The Wisdom of Water

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

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

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

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

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

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

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