot by Ellen Lorenzi-Prince, published by REDFeather Publishing. Boxed set of book and cards. $34.99 : UK  £31.99 ISBN:  978-0-7643-6022-0 

Quality presentation box with magnetic fixing; inside we have a full colour books with substantial information and 78 gold leaf edged cards with recognisable artwork images. Excellent multicultural women’s tarot deck, for all ages and body shapes. The deck is based on the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot with variations. In addition to traditional RWS titles, there are Dark Goddess Tarot titles. In the book, a subtitle is given for each card, and a short sentence. The information provided on each Goddess, her myths, attributes, symbols, life and powers. There is also an advice section about drawing each card. 

I. Lucifer

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: I. Lucifer -Exploring the Archetype and Origins of the Devil by Corvis Nocturnum, published by REDFeather Publishing $19.99 Full colour! ISBN: 978-0-7643-3919-6 

Evil must be faced and named. Carl Jung. 

There are many books of this title! I liked this book and the subject matter though my first reaction was negative as I thought it might be a promotion or an excuse for the worst of human mentality, however, I have been convinced by the importance of the subject matter. The author has produced a thorough study of all aspects of myths, archetypes, symbols, and related ideas and behaviour pertaining to this subject. The reader is provided with creation stories, poems, quotes, paintings, and other instances and examples, including dark gods, named as Satan, the Devil, Lucifer, etc., those who perform evil, such as sociopaths, and questions of our own possible forbidden and repressed desires. 

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

Shining Tribe Tarot Review

Mind Body and Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: 

Shining Tribe Tarot (previously Shining Woman Tarot) by the late Rachel Pollack is a wonderful tarot deck of 78 illustrated cards, inspired by international myths and stories, shamanic journeys, esoteric traditions, tribal art and other creative enjoyments. There are standard tarot, Native American, Kabbalistic, prehistoric rock art, fairy tales and other influences. There are scenes from Greece, North America, Malta, Ireland, England, France, Denmark and the Netherlands. 

The original title of 'Shining Woman Tarot', refers to the last card of the major arcana, usually titled 'The World'. The image is a celebration of life and appears in several images throughout the card deck, such as, 'The Tower', '3 of Stones' and 'Awakening'. Images of animals occur, such as the turtle (tortoise), toad, snake and fish. Some of the traditional tarot titles have been changed, such as 'Tradition' and 'The Hanged Woman'. There is the ‘soul's journey’ through the major arcana from birth to enlightenment. The four suits are descriptive of human experience in all its varied forms. Wands (fire) are trees: Cups (water) are rivers: Swords (air) are birds: Pentacles (earth) are stones. Each card is given a poem and a write up in the accompanying book. 

Mayan Oracle Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Review:  The Mayan Oracle - A Galactic Language of Light – A Hands-on Tool to Harness the Potential for Spiritual Growth By Ariel Spilsbury and Michael Bryner Illustrated by Oceanna Published by Bear & Co Boxed set of 294 page book and 44 cards £27.99 

Chicken Soup

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: 'Chicken Soup for the Soul - Stories that restore your faith in human nature' By Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen published by Vermillion in the  Books That Change Lives Series, this is one of the Chicken Soup series, a 300 pages paperback, 8 million copies sold from the self-help and inspirational category.

Druidry & Meditation

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Druidry and Meditation By Nimue Brown Paperback £11.99 172 pages

Nimue Brown is a Druid celebrant, a Pagan Federation volunteer and has completed her OBOD (Order of the Bards, Ovates and Druids) training. She has been involved with the Druid Network and is a founder member of the West Midlands’ Druid Gorsedd, Bards of the Lost Forest, has run a closed ritual group, a folk club and is an experienced workshop facilitator and meditation teacher. She facilitates meditation groups within the UK Druidry community and has written this insightful and stimulating book on the use of Western style meditation for group and individual Druid practise. She includes passive and active exercises to deepen experience and awareness, and provides philosophy to aid personal and spiritual development and an understanding of the sacred.

Hush Tarot

Mind, Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Hush Tarot by Jeremy Hush, published by US Games Systems Inc. £20 Boxed set of 78 cards and guidebook. Card size: 5” x 3.5”. 

Image: 4 of Wands: Celebration of accomplishment. A time of celebrating and remembering all those who have helped along the way. It has not been always smooth, but you handled the thorns and now reap the beauty.

I like this deck and its connection between animal and human life, portrayed by the pen and ink artworks of Jeremy Hush from Philadelphia where he is the curator of Convent Gallery where he has his studio. The only spread offered is a four-card ‘Self Binding Influence’ layout. In the booklet, both upright and reversed meanings are provided. The Majors have keywords, and 50 words of upright and 50 words of reversed meanings, the Minors have 30 words of each. I think that a beginner might struggle a little,  but an experienced reader will find the artworks have intrinsic meaning and are inspirational. 

Writing a Life Story - Sara-Beth Watkins

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Telling Life’s Tales – A Guide to Writing Life Stories for Print and Publication by Sara-Beth Watkins Published by Compass Books 134 pages paperback £9.99 

So many ordinary people want to write a memoir, an autobiography or life story but do not know where to start. The market is competitive so you must be well informed in order to give yourself a very good chance of writing a really readable, enjoyable and interesting book.  This primer provides the best start for a total beginner. The author is a tutor at the Open College and teaches creative writing. She has 20 years’ experience as a freelance writer, has written three fantasy e-books and two other books for

Communal Meditation

Building community is about more than just interacting with a few, like-minded people. Real communities span age groups, and have diversity as well as areas of commonality that enable connections. Shared meditation can be used to provide some common ground and bring otherwise disparate people together.

Coming together to share a specific interest creates a good foundation for a community. Performing a communal activity can build bridges because issues of wealth, class, race and also religion become secondary to the work in hand. So much of our life does not encourage us to mingle with people outside our normal sphere and so our communities readily reflect too much of what we already know and think rather than opening new doors.

Sacred Geometry - Francine Hart

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Sacred Geometry Cards For the Visionary Path By Francene Hart 64 colour cards and 146 page b/w book Published by Bear & Co Price: £33
Author's website: http://www.francenehart.com/

This deck can be used with the Sacred Geometry Oracle Deck by Francine Hart or alone. Each card bears an original water-colour painting by this visionary artist who specialises in geometry and mandalas and lives in Hawaii where a place of quiet retreat inspired the design on the reverse of the cards (an artwork entitled 'Sunset Activation'). The card images were inspired by Spirit, geometric, science and celestial patterns, shape and form, wave and vibration, crop circles and chakras. Many bear fairly abstract images of creatures of sea, land and sky, including the human form. The cards can be read in upright and upturned mode and the reading upturned is an amplification of the stated upright value. The intention of the cards is for guidance, balance and encouragement. 6 spreads are offered, including a 3 card titled 'Synergy', a 4 card titled 'Earth

Deep Equality

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Deep Equality - Living in the flow of natural rhythms By Jocelyn Chaplin  Paperback: £9.99 Author's blog: http://jocelynchaplin.wordpress.com

Feminist philosopher and psychotherapist, Jocelyn Chaplin, is a popular speaker and teacher and is the author of Love in an age of Uncertainly and Feminist Counselling in Action. In this latest book, she describes how we can only achieve fairness and justice in society by aiming for rhythmic rather than hierarchical behaviour.

Our earliest and most ancient memories are related to the rhythms of the planet, the flow of the tides, the patterns of the movements of the sun and moon and of our own heartbeat and other bodily rhythms. By increasing our awareness of these natural pulses we can improve our wellbeing. If we can flow in harmony with our energy levels and circumstances, we can be happier and healthier and experience more gentle and enjoyable relationships which offer true understanding and kindness.

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 

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.  

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.

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. 

Folk Lore Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Folk Lore Tarot - Guidance for Today from Ancient Storytellers’ Wisdom by Rowan Ortins. Boxed set of 78 cards and Guidebook. Published by U S Games Systems Inc. $24.95

Card Sample: Temperance XIV Upright: balance, harmony, moderation, priorities. Reversed: imbalance, frustration, excess, addiction. One of the most well-known elements of Chinese culture and mythology is the Chinese dragon, also called long. These legendary creatures are associated with power, strength and good luck. Chinese emperors often use the dragon to symbolise their imperial authority. Other important and successful people have often been compared to these noble creatures as well. Dragons are believed to be able to control aspects of the weather, especially rainfall. Different colours of Chinese dragons carry additional symbolism. For example, blue dragons are said to represent nature, peace and tranquility, red dragons represent fortune and happiness. The Temperance card reminds us to strive for balance and harmony in every aspect of our lives. The symbol is that of Aquarius, and this is the philosophy of balance and the watering down the elements and emotions that are too strong. It is no surprise then, that this card shows the symbol of Aquarius, the zodiac sign of the water bearer. The sign represents thoughts, ideas, and intuition, and encourages us to think and stay calm instead of acting on our impulses. ♒️ 

The Lover’s Path Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Lover’s Path Tarot by Kris Waldherr. Boxed set of 78 cards and Guidebook. Published by US Games Ststens. Inc. RRP: £25.83 

The card container is a drawer pull box with a pack of quality produced cards inside. The Oracle comes with a little white booklet with information on how to use the cards, the importance of love and good relationships, and the basic meanings of this specific deck. There is a Lovers Path Spreadsheet of good strong plasticised paper. The art is inspired by Kris Waldherr’s visit to Italy, the Renaissance, art, architecture, books, countryside. 

Enjoyable mythological and historical love dramas are featured in this Tarot. Each Major is retitled and highlights a romantic story. The Minors are divided into 4 story suits. Suits are Arrows, Staves, Coins and Cups.  Ideal for romantic readings, bearing in mind the traditional problems associated with love and its related traumas. Do not give bad news unless you tell your Enquirer how to deal with their problems (this information is not included). 

Mind Mapping

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Mind Map Book by the late Tony Buzan published by BBC Books, 320 pages.

Tony Buzan is the leading authority on mind mapping and if you are a student, creative, business person, a child or learner of any kind, whatever your speciality, this is the book for you! In full colour too so it is marvellous value for money!

Mythic Oracle

Mind Body and Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Mythic Oracle - Wisdom of the Ancient Greek Pantheon by Carisa Mellado with artwork by Michele-lee Phelan. Boxed 45 card and information booklet set.

Greek gods and goddesses reflect our own human lives and the cards are designed to guide us through life cycles. They reflect the archetypal hero, Odysseus and his epic journey, from departure to initiation and eventual return home. We use this to assist us in our journey through life. We begin with an awakening, experience challenges, overcome difficulties. We must go down into our deepest level to discover new perspectives, our illusions need to be broken, our convictions clarified. We will integrate this new self into the world of the future, mastering both, our inner life and our outer world.

Mlle Lenormand - Time-Life Books

Mind Body & Soul Ezine card deck review: Mlle Lenormand by AGM Urania are a deck of 36 cards based on the renowned 19th century card diviner, Marie Anne Lenormand of Paris. This is a special edition for Time-Life Books. The cards have no writing or numbers, just pictures on

the card faces which have a French 1700 ambiance (for instance, man on a horse with chateau in the distance and a lady in full French gown). Some cards have playing card features including court cards and each card carries a number and fancy M for Marie in a cartouche. These cards, known as the 'Blue Owl' were first produced in 1920 and originate in the Biedermeier period. 

Runes Oracle Cards

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Review: Runes Oracle Cards by Bianca Luna with artwork by Cosimo Musio. The box contains an instruction book (in English, Italian, Spanish, French, Dutch, Portugese and Russian languages) and 24 cards.

This deck was commissioned by Lo Scarabeo and I enjoyed the excellent paintings. Runes are the ancient alphabet of the Nordic people and each image is a symbol which has meaning. There is information about the author, and instuctions on how to read and divine with the cards and how to prepare yourself for a reading. Each card is detailed with information about its ancient meaning, a key word for quick reference, the image portrayed on the card, what kind of energy the card has, and a suggested meditatation on each card. 

There are several spreads offered, The Milestone is a very simple one card reading. The Celtic Cross uses four cards, The Spread of the Three Wise Men has three cards, Spread of the Psychic has four cards. There is useful information about meditation, such as a Classic and a Focused Meditation style, and how to use the cards as a talisman. You can charge a card with power so that you can leave it by your bedside while you sleep and it will give you the power you require. 

Blue Bird Lenormand Cards

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Blue Bird Lenormand Fortune Telling Cards by Stuart R Kaplan. Published by U S Games Systems Inc. Pack includes 36 cards and little white information booklet.

Dali Tarot Universal

Mind Body Soul Tarot Card Review: Dali Tarot Universal.
Artwork by Salvadore Dali, Text (192 pages). Published by Taschen. £42.95

The Salvador Dali Tarot Book is a prestigious Jubilee edition paperback of quality full colour reproductions of the 78 cards in the Dali Universal Tarot deck. It contains detailed interpretations for each card, information about layout and method of choosing and reading, the sources and inspiration of the images and further information about Dali and his work with the Tarot.

No Place for a Woman

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: No Place for a Woman - The Political and Spiritual Power Abuse of Women Within Catholicism by Debra Maria Flint. Lantern Publishing & Media. 2024. RRP £18.99 Released in April 2024. 

This book has many reviews by eminent theologians and it has several quotes including one from the current Pope Francis. 

The text is well written and knowledgeably researched. It ranges wide in its references, and digs deep into the patriarchal heart over the long era of Christianity. It explains how the New Testament has been manipulated to disfavour women and to promote men into positions of power. It also includes a personal experience by the author that shows that today, church prejudices towards women is continuing. 

This is a powerfully insightful - and highly valuable book - that is suitable for all Christians to read. 

A penetrating and a profound and provoking account of the unjust and manipulative sexual mores of the Roman Catholic priesthood. 

Impactful and original, new material. This book will radically change your perspective! The sequel is on its way! 

Healing into Life & Death

Mind Body & Soul Book Review: Healing into Life & Death by Stephen Levine. 

This is a marvellous book as it takes us through many aspects of how different people approach death, and the healing that can take place preparing for this transition. It's moving, wise and caring. And heartwarming in its ability to articulate very difficult concepts. The author is very experienced in this work having studied with Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and run a free helpline for those approaching death. He was also the Director of the Hanuman Foundation Dying Project. What is revealed is the peace and joy that can be achieved by coming to terms with the inevitable, and some who were preparing to die, managed to live, and have a rich and rewarding experience, knowing who they were and what they wanted to accomplish at the end of their life. 

Talking Story

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review - One Woman’s Quest to Preserve Ancient Spiritual and Healing Traditions by Marie-Rose Phan-le. Published by North Atlantic Books. RRP US $18.95 : Can $22.50 

“God turns you from one feeling to another and teaches you by means of opposites, that you need two wings to fly not one.” Rumi

“What is good is bad!” Author’s mother’s philosophy. 

Goddess Spirit Oracle Deck

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Goddess Spirit Oracle Deck. Writer & Artist, Rachael Johnson, published by Blue Angel Publishing, 44 cards with accompanying Guidebook. Card size: 12cm x 17cm £18.99

Women (and girls - though none older than middle age) and of varying nationalities feature in this deck by full time U.K. artist and designer Rachael Johnson, now residing in Australia’s Gold Coast. The card deck is divided into 7 Chakra Energy cards, 11 Arcana Goddess cards, 7 The Septuple, and 8 Lunar Energy cards. Many of the goddesses mentioned in this oracle helped Rachael Johnson to create it and we are instructed to follow our own intuition when using the cards, whether connecting to feminine power of the Lunar Energy or honouring and connecting to the Arcana cards by placing them on your altar. You can also draw a card and keep a journal of your thoughts and experiences, or use the cards for divination. 

Kenya - My Story Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Kenya - My Story by J. L. McKinney. Published by Michael Terence Publishing. (Release date 12th July, 2024)  RRP: £12.99 

This is a true and moving story of Jeanette’s life in Kenya - but who goes on holiday to Africa and decides to stay to start a business? Jeanette was always an adventurer, like Voltaire’s Candide, she lives life to the maximum! Who could believe that she survived three years in the sleazy, seedy and sordid backwaters of an African Mafia hell hole? She did because she is resilient, strong and caring, and had love in her life, however misguided it was! 

Enthralling, entertaining and exciting! Shocking and disturbing! A sequel is being prepared! 

A Guide to Sacred Activism

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: A Guide to Sacred Activism By Andrew Harvey  Paperback £10.99  Published by Hay House Author website: http://www.andrewharvey.net/

Andrew Harvey is 2011 winner of the prestigious Nautilus Silver Award for Social Change and is the founder of the international Institute for Sacred Activism and the Academy of Sacred Leadership. He has taught at Oxford and Cornell and other prestigious universities. He is known as a modern day visionary and mystic but, for me, his role is close to that of the Old Testament prophets; urgently warning, kindly admonishing and desperately pleading to prevent planetary suicide. 

In Between Tarot

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: In Between Tarot by Janine Worthington and Art by Franco Rivoli. Published by Lo Scarabeo. 

We have the Before Tarot and the After Tarot which add to the understanding of the RWS deck. This one focuses on the energies between the cards and how they link together, and relate to the cards either side of the one chosen. They are idea, for single card readings, and for single card meditation. There are zodiac, numerology alchemical and pagan hints. Wands are fire, Pentacles are Earth, Swords are Air and Cups are Water. 

Rainbow Tribe

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Rainbow Tribe - Ordinary People Journeying on the Red Road by Ed McGoo - Eagle Man. Published by Harper San Francisco.

The author, Ed McGaa known as Eagle Man is a Oglala Sioux, born on a reservation with the number 15287 who joined the marine corps and became a fighter pilot. He holds a law degree from the University of South Dakota and is the author of many books on spirituality and philosophy. This book is dedicated to several First Nation teachers who the author admires “to the rare warriors with special courage to go out to the lonely edge - the chasm of change - where the detractors are many and the supporters are few.”

Who are the Rainbows? “Rainbow people work in cities and towns. Some are housewives raising their young. Rainbows work, thrive, vote, pay taxes, abide by laws, and our drug-free, abstain from or rarely touch alcohol, and do what almost everyone else does legally in this land. They also do ceremony and have found a closer connection to the creative entity all around them. 

Loftus: The Hall of Dreams Extract

 

Chapter III. The House of the Dead

“There had stood a great house in the centre of the gardens, where now was left only that fragment of ruin. This house had been empty for a great while; years before his—the ancient man’s—birth. It was a place shunned by the people of the village, as it had been shunned by their fathers before them. There were many things said about it, and all were of evil. No one ever went near it, either by day or night. In the village it was a synonym of all that is unholy and dreadful.”

~ William Hope Hodgson, The House on the Borderland

Gilded Reverie Lenormand

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Gilded Reverie Lenormand Gold Edged 'Expanded Edition' by Ciro Marchetti published by U S Games Systems Inc. 47 cards with explanatory book.

The card faces have a contemporary computer graphic presentation, a number and playing card information. Added to the 36 Lenormand deck, the author has added 8 special supplementary cards with information on how to use the extra cards in a reading. There is a simple Nine-Card Spread with sample reading, The Fortune-Telling Day Spread with 9 cards with sample provided, The Chocolate Box Spread with 18 cards and sample. I find the images are easy to connect with and inspire my readings. I like these cards very much and appreciate the extra cards in the Expanded Edition. If  I had to use one word, I would say 'glamorous!' 

Dog Speak Cards

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Dog Speak Cards - How To Learn Your Pup’s Body Language Published by Rockpool Publishing. Pack of 24 self explanatory cards RRP US $14.95 : UK £12.99 Released 4th July 2024

Each of the cards has an image and a title. They are divided into 2 suits, one is How to Teach Your Dog This behaviour, such as Sit, Stay, Lie Down, etc., and What You Should Do If You See This, such as Eating Grass, Chasing Tail, Panting, etc. 

On the back of the cards are explanations in 150 words. 

Helpful tips in card form. Designed to be given as a gift to new dog owners. 

What Would Britney Do?

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: What Would Britney Do? pack of 24 cards. Published by  Rockpool Publishing. RRP US $14.95 : UK £12.95 29th August 2024

Each card carries an attractive artwork of Britney Spears and a title. On the back of the cards is the information about the artwork, and a 30 word life advice/guidance. 

Sample: Own It Take charge of everyone and everything in your domain. With a cast of 44 dancers, magicians, clowns and acrobats Britney really was the ringleader of her very own circus. She called the shots and commanded the stage through this amazing performance.

Tarot Illuminati Review

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Tarot Illuminati – The Light Within by Erik C Dunne, published by Lo Scarabeo 

The digital artwork is extremely ornate and very elegant and includes some interesting symbolism with strong archetypal energies. This is certainly the most stylish and glamourous deck I’ve seen and for those who like to meditate on tarot cards, the images invite you to step within and experience the profound and magical landscape. I especially like the colouring. Working with the cards, I found them the most inspirational of the card decks I have in my extensive collection. I found that when I used large spreads I felt quite mind-blown due to the degree of power which is generated from these cards.