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Engineers in Your Ear (E.Y.E)

Michele Burke November, 2009

Review

Engineers in Your Ear (E.Y.E)

eye1 Engineers in Your Ear (E.Y.E)

Engineers in your Ear (E.Y.E) is an up and coming new age, self-produced group of hip hop artists who teamed up to make a different sound.

Engineers in Your Ear (E.Y.E.) was born with the idea that Hip Hop has no boundaries and anything is possible. E.Y.E. consist of Paul B & Kylo Rich. Kylo is a relative new comer to the world of engineering and hip-hop contrasting Paul’s years of studying composition, musical styles and the art of recording music. Paul and Kylo met through a mutual friend/artist, J-Hoop, at the end of 2008. They decided to put their minds together and see what would happen. Well, only 9 months later, with Kylo’s fresh ideas and lyrics, with Paul’s instrumental talent, their first album was written, recorded, mixed, produced, and released.

When Paul and Kylo write and record, they seek to inspire themselves and subsequently those around them. E.Y.E is thrilled to be a musical part of the positive energy dispersing through our awakening consciousness. Relying on a spiritual connection and believing strongly in the power of focused positive thinking, E.Y.E. seeks to grow as individuals, as a team, as hip-hop, and as part of the human race on our mother planet. They have a song called Planet Earth that details the Yin and the Yang of our Planet and a love for it.

eye Engineers in Your Ear (E.Y.E)

Currently, E.Y.E. is promoting the first Album “With This MIC In My Hand”, which was just released 09/07/09!

Links for E.Y.E

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/einyoure

http://www.myspace.com/engineersinyourear

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Engineers-in-Your-Ear/61348372721

Crafting Wiccan Traditions Review – Raven Grimassi

Michele Burke August, 2009

Crafting Wiccan Traditions Crafting Wiccan Traditions Review   Raven Grimassi

By Raven Grimassi

Raven Grimassi is an award winning literary genius with twelve books on Witchcraft and Wicca to his name. And this newest book is no exception. Crafting Wiccan Traditions is a comprehensive guide like no other. Once again Raven shows the reader what is necessary to craft a Wiccan tradition that is permeated with one’s own inimitable signature.

Price $15.95

~ Michele Burke (2009)

HobbyHorse

SageKatt May, 2009

hobbyhorsecover HobbyHorse

“BREAK IN THE CLOUDS” CD

“Break In The Clouds” 2006, a collection of songs each telling a story about hope, renewal, love, finding one-self, being at peace with what you find, and the journey in between.  The instrumental music alone is extremely well worth taking the time to listen to.  There are a couple of songs one in particular Goddess of Mercy that I found easy to use while meditating and “Lullaby”, a easy simple soft tune one I use to ease myself with and I love the instrumentals in it.  The entire CD has several sections where the talents of the artist are proven over and over again.  While I have not seen them in person I can only imagine from what I have heard and read from those that have had the opportunity to see them it is an experience you soon won’t forget.

HOBBYHORSE THE GROUP

hobbyhorseband HobbyHorse

The Hobbyhorse band plays either as an acoustic duo, trio or full acoustic/electric band consisting of vocalist Annie who also plays guitar, drums, Cajun gong, Tibetan bowls and many other percussion instruments.   Phil plays the guitar, (standard tenor and baritone), mandolin, harpsichord and bass.  He also is known to charm in with a tune as well.   Recent new members in the band are Larry on bass and Kelly on drums.

Hobbyhorse plays adventurous folk/rock songs that tell stories inspired by world mythology, love and the Spirit.

Hobbyhorse currently offers three different shows, to suit the venue and occasion.

1. Mythology Show – Ancient Mythology comes alive with an entertaining mix of original songs and storytelling, based upon myths from around the world.

2. Break In The Clouds – favorite songs from their CD “Break In The Clouds”, along with select mythological songs, new material and the occasional uniquely arranged cover song.

3. Electric Hobbyhorse! -  Influenced by the mysterious sounds of Pink Floyd, the rawness of Neil Young and the magic of Donovan, Hobbyhorse will take you for a ride.  This is the full rock version of Hobbyhorse, highlighting our more energetic originals and covers from the psychedelic 60’s such as Mr. Soul (Neil Young), Season of the Witch (Donovan), Get Together (Youngbloods).

They have 3 CDs:

Break In The Clouds (2006)

Bootleg Series Vol 1 (2004)

Wild Nights  (2004) – Songs set to the poems of Emily Dickinson

Links

http://www.hobbyhorsecafe.com/

http://www.myspace/hobyhorsecafe

Charm Spells By Ileana Abrev

Michele Burke March, 2009

abrev lg.thumbnail Charm Spells By Ileana Abrev

Over the years I have read a vast array of books aimed towards teaching our pagan youth the practices and principles of our craft, but I must say this is the most awe inspiring of them all.

Charm Spells is an ingenious easy to read literary guide for both young and old witches alike. Teaching the basic tools every young witch needs Ileana Abrev has created a grimoire like no other. Instructing white magick from the very start not only is the right path to take, but it sets young practitioner on the path to lifelong success in their lives as well as their practice. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to read this book and forwarded it on to my daughter; that there is just one thing left to say go out and get a copy today it is one book we all should ready regardless of our age.

CrossRoads by Jenna Greene

SageKatt March, 2009

“CrossRoads,” her debut cd and what a debut cd it is.   A collection of Celtic original songs each one telling a story clearly and beautifully written and sung so gloriously that it makes you want to stop and enjoy what you hear.  Keep in mind that these are not traditional Celtic songs which is why I am so thrilled with them.  They have the Celtic flair, they have the history but with a twist.

Jenna is also currently working on her second CD, “Dance of the Goddess,”

“ which explores the many aspects of the divine feminine.  It honors the spiritual teachers who have inspired her writings, including Joseph Campbell, Jon and Caitlin Matthews, and Louise Hay.  These themes are woven into the landscape of ethereal, mythic worlds Jenna is known for creating.” *

Do yourself a favor and give the cd a listen to.  Jenna Greene she is and upcoming star.

Here is where you can find on the web.

http://www.greeneladymusic.com/Default.aspx

http://www.myspace.com/greeneladymusic

* Quote from an excerpt from new promotional material of “Dance of the Goddess,” cd.

Music Review: OshunGaia

SageKatt February, 2009

    • Art

  • ist: Amikaeyla Proudfoot Gaston & Ariana Lightningstorm

    Tales of the Serpent Women & Faerie Child

    Ancient Indigenous Chants & Original Songs from global traditions  & Spiritualities

    Oshun Gaia:
    a collaborative to create a collection of music honoring the Goddesses Oshun and Gaia.  For those of you not familiar with these Goddesses, Oshun is the Orisha Goddess of fresh water, the energy of bounty, blessings, home, and hearth. The Goddess Gaia is known as Mother Earth.   While listening to this cd I found a delightful mixture of chant, drumming, fluting, and beautiful voices.  Amikaeyla and Ariana were able to use their talents to call upon the spirits through beautiful harmonies from many traditions and ancestral rituals.  My favorite song from this grouping is “21 Praises of Tara” Perfect music for group gatherings.  I give this collobration 4 Stars ****

    Guests artist: Jaqui MacMillan, KIVA (Diana Sunday, David Landis, Diana McFadden, Jim Brewster, Tigre Cruz, Tim Sauerwein), John Wubbenhorst, Ken Anoff, Daveed Korup, Wynne Paris, Tom Wolfe, Aaron Starr, and Anowee

    To purchase the cd:

    http://cdbaby.com/cd/amikaeylaariana

    www.oshungaia.com


    Review Dancing the Goddess Incarnate by Kristin Madden & Dorothy Morrison

    SageKatt February, 2009

    Dancing the Goddess Incarnate

    Authors Kristin Madden, and Dorothy Morrison

    dancing Review Dancing the Goddess Incarnate by Kristin Madden & Dorothy Morrison


    ISBN  0738706361   $14.95

    I have read several books with regard to the Maiden, Mother and the Crone and all gracious in their right.  But “Dancing the Goddess Incarnate” is one book I truly believe every Goddess out there should have in her collection.  While I am well versed on Goddesses I am far perfect on all Goddesses and I will admit there are times I am not so forth coming on being myself and I stay very reserved being an adult.  After the first chapter getting to know Tatiana, I am no longer shy, quiet, withdrawn and I DANCE!!!!!!

    Dancing the Goddess Incarnate is all about waking you up again reminding you what life is really about and not to be afraid of it.  You’re not getting old and boring; there’s no need to be put on the shelf.   Read this book and do the homework, the spells and the dances and put the spring back in your life.  No matter how old you are you will laugh, giggle, remember your childhood, have fun and you will DANCE like there is no tomorrow.

    There are 9 Goddesses in this book that take you on the journey of your life and I can say that I sincerely hope that Kristen and Dorothy put their heads together soon and write a second book so I can take a second ride soon.  I laughed, cried, remembered good times, acted like a child, and I danced like I use to when I was young as a child, teenager, young adult and yes-party drunk.  I have never felt so good about myself as when I did after reading this book.  Take the time to get know these Goddesses and dance with them.    I for one can say that I never thought I would be a Hecate fan but she grabbed me and hugged me and is now carrying me through my times and we are great friends dancing through my days.   I will be forever grateful to Cerridwen for her dance of Magic.  It has enhanced mine so much.  This is definitely another book on my 10 lists for the beginning of the year for 2009.  Make it one of your must-reads!   You will be amazed by the joy you receive from it.

    Review of The Book of Shamanic Healing by Kristin Madden

    SageKatt February, 2009

    The Book of Shamanic Healing

    Author Kristin Madden

    sham Review of The Book of Shamanic Healing by Kristin Madden


    ISBN 073870214  264 pgs,    $14.85 RETAIL

    This is the first book I have found that gives the shaman healer all he/she needs in their toolkit to be the best they need to be. Shamanism is an all-encompassing lifestyle of deep self-knowledge and powerful healing. In this book, a modern shaman gives the practitioner concrete advice and ideas on several aspects of shamanic healing. You will learn to prepare yourself for healing work, communicate with spirit guides, free your voice and seek your power song, safely explore your shadow side, partner with your drum to create healing, and heal yourself and others. The author also covers practical ethical matters such as taking payment and working with friends.  I personally while reading the book went through a personal drama and if I had not had this book in hand studying it, do not believe I would have weathered the storm as well as I did.  Learning the healing work and developing my shamanic abilities along with the ability to communicate better with my guides gave me the advantage of overcoming my grief and dark times and heal that much faster.  I have always been a believer that people, items and things happen in your life for a reason.  I had put off reading this particular book for some time and started reading it once I had relocated to FT Carson, CO and once I moved it was the perfect time.  Learning the lessons written here within the in-depth discussions of the theories, practices and ethics of the shamanic healing works gave me the strength needed to over come my adversities and continue on the path that is meant for me to follow here in Colorado.    Learn how free your voice and seek your power song, explore your shadow side; connect to the healing universe and live in balance.    Find the disciplined you!!

    For those of you looking for a new book to start the New Year off with this is definitely one that should be on the top ten of your list.  I give it 5 stars.

    SEASONS of the WITCH WEEKLY 2009

    SageKatt January, 2009

    SEASONS of the WITCH WEEKLY 2009
    BY: VICTORIA DAVID DANANN

    09weeklyphotoweb.thumbnail SEASONS of the WITCH WEEKLY 2009

    Ok readers listen up, for those of you unaware there is a new guide in town and if you don’t have it you will want to get it!!!!  So for those of you who got money, gift cards I have the perfect item to use it on, a book called, “ THE SEASONS OF THE WITCH WEEKLY MAGIKAL CALENDAR 2009 “.

    You will not often find this writer urging our readers to immediately go out and buy a book.  Do without that extra Starbucks or that little extra pleasure it is that you have been saving, this book is worth spending your money on.  It will be money well spent. I will right off the bat tell you that I am from the old school when it comes to my annual yearly witch calendar book.  I go to Barnes and Noble or the neighbor metaphysical shop and buy Llewellyn’s “Witch Datebook” for the year and like a creature of habit I did this year.  But, I was requested by several readers to please get a copy of the “Seasons of the Witch 2009” and tell them what I thought of it, so I did.

    While I gave this book my undivided attention it so deserved, reading the Primer companion guide that you can get with the calendar annual the first time you acquire one (which I highly recommend) and going over each and every page of the book coordinating the information I was totally swept away.  This is not just a datebook my friends.  It is a carryall for your Book of Shadows, Grimore, it helps the beginner witch understand how to do magick knowing and understanding the moons, candles, esbats, extended spells, waxing and waning moons.  For us older witches no matter what path you are, it rekindles that spark you may have lost and don’t even know it.  I will be honest; I am a hereditary witch of 55 years, a High Priestess and a military spouse.  We have been dealing with hard times in the military with now our 4th deployment, death all around us and myself medical problems and I could not figure out why my magick was not working anymore.

    Don’t think of this as a calendar book to just write down appointments think of it as your idea think pad, your experiment notebook, and your golden book of secrets.  It will help bring out the magick that you have not used in a while or if you are new to magick and paganism it is designed to assist you with your spells and help you learn even quicker.   The author Victoria took four (4) years to design this book and considered all that was needed to do magick the complete witch way.    There are hundreds of books out there with already written spells out there to give you that quick spell we all know it won’t work like you want it to.  We all know in order for your magick to work it has to have your energy, the right correspondence, the right moon, the right day etc.  This book will be your compass and steer you on course to the perfect spell.  You will become the magician you want to be.

    After comparing both books it became very obvious to me through Seasons that I had forgotten the simplest of reasons and rules to follow the back to basics that you have known all your life, sort of like the nose on your face thing.  Here in “Seasons” they have outline on the monthly page the waxing days and waning days, the social events days, motivations days, warrior time and stretching time, as well as, eliminating obstacles to power wealth etc.  It points out when is the best time to develop your psychic abilities and many many more items.  The artwork is original and in full color and the charm work wonderful and the use of the tarot cards divine.    They have also included note pages so that when you design your spells you can note them right down in your Seasons book so you won’t have 2 or 3 books floating around.  This keeps everything right together right with you where it all should be.

    Buy yourself one item this year, put your magical self first if possible and you will be patting yourself on the back, 6 months from now.  I promise.   SEASONS OF THE WITCH WEEKLY 2009 DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT!

    Information:

    weekly cal.thumbnail SEASONS of the WITCH WEEKLY 2009

    Seasons of the Witch Weekly- 6X9 214 pgs Full Color Hardback Cover.  Wire Bound with Ribbon Marker Month-at-a glance overview in two-pgs spread with waxing moon phases shaded yellow for easy planning.  Two-pages per week format features major and minor PowerCasting opportunities for spells, sabbats, esbats, noteworthy events, lunar astrology, moon void of course, Mercury Retrograde and “bank” holidays.  Complete with Blank lined pages at the end of every month.

    Retail $19.95 www.7th-House.com,  281-292-8250, Borders Book Store,

    Also available in Wall Calendar, Daily book used in classic size organizer with either 3 or 7 hole drilled pages.

    Brightest Blessings

    Music Artists KIVA

    SageKatt January, 2009

    kiva1 Music Artists KIVA

    Kiva’s cd “Out of the Corner of the Eye” is their ninth recording since the bands birth in 1990.  The cd is a collaboration of songs based on fey folk and the world they dwell in.    The band, with talented guest and a specialized set of instruments (cello, guitar, flutes, didgeridoo, violin, bass, and mandolin) recreated a world many of us wondered about and wish we were actually living in.  With each song and story being told you can feel yourself being swept into the story as if Alice in Wonderland.

    While listening to the music and lyrics I am easily reminded of being back in the Renaissance perhaps of being part of a midnight summer eve.  The title track “Out of the Corner of the Eye” is a story told by a fey.  How they move throughout our life only letting us seeing them through the corner of our eyes. Making us wonder if we are sane are they real?  The song “In Praise of Winter” by Ariana Lightningstorm is one of my favorites as this will be my first winter in years.  I just moved to Colorado and I find this song a fun, look at winter coming along.  Way too many people look at snow and winter as sad instead of cleansing and beautiful.   The wind instruments throughout this cd are awesome and the musicians that play them are to be commended for their talent.

    “Fairie Glen,” fairies playing in a field, that is the first thing that will come to your mind when you this song.  “Rise up the Call,” is one song on the cd to stop and make you think about your relationships and maybe think twice about appreciation.  “The Coming and Going of the Fey<” a whimsical little tune of the parading fey going on through out their day, their merry merry day.

    On a personal note, I have a fey garden and a fey village in my home.  While listening to this cd, twice, I noticed that my fey had gathered in my living room around me.  Some by my wine glass, some dancing to the music but mostly just enjoying the tunes.  It had been quite a while since I had seen them as I think I had ruffle them since moving from Texas to Colorado.  I love the beat, the rhythms, the collaborations, and the theme of the music and also thank KIVA for bringing my fey back.  This is a great delightful cd with a very talented band from Washington DC.  Be sure to check them out here is their website to see where they are performing.

    KIVA Band Members

    Ariana Lightningstorm – Band Leader, Lead Vocals, Percussion, Songwriter, Manager
    Diana Sunday – Vocals, Guitar, Percussion, Drums
    David Landis – Native American Flutes, Whistles, Drums, Vocals
    Diana McFadden – Cello, Mandolin, Guitar
    Jim Brewster – Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Banjo, Drums, Flute, Whistles, VOcals
    Tim Sauerwein – Didgeridoo, Percussion, Vocals
    Tigre Cruz – Drums, Percussion, Vocals
    Amikaeyla Gaston – Vocals, Drums, Percussion, Songwriter
    Eve Jones – Drums, Percussion, Silver Flute
    Jaqui MacMillan – Drums

    Visit them at:
    http://www.earthsearecords.com/index.html

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