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."