Book Reviews by Mister Tarot

Free Tarot E-book

2011-03-20T22:03:00.004+10:30

Like a free e-book about Tarot?

On my new Tarot Blog www.mistertarot.com I have a free digital book called, “Ten Reasons Why People Find it Hard to Learn Tarot – and How You Can Overcome ALL of Them!”

It’s amazing how many people tell me that they’ve had Tarot cards for years, but they’ve never felt confident doing readings.

This e-book reveals the ten most common reasons why people struggle to learn how to read Tarot cards — and it outlines specific techniques for bypassing those problem areas.

I hear you asking, “Why is it free? What’s the catch?”

In order to download this book, you are asked for your email address, so that I can send you the password for the book’s download. By storing your email address on my system, it means I can keep in touch with you occasionally – when I have some important Tarot updates, or invitations to Tarot events, or something else to give away.

But don’t worry, I won’t be sending you spam or nuisance emails, just occasional Tarot information, so you can keep in touch with the latest Tarot news. And you can unsubscribe at any time!

So go to http://www.mistertarot.com/ and click the link and follow the prompts and you’ll have your free Tarot e-book on your computer in a matter of seconds!

Tarot Blessings,
Mister Tarot

Real Tarot

2010-07-21T08:44:00.007+09:30

“The soul thinks in images”, Aristotle said and it is through the understanding of these images, or symbols, that the wisdom of the subconscious mind can be assessed. While the tarot provides us with a way of transferring this wisdom into our everyday consciousness, many people shy away from learning how to use these cards, believing that it is a tool only to be used by the “psychic” or specially gifted. Don McLeod however disagrees.

Having studied the tarot for over 25 years, Don McLeod has written an exciting, informative, yet easy to follow, guide to learning the tarot. From the outset, “Real Tarot” engages the reader by exposing techniques as how to identify the picture keys contained within each card, how to use one’s own intuition to expand upon these keys, and most importantly, he encourages the reader to trust their own interpretation and intuition.

Using the classic Rider Waite deck, “Real Tarot” contains invaluable information and provides an in-depth insight into the symbolism of each card in a straightforward manner without confusing the reader with too much information. By openly sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience with respect to the tarot in a friendly, down to earth manner, Don McLeod offers what feels like personal instruction that benefits both the beginner and the more experienced student alike.

The techniques taught within “Real Tarot” allow the reader to easily access, interpret and understand the wisdom contained within the tarot, making this book a “must have” for anyone interested in learning the tarot or expanding upon their own understanding.

Reviewed by Frances Billinghurst

Frances Billinghurst has been a student of metaphysics, Hermetics, Goddess spirituality and the occult arts for most of her adult life. An initiate of the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca, she founded the Temple of the Dark Moon in 1999. Frances is a regular contributor to Australia's Insight magazine and was published in the 2008 Llewellyn Witch’s Calendar. Frances can be contacted through: www.templedarkmoon.com

To learn more about this book, see: http://www.mistertarot.com/

Rachel Pollack's Tarot Wisdom

2010-05-30T13:34:00.006+09:30

“The application to Tarot is clear.
It offers us a great gift, a way to understand the wonders of life,
a form of guidance when events or our own souls trouble us.
To receive that gift, we must open ourselves -
not just emotionally, but also conceptually.” R Pollack

Rachel Pollack has written over a dozen books on the subject of Tarot, including the classic guidebook Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom, so I expected to be impressed with her latest offering. But I didn’t expect to be so surprised, delighted and awed by it!

Since publishing Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom, Rachel has spent the last three decades exploring the deeper aspects of the cards, and this book overflows with insights and esoteric knowledge.

Actually, the term “book” doesn’t do it justice, this is more like a manual of cartomancy - one that seamlessly blends Kabbalistic and Pythagorean concepts with astrology, fairy tales and grail legends. It was an ambitious undertaking, but one that is unequalled in its scope and brilliance.

Tarot Wisdom will transform the way that you look at each and every card. It’s a fresh approach to a fascinating subject, and no serious student of Tarot should be without it.

Author: Rachel Pollack
Published by: Llewellyn
ISBN: 978-0-7387-1309-0

Meeting Fairies: a true story

2010-01-26T19:54:00.005+10:30

Robert Ogilvie Crombie (known as Roc to his friends) strolled through the Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh in 1966 and made an astonishing discovery. ‘I saw a figure dancing around a tree about twenty yards from me - a beautiful little figure about three feet tall...it was a faun, the Greek mythological being, half human, half animal. He had a pointed chin and ears and two little horns on his forehead. His shaggy legs ended in cloven hooves and his skin was honey-coloured.’

The faun’s name was Kurmos, and according to Roc, he had an ‘infinite, mature wisdom - combined with the naiveté of a child.’ During their conversation, Kurmos stated that many of the nature spirits had lost interest in humans because they had been made to feel they were, ‘neither believed in nor wanted.’ One month later, in a nearby street, Roc felt the presence of Pan, the god of the fields and countryside, who was ‘radiating a tremendous power’ and who smelt of ‘pine woods, damp leaves, of newly turned earth and of woodland flowers.’ Roc’s meetings with Pan became more frequent and each visit led to a deeper understanding of the Horned God’s personality.

During one of Roc’s walks, ‘the woods became alive with myriad beings - elementals, nymphs, dryads, fauns, elves, fairies and so on.’ Most of Roc’s encounters in this book relate to these nature spirits, so the title could just as easily have been called ‘Meeting Elementals and the Pagan Gods’!

Apart from the nature spirits mentioned earlier, Roc also met and interacted with fire and water spirits, sylphs, gnomes, goblins, imps, and even the Elf King! And regarding all of these creatures, Roc wanted it known that they were not the ‘cutesy and delightful fairies’ of children’s stories, but ‘vastly powerful beings’.

Roc is described by one of his friends as ‘a loving man who carried the presence of the invisible worlds with him like a cloak.’ From his writings he seems to be fully aware of the elemental realms, while maintaining an analytical and questioning mind from his scientific career. Although his Christian background influenced his understanding of the Otherworlds, his training in Hermetic Magic helped him to work with the subtle energies in which he found himself immersed.

Mike Scott, lead singer of The Waterboys, wrote the prologue for this book. Mike was born in Edinburgh and is famous for songs with magical themes, including gems such as, Pan Within, A Pagan Place, The Whole of the Moon, and Return of Pan. He now lives in Findhorn, Scotland. Most of the chapters in this book reflect the mystical theme of Roc’s spiritual encounters, for example there are titles like, Magic on Midsummer Eve, The Wild Garden, Pan’s World, and Enchantments of Autumn.

Meeting Fairies was designed to look like a hard cover book of fairy tales from the olden days. It is delightfully illustrated by Elise Hurst, and the text was compiled by Maggie Hamilton, Allen & Unwin’s Inspired Living publisher.

In Roc’s own words, the underlying message of this book is: ‘The nature spirits must be believed in with complete sincerity and faith. They must be appreciated and given thanks and love for the work they do. Let us try in our own ways to make friends with these wonderful beings and ask their help in making earth a beautiful and perfect place.’

Author: R. Ogilvie Crombie
Published by: Allen & Unwin (Inspired Living)
ISBN: 9781741759907
RRP: AUD $29.95 (hardback)

Mystic Medusa's Astroscape 2010

2010-01-26T19:42:00.007+10:30

Mystic Medusa is a Sydney-based astrologer who has a witty column in the Weekend Australian newspaper, and the monthly In Style magazine. According to her, 2010 is going to be the year of the Suave Individualist, where you get to explore your leadership potential. It’s a year filled with some stunning and powerful astrological alignments.

Chapters in this helpful book include: Moon Mastery, How Not to Let Mercury Retrograde Send You Mental, and of course, there’s a detailed section showing you when to expect romance, more money and that new job opportunity you have been waiting for.

When I turned to the calendar for my sign (Cancer) I found that an amazing year is lined up for me! Apart from the travel (the week of departure was predicted correctly) a new philosophy will realign my life and revolutionise my everyday reality. Great! But then I looked at the other zodiac signs and realised that everyone is in for a fantastic year. Maybe us Cancerians are not so special after all.

Aries will be the beneficiaries of spiritual breakthroughs. Taurus will have an expansive social life and is ultra-lucky this year. Gemini will be sparkling and unsinkable. Leo scores undreamt-of sex, power & money rewards with decadent, mystical love as well! Virgo may have been struggling a bit for the past twelve years, but now she enters a lucky phase for true love. Libra has a sensationally thrilling time ahead. Scorpio becomes mentally, physically and financially fertile. Sagittarius will have good fortune in real estate and domestic areas. Capricorn begins a 14 year cycle that revamps life in unprecedented ways. Aquarius can expect a status upgrade due to a financial boon. And Pisces has ‘a cosmic dollop of fab luck & opportunities’ with the ‘luckiest year in yonks’!

Maybe Mystic Medusa just wants us all to be fired up and enthusiastic about the changes ahead. Or maybe the planetary conjunctions are just especially favourable this year. I choose to believe the latter possibility.

On the plus side, the book is enjoyable to read, and gives useful tips for dealing with that nuisance called Mercury Retrograde. We get four lots of Mercury Retrograde this year, but it’s not all bad news. Apart from possibly having problems with computers, gadgets, and anything related to communication, we’re told it can be a good time for a wilderness retreat, for reading trashy novels, or for doing ancestor worship! Mystic Medusa also has some great ideas for worthwhile activities for when the moon is in certain signs. For example, when the moon is in Cancer, take naps, bake scones, get a boob check, drink gin and tonic while listening to country music, and reread a favourite book from your childhood.

On the negative side, the overuse of the quirky vocab gets tiresome. It doesn’t take long to become bored with terms like, administrivia, peeps, crappo, shitzone, and festering merde - especially when you consider that most of the above words turned up in one page! And my other complaint is that the pages of my copy have started falling out already. Hopefully that was just a production error that occurred during the printing of my book.

This pocket-sized volume of astro-lore and prediction is an entertaining way to find out about the year ahead, and while you are giggling at Mystic Medusa’s humorous way of expressing herself, you’ll find yourself being educated about astrological terms and trends at the same time. Obviously, seeing a real astrologer and getting a chart specifically designed for you would be the best way to get accurate advice, but the pages of Mystic Medusa’s book will give you an inkling of what’s likely to happen in the coming year.

Author: Mystic Medusa
Published by: Allen & Unwin
ISBN: 9781741759068
RRP: AUD $22.99

The Wisdom of Water

2009-08-10T14:35:00.002+09:30

Don’t bother asking if you can borrow this book from me. I’m selfishly keeping it nearby so that I can savour the knowledge that has come from the author’s years of research and contemplation on the subject of our most precious resource - water.

Since 1990, Australian author (John Archer) has been obsessed with water in all its forms and manifestations. He obviously has a deep respect for this life-giving element that so many people take for granted. In this book he explores the environmental implications, health aspects, and spiritual dimensions of water. John’s journey has led him on pilgrimages to holy wells, to remote temples where water is worshipped as a living deity, to hot volcanic springs and icy waterfalls. In The Wisdom of Water (his 21st book) he has detailed the stories and myths connected to this precious element.

It’s a collection of legends, scientific data, poems, Zen parables, rituals and personal observations, in which he has, “listened to the rhythms of the waves on the shore, to the sound patterns of lakes, small streams and majestic rivers. Watching the fluid reflections of the sun, moon and stars in the eternal moving mirror of the waters I have merged my consciousness with that of the infinite.”

Although this is an extremely well-researched, scholarly work, it doesn’t try to be too academic; it’s quite readable and easily digested. John Archer has (literally) immersed himself in this subject with great passion. And the author suggests that this is not a book to be hurried through, he asks that the reader takes time to think about the messages contained herein, so that you can “look up at the clouds with new eyes and hear the voice of waterfalls and ocean waves...”

This book is simply brilliant. It covers every facet of water that you can imagine: dew, rain, hail, rainbows, ice, snow, rivers, lakes, springs, waterfalls, and the ocean too. Within each of these areas you will find references to nymphs, gods and goddesses, trivia, and folklore.

This has been one of the most poignant, informative and insightful books that I have ever read. If you want a deeper understanding of this element, you simply must buy this book. But don’t lend it to anyone, because you won’t get it back!

Published by: Allen & Unwin
Author: John Archer
ISBN: 978-1-74175-239-7

Craft of the Wild Witch – Green Spirituality and Natural Enchantment

2009-08-10T14:23:00.003+09:30

Poppy Palin is a talented writer whose words take you on an evocative, lyrical journey into the ways of the wild witch. Every paragraph is rich with expression. ‘Craft of the Wild Witch’ is a book about the basics of Natural Witchcraft, but Poppy’s way of weaving eloquence amongst her lessons is an enchantment in itself. This makes it a learning experience that is a joy to read as well!

What is wild witchcraft? According to Poppy Palin it is, ‘witchcraft for those of us who yearn to express our own inherent spirituality in a joyous, meaningful manner, not within temples or churches, but out in the landscape and within the deepest fathomless places in our own souls... places that echo the furthest reaches of the starry-veiled cosmos.’ And... ‘The essential message of wild witchcraft is found under cinnamon leaves, where the bright scales of hidden creatures shine, found in the fronds of glistening weeds swaying in brackish depths, in the swell and surge of massing thunderheads, and in the dazzling sparkles of sunlight dancing on a summer sea, there is beauty, magic, and meaning in the world if we only try to find it.’ To put it simply, if you want to be a wild witch, then be prepared to live that lifestyle every hour of every day - it’s not something that you do (or become) on full moons and Sabbats only!

It is a book that focuses on the positive side of being a Solitary Practitioner. Being a wild witch is a path for individuals who feel the ebb and flow of the seasons, and who connect with the unseen realms around them and within them. This is a well rounded book that delves into the realms of the fey spirits, and is balanced by chapters that reinforce the notion of being responsible and practical in your magickal workings.

Rather than directing us to only look at the world around us, many parts of this book steer us toward an understanding of our own nature first and foremost. And as she says in her preface, ‘The understanding of our true soul nature will come as unexpectedly as the warmth to be found in midwinter sunlight, as tenacious as the twisted tree that blooms and grows despite its exposed position, as moving and awe-inspiring as the sound of a single swan’s wing-beats that are heard as it makes its way home alone across the moors.’ Many pages are devoted to gaining an understanding of our own soul nature, and our inner qualities, though self analysis.

Trance journeys to otherworldly places are also undertaken in this book. The purpose of these meditations is to converse with spirit companions, and to find inspiration and information relating to the craft of the wild witch. Familiars, rogue spirits, thoughtforms (intentional and unintentional), and animal spirit helpers are other forms of entities that may be met during trance journeys, and the nature of all of these beings are fully explained. Personal safety through effective preparation, and the use of psychic protection during these trance sessions, are other areas that are comprehensively covered over a number of chapters.

This is a large book in many ways, it is over 300 pages in length, and it covers many aspects of the earthy, practical paganism that most books on Wicca tend to ignore. We are shown the value of deep meditations, which can be used to connect to the knowledge stored within various realms (spirit and plant alike), and we are encouraged to seek the fullness that seemingly mundane situations can offer. As Poppy says, ‘each apparently average moment has magical potential within it.’

I liked the fact that many pages were devoted to the essence of witchcraft, where the author impressed upon the reader the value and necessity of core factors such as observation (of the natural world, omens, and the effect that the different seasons have upon us); visualisation techniques; commitment; etc. These fundamental principles are the basis of effective magical workings, but they are also the most likely things to be glossed over in other books of this sort.

The chapters in this book are full of wild wisdom for beginners on the path, and for experienced pagans who want to look at their spirituality from a different point of view. Poppy’s reverence for nature and the cycles of the natural world are obvious. Her world seems to be one of complete trust in the natural order of things, viewed with a keen eye for detail and the beauty therein. And fortunately for us, she is able to communicate the essence of this optimism to us in a poetic and inspirational way. I loved this book, and if seeing the world from a fresh, new perspective appeals to you, and if you like the idea of literary lushness seeping deep into your soul as you read, then you will love this magical book too.

Author: Poppy Palin
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications 2004

Tarot of Perfection

2009-07-19T13:51:00.002+09:30

Ah, Tarot - an adventure that offers so many paths to explore, and so many ways to enjoy its layers of meaning. Rachel Pollack has taken this to a new level though. She is well known for her guidebooks to these cards, but in The Tarot of Perfection, she takes us on an extraordinary journey through fictional worlds that relate (in some way or another) to Tarot.

Like the Tarot itself, these tales weave in and out of each other, linking threads of images and characters, yet retaining their own energies. The stories are based on characters or scenes from the Tarot, or they involve Tarot readers, or some form of divination, or the gods themselves. They are a blend of allegory, fantasy, and deep imagery that affects the mind and soul. Some of the clever titles include: The Pickpocket’s Destiny, The Souls in the Trees, and Simon Wisdom.

It’s hard to describe these stories, as they sometimes seem like “normal” fiction, but then they divert into realms of fantasy and magic. In essence, I guess they are fairy tales, and like fables of old, this book contains exquisite black and white line drawings to illustrate the text.

Placing the cards into the context of these stories gives them so much more meaning than their traditional interpretations. An example of this is can be found in the first story, where the Ten of Wands is described in the following way: “Look there, he thought, the man with ten sticks on his back, each one with leaves of fire, though none of them burned. No doubt the woman would have seen in this a prediction of “burdens,” or “hard work ahead,” and completely miss the truth, that the sticks extended from the Great Tree, that itself grew out of the Radiant Jewels of Creation. And what was the man but a sacred messenger, assigned to extend the jewels into the abandoned dross of the physical world? What holiness!” I’m sure that when certain cards turn up in my next reading, I’ll be relating them back to these imaginative tales that are full of sorcerers and initiates, ghosts and squirrels!

Even the Outback of Australia gets a mention amongst these stories: “He finally came to a place he thought of as the end of the world, a giant rock on a flat red desert. There were paintings on the rock, circles and lines and spirals and dots, so old even Matyas couldn’t decipher them. He closed his eyes to try to speak to the elementals in the rock. All he could hear was a rumble that might have been thunder. When he looked again he discovered himself surrounded by men and women. They were naked, but covered in paintings and scars. Daubs of color, jagged lines, angular boxes and concentric circles formed some kind of code... He stared at them, not at their faces but at the paint. Suddenly he understood. The lines and blotches were the history of the earth, their chant the song the world sang to itself when it first awoke.”

As Mary K. Greer acknowledges on the back cover, “These mystical, magical travel tales show us that it’s the journey itself that really counts. They will change forever how you see destiny, indeed, all the mysteries.” This one’s for lovers of Tarot and all things magickal.

ISBN: 1-90557209-3
Published by: Magic Realist Press
See: www.magic-realist.com (if only to check out the graphic novel called Shadow of the Vampuss - a tale of “the supernatural, vampirism, Transylvania, and kitty cats.”)

Whispers from the Woods – the Lore and Magic of Trees

2009-07-17T16:06:00.003+09:30

Sandra Kynes tells us, “Trees provide a gateway into a wider world of spirit and magic.” In this book we learn about a variety of trees and the many ways in which we can use their magical properties. But this is much more than an arboreal spell book! In Whispers from the Woods we are shown how the energy of trees can take us on an exploration of timeless mysteries, spirituality, and life itself.

Apart from chapters on Shamanic Journeys, rituals, and meditation with the trees, we also learn about Tree Calendars and the Celtic Ogham. Then we look at the links between sacred trees, holy springs and Celtic legends. And of course, no pagan tree book would be complete without a section on the Green Man!

Folklore and descriptions of fifty trees are given. It is suggested that by connecting with them, we can find ourselves living more closely to the rhythms and spirit of the land. And from this we can access different levels of awareness, bringing deeper spiritual satisfaction into our lives. Even the humble Bamboo gets a mention... I didn’t realise Bamboo was regarded as a tree, but evidently it can reach heights of over 30 metres, and is revered in many Asian cultures.

Sandra Kynes tells us, “The forest was a place of beautiful mystery and deep transformation. People could sense the subtle energy that moved through the trees, because it also moved through them. The connection between humans and the green world was real and central to everyday life, but somewhere along the way we lost this sense of connection.” Reading this book will inspire you to make the effort to take that walk in the woods that you have been promising yourself. It will rekindle your desire to spend more time in nature, and you’ll look at trees in a new light.

The author is a member of the England-based Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. Her previous book, A Year of Ritual, was also published by Llewellyn. With Whispers from the Woods she helps pagans to rediscover the majesty of trees, and to become reacquainted with the natural world. And that’s a good thing! Goodbye, I’m off to hug a tree...

Author: Sandra Kynes
Published by: Llewellyn Publications, 2006
ISBN: 0-7387-0781-3

Tarot Masterclass

2009-07-16T21:35:00.004+09:30

Paul Fenton-Smith is a best selling author of eight books on Palmistry, Tarot, Astrology and the psychic sciences. I’ve been following his career since 1997, when I met him at an International Tarot Conference. During that weekend, the presentation that he gave was entitled “The Tarot: Preparing for Mainstream Acceptance”, and in this talk he emphasised the need for Tarot readers to be highly ethical and well trained in their craft. His latest book “Tarot Masterclass” expands upon these principles, and also offers practical advice for those thinking of establishing their own Tarot business. There are 342 pages of informative text and illustrations that show his wealth of expertise in the world of Tarot.

The book is well designed and smartly presented. I know that the content is the most important thing, not the looks, but a book seems to be easier to read, and offers a more enjoyable reading experience, when it’s laid out clearly and with a sense of style. Pagans will also appreciate the drawing of the pentagram at the beginning of each chapter! Paul said that this symbol was “an artistic decision, but I like the upright pentacle, for to me it symbolises mental discipline of the desires, or passion directed by the mind. It’s had a bit of bad press, but if those people who fear it understood it better, they might work at living their lives in the manner of an upright pentacle.”

In Tarot Masterclass, the author explains what you can realistically expect from a tarot reading, such as inspiring you to fulfil your dreams and clarifying your immediate challenges and obstacles. The limitations of tarot readings are also discussed, and this can prepare you as a tarot interpreter, so that you don’t have unrealistic expectations about what you may be able to achieve.

What sets this book apart from any others that I’ve seen are the tips on how to read Tarot cards in conjunction with each other, and the chapters that focus on establishing and running your own Tarot business. And because the best way of receiving direct answers from Tarot cards is to ask precise and concise questions, Paul has included a chart that details over fifty clearly worded suggestions that can help you to form the most suitable query, so that you can gain the most from a Tarot session.

Another innovation is found in Paul’s interpretations of the cards. Apart from the general meaning, he also supplies suggestions as to how each of the Minor Arcana cards relate to finances and health. In another chapter, interpretations of the Major Arcana are given in this same way, with the inclusion of spiritual meanings too.

Court cards are normally only given a passing reference in most books, but Paul has described these cards in depth, showing how people represented by them respond to certain situations. He gives their attitude to setbacks; how they act when upset; their sense of humour; their compatibility with each other; their business sense; and their spiritual purpose in the physical world. He manages to bring the characters of the court cards alive with four chapters of anecdotes, case histories, and his expressive storytelling style.

Even though the title of this book gives the impression that it is only for advanced students of Tarot, I think that it would be extremely useful as a guide for beginners too, as it gives very detailed explanations of the meanings of the cards, and encourages a deeper understanding of the Tarot—something that is lacking in many introductory books.

Title: Tarot Masterclass
Published by Allen and Unwin
ISBN: 9781741751277

True Magick - a Beginner's Guide

2009-07-16T21:15:00.012+09:30

The title "True Magick" may seem familiar, because it’s been on Recommended Reading lists for newcomers to The Craft since 1990. After selling over 200,000 copies, Llewellyn has now revised and expanded this “little green book” that has given practical, helpful guidance to those wishing to learn the basics of magick.

It has a new cover (it’s still green though) and it has six new chapters, and over 100 “Exercises Toward Mastery” that will help students to gain a better understanding of the useful principles that the author is explaining. Amber’s intention in this revised version of her book was to “expand the boundaries into more advanced areas, and to incorporate more information about inner magick, nature magick, and everyday magick.” She has also updated this book with some recent scientific research that supports her theories on how magick works. The author has introduced material on quantum physics because, “scientists are beginning to find evidence that the universe is even more mysterious and amazing than anyone had guessed—anyone but magicians, that is.” Amber can be quite poetic at times too; while discoursing on the thought that possibilities are infinite, she says, “Somewhere, as you read these words, centaurs dance by moonlight, and torchlight glints from a golden hoard where dragons lie dreaming in their caverns.”

If you are looking for a book on personal transformation, and your desire is to incorporate magick into your everyday life, then buy this book! I liked it because the author drums into her readers that magick is to be taken seriously—her students are encouraged to work hard on the astral realms as well as in the material world. She enforces the concept that faith, dedication, and imagination are the keys to a magickal life.

Chapters on Ethics and Hazards, Choosing a Magickal Name, Connecting with Deity, and Tree Magick, are combined with hints on maintaining a balanced lifestyle in order to enhance your magickal work. But there’s more—so much more! There’s over 350 pages in this new edition, and they’re all worth reading. It’d be so tempting to dip into a chapter here and there to satisfy your curiosity about some of these areas, but it will be much more rewarding to read through it all page by page, doing the exercises as you go.

This book is going to be valuable for those who are just beginning to explore Paganism, and it’s not too simplified that it will bore those who have trodden this path for a while. I imagine that covens will find it particularly worthwhile to invest in a copy of this book, because studying and discussing each chapter, and then working through the exercises as a group, would be an excellent way to learn all facets of this deep and exciting subject.

Author: Amber K
Published by: Llewellyn
ISBN: 0-7387-0823-2

The Tarot Revealed - a Beginner's Guide

2009-07-16T20:59:00.012+09:30

There are not many tarot books around that have sold over 100,000 copies. Most beginner’s guides to tarot fall by the wayside because they are too simplistic, or too full of mystical jargon, or too advanced for those who have just picked up a deck of cards. Paul Fenton-Smith’s book The Tarot Revealed goes beyond the basics, but has manageable chunks of information that are easily digested. This is why this book has been so successful. Even its Chinese version is in its 13th edition, with new printings twice a year!

The Tarot Revealed has just been revised and re-released. It’s now through a new publisher and it has a new look that marries it to Paul’s recent book, Tarot Masterclass. It has the same stylish layout and design as Masterclass, and it includes similar, handy reference charts. Colour images of the whole deck are shown in this section. In this revised version, Paul has included even more meanings for reversed cards.

One of the highlights of The Tarot Revealed is the story of each Suit, where we are taken on a journey that explains the nature of each card. In other areas of the book, the general meaning of each image is given, and the “relationship meaning” of each card is also explored, since this is an area that is most often asked about.

Another useful section is the one that looks at the combinations of cards that show certain situations, such as pregnancy, karmic lessons, and even physical death.

Spreads for different situations and specific needs are offered of course. And for those who look to tarot for a deeper understanding of their true self, the Spiritual Direction Layout offers awareness regarding spiritual direction.

This is a well-crafted book that helps you to understand tarot cards, which will then lead you to a greater awareness of the world around you, and your own inner nature. Highly recommended!

Title: The Tarot Revealed
Published by Allen and Unwin
ISBN: 978-1-74175-259-5

Sunwyse - Celebrating the Sacred Wheel of the Year in Australia

2009-07-16T20:54:00.001+09:30

At last! An entire book devoted to celebrating Pagan festivals in the Southern Hemisphere.

The description given about each festival includes information about that time of the year from diverse viewpoints... Traditional Aboriginal lore is mixed with modern Australian activities, and Celtic customs are interspersed with snippets of information about the seasonal effects on our animals and local plants. This is followed by “Ways of Celebrating” each festival, and ideas from that section have formed the basis for many of my recent rituals.

Unlike many writers on this subject, the author doesn’t just transpose Northern Hemisphere traditions and ideas upon Southern Hemisphere seasons. Roxanne Bodsworth has taken into account the varied lifestyles, agricultural diversity, and multiculturalism that exists across the broad landscape of our country, and she integrates this knowledge into a useful patchwork of ideas for our seasonal celebrations down under.

In this book the traditional names of the “greater” festivals, have been changed, in order to differentiate them from “standard” ritual concepts. Lughnasadh becomes the “Harvest Feast”, Samhain is a “Festival of the Dead”, Imbolc is “The Quickening”, and Beltaine is “The Love Festival”.

This book is highly recommended for those who appreciate the inclusion of locally relevant ideas into their rituals and festivals.

Roxanne, a writer/poet from North East Victoria, is a regular attendee at the Australian Wiccan Conferences, and has recently been living in Ireland while pursuing her Celtic studies.

Author: Roxanne T. Bodsworth
Published by: Hihorse Pty Ltd

The Serpent & the Southern Cross

2009-07-16T20:47:00.009+09:30

“It guides every thought we have

& every action we take.

It is our past, present & future.

There is nothing that is separate

from our spirituality.”

South Australian author Druidara has written a unique and fascinating book that details the spiritual path of Druidry in Australia. It’s a welcome addition to the libraries of those who want to know how to develop the skills and wisdom of modern day Druids.

A brief but realistic account of the history of the Druids is offered at the start of this book, as well as insight to the personal honour, beliefs and guidelines that Druids hold so dearly. In the chapters that follow, the author covers all the basics of the Druid tradition, such as tools, meditations and initiation, but you’ll also find extra information that is very worthwhile, like tips on how to start your own Druidic Grove. Examples of handfastings and naming ceremonies are given too, as well as some of the old Irish myths and legends that are still so important to the Druids of today’s world.

Apart from honouring their Gods and Ancestors, Druids celebrate the seasonal cycles of the year, so a comprehensive list of innovative ritual ideas that incorporate a local flavour, is given for each of the Sabbats. Some of the suggestions for Summer Solstice include celebrating the ripening of native grasses and fruits; marking the point of the setting sun from a vantage point in your circle; and making some bread in the shape of the sun and leaving it as an offering for birds and small animals to enjoy.

One of the best things about this book, is that Druidara has many years of experience within Wiccan traditions, so she is able to give comparisons between Druidry and Wiccan practices, using terms that all pagans can relate to. The book has been designed to cover the initial steps towards becoming a Druid, but even experienced ritualists will find spiritual philosophies that are worthy of further contemplation, and new ideas to implement in future ceremonies.

“Although there is no quick way to become a Druid, it is not particularly difficult either. The process begins with desire to be more closely entwined with nature, but what really forms a Druid is a daily, sometimes minute by minute focus on interpreting our lives & interactions by the twin illuminations of our beliefs & personal credo. By devoted practice we give birth, sometimes in darkness, to the shimmering, leaping salmon that is the soul of a Druid.”

This book is very informative, but it doesn’t fall into the trap of being overly academic - it’s an enjoyable journey down the Druid path, as seen through the eyes of one who has travelled along this stimulating course for many years. It’s not as dry as Peter Berresford Ellis’s scholarly accounts in The Druids; it’s certainly not as pedantic as Frazer’s Golden Bough; but at the same time it’s not as fanciful as Emma Restall Orr’s visionary tales. In The Serpent & the Southern Cross, Druidara has a gentle but direct relationship with the reader, which brings about a feeling of mutual trust and respect.

This is “Book One” about a very deep and valuable topic, and in the early chapters we’re told that the intention of this book was just to give an overview of the Druid’s path, which the author hoped would “inspire further investigation”, but it is much more than that. I’m looking forward to Book Two, so that I can have an even better understanding of the Druid lifestyle, as seen through the eyes and heart of the talented Druidara!

Author: Druidara
Available through: druidara@yahoo.com.au

Selling Spirituality

2009-07-16T20:43:00.004+09:30

According to the authors (Jeremy Carrette and Richard King) the aim of this book was to show the exploitation of the spiritual, and to highlight how the esoteric has become a powerful commodity in the global marketplace. In an attempt to bring the idea of capitalist spirituality to a wider audience, Carrette and King say that they have attempted to approach this topic in a way that is more simple and accessible than traditional academic monographs. In this latter challenge, they fail miserably! Their claim of a ‘narrative style’ would only be accurate if one were used to overhearing stuffy Oxford Professors having conversations about subjects such as neoliberal ideology. But in its endeavour to expose the commodification of spiritual values, it definitely succeeds.

This book examines the growing commercialisation of spirituality, in forms such as feng shui, aromatherapy, yoga and New Age gurus. There is a quote in it which says, ‘We live out our relation to our ultimate meaning through what and how we buy. Let the integration of faith and economy be the mark of the true spiritual seeker today, a consuming faith.’ (Tom Beaudoin – Consuming Faith) I do hope that’s supposed to be sarcasm, but I fear that it’s not! I feel that this type of attitude is what the authors are trying to warn us about.

It’s not a gripping book, but it raises important questions about big businesses and the media (which is often owned by the same corporations) and their effect upon our spiritual ideals and outlook. The authors argue against the exploitation of religious concepts as marketing tools. They say that products such as Zen deodorant and Samsara perfume are clothed in an aura of mysticism and mystique, at the expense of the values that they represent. And in our own supermarkets here in Australia, it’s easy to see that this proliferation of esoteric branding is commonplace.

Carrette and King spend a lot of time attempting to define ‘spirituality’ and religion’, only to confuse us more with terminology such as ‘ontological transcendence’. Fortunately though, once all this is out the way, some more great quotes come along, such as, ‘Alongside TVs, hi-fi systems, washing machines, IKEA furniture and designer clothes, you can also have your very own spirituality, with or without crystals!’ and ‘consumerism is no longer presented as a challenge to traditional religious sensibilities, because you can now buy it wholesale and ignore the corporate links to poverty and social injustice.’

The rest of the book seemed to focus on ‘affluence gurus’ such as Osho Rajneesh (the Rolls Royce guru) and Deepak Chopra, who ‘did not see a problem with the conjoining of individual wealth-acquisition and spiritual advancement.’ The bending of sacred teachings (notably that of Buddhism and Taoism) into capitalistic business models also comes under scrutiny in the latter parts of the book.

Far from being a conspiracy theory about spirituality and corporations, this book is simply about how religion has been repackaged for consumption through the idea of spirituality and how big businesses have used the gloss of spiritual practices to support corporate interests. It’s a warning about not allowing spirituality to be imbued with, or confused with capitalism. The authors call for social justice and sustainable lifestyles as a way of avoiding the excesses of consumerism. This book shows a deep annoyance towards advertisers who misuse spiritual values, but it has been written in such an academic manner (meaning that I often had to refer to my dictionary) that I have to admit that a lot of it went straight over my crown chakra!

We have become a religiously capitalistic society, and ‘Selling Spirituality’ makes me wonder where it is all leading to. One example of where it all might be heading is shown in the book – a 24 year old man put his soul up for sale on E-bay! The final price was only $31, plus $15 for postage, so I guess there’s not much of a market for used souls. But the final word has to go to Confucious, who reminds us that ‘the superior mind understands moral goodness, while the inferior understands only profit.’

Title: Selling Spirituality: the silent takeover of religion
Author: J Carrette & R King
Published by: Routledge 2005
ISBN: 0-415-30209-9

Seeker

2009-07-16T20:40:00.004+09:30

When I saw that Rachel Pollack had published a new book on tarot, I snapped it up quickly to check it out. I’m a big fan of her work on tarot, and it is for very good reasons that her first book ‘Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom’ is known as the bible of tarot.

One of the best bits about ‘Seeker’ is the Preface, in which Rachel describes her first experiences with the cards and how she became a teacher of tarot. I also liked the section explaining away the superstitious practices associated with tarot. But this book is obviously written for (very young) teens who want to be tarot readers, and adult beginners who want things spelled out for them in real simple terms.

Rachel Pollack is a poet, an artist, an award winning novelist, and probably the world’s most respected writer on the subject of tarot. ‘Seeker’ is her 28th book and is a basic guide to tarot that shows what it’s all about, in a no-nonsense kind of way. The mysteriousness of tarot is left behind and tarot itself is simply described as a technique that ‘allows us to look at ourselves and what’s going on in our lives.’

I can recommend it for Witchlings who want to delve into divination, as it has a down-to-earth quality that’s often lacking in books on tarot. It’s nicely presented, with images of the cards and keywords shown on each page.

Seeker: the Tarot Unveiled
Author: Rachel Pollack
Published by: Llewellyn Publications
ISBN: 0-7387-0521-7

Sacred Land

2009-06-22T20:36:00.008+09:30

With a subtitle like “Intuitive Gardening for Personal, Political & Environmental Change”, the author had quite a big job ahead of her. Fortunately for her readers, Clea Danaan lived up to her promise and delivered a book that is set to change the world, one garden at a time.

There’s only 230 pages of text, but it’s packed with tips on how to create healthy, ethical, organic gardens, while developing a spiritual connection with the land at the same time. It reveals the secrets of creating great compost; has some great tips on water conservation; and shows how to save seeds for next year’s planting. And I know that pagans will enjoy reading the chapters on how to connect with garden Goddesses. Clea includes information on the Goddesses “to inspire your spirit, and to awaken the power of myth”. Her descriptions of those deity that are linked to the earth, to herbs, and to fertility, remind us how easy it is to connect to the divine while we undertake our everyday chores in the mundane world. And Clea’s meditations upon the elements help to bring about a stronger connection to the life-forces within your own back yard.

The author’s aim was to show us how to garden spiritually, because while we’re tending our own backyards, we’re also helping to slow down global warming, and we’re creating strong and healthy communities. We’re told that gardening with a sense of mindfulness and awareness helps us to recognise our gardening allies: birds, spiders, worms, ants, snakes, bees and bats. And we’re reminded to acknowledge the gnomes, faeries and goddesses of the land at the same time!

This is a lovely book (printed on recycled paper) which is filled with interesting and inspiring facts, and it offers plenty of practical tips for working within our current problem of water restrictions, and the ever-present dilemma of overcoming garden pests in environmentally friendly ways.

There’s a lot that I like about this book, and only a few things that annoyed me. The first thing that irritated me was that the content of Sacred Land is strongly geared towards feminist readers, with wording such as “my gardening sisters” being used quite often. In the introduction, the author explains that she writes, “for women who are rediscovering the power of the sacred feminine in their lives, and who want to use that power to create positive change in the world.” Hey Clea, men like their gardens too! Without that balance of male and female energies, the garden isn’t going to grow very well.

The other thing that bugged me was the layout and design. Each page is divided into two columns. Since this book is small in size, it means that you only get 4 or 5 words to each line! And many of these words are hyphenated because they can’t be squeezed into such a small area.

Having said that, this book helped me to realise how judgemental and critical I’ve become as I’ve grown older. The disdain that I had for this book when I looked at those columns, swayed me into disliking it before I’d made it past the introduction. But when I delved into the first chapter, the concept of looking at the garden in a more meaningful and pagan way grabbed my attention, and I found myself liking the clever, wholistic approach to this subject. One example of how Clea takes a simple concept and gives it relevance to pagans is with the subject of the humble worm. She reminds us that worms are sacred to Hermes. After a brief description of Hermes, she suggests that when you see worms, ask yourself, “In what ways might worm energy help you in sifting through your own life and bringing about transformation? How might they bring nutrition and balance into your garden - the one in the soil and the larger garden of life?”

Another thing that I liked was that amongst the information about the seasonal festivals, Clea included the dates for the Southern Hemisphere.

“The garden can be a powerful tool for personal, political, and environmental change. This book is a beginning place, a launching point for your own sacred work.” This quote from the author is a fair summary of her reason for writing “Sacred Land”, and it gives the reader an indication of the spirit and enthusiasm within Clea herself.

Sacred Land is a good addition to any Earth-loving pagan’s library. Clea’s reverence for the garden, which she regards as “a living altar”, is quite obvious, and it’s infectious too. This is a book that will send us back into our backyards and veggie patches with a sense of purpose; and with a desire to create a better world from the ground up.

Title: Sacred Land
Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide
Author: Clea Danaan
ISBN: 0-7387-1146-2

Radical Gratitude

2009-06-22T20:33:00.004+09:30

Can you imagine what it would feel like to be in a family that was dragged from home at gunpoint, and loaded onto a crowded railway carriage (meant for cattle) and sent to an unknown destination? Can you honestly comprehend what it would be like to be crammed into one of those filthy cattle cars for three weeks, with no heating, no food, and only a hole in the floor to use as a toilet? And what if when you arrived in Siberia, your grandfather chose not to eat, so that you would have more nourishment, and you watched him sacrifice his own life through starvation.

My immediate response would be of bitterness towards my oppressors, but Andrew Bienkowski found that this horrifying experience brought him many gifts... and one of those gifts was the grace of “radical gratitude”. As he states in this enlightening book, “Once we learn to actively seek reasons to be grateful, we suddenly find them everywhere. And when we learn to focus intention on our own gratitude, gratitude becomes a way of life and our efforts to help others become natural and spontaneous. Once you have learned to access the healing power of radical gratitude, you will find that the fullness of life greets you at every turn.”

This is an inspiring book on many levels, and its spiritual lessons are portrayed through unforgettable examples. As the title suggests though, the underlying theme of this book is gratitude. It reminds us that despite our circumstances, we have much in life to be grateful for. “Even a colourful butterfly flitting past, the discovery of a delicious mushroom, a handful of wild strawberries, or the beauty of a spider’s web covered with morning dew was a cause for gratitude in Siberia. It was a chance to celebrate the beauty of life, of nature, a reminder that there was still good in the world.”

Elsewhere in the book we are told, “The gifts were small, but they were everywhere, as they are today. The key is to learn to look for them and to be open to them. Siberia is where I developed my intense love of and respect for nature, which has become a source of great happiness in my life.”

This book is really three books in one volume. It’s a story of how a family overcame extreme hardship and adversity that was inflicted upon their body, mind and spirit. It’s also a New Age book that focuses on spiritual values such as love, courage, kindness and compassion. And finally, this book is like “The Road Less Travelled”, because Andrew Bienkowski is a clinical psychotherapist, and he takes the reader through case histories that illustrate practical guidance for living a more peaceful life, with greater well-being. Oh, maybe there’s a fourth aspect of this book too... the author loves quotes... he seems to have been collecting inspirational quotes all his life, wondering when he’ll get the chance to use them, so he does that here... using them on almost every page!

The main reason why the author published his experiences of life in Siberia, was so that you “can become inoculated against the dissatisfaction, disassociation and despair of modern life. That you can trust yourself to help your friends and loved ones in ways that you felt were not possible before. That you will learn to feel and recognise your own healing powers and use them to make the world a little bit better, one person at a time.” If people take the time to truly listen to the messages in this story, there’s no doubt that the world will end up a better place, just as Bienkowski has intended.

Radical Gratitude is not a pagan book, yet it is, in so many ways. It shows the importance of recognising our connection to nature and all that is. It’s uplifting, thought provoking, and provides a spiritual treasure-trove of inspiration. I hope we hear more from him in years to come.

Published by: Allen & Unwin
Authors: Andrew Bienkowski and Mary Akers
ISBN: 9781741754223
RRP: AUD$22.95

The Shining Isle

2009-06-22T20:30:00.006+09:30

I’d been looking forward to more tales of The Travelers (a group of magical beings who roam around the countryside in human form) and Ly de Angeles has delivered another exciting story that I was reluctant to put down. I’ve previously reviewed two of her previous books, When I See the Wild God, and The Quickening. This one features the same characters, but also brings some new people into the spotlight, including Scathach, a warrior princess brought over from the Otherworld.

This book has a great premise: Inishrún is a mysterious island which is a gathering place for the clans of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the mighty Fey Folk. It has been invaded by capitalists who don’t understand its significance - and the gods and goddesses have to intervene to stop the magic of the place from being polluted by greed and ignorance.

Reading The Quickening first would give you a better idea of who the characters are, but The Shining Isle is also a novel that stands alone in its own right. Ly de Angeles has written an adventure novel that brings the Celtic Gods and Goddesses to life in front of your eyes, and you’ll get shivers across your neck as you feel their presence within the exciting plot developments. Highly recommended to those who like to see the Old Gods alive and busy in the world around us – laughing, making music, and totally involved in love and war!

Author: Ly de Angeles
Published by: Llewellyn Publications, 2006
ISBN: 0-7387-0834-8

When I See the Wild God

2009-06-22T20:24:00.005+09:30

Hidden amongst the Silver Ravenwolf and Scott Cunningham books on the “Wicca” shelf of your metaphysical bookstore, I hope you are lucky enough to find a copy of this excellent book by Australian author Ly De Angeles. It’s a different style of book that offers an alternative view to the way witchcraft is normally practiced. How is it different? That’s hard to explain, but it isn’t a “beginner’s guide to Wicca”, and it isn’t an “advanced students only” manual – it’s just completely different to anything else I’ve read on the subject!

The title and the blurb on the back cover suggested that this book was “infused with a masculine sensibility”, however I didn’t find that there was a huge emphasis on the male side of the Craft. Sure, there was a chapter that described about a dozen Celtic gods, and this included ways that you could utilize their energies in spells or ritual work, but the majority of the book was geared towards witchcraft in general, without having an obvious focus on gender roles.

I felt that this book provided a reasonable sense of balance to the (predominantly) female bias that is found in most volumes on the subject of witchcraft. As she says in the introduction, “...without a deep understanding of her Brother/Son/King/Consort/Champion – the witch’s God – the world is a sad and unbalanced place...”

Ly De Angeles gives the reader a modern perspective of witchcraft – with a Celtic twist. The highlight of the book is the seasonal rituals – Ly De Angeles has produced a magickal narrative that leads us on an urban-style ritual journey through the Equinoxes and Solstices. These are GREAT! The writing style, content and ingenuity surpass any other ritual ideas that I’ve ever seen in any other book. The author has successfully broken free from the standard format, and with the use of story-telling, she has produced meaningful rites that are a joy to read. And I’ll be putting them into practice as soon as I can!

One of my complaints about this book is that unusual terms such as Déithe (Gods) and draíocht (magic) are liberally sprinkled through the text, without any reference to their meaning. Fortunately the author includes a glossary at the back of the book so that you can discover what she is talking about. The only other negative comment is about having “filler” chapters about the tools of the witch, and the invocation of the pentagrams - subjects that are covered in books for beginners, and which are out of place in a book such as this.

Sometimes it seems more like a collection of essays than a book with any sense of continuity, but there are many chapters that stand out brightly, glowing like the eyes of the Wild Gods which she writes about so eloquently. On the whole, this is an entertaining and rewarding book.

Author Ly De Angeles
Published by: Llewellyn Publications 2004

The Quickening

2009-06-22T20:17:00.003+09:30

As a rule, I’m not really into fiction novels, I’d rather have my nose buried in a reference book any day! But when I found one that was written by an Australian witch (Ly de Angeles) I thought it was worth a look, and after reading through ‘The Quickening’ in one sitting, I was so glad that I did.

In this book she has weaved an urban fantasy about the Sídhe (pronounced Shee) who travel around the country awakening the magickal powers of those who have forgotten their true nature. These Travellers are from the clans of the Tuatha Dé Danann - the mighty Fey Folk - sometimes known as ‘fairies’, but you’d have to be very brave to call them that!

Herne the Hunter (with dreadlocks!), Brighid (a fortyish woman with tattoos on her face) and She who is only known as ‘the Great Mystery’ - work together with a group of musical and magickal friends to discover who is responsible for vicious attacks on various spiritual centres across the city.

I’d met these characters before, in another book by Ly de Angeles called ‘When I See the Wild God’ – which was reviewed in the Lughnasadh 2005 edition of Silver Wheel. That book was a modern perspective of Celtic witchcraft, in which she described how to utilize the energies of the Celtic Gods in ritual work. The people in ‘The Quickening’ formed part of the storyline that was the basis of the seasonal rituals in the ‘Wild God’ book. And now, they’ve become part of a larger, more involved story and with this extra room for character development, they’ve become even more endearing.

Ly de Angeles was initiated as a witch when she was 17 years of age, and became a High Priestess in 1980. She draws upon her experiences of magic and the Otherworlds to create an engaging plot that has all the elements (excuse the pun) that appeal to pagans - and the writing style is quite lyrical at times. Here’s an example... “Shadows, shadows - lithe and swift - surrounded him, all unseen, all alert to danger - earthy graces loving the man they ran with, creating a deeper darkness to protect him.”

In the story, beings from Celtic mythology, and practitioners of Vodoun, Shamanism, Wicca and Shinto all join forces in an unusual saga of Good versus Evil. But in true magickal style, those on the side of ‘Good’ tend to play rather rough, knowing that in the eyes of the gods, the end always justifies the means! They also get help from a flock of birds that are aptly named ‘the Conspiracy of Ravens’ and the conversations between the birds are clever and amusing.

Make sure that you refer to the glossary at back of the book, as many unusual terms are used in the story, but this also adds to its sense of authenticity. The characters are quiet well-rounded. You view some of the bad guys in a different light when you read of the sadness in their souls which drives their negative behaviour patterns. And the gods are shown to have weaknesses too, with bickering and pettiness surfacing occasionally.

This is a highly enjoyable book that brings the Old Gods and the Fey Folk to life. Ly de Angeles has created a series of loveable characters that will stay in your heart and mind long after you’ve put the book down. You won’t look at the world in the same way after you’ve experienced it through the eyes of this author!

Author: Ly de Angeles
Published by: Llewellyn Publications, 2005
ISBN: 0-7387-0664-7

The Outer Temple of Witchcraft

2009-06-22T20:10:00.005+09:30

Christopher Penczak has created a series of impressive guidebooks for those beginners who are taking their initial, tentative steps along the Wiccan path. The first book was called ‘The Inner Temple of Witchcraft’, and this dealt with meditation and the inner work required for magickal practice. It covered the historical and philosophical concepts of Wicca, and included an understanding of the terminology used.

The next book in this five-volume series is ‘The Outer Temple of Witchcraft’, and this focuses on creating sacred space, Wiccan rituals, understanding the elements, and learning spellcraft. It’s set up as 12 lessons (a lesson/chapter for each month of the year) culminating with a test and a self-initiation ritual to the level of priest or priestess. I like the sense of discipline that he encourages, and the book is filled with lots of examples and stories of his personal experiences. The ritual chants at the end of the book are also a welcome inclusion.

Unlike many books that simply tell you that a witch must have this or that, in order to really be a witch, Christopher’s approach is more simple, practical and meaningful. For example, when writing about altars, he states: “It reminds a witch that everything is sacred. It represents what the witch is working on, in the inner and outer worlds. If you leave a candle burning for a current spell, that is where your sacred attention is focused. If you put something on it to represent your inner learning, such as a particular herb or stone, you are emphasizing those lessons in your own inner sacred world. You see it every day, and every day, you rededicate yourself to the spiritual path simply by acknowledging it. By making a space for it in your home, you are symbolically making a space for the life of a witch in your life. Every action is powerful and symbolic, not only affecting our subconscious mind, but also energetically affecting us and our environment for the better.” Beautiful!

And there’s a sentence in lesson six (Divination of True Will) that I really like. It goes like this: “Divination, like meditation, is a form of learning to listen.” But that’s the only sentence that I like in that chapter! I don’t have a problem with authors wanting to include a chapter on divination in their guidebooks, but why do they think that in one chapter they can teach their students how to use all forms of divination? It takes Penczac only 9 pages to explain all there is to know about tarot, and many of those pages had me growling with frustration at his lack of research on this subject. Grrrr!

The Outer Temple of Witchcraft has more substance than Silver Ravenwolf’s beginner guides for teen witches, and this series is probably even better than Scott Cunningham’s respected titles! I liked the meditations, exercises and homework at the end of each chapter - I feel that these would definitely deepen the reader’s understanding of each lesson. But there’s not a lot of new material here – not much that you can’t find in other books, however the author does package the information well. You’d have trouble finding a more comprehensive workbook for a newcomer who is wanting steady guidance into do-it-yourself Witchcraft training.

Author: Christopher Penczak
Published by: Llewellyn

Night of the Fifth Moon

2009-06-22T14:18:00.004+09:30

When I am reviewing a book, there are two main signs that show I’m enjoying what I’m reading...
1) I forget to jump off the train at the right station because I’m so engrossed in the story.
2) There’s bits of paper sticking out of the book, so that I can refer back to interesting pieces of information.

While reading Night of the Fifth Moon, I missed my train station twice in the one week; and the book had so many pieces of paper sticking out of it, that it looked like the top had been caught in a shredder! This novel is supposed to be for young readers (the 10 to 14 age group) but it’s definitely going to appeal to book lovers of any vintage. Especially if you have an interest in paganism.

The story is about a group of Irish children (about twelve years old) who have been sent to the local druid as foster children. They each aim to become the anruth, an assistant to Faelán, the druid of the forest. This adventure novel is set in Ireland, sixteen hundred years ago, a time when lifestyles were harsh and basic, and when the druids were the most important people in the villages. The whole community, even the king, listened to his words of wisdom, and feared his magic.

The title refers to the challenge that Faelán offers the fosterlings. For the following five months he will teach them the skills of druidry, but at the time of each new moon, one will be sent back to his or her original home, until only one remains. From Samhain Eve to just beyond Imbolc, we journey through the challenges set to the fosterlings.

Modern day truths and homilies are included in this story, encouraging young readers towards better manners and an awareness of the consequences of their actions. For example, after a lesson on being receptive to the spirits and energies around them, Faelán mentions, “Ordinary mortals smash through this world, disturbing and destroying for their own needs. But a druid tries to be part of the Greater Harmony.”

I was also impressed with how the author managed to give me an understanding of the Ogham script, without compromising the readability of the story.

The book has 243 pages of large print, making it easy for kids to read. My only criticism is that I felt that some of the words were beyond the scope of an average child’s vocabulary. I don’t know too many kids who would know the meaning of expostulated, foment, and lour.

“Fortune favours those who recount a tale faithfully,” says Faelán in this story, and therefore fortune must favour this author, as this is an imaginative story that is told in the best of Bardic traditions: offering excitement, moral lessons, heroes, villains, surprising twists, and a satisfying conclusion.

Author: Anna Ciddor
Publisher: Allen and Unwin Australia
ISBN: 9781741148145
RRP: AUD$15.95

About the author: Anna Ciddor lives in Melbourne, and is also the author of the Viking Magic fantasy series, which includes: Runestone, Wolfspell, and Stormriders. Since 1989 she has had over 50 books published.

Maiden Mother Crone - the three faces of the Goddess

2009-06-22T14:14:00.003+09:30

Although this book was first published in 1994, its popularity has meant that it has now been given re-release status, with extra marketing and advertising as well. I’m glad that this has happened - I’ve been meaning to check it out for ages! It’s a great reference book to gain a greater awareness of the myths and realities of the Triple Goddess. And the stunning pencil illustrations by Lisa Hunt add a lovely, extra dimension to the text.

Here is a book that explores our ancient relationship with the Goddess of mythology. It’s filled with Goddess stories from around the world, which helps us to understand aspects of our own selves. As the author (D.J. Conway) suggests in her introduction, “Reconnection with the Great Goddess archetype and Her three faces is vital to the health of humankind on all levels.”

The chapters on each form of the Goddess are filled with correspondences and ideas for spells and rituals. Detailed myths are also told, so that we have a better idea of Her qualities, form, and power.

Guided meditations and examples of rituals are a welcome inclusion in the lengthy Appendix, but too many pages at the end are devoted to a dictionary of symbols - that sort of information is readily available elsewhere.

This is a lovely book that offers a vivid description of the Goddess in all of her glorious forms. Through an understanding of basic archetypes and myths, it helps us to realise and accept our inevitable progression from the cradle to the grave, and all the challenging parts in between!

Published by: Llewellyn Worldwide
ISBN: 978-0-87542-171-1
Size: Trade paperback, 229 pages

Llewellyn's Magical Almanac 2009

2009-06-22T14:11:00.003+09:30

Over 30 articles are included in the 2009 edition of Llewellyn’s newest Magical Almanac. Pagans with many years of experience behind them have contributed to another wonderful collection of essays on a variety of subjects that will fascinate those with a magickal mind.

Once again, the Table of Contents is divided into Earth Magic, Air Magic, Fire Magic and Water Magic. Within these sections there are articles on gardening, kitchen blessings, bells, wells, familiars, deities, the elements, tattoos, shamanism, cauldrons, and much more. The almanac section includes moon phases, moon signs, and correspondences.

I was also pleased to note that Llewellyn have noticed that the Southern Hemisphere Sabbat dates are different to our Northern neighbours, and they’ve included a list of ritual dates for their Antipodean readers.

I thought that this would be the perfect sort of book to pick up at the end of the day and read a chapter or two before drifting into dreams of myths and magick. But no, the articles are too interesting to treat so lightly. They’re full of practical pagan practices and creative ideas for rituals too. Instead of slipping towards slumber, I found myself busily jotting down notes and making plans for future seasonal rites.

I’ve been a fan of this series since I first found a copy back in 1992. I haven’t missed an edition since. They’re affordable, insightful and very well presented. Regardless of whether you’ve just begun wandering down the pagan path, or whether you’ve been on this journey for a while, treat yourself to some of this literary magick at your local bookstore.

The Magic of Menhirs & Circles of Stone

2009-06-22T14:08:00.005+09:30

Have you ever wanted a sacred site in your own back yard? This book and DVD (packaged as a set) will help you to achieve that dream. Alanna Moore is an Australian writer and film maker who looks at ancient traditions, dowsing techniques, and places of power around the world. She’s put together this book and film for those who are interested in stone circles, earth energies, and learning how to recognise and create spiritual places in our environment.

The book is the first in a series of guidebooks, and it’s called A Little Geomantic Guidebook to The Magic of Menhirs and Circles of Stone. It is only 35 pages in length (spiral bound), but it is a useful addition to the excellent reference book Divining Earth Spirit, published by the same author earlier in the year.

Chapter one gives us a history lesson on the ancient uses of places such as Stonehenge. It also looks at the link between the stones and healing energies, and fairy traditions too. The concept of creating your own stone circles, and the making of medicine wheels using big stones or small pebbles, features further along in the book, but don’t skip any chapters in your haste to renovate the back garden, it’s all worth reading.

Sites created by the methods in this book are said to generate new ley lines as soon as people “began to use these constructions meditatively.” But Alanna points out that setting up stone circles can also attract unwanted energies, so be careful where you build them, as underground streams may be attracted, and their energies can be harmful if they pass under your home.

A few pages are devoted to labyrinths (geometric patterns created from hedges, stones, mounded earth, etc.) and the transformational effect of walking a labyrinth is described in detail. These patterns are linked to the ancient practices of initiations and shamanic journeys, and provide the opportunity for a blissful inner journey.

The book is well illustrated with photographs, and there are line drawings that clearly show how to draw or build your own labyrinth. The author’s aim in publishing this series is to give “practical information on the spiritual and energetic aspects of environment”, and this has been easily accomplished with this compact volume on geomancy.

Megalithomania is the companion DVD to the book reviewed above, and is part three of the Geomancy Today film series. It looks at the stone circles in England, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are over 9,000 stone circles through the British Isles, and it’s nice to see images of famous structures such as the Stone of Destiny at Tara in Ireland, and the stones that surround the village of Avebury.

Significant, natural formations in New Zealand and the Nimbin Valley are shown, as well as sacred stones of Central Australia. Touchstones are explained (the place where you respectfully introduce yourself to the spirits of a sacred site) and Alanna also shows how to create modern stone circles that can enhance the energy of an area, and attract nature spirits.

The DVD is fairly short (32 minutes) but it covers lots of interesting areas. The retail price for both items together is only AUD$24, and this includes postage and handling. It’s good value, and it will encourage you to create your very own labyrinth or stone circle in your backyard. I’d love to tell you more about this book and DVD set, but I have to go and collect some stones for my circle!

Author: Alanna Moore
Published by Python Press
PO Box 929 Castlemaine, Victoria, 3450
Email: info@geomantica.com
www.geomantica.com

Listen People, Speaking Earth

2009-06-22T14:04:00.003+09:30

Who are contemporary Pagans and what do they do? Graham Harvey’s quest to find this answer has resulted in an informative book that covers the history and modern practices of Druids, Heathens, Shamans and Wiccans. Back in 1997, Adelaide’s Wakefield Press published Listening People, Speaking Earth, and it is the best reference book on Paganism that I’ve seen in a long time. Graham Harvey is a British lecturer in Religious Studies, and he’s been very thorough in this extensively researched account of our spiritual path, even including Australian magical methods.

It’s obvious that Paganism is more than an academic interest to this author, and although he doesn’t relate his own experiences in this book, he definitely associates on a personal level to the subject matter. He thinks of Pagans as “people who consider the world to be alive, they are listening to a speaking earth.” He shows that Pagans have a sense of reverence even for the mundane world, and his expression of this is almost poetic... “Sacredness collects as if in pools and sometimes splashes over into the ordinary, everyday parts of life.”

In this book, Harvey explains how Pagans honour Earth, the seasons, spiritual folklore and life itself. He also acknowledges the underlying humour that many Pagans have, so there are plenty of Terry Pratchett quotes liberally sprinkled around. He notes that Pratchett’s Discworld series is filled with Pagan references... “with its deities, its ordinary magic, animism, frequent synchronicities and meaningful encounters, its general earthiness, enchantment and diversity...”

After looking at Shamanism too, Harvey ponders... “Is Paganism, therefore, a monotheistic or a polytheistic religion? Or is it possible to be an atheist Pagan? Is animism a better label for Pagans than theists? It will be no surprise by now that Pagans can affirm all these options and more. Indeed, they can affirm several of them at once.” Yes Graham, we are a very diverse mob, and this is one of the most cherished aspects of Paganism for us. As tricky as this concept must be to an academic, to his credit, Graham Harvey accepts this uncommon view of deities as an intrinsic part of contemporary Paganism.

Animism is a subject that Graham Harvey becomes quite fond of. A section of this book is devoted to an exploration of this concept, and in 2005 he wrote a complete book on the subject. “Many Pagans are animists, asserting that everything that exists is alive,” he observes. “Words like ‘soul’ or ‘spirit’ are not always useful, but are attempts to say what it is about something which makes it alive. Rocks do not breathe, trees do not speak English, hedgehogs do not preach sermons, mosquitoes do not seem to theorise, clouds do not seem to aspire to immortality. So what does it mean to say that they are all alive?” He also writes.... “Like other aspects of Paganism, animism should not be considered a belief, but an exercise or way of life. It is a theory which is acted on and tested out, an approach or path which is walked.”

This is a broad introduction to the trends of contemporary Paganism, but it is also much more than an academic listing of Pagan topics. Harvey has spoken to the people involved in these areas and has empathised with their beliefs, and in reading between the lines, he has probably experienced the spiritual connection of many of these paths himself. It’s obvious that this researcher has been listening to the people involved in Paganism, and has truly understood the words of the Speaking Earth.

Author: Graham Harvey
Publisher: Wakefield Press, 1997
ISBN: 1-862544-03-4
Price: AUD $29.95

Jitterbug Perfume

2009-06-22T14:00:00.003+09:30

Rude, irreverent, and pagan to its core, “Jitterbug Perfume” is the perfect escape from the mundane world. I first read this book in the early 1990s, and I really enjoyed its mythological themes. A few weeks ago I noticed it on my bookshelf again, and I realised that a dose of its gentle absurdity was just what I needed. This book, and many other titles by the author Tom Robbins, can still be found in bookshops, which indicates that many other readers also feel the need to acquaint (and reacquaint) themselves with his clever writing.

Jitterbug Perfume is the tale of King Alobar and his quest to evade death. Alobar makes it quite clear that he doesn’t fear death, he merely resents it! He says, “Everything must die, apparently, and I am no exception. But I want to be consulted. You know what I mean? Death is impatient and thoughtless. It barges into the room when you are right in the middle of something, and it doesn’t bother to wipe its boots.”

The other main character in this novel is the Horned God Pan. His entourage of nymphs make an appearance too. Tom Robbins is someone who obviously knows a great deal about the Old Ways, and although he writes about these subjects with a sharp sense of humour, he also does it with an eye for detail that leaves us in no doubt that he harbours an affinity for gods, metaphysics, divination, and spirituality. He’s also keen on vegetables. You’ll understand what I mean when you read the first page. And it’s obvious that he has a deep disdain for fundamentalism of any kind.

The writing style of Tom Robbins is unique. His books are filled with bizarre similes and playful descriptive prose that had me chuckling out loud as I was reading. And he often talks to the reader as he’s describing events that are unfolding, which feels a bit odd at first, but you soon get used to it.

If you are offended by sexual references (after all, this story features Pan!) or if you don’t like to have your way of thinking challenged by satire (and satyrs!) then read a Harry Potter book instead, but if you don’t mind some ribald reading material that is as mischievous as the Goat-footed God himself, then grab a copy of this book as soon as you can.

The last three words left me with a smile on my face, one that stayed with me long after the book was reluctantly closed. And when that smile did wear off, I was found hunting through my bookshelves for another Tom Robbins book, so that I could enjoy more of his wonderful wit and numinous nonsense.

***

Post Script: In my library I just found another Tom Robbins book called “Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas” and after a quick flick through it, I noticed that it was all about Tarot, frogs, and a monkey that happens to be a born-again Christian. I’m hooked already!

If Trees Could Speak

2009-06-22T13:51:00.005+09:30

“The ancient, the young,

those teetering on the brink of death,
the tallest, the endangered -

they all have stories they could tell.”

The subtitle of this book is, “Stories of Australia’s Greatest Trees”, and this repository of knowledge about our most significant trees is a true gem. It was written by Bob Beale, a science and environment journalist with an impressive list of awards and credits attached to his name. Bob takes us on a journey across this beautiful continent, finding trees that act as memorials to significant events, or ones that are noteworthy for their own accomplishments in size or age.

Some trees are revered simply because they provided shelter and building materials for the earliest European settlers, while others inspired poets and artists, but all are indelibly linked to our heritage. Some of the historical trees that are mentioned in this book include The Tree of Knowledge (political site, Barcaldine, Qld), The Old Gum Tree (Proclamation site, Glenelg, SA), and The Dig Tree (Burke and Wills expedition, Qld). The world’s oldest, the tallest, the widest - descriptions and locations of these record holders are also lovingly detailed and photographed in this book.

Bob Beale’s environmentalist background reveals itself throughout this book, and is particularly evident in passages such as, “We should be more conscious that chainsaws, bulldozers and herbicides have given us a greater life-and-death power over our trees than at any previous time in history. They can do without us; we cannot live without them.”

His scientific nature is shown in the chapter on the Wollemi pine, where he gleefully recounts the tale behind the 1994 discovery of this species of conifer, which was thought to have become extinct millions of years ago. His infectious enthusiasm runs even more rampant when describing King’s Holly in Tasmania, the world’s oldest living tree, which is at least 43,000 years old! Some scientists suggest that it may even be 130,000 years of age, which means that it has survived the last ice age, and countless floods, fires and droughts.

The spiritual aspect of trees is also referenced in many chapters. This includes aboriginal lore that sees trees as heroes, demons, or watchful spirit figures. Aboriginal myths about the origins of certain trees are also told. In one chapter, trees that marked initiation sites are noted for their carvings of animal totems, the sun and the moon. Other trees are seen as pathways that were used by the sky-heroes to visit Earth during cultural ceremonies. Unlike many writers and anthropologists, Bob Beale observes this with reverence, emphasising the sacredness of such rites.

The relatively modern times of the 1800s have also seen some magical customs associated with Australian trees. In Sydney there was a Wishing Tree, at which young ladies were “performing certain rites to summon up the mystical spirits” that dwelt in the tree. Girls made a wish and circled around it “three times forwards then three times backwards.” At this site, there is now a statue of a female figure, which bears a plaque that reads, “I wish”, and visitors still place flowers there.

In the 1930s, in Melbourne’s Fitzroy Gardens, a tree was given special status as a Fairy Tree. In the stump of a tree, artist Ola Cohn carved and painted an assortment of native animals, surrounded by fey folk. Among the sculpted bats, kookaburras, lizards, spiders and kangaroos, are various fairies, pixies and elves. A hollowed area in the trunk has been filled with gifts of flowers. Letters to the fairies have also been left there by kids (big and small) detailing their wishes. Cohn said that this tree was, “for the fairies and those who believe in them, for they will understand how necessary it is to have a fairy sanctuary - a place that is sacred and safe...”

If you have an affinity for majestic trees, and a liking for quirky details, you’ll love this book. It’s exceptionally well-researched, skilfully written, and beautifully presented. It’s a pity that a better quality paper wasn’t used though. The photographs would have been stunning if they had been reproduced faithfully on glossy paper. As it is, this is well laid out and has a nicely designed feel to it, making it a lovely reference book, but it could easily have been a glorious coffee table book that you would have been proud to leave on display.

This is a brilliant book that links Australian trees to our history and spirituality. It will definitely change the way that you look at the trees in your own neighbourhood. If trees could speak, they’d say “Thank you Bob Beale, for listening to us, and for telling our stories.”

Author: Bob Beale
Published by: Allen & Unwin
ISBN: 9781741142761
Size: 19 x 25 cm, 245 pages
Price: AUD $39.95

High Magic 2

2009-06-21T18:17:00.005+09:30

I have to confess - I haven’t read the original book “High Magic”, but I hear that its 422 pages covers nearly everything an aspiring occultist and ceremonial magician would want to know about the Magical Arts. So what could be better than that? Well, an advanced guide of course! This time Frater U. D. has given us another 464 pages on subjects such as Practical Mirror Magic, Sigils, Combat Magic, and Demonic Evocations.

This companion volume concludes a detailed exploration of Western and Eastern magical systems. In his section on yoga postures, mudras, and the chakras, he rightly suggests that many New Agers (and Pagans) only have an understanding of these topics from a Western perspective (derived from Theosophy) and they are totally unfamiliar with alternative systems. In this book he rectifies this thinking and explores the origins and practical applications of these areas.

Unlike many books on the Kabbalah, which only offer a philosophical viewpoint to this subject, Frater U...D... has written many chapters on the uses of the Kabbalah tradition in magical practices. These chapters detail the use of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life as a “supermatrix” and as a “cosmic structural scheme that both magicians and mystics alike can use to define and control every aspect of their lives.”

Another interesting chapter promotes Shamanism as “the mother of all magic”. It details shamanism from an historical context; it looks at life from a shamanistic point of view; and it examines the way shamans manipulate energies and spirits.

A strange but interesting inclusion in this book is the information on Magical Orders. The author traces the spurious history and evolution of organisations such as The Rosicrucians and The Golden Dawn. As the author points out, “It’s one of the typical characteristics of dogmatic magic that great value is placed on legitimacy through an old tradition that can be proved in one way or another. Many dogmatists still believe that old is the same as true.” The author suggests though, that despite reconstructing and inventing much of their magical practices, various magical orders also provided a significant contribution to the world of the Magical Arts. I guess these chapters help to eliminate any unsubstantiated and glorified views of occultists and their organisations, and they provide more of an incentive to the individual to concentrate on developing power from their own personal experiences.

Even if you are not into the Kabbalah or Demonology, there are still many chapters to intrigue and excite the everyday reader of esoteric literature. The sections on The Magic of Ancient Egypt and the Late Classical Hellenistic Period describes these eras as the “original sources of all Western invocational magic,” and Frater U...D... gives examples of the many modern magical terms that derive from these ancient times.

Initiation is another area that is explored in this book. I like the author’s ideas concerning “how to recognise an initiate” and the difference between active initiation, and initiation through revelation. His explanation of the dependence that can result from the latter is also fascinating. But if you want to know all about that, then you’ll have to buy the book!

This book is worth buying, even if you have not previously explored Ceremonial Magic. Don’t be put off by the title, there are plenty of useful exercises and examples that will give you a taste of what High Magic all about. And even then, if you feel that this sort of magic is not your style, you’ll still find lots of techniques and experiments that will be of benefit to your own magical practices, regardless of the path that you follow.

Author: Frater U. D.
Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide
ISBN: 978-0-7387-1063-1

Haunted Earth

2009-06-21T18:03:00.009+09:30

Peter Read is a Canberra based social scientist, and this is his third book that is devoted to the search for the existence and meaning of spirit forces in Australia. Peter interviews Australians from various spiritual backgrounds, from Witches to Buddhists, investigating their perspective of sacred space, and the circumstances in which ghosts make an appearance.

Peter wanders all over Australia, wandering around graveyards at midnight, visiting hospitals in NSW, and walking the CBD of Darwin which, he says, “holds many ghosts”.

I must admit that I was a bit bored by the book until I was about half way through, when the author began describing some of his meetings with Wiccans. He began this section by discussing the implications of having Buddhist and Hindu shrines in areas that were previously regarded as Aboriginal lands, and Peter artfully led this into the problems that witches have in imbuing their rituals with Southern Hemisphere relevance. The author had obviously done his homework regarding Wiccan practices, and spoke with some respected witches regarding their views on this subject.

The other redeeming feature of this book is some brief, distinctly Australian poems in the Japanese form of the haiku. They are exquisite examples of appreciating the moment – living with an acute awareness of the natural beauty that surrounds us.

“Mist-pockets, boulders, a magpie.
The glory of iron sheeting, rusty, corrugated.
Seen through the morning sunshine.”

“Walking all morning, Seeing nothing.
Sitting by the dam.
Hearing the wind.”

poetry by - Mark Elvin

This book explores the “inspirited” landscape that is Australia, interviewing those who were willing to talk about their “special” places. Peter Read writes about the “sacred” experiences of people from various cultures, and he details events such as the summoning of a Chinese ancestor spirit, an exorcism, and the appearance of restless ghosts from our indigenous past.

Author: Peter Read
Published by: UNSW Press

The Enchanted Oracle

2009-06-21T17:29:00.005+09:30

When I think of magickal, gothic art that features moody deities, and other enchanted beings, I think of Jessica Galbreth’s stunning paintings.

I’ve been meaning to purchase some her artwork for some time, but now we are blessed with an opportunity to obtain some of her most beautiful images in the form of an oracle deck! The Enchanted Oracle is a book and card set that can be used for meditation, fortune telling, or communication with deity. This 36 card set contains Jessica’s favourite pieces of artwork, and some that were created specifically for this project. Each watercolour image took about a week to complete, and they are filled with symbolism and a powerful essence that is hard to define.

Some of the card’s titles are: Mother Earth, Night Queen, Green Woman, White Magick, Gothique, Temptation, Spirit of Samhain, Lavender Moon, Dragon Witch, and Autumn Splendour. All of the cards are seriously sensuous, and they express the dark beauty of the inner search that leads to enlightenment.

The book (240 pages) is an integral part of this divinatory system. Apart from giving an eloquent description of each card, we are also shown an oracular message for that image, and then there’s a suggested exercise (spell, meditation, or ritual) that can be done to enhance our lives.

Apart from the cards and book, this oracle set contains a silver bag for the cards, and a pendant that can be used as a charm or pendulum.

Barbara Moore tells us that in this book: “You will find answers. You will find guidance. You will find possibilities. You will find the goddess, fairy, and sorceress within yourself.” And I don’t doubt that for a second! I can see that this insightful oracle will make an appearance during many of my future rituals and pagan celebrations.

Artist: Jessica Galbreth
Author: Barbara Moore
Published by: Llewellyn Worldwide

Earth Power

2009-06-21T17:24:00.007+09:30

“The real mysteries of magic are those of nature. In practicing these spells one touches nature, and in this work anyone can discover the secrets. Nature, the Earth, the Universe, are the great initiators. It is to these that we must look for help in opening our eyes to see what has been there all along.”

If the title “Earth Power” seems familiar, it’s because this is not a new book – Llewellyn have reissued this popular Scott Cunningham book, which was first published in 1983.

The good thing about this new version is that it has an updated biography of the author inside the cover, but I was disappointed to find that the stunning artwork by Robin Wood (that featured so heavily in past editions) has not been included in this one.

For many years, this book has been a trusted guide to those who are interested in the principles of magic – especially that of folk magic! For this is a book that focuses on enchantments from simpler times, from those days of old when religion, magic, and the elements were an integral part of people’s daily lives. It’s a book of spells that uses rivers and sea, sun and moon, storms and rain!

As Cunningham says, “...the ways of magic are revealed to those who work with the forces of nature. The secrets are written in meandering streams and drifting clouds; they are whispered by the roaring ocean and cooling breeze; they echo in caves and rocks and forests.”

Any book with a chapter on tree magic soon becomes a firm favourite of mine, and this one has a section on tree spells, tree divination, their healing energies and magical properties too.

As with all Cunningham books, the author encourages the reader to experiment with invocations, spell workings and divination - he doesn’t proclaim that you have to do things a certain way or else you will be struck by 9 bolts of lightning and then laughed at by the gods!

Making magic in harmony with nature, is the message of this book, and the true essence of magic is contained within its pages. Like any of the other Scott Cunningham titles, this one is especially recommended for newcomers, but those with plenty of experience behind them may also enjoy looking at Earth Power again, as they’ll rediscover some fundamental concepts that are sometimes overlooked.

Publisher: Llewellyn
ISBN: 0-87542-121-0

Divining Earth Spirit

2009-06-21T17:17:00.004+09:30

Australian author Alanna Moore’s revised and updated edition of Divining Earth Spirit is crammed full of interesting chapters on Geomancy (earth energies) and environmental awareness. It is the most comprehensive reference book of its kind. The author has been involved in dowsing for more than twenty years, and she is an acknowledged expert in this specialised field of research.

The book begins with earth studies from eastern and western cultural views: Feng Shui, stone circles, labyrinths, and scientific studies on crop circles are all explained from the Geomancer’s perspective.

Following this are chapters on Australian geomancy, and not surprisingly, the earth centred spirituality of the indigenous inhabitants is a major focal point of this section. The Dreaming stories of the Flinders Ranges are discussed, and the Hindmarsh Island bridge controversy gets a mention. Also included is a chapter on the earth energies in Yankalilla, SA. It turns out that the Anglican church in that town (yes, the one with the salt damp that looks like some well known religious figures) was built over a desecrated aboriginal sacred site!

Geopathic stress is the main concern of another section. This is about underground streams and their effect on health and mental alertness. The paragraphs on the dowsing of ‘black spots’ on roads was particularly interesting, with dowsers installing neutralisation devices in problem areas and finding that accident rates were cut ‘from 32 over two years, to just one accident in one year.’

Other chapters in this book help you to discover the Devic dimensions (nature spirits). There’s a great chapter on the Green Man, a symbol that is featured on many medieval churches, representing our connection with nature. The Greek god Pan also has a chapter devoted to him, and Alanna spends some time describing dowsing for Pan in various locations all over the world, and she relates the ‘electrifying experience’ of meeting him during meditations.

Many famous geomancers were interviewed for Divining Earth Spirit, and they told of their specific fields of interest and gave interesting case histories. They explained their methods of interaction with the environment, ranging from sites at Glastonbury Tor to Alice Springs.

My only gripe about the book is the amount of space given to the ‘visions’ received by various clairvoyants in and around sacred sites. Most are unsubstantiated by experiences from anybody else. Does anybody really want to know about the lady who camped in a stone circle and saw a ten foot high elf called Asulan, who promised to help her look for her lost dog? I certainly don’t!

With a healthy respect for pagan traditions, and an awareness of deity and sacred space, Alanna Moore’s Divining Earth Spirit is an insight to a different method of reverence and appreciation for the Earth Mother. Alanna says that the reason she wrote this book is to ‘take you on a journey through doors of perception which are both ancient and new to many. I want you to hear the voices of many in relation to Earth energy awareness and healing. And I’d like you to consider that we all have the potential to be able to divine Earth spirit, and that it is high time that its significance be acknowledged and nurtured.’ Her book fulfils all of this and more!

This is a valuable reference book for anyone with an interest in sacred sites and the world’s subtle energy fields. And it has opened my eyes to the variety of earth energies that one can explore through geomancy – thank you Alanna!

Author: Alanna Moore
Published by: Python Press
RRP: $38
Available from: Geomantica, PO Box 929, Castlemaine, Victoria, 3450
Website: www.geomantica.com

Celebrating the Pagan Soul

2009-06-21T17:03:00.002+09:30

Pagans are a diverse lot. Our magical and spiritual experiences have been the result of training, experimentation, luck, and perhaps the will of the gods. The way that we have found our path has also come about through varied means, and yet we have all sensed the ‘rightness’ of it in our hearts when we finally acknowledged who and what we are. The essence of this voyage of personal discovery is the basis of the book ‘Celebrating the Pagan Soul’. Actually, it’s not a book in the normal sense, it’s a collection of 66 essays from many writers, with themes that include community, magic, divinity and the cycles of life.

As the title suggests, it’s a book that celebrates Paganism, giving us a voyeuristic glimpse into the private thoughts and lives of Pagans across the world. The editor also saw this volume as an opportunity to record memories of those teachers who helped shape the beginning of the Neo-Pagan movement, and to record the prejudice and intolerance that Pagans have sometimes faced as we strived for acceptance.

‘Celebrating the Pagan Soul’ is a book that everyone can learn from, no matter how new or advanced they are along the Pagan path. It’s an anthology of thoughts from the elders of our communities. Gardnerian High Priestess Laura Wildman has brought together a wonderful assortment of writers from the USA, the UK, and Australia too. Some of the big names involved in this project include: Starhawk, Margot Adler, Macha NightMare, Francesca De Grandis, Fredric Lamond, Patricia Monaghan, Barbara Ardinger, and Oberon Zell-RavenHeart. Prominent Australian writers Caroline Tully and Douglas Ezzy contributed quite moving stories, and although I might be biased, I’d say that their essays were amongst the best in the book.

Caroline’s name will be familiar to readers of Witchcraft Magazine and Pagan Times. Her story is a very personal account of the Goddess visions that she received during a dangerous and difficult birthing process, and the omens that she saw during her next ill-fated pregnancy. It’s a sad, but thought provoking article to remind us that ‘deities can take as well as give.’

Douglas Ezzy, a senior lecturer in Sociology, has written about his local patch of Tasmanian landscape... ‘the rhythm of the waves echoing to the cliff tops; the depth of the ocean along her borders; the temperamentality of the weather’s moods; the harsh cruelty of death by fire and drought; the dark quietness of her valley; the warm embrace of her folds; and the sweet fecund scent of rotting plant matter. She is an intimate friend to me...’ It’s a beautifully crafted essay about reverence for nature and the land - a contemplative meandering along the body of the goddess.

This book also shows that we Pagans don’t mind seeing the humorous side of our spirituality – this is evident from chapter titles such as: What to Do with a Dead Husband; How I Ignored Common Sense and Backed into the Morrigan; and the story of a ‘City Pagan’, who never managed to develop ‘a healthy appreciation for being outdoors.’

‘Celebrating the Pagan Soul’ is often inspirational, sometimes funny, but it also contains many touching personal stories as well. As the editor mentions in her introduction, ‘The wheel of life contains moments of tragedy and loss as well as joy.’

I was surprised at the level of honesty and openness of the writers who contributed to this book. Their musings were often filled with the sense of wonder and discovery that echoed my own journey. At times the authors delved into the same fears that have dragged me into the depths of the Underworld, but at other times they joyfully described the bliss that I too have found along the way. This book helps us to realise that we are not alone in our initial doubts of whether we will fit in; that we all mistakes; and that we’re not the only ones to have been dazzled by the effectiveness of magic that has come thundering back to us when we’ve stood between the worlds, invoking changes into our lives.

This is not the sort of book that will be lost at the back of your bookshelves. You will want to keep it nearby, so that you can read it again and again. Its short chapters are perfect for those moments when you only have a few moments of reading time available, but I bet you’ll find that you won’t be able to put it down!

Celebrating the Pagan Soul: Our Own Stories of Inspiration and Community
Edited and compiled by Laura Wildman
Published by Citadel Press, New York, 2005.
Paperback. 254 pages.
Australian RRP: $25
ISBN: 0-8065-2624-6
Available in Australia from Caroline Tully, PO Box 1206, Windsor, Victoria, 3181
Email Caroline: heliade@bigpond.com

Animism

2009-06-21T16:43:00.004+09:30

“...there is an everyday, taken-for-granted obviousness about animism. How could this not be the case when that which is alive is the rock you are holding or standing on, the animal you are hunting, the cloud that waters the corn you are tending, or the tree you are sheltering beneath?”

Graham Harvey’s interest in animism arose while researching his previous book, Listening People, Speaking Earth. In this one, he delves into the nature of animism (excuse the pun); historical examples; and the ethical dilemmas of being an animist in today’s world.

The first part of this book is spent attempting to define ‘animism’. The previously used term of ‘a belief in spirits’ was thrown aside, and new definitions were introduced. According to Graham Harvey, “Animists are people who recognise that the world is full of persons, only some of whom are human, and that life is always lived in relationship with others.” He also states “...not all animists agree that everything that exists is alive or personal.” But there does seem to be a consensus that Animism is directly linked with indigenous and environmental spiritualities, and is about “how to be a good person in respectful relationships with other persons.”

After explaining his reasons for writing the book, the remaining part of this first section is an academic treatise that compares ‘primitive’ animism with anthropomorphism, panpsychism and epistemology. The rest of the book looks at interesting case studies - the seasonal stories of the Ojibwe tribes of North America; Maori pendants; expressions of The Dreaming in Alice Springs; Eco-Paganism and activism - and then he explores the implications and ramifications of animism.

In these 248 pages (of fairly small print) Harvey also manages to explore the role of shamans, deities, totems and cannibals in animist cultures and communities. Even though Animism is fairly heavy reading, with most of it being textbook style, humour is slipped in occasionally to keep you turning the pages. There’s many quirky headings such as “Gods, Fairies and Hedgehogs” and “Animals Are People Too”. It’s also a philosophical book, and it makes you think about the broad range of topics that can be covered under the term ‘Paganism’, and the way in which today’s Paganism is far removed from its roots.

Along with Sir James Frazer’s The Golden Bough, this is essential reading for those who are interested in anthropology and the source of Pagan principles and practices. In this book, we get to see animism as a vitally present way of life – a way of being that is life-affirming and respectful, and in Harvey’s own words, animism does this “with grace and beauty.”

Author: Graham Harvey
Published by: Wakefield Press, 2005
ISBN: 1-86254-678-9

21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card

2009-06-21T16:14:00.003+09:30

If you are not a good tarot reader by the time that you’ve finished this book, then you should have chosen to learn a different form of divination. Because if you had followed the steps involved in Mary K Greer’s hefty book (over 300 pages) and you still can’t tell a fool from a Fool, then you must have cheated yourself and the author by simply reading through “21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card”, instead of treating it as a workbook.

Within each of the 21 specified ways to read the tarot, there are (on average) about four activities that must be worked through, in order to gain the best understanding of each card. If my maths is any good, that means that there are 84 exercises to do, and if you did these with each of the 78 tarot cards, you would have undertaken about 6,552 activities by the time that you had worked your way through the tarot deck. If that didn’t make you an expert on tarot, then you should give up straight away and take up the reading of animal entrails instead!

Mary calls her 21 methods a “bag of tricks for evoking deep awareness and personal wisdom,” and after 40 years in the tarot business, I’m sure that she knows a thing or two about the right techniques for eliciting the significance of a card’s meaning. And as Mary explains in the preface, “By approaching a single card from many different perspectives, you learn things about both the card and yourself that you could not learn in any other way.” From this approach and from your personal interaction with each card, you’ll discover your personal card reading style, and you will learn so much more about tarot than from simply reading someone else’s interpretations of the cards.

Even experienced tarot readers can sometimes find themselves using only the traditional meanings for certain cards, so the big advantage that this book offers is that it stretches your awareness and unlocks new possibilities within a reading. The exercises in this book can help the tarot cards to ‘come alive’ in your mind, and the characters in the images become multidimensional beings. Some of the learning techniques that are suggested involve: sketching the cards to find all the details that are sometimes overlooked; storytelling; and having dialogues with the characters in the cards.

The author has a very grounded approach to tarot, as shown in the following statement, “It’s often assumed that the answers are in the cards and that we, as readers, should point them out. But whose answers? And what if there are no answers in the cards, only questions? My philosophy is that there are usually multiple responses to any question and that all the answers lie within the person seeking them.” I was also impressed with the section on Traps and Solutions, where Mary Greer has identified and overcome the ways in which tarot readers can get stuck within a reading.

I found the book to be worthwhile and I’d highly recommend this method of learning. This is the book that I wish had been available when I bought my first pack of tarot cards, as I would have a much better understanding of them if I’d used these 21 steps to learn each card. Perhaps it’s not too late though.... perhaps it’s time to dust off my tarot deck and have another look at them!

Published by: Llewellyn, 2006