Book Review-Apparitions at the Moment of Death: The Living Ghost In Legend, Lyric, and Lore by Daniel Bourke

Book Review

Apparitions at the Moment of Death: The Living Ghost in Legend, Lyric, and Lore

By Daniel Bourke

Publisher: Destiny Books

308 Page E-Book

Release Date: December 3rd, 2024

Apparitions at the Moment of Death: The Living Ghost in Legend, Lyric, and Lore is a fascinating examination of just that: spirits that manifest at the moment of death, either for the person passing to the otherside, or those close to them. It’s a paranormal experience that many have had, and yet, it doesn’t get talked about nearly as much as I think it should in the States. I speak from personal experience that this phenomena has happened to me personally as someone passed, and also someone I knew who was actively passing. I’m sure many of you, too, have experienced something similar, or know someone who has. Not only does this book validate you, but it gives you “the scoop” so to speak, on basic paranormal concepts, terms and the differentiation between them. The main paranormal event that’s discussed are known as “crisis apparitions” and can appear at times of death, great danger, and even grieving. These apparitions can appear as human, angelic, or even as visions in dreams; of course, they can be bad, too, like journeys to “Hell” (I would interpret as Tartaros at worst, but that’s a stretch). The whole picture concerning this subject is presented within the pages of Apparitions at the Moment of Death. 

I chose this book because I am an active seeker of the paranormal, and that drive to personally research this field, both in reading, and by actually going out and doing investigations, has been fueled by this very same experience. Without giving away too many details, I saw an apparition at the exact moment someone close to me passed away, and that jump started me on a spiritual path that I’ve not set aside since. It literally woke me up to what I had already known to be true, that there’s another side to life. Not only was it personally validating, but it also discussed the different types of visions, whether they be in dream, in waking life, or any other way. There are so many different types of paranormal experiences in general, but specifically centering around the moment of death there are a few that are common, which Bourke discusses without boring the reader, or losing those newer to the paranormal field. Animals, Totems and symbology are covered also, giving the reader the means to interpret any of these visions or experiences they’ve had, or of others they know. While those meanings might not always be explicitly stated, they can be inferred, and with some intuition, you’ll arrive at your answers.

I really liked this book, and found it to be a good break from the more spiritual, mystic and occult reads I’ve had lately. It covers areas from folklore, paranormal research, religion & spirituality, and even a bit of divination, as well as modern culture, all relating to the subject of crisis apparitions. It’s a fascinating read, and one that I will recommend to those who are in the dying process, or are grieving such an event; it could truly bring comfort, and possibly even help make sense of it all. I have no critiques; I really enjoyed this book and I’m sure I will return to it in times to come. 5/5 Pentagrams!

Daniel Bourke is an author, researcher, poet, and singer/songwriter. He has a background in the natural sciences, the arts, and the videogame industry. He has been previously published in the Darklore journal. He lives in Dublin, Ireland.

 

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Author Bio:

The Modern Merlin has been a Polytheist and Animist Pagan, Witch, Sorcerer, Poison Witch, Wizard, Druid, Mystic, Ceremonial Magician, Occultist, Shaman, Seer and Soothsayer for over 15 years, venerating and casting magick with deities and spirits from many cultures, including those from Ancient Greece, Rome, Norse & Germanic, Celtic, Slavic, Egyptian, Sumerian, as well as many Faeries, Nymphs, Dryads, Ancestors and other nature and land spirits and spirits of place, even Saints, Angels and Demons! He is a Priest of Hecate, Diana, Hades, Lilith and Persephone, among others. He has experience in the Left and Right Hand Paths, working with both hands as needed. He currently practices Necromancy and Deathwalking, as well as Traditional Witchcraft, Druidry, Hellenism, Ceremonial Magick and Occultism, incorporating all of them into a cohesive practice, with some shamanic touches. He studies and practices Astrology as well as Tarot and other forms of divination such as Runes, Palmistry and Ogham. He has also been investigating the paranormal for over 10 years and has a keen interest in researching various mythologies, cosmologies and folklore from around the world. He is the Co-Editor of PaganPages.Org and the author of multiple columns, including The Modern Merlin’s Corner, Entheogens for the New Gen, Stellium, and Scary, Strange and Mythical Encounters. He also has a personal blog where he shares Astrological, Pagan, and other magickal wisdom for free! He gives readings and other spiritual services on his Facebook Page, The Modern Merlin, as well other free informational posts for everyone to see!