Tuesday, 25 April 2023

Arc of the Goddess

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Arc of the Goddess by Rachel Patterson and Tracey Roberts: www.kitchenwitchhearth.net

I really loved this book, written by two very experienced and knowledgeable women witchcraft practitioners, who consider themselves to be 'kitchen' witches! This book evolved from a year's online course, so is complete with marvellous ideas and practical exercises and is a journey of personal discovery, so it is suggested you keep a journal of your journey with the goddesses through the wheel of the year.  There is also an oracle card deck to accompany this book-style course. 

Monday, 24 April 2023

Earth Power Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Earth Power Oracle - An Atlas of the Soul by Stacey Demarco, published by Blue Angel Publishing. £18.25 Boxed set of 41 cards and guidebook. www.themodernwitch.com

Cards offer a title, an image, mixed media, and a 20 word affirmation. The guidebook provides further information on each card and location. There is a a key message for each of the 41 places of magical interest around the world, a Global Positioning System location finder, and an element. There is also a creation story, advice on how to dedicate your cards, and information about how to recognise and experience a 'genius loci', a place of spiritual power and beauty.
Cards feature locations in the vicinity of of lakes, mountains, rivers, islands, ancient ruins, holy places, examples, Amazonia, Avebury, Cathedral of Notre Dame, Delphi, The Ganges, Gobekli Tepi. Suggested spreads are The Atlas - 7 cards, The Temple - 6 cards, The Hemisphere - 2 cards, The Journey - 9 cards, The Compass - 4 cards.

Friday, 21 April 2023

The Grand Universal Tarot


Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: The Grand Universal Tarot, by Bruno de Nys, published by REDFeather, an imprint of Schiffer Books. Boxed set of 78 cards and companion book. UK £27.99  : US $29.99 (28/12/2022)

These are brightly coloured cards with traditional images based on the Marseilles Tarot. Described as an ‘alphabet’ and language’, a ‘road map’, the Tarot is explained, with all aspects of our life covered, it warns, encourages, prompts and guides. 5 rules are important to remember - never impress a crowd with your Tarot readings. Do not use it to control others. Do not live your life based on a tarot reading - you are to remain in control of your life. Keep your readings simple and accessible. And do not assert but suggest! 

Thursday, 20 April 2023

Horik Svensson



Mind Body & Soul Ezine Review: The Runes - The Future Revealed with the Ancient Norse System of Divination by Horik Svensson, published by Carlton Books. Box set contains 25 ceramic stones bearing a runic letter, a hessian bag, an explanatory instruction book. 
The word 'rune' means 'whispered secret'

Tuesday, 18 April 2023

Astral Realms Crystal Oracle


Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review:  Astral Realms Crystal Oracle by Leah Shoman, a boxed set of 33 cards and instruction box. Published by Rockpool Publishing.

Cards with impressive red gold leaf edges, and gentle pearl pink cards. Using crystals, astrology, colours, elements, chakras, and mantras, there is lots of woo-woo here to enjoy. You will be a woo woo expert! I would say that this deck is for readings for oneself not for others as too much explanation will be required to explain the concepts involved. 

The book provides information on how to use the cards, though you are invited to use your intuition. Each card has an image, a title and subtitle, a number,  keywords, a message, activation guidance and an affirmation. Spreads suggested are Single-Card Pull, a Three-Card Spread and a Five-Card Guidance Spread. The book provides a chakra chart. 

Paige Mcleod of the Prism Fleur Design Studio and Leah Shoman who owns a crystal boutique have joined forces to produce this chakra and crystal deck. Card size: 10.5cm x 14cm. The chakra system is explained with placement, colour, meaning, additional crystals and mantras, and information on how to use the cards, for a single card pull, a spread of Three-Cards, and a Five-Card Guidance Spread. Each card has a number, title, stone, chakra, keywords and reading text. 

The Medicine Woman Oracle


Mind Body & Soul Card Deck Review: The Medicine Woman Oracle - by Catherine Maillard, artwork by Caroline Maniere. Boxed set of 49 cards and Guidebook. Published by Rockpool Publishing. £18.99 (10th Nov 2022) card size: 9cm x 13cm 

Can you hear her song? Mother Earth is calling you! 

Archetypes of 13 moons, ancestors, seasons, totems and endangered animals offer to awaken us with many aspects of the sacred life of women, as an encouragement - and a reminder - of the strengths, healing, empowerment and wisdom of our sisterhood. The deck is divided into 13 brown archetypal medicine cards, with advice, a message, guidance, and a ritual, and 12 pink gifts cards also with advice, a message, guidance, and a meditation, 12 green totem/allied spirit cards with a channelled message, symbolism, guidance, animal contact and a ritual, and 12 red wisdom action cards. 

Mandala Source Book

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Mandala Source Book - 150 mandalas to help you find peace, awareness and wellbeing By David Fontana and Lisa Tenzin-Dolma, Published by Watkins Publishing.
The book contains 150 full colour complete mandalas from a variety of cultural and spiritual backgrounds, the majority have a title, explanation, a three step procedure of how to work with the mandala and a quotation.

I love mandalas and find them enjoyable, to meditate on, and to appreciate the geometric designs, the colours and symbols. I also find them relaxing even trance inducing. The information includes ways to work with the designs, the history, variety and creativity of mandalas.

Saturday, 15 April 2023

The Cree Healer and His Medicine Bundle


Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Cree Healer and His Medicine Bundle - Revelations of Indigenous Wisdom by David Young, Robert Rogers & Russell Willier. Full colour book Published by North Atlantic Books. US $24.95: Can $28.95 

‘Our health is dependent on the health of other species.’

Healing plants of Native American traditions, especially the Cree, with practices and stories. These are 3 experts on the uses of plants and recorded them with warnings against misuse. We are all interdependent. A highly specialised book by Anthropologist, Dr David Young, Ethnologist, Robert Rogers, and Medicine Man, Russell Willier. English and Latin names of plants provided, an extensive bibliography, and maps of where to find the plants. 

Tuesday, 11 April 2023

Ancestral Healing


Mind Body & Soul Ezine  Book Review: Ancestral Healing -…For Your Spiritual and Genetic Families by  Jeanne Ruland & Shantidevi. Full colour book published by Earthdancer, an Inner Traditions imprint. US $15.99 : Can $19.99 : UK Kindle £6.99 and paperback £9.99 

“Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it!”

 Extract: “Haniel touches your third eye, and your heart, gifting you with a memory of a very special moment when your father first held you in his arms, after you were born, and when you met, soul to soul, looking deep into one another’s eyes, he realised what a miracle he had conceived, and that it came about through his love of your mother.” 

The Fourteen Holy Helpers


Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Fourteen Holy Helpers - Invocations for Healing & Protection by Christiane Stamm. Published by Earthdancer, an imprint of Inner Traditions. US $12.99 : Can $16.50 : UK £9.99

These 14 ‘saints’ are in Catholic and Christian theology can intercede/petition for us and bring specialised power to us. They have been venerated, especially in times of difficulty and over the centuries, they have represented particular professions. Their traditional life stories are given in brief. Prayers are provided for each helper, to be recited in triplicate, and there is a communal prayer to all fourteen. These helpers and their prayers can be used for the self or for others in need. There are, alongside each helper, the ailment they attend to (mostly modern and common illnesses that we would recognise). 

Sunday, 9 April 2023

Messenger Oracle

 Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Messenger Oracle 50 Cards plus Guidebook by Ravynne Phelan, published by Blue Angel Publishing www.dreamsofgaia.com

Quote from the introduction: "I am Gaia. I am the daughter of Great Spirit who is the Source of All. I am both magical and divine, as is all which I create. I am the Great Mother. I am your mother, and you, beautiful soul, are a physical manifestation of my love."

The artwork has great flair and imagination with dragons, snakes, trees, foxes, big cats, masks, raven, turtle, wolf, fox, owl, raven and other imaginary and real species. She began art as therapy to solve depression issues and began to specialise in the Earthy and magical, in Gaia and the Green Spirit.

The Zen of Animals


Mind, Body & Soul Card Deck Review: The Zen of Animals by Pamela Matthews. Published by Blue Angel Publishing.  A sturdy box containing cards and accompanying guidebook. £17.99 Size 13cm x 17cm

"Having no destination, I am never lost." Ikkyu

36 cards size 13cm x 17cm with figurative and animal art that expresses symbolism and meaning. 

From the accompanying book - Sample: Rabbit: Productive, daring, unpredictable, courageous. Smart little rabbits can win your heart. If kept domestically, they are capable of providing similar delights as a cat. They can be brave beyond belief. They are also beautiful to see and touch. Message: remember your rabbit qualities and charm dear to delight others with your unpredictability and sensual attributes. Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself. From Zenrin-kushu

Enchanted Blossoms


Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Enchanted Blossoms Empowerment Cards, by Carla Morrrow. Boxed Set of 44 cards plus guidebook. Published by Blue Angel Publishing £17.99

The author and artist, Carla Morrow, introduces us to her autobiography and pays homage to her ancestry with the language of flowers. The guidebook explains how to use the deck. Each card has a title, the name of a flower and the name of a butterfly, with their painted image and a 150 word text and a short question. Journal daily! You have a 30 day challenge with this deck! 

Secret Life of Trees

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Secret Life of Trees - How they live and why they matter By Colin Tudge, Published by Penguin £8.99 with b/w drawing illustrations.

A delight on every page! Amuse your friends on your walks with precious stories from across the world about these common and wonderful plants. Trees feature in fairy tales, biblical stories, ancestral research, local history, they keep all species alive, we could not survive without them, and they are with us from the cradle to the grave. This book will make you fall in love, whether flowering, cones, nuts, berries, this book is lyrical and evocative with astounding research. This is a labour of love for what others take for granted! A deep fascination for an extraordinary subject! Practical, wise, knowledgeable, and tackling one of the most important matters for our society. On the button Colin! You are a gift to our world.  


Animal Dreaming Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Oracle Card Deck Review: Animal Dreaming Oracle Cards by Scott Alexander King, published by Blue Angel Publishing, boxed 44 cards with guidebook. www.animaldreaming.com

"... And ask now the Beasts And they shall teach thee; And the Fowls of the air, and they shall teach thee; or speak to the Earth, and it shall teach thee." Book of Job 12: 7-8

Portraits of Australian species with Interpretations for inspirational readings. Divided into 4 elemental sections of Fire, Water, Earth and Air, the cards have excellent artwork by Karen Branchflower, a title of the animal depicted, a one word message and what elemental position is has been given. In the top, usually right hand corner is a symbol, suitable for a tattoo artwork. This image was channelled to the artist and represents both the animal and its message.

Thursday, 6 April 2023

The Healing Power of the Sacred Woman


Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: The Healing Power of the Sacred Woman - Health, Creativity, and Fertility for the Soul by Christine R Page MD, paperback with b/w illustrations of 384 pages, $20.00 Kindle: $14.17 Published by Bear & Co


This information is comprehensive. It is also ideal for a young woman, as a gift for for a special event, maybe the onset of menstruation or a teenage birthday. It provides background of the international history of women, of goddesses across the world, there is also information on chakras, meridians, astrology, women's sexual organs and hormonal systems, sacred sexuality and women's cycles, sacred sites and more. Rituals are suggested, Ritual 1: for cleansing and purification, revitalising the womb with dragon energy, Ritual 2: health advice for alcohol, chemicals, obesity, exercise, etc., smoking, pesticides.  author received her medical degree at the University of London and is now living in California and provides many examples from her own practice. Ritual 3: surrendering into love with mother cow. Ritual 4: receiving inspiration from the Queen Bee, a channelled message from the Queen Bee. Ritual 5: giving birth to new waves of consciousness. The author is a qualified medical doctor. 


Kabbalistic Tarot



Mind Body & Soul Ezine Book Review: Kabbalistic Tarot - Hebraic Wisdom in the Major and Minor Arcana by Dovid Krafchow Published by Inner Traditions Paperback $14.95 www.jewishbohemian.com

Though a slim volume of 132 pages, the explanation is sufficient to perform readings using this method that the author considers is just an introduction. The information in the book includes the tarot's historical roots in terms of the Kabbalah. Krafchow is known as ‘the Jewish Bohemian‘ and has designed what I suggest is a very good teaching module for those who want to include a Kabbalistic perspective in their tarot readings.

Chakra Cards


Mind Body Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Chakra Cards for Belief Change - The Healing InSight Method by Nikki Gresham-Record, published by Inner Traditions/Bear & Co. Boxed set of 56 cards plus instruction book, UK: £14.95, US: $19.99 https://nikkigreshamrecord.co.uk


The cards cover the main 7 chakra centres of the subtle body, with one card to represent each of the main chakras. These are followed by 7 further cards with aspects of each, to create balance and harmony using the basis of the Healing InSight Method. This was developed by the deck's creator, Nikki Graham-Record who is a spiritual healer, counselling psychologist and teacher of Reiki and Qigong. 

Wednesday, 22 March 2023

Energy & Spirit Oracle

Mind Body & Soul Ezine Card Deck Review: Energy & Spirit Oracle by Sandra Anne Taylor, boxed set of 44 cards and guidebook, published by Hay House. US $22.99 / Can $29.99 / £15.99

Sample card reading: 27 animal totems. Animal energy and powers. 27 animal totems. Animal energy and powers. 

Upright. This card reveals the presence of some powerful animal totems who want to share their unique energy with you. (Totems are natural objects or animals with which you feel a deep energetic connection) Any animal can become your totem if you see it repeatedly or if you feel a strong resonance with it. They bring spirit messages and bestow special energies that are unique to the animal. On this card, the leopard represents great personal power and grace. The owl shares wisdom and clairvoyance. Deer ‘medicine’ brings new perceptions and enhanced physical senses.The fox vibrates with sexual energy, fertility, and feminine expression. The hawk bears messages about your life purpose and visionary powers. From insects two elephants, the world is filled with endless examples of helpful energies from nature. Be open to their many blessings. 

Tuesday, 21 March 2023

In Dreams Oracle Deck & Guidebook


Mind Body & Soul Ezine Deck Review: In Dreams Oracle Deck & Guidebook by Boris Indrikov. Published by US Games Systems Inc. Boxed set of 41 cards and Information book.

Card Sample: No. 36 Dream Earth: Material World. Talk about your dreams. The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power. Mary Pickford. The Russian artist, Boris Indrikov’s futuristic artwork is influenced by European Renaissance paintings (14th & 15th century). He wanted to create a simple and accessible oracle deck! There are 41 cards, 4 categories of 10 plus a Joker. The 40 cards are also divided into 4 suits of Air (blue), Fire (red), Water (green) and Yellow (earth). Don’t expect ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers to your questions. 

For the colour chart, use the link:   

https://www.indrikov.com/wp-content/uploads/SYSTEM_IN_DREAMS_eng.jpg?fbclid=IwAR2axjAGbJq9kxf1wJ0chTt8XhqoLiRyWdB_1xzm7L39l_sMr8UJsJo6UFU