Angel Experiences, Emma Heathcote-James

Circle Network Book Review: True Contemporary Accounts of Hundreds of Angelic Experiences by Emma Heathcote-James Paperback £6.99

Published by John Blake Publishing Author's website:http://www.emmaheathcote-james.com/

The Animal Allies

Circle Network Oracle Card Deck Review: The Animal Allies & Gemstone Guardians Cards by Margaret Ann Lembo, published by Findhorn Press Author website: http://www.margaretannlembo.com/

My doorbell rang and the postman unexpectedly handed me a package containing this box of cards.

The cards have a gemstone photo and a short message on one side of the card and an animal head photo on the other side with another short message. Simple instructions for use are provided on a card within the deck; i.e. to shuffle, choose a gemstone card, consider how the questions relate to your life. Then turn the card over to see the information on the animal side.

SoulCollage Evolving

Circle Network Book Review: "SoulCollage® Evolving: An Intuitive Collage Process for Self Discovery and Community" by Seena B Frost, published by Hanford Mead Publishers, paperback £20.69

The author, Seena B Frost, has excellent credentials with both theology and psychology qualifications. She presents a fascinating method of contacting the wisdom of the inner self by way of using self selected images that are cut and pasted onto board to facilitate what I call a "channelled" message. The cards can be created and their hidden wisdom accessed, either alone, on a one to one basis with a Facilitator, or in a group setting. Various methods of working with the card creation are suggested in order to achieve greater self growth and self understanding. You can create individual cards or a set of cards which can reveal areas of the personality which need healing, such as in bereavement, addiction, dream interpretation, or at times of high risk. Archetypes can be accessed and their messages delivered, such as the Warrior, Wounded Healer, Witch, Creator, Great Mother, etc. A journal is suggested of insights and collections made of cards, such as Chakra cards, etc. This is the standard source book for this foundation which also hosts international online communities and courses, such as Facilitator training. (No special qualifications are required for the Facilitator except the SoulCollage (R) training.) The book has won awards for conscious living and social change and is well worth reading, but to get the best understanding of the process, there is no substitute for the experience of cutting and pasting to create an image - and then speaking from the picture you have produced.

SoulCollage is a registered trade mark and is shown with a (R) to denote this. Review by Wendy Stokes Visit www.wendystokes.co.uk

Step-by-Step Reiki

Mind Body & Soul Book Review: Step-by-Step Reiki - How to Channel the Power of Natural Healing Energies by Carmen Fernandez

"Live in the world like water on a lotus leaf"

The book explains how Reiki was discovered, attunement, the various Reiki spin offs, advice on hand positions, using it for specific illnesses, such as headaches, backache, indigestion, for first aid and trauma, for children, animals, plants, in pregnancy, for treating self and others, for the dying, body scanning, each of the 3 degrees, using it with flower essences, aromatherapy, reflexology, with information on your Reiki Master. A useful book with dozens of full colour photos assisting explanations. It is not a 'how to' book on Reiki but useful information to anyone considering the training. Available on Amazon. 

Review By Wendy Stokes

The Good Spell Book (and other chosen spell books)

Circle Network Book Reviews: 
 
The Good Spell Book - Love Charms, Magical Cures and Other Practical Sorcery by Gillian Kemp £9.99 hardback published by Victor Gollancz

A Handbook of Ancient and Contemporary Gypsy Spells! I loved the presentation of this book - it is like a genuine, easy to follow Book of Shadows which explains who the Romany Gypsies are, how to cast a spell, how to work with moon energies, in nature, and with limited expenses!

The author lives in Bucks in the UK and learnt the occult arts from Olive Cox, who was born and bred in a gypsy caravan.

Astrology Book Review

Circle Network Book Review: Astrology by Sheila Geddes, published by Macdonald Guidelines.

An excellent primer for the beginner as it explains all the necessary topics, such as signs, planets, houses, aspects and cusps, etc., and includes how to draw up a birthchart and interpret it. Beethoven's birthchart is provided as an example. Everything for the novice! First class!

Review: Wendy Stokes

Tarot for Writers

Circle Network Book Review: Tarot for Writers by Corrine Kenner published by Llewellyn Books $19.95 US 
'Kick-start your creativity' with this book on using tarot cards - 'a machine for writing stories' for inspiration and guidance. Both John Steinbeck and Stephen King used tarot cards to develop their writing skills. Can you believe there are 500 suggestions in this book to help writers of all genres. Any tarot card deck of 78 cards can be used, with standard major, minor arcana. The deck profiled in this book is the Universal Tarot by Roberto De Angelis and black and white line drawings are used to demonstrate the cards and samples of inspired writing are provided with each of the 22 majors.  Each of the major cards has a correspondence, key symbols, keywords, astrological association, myths and legends, literary archetypes, writing prompts and a paragraph about how the major can be used to assist your writing practice. Each of the minor cards has a correrpondence, key symbols, keywords and writing prompts. At the back of the book is a glossary and an index.

Feng Shui Book Review

Feng Shui - The Traditional Oriental Way to Enhance Your Life by Stephen Skinner

I liked this well illustrated full colour book which explains simple, and clearly, what this ancient (from 3000BC) Chinese philosophy of geomancy offers to the modern person. It is based on harmonising your environment with good health and wellbeing. Included in the book are all aspects of Feng Shui - Chi, directions, celestial animals, invisible landscape energies, currents and polarities, yin & yang, elements, trigrams, personal magic numbers, your homeand garden. The author, Stephen Skinner (PhD in Classics) is an Australian expert in this field and has written extensively about Feng Shui, shamanism, magic, sacred geometry and alchemy and . Recommended as an ideal gift or coffee table book! 

Life After Death

Circle Network Book Review: Life After Death and the World Beyond - Investigating Heaven and the Spiritual Dimension by Jenny Randles and Peter Hough, published by BCA.

This is an international look at ideas and beliefs of heaven, predictions and prophecy, the astral world, ghosts, near death experiences, reincarnation, electronic voice phenomena, photos of ghosts, angels, visionaries of Mary, death and dying, mediumship and related topics.

The Pocket Book of Mindfulness Review

Circle Network Book Review: The Pocket Book of Mindfulness - live in the moment and reduce stress. Hardback, 380 pages. Published by Arcturus.

"Your mind is your instrument. Learn to be its master and not its slave"

With contributions from Barack Obama, Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hahn, Deepak Chopra and other leading lights who provide a short quotation, explanation and information on how to use Mindfulness to improve relationships, achieve contentment and tranquility, and enjoy greater health and happiness. 

The Hobbit Tarot Review

The Healing Handbook Review

Circle Network Book Review: The Healing Handbook - A Spiritual Guide to Healing Yourself and Others by Tara Ward, spiral bound, published by Arcturus.

Techniques and tools here for all aspects of healing, including information on chakras, relaxation, self assessment, releasing anger and resentment, physical healing, creating a healing sanctuary, increasing sensitivity, developing intuition, spiritual protection, absent healing, pendulums, crystals, colour, sound, massage, cutting ties, etc. Very general and simply written. A good primer!

Twist of Fate Board Game

Circle Network Card Deck Review: Twist of Fate - The Art of Divination with Playing Cards using the Master Method in Cartomancy, Researched and Produced by D J Brennan, Co-written by Bev Osborne, with artwork by Chris Bohanna, published by In Touch Group Inc.

This is a large presentation box containing a folded board upon which the playing cards are placed to aid readings. An information leaflet describes how to use the board with the playing card deck provided. Interpretation sheets are also provided and an example of a reading.

The game is for those over the age of 15. It can be used for readings fir oneself, or the reader can read for an enquirer. Up to 4 sitters can play at one time.  There is a 9 card reading suggested, and a 'Will My Wish Come True' spread.

I think some experience with reading playing cards is required to use this game, as it is not immediately apparrant how to get a reading beyond a few short sentences,  I recommend a more in depth book on each of the playing card interpretations as this would justify the expense of the board.
Review:  Wendy Stokes

The Power of Premonitions

Circle Network Book Review: The Power of Premonitions - How Knowing the Future Can Shape our Lives By Larry Dossey MD Paperback £9.99  Published by Hay House Author's Website:  http://www.dosseydossey.com/larry/default.html

This is a well researched subject by this remarkable Texan holistic physician who is the leading exponent on the power of prayer to heal. His ground-breaking book, Healing Words, in 1993 was the New York Times bestseller. It swayed sceptics and now more than 80 medical schools in the US run courses on religious practise and the importance of spirituality in health. Originally trained as a pharmacist, he took a medical degree and worked as a physician in Vietnam where he was decorated for valour.  

Working With Chi Book Review

Circle Network Book Review: Working with Chi - Practical Ways to Harness Energy by Madonna Gauding, published by Octopus Books, £12.99

 
There are many words for 'chi', for instance, ki, prana, ka, pneuma, and this full colour book explains how to work with this subtle energy that all life forms possess, and which aids our vitality, health and wellbeing. The topics covered in the book are Tai Chi and Chi Kung exercises, the benefits of diet, special teas and foods, acupuncture, massage, stretches, posture, breathing, meditation, the elements, the meridians, the organs of the body, Taoism and Buddhism, philosophy, relaxation and related subjects. Though all subjects are lightly touched on, and perhaps suitable for a beginner in the healing arts, a more experienced practitioner could be reminded of many of the aspects of chi which aid our energy levels. Reflexology is not mentioned but I think many reflexologist might appreciate this book along with other mind body and spirit specialists. Review by Wendy Stokes

Talking to Heaven

Circle Network Book Review: ‘Talking to Heaven Mediumship Cards’ by James Van Praagh. This is a boxed set of 44 cards and a guidebook. Published by Hay House at £13.99. 

The card stock is excellent quality and the edges are gold leafed. The card size is 5”x 3.5” and each bears an image and a 10 word supportive message which is extended in the guidebook by 100 words. It is designed to heal, uplift, and reassure those who are bereaved and can be used for the self or to provide a reading for others, such as friends and family. The instructions suggest a question is asked of loved ones in the spirit world. A card is drawn at random which is the response. The guidebook explains how to shuffle and choose a card, how to use the cards, and clear energy from them. The artwork is digitally produced; examples are a unicorn, heart, dove, rainbow, beach, butterfly, compass, lighthouse, clouds and sunflowers.

Mirrors of Time

Circle Network Book Review: Mirrors of Time - Using Regression for Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Healing by Dr Brian Weiss, published by Hay House. £9.99 visit: www.brianweiss.com

Dr Brian Weiss was a traditional psychiatrist when he discovered that a patient who did not respond to traditional therapy, reported a past life during a hypnotherapy session. The book explains the author's experiences and beliefs as a past life therapist using hypnotic regression. There is a section on  Frequently Asked Questions that is ideal for a beginner who is seeking confidence in this healing method. The last 13 pages provide the text of a past life regression session, available on the CD/audio download of the same title, Mirrors of Time. The code to receive the audio recording by Dr Weiss is at the back of the book. Soft grey images used throughout. Would make an enjoyable gift for someone with a new and growing interest in past lives.

Spirituality of Richard Gere

Circle Network book review: The Spirituality of Richard Gere. Edited by Nicholas Nigro. Hardback price: £11.99 Kindle edition: £8.22 104 pages Published by Backbeat Spirituality Press. 

Secrets of the Convent

Circle Network Book Review: The 11:11 Code: Secrets of the Convent
by Hilary H Carter Published by: O Books Price: Paperback: £9.99 Kindle: £6.58 Pages: 234 Author’s website: http://www.hilarycarter.com/2.html

British born Hilary Carter is a yoga teacher and an author who lives in the South West of England. This is her second book, ‘The 11:11 Code—Secrets of the Convent’. In this book she narrates an episode from her recent life experience which involves the phenomena of numerical synchronicity. This is a process by which particular sequences of numbers manifest in different places and contexts in Hilary’s life, pointing to a direction she should take. This phenomenon leads Hilary on a spiritual journey through the particular numbers 11:11. 

Mycoocoon Colour Immersion Therapy

Mycoocoon is an amazing opportunity for a combined experience of aromatherapy, music, and colour immersion therapy.