The Astrology of Great Sex by Myrna Lamb © 2010 Hampton Roads Publishing (An Imprint of Red Wheel Weiser) ISBN: 978-1-57174-509-5 290 pages Paperback $17.95 (U.S.)   This is one of those books which is difficult to review, since it is intended to be basically a reference book, and therefore has no rhythm to get into. The only way to approach it to read the sections you are basically familiar with and see if that information appears accurate.   That presented a minor problem for me, simply because I have been happily married to the same woman for about 35 years. My memories of previous relationships is hazy at…

  The Little Book of True Ghost Stories  by  Echo Bodine         © 2011  Hampton Roads Publishing (An Imprint of Red Wheel Weiser)    ISBN:  978-1-57174-650-4     208 pages                    Paperback $14.95 (U.S.)   Every once in a while, I enjoy dipping into waters which come dangerously close to purely entertaining without any connection to deep metaphysical topic, and ghost stories certainly seem to fall into that category.  While they touch on the paranormal, there are no deep lessons to learn, or wisdom to be imparted.  They exist simply to tell the stories, and sometimes that is enough.   Although I didn’t recognize the name of the author, my 30-something daughter mentioned that she…

The Way of the Crucible  by  Robert Allen Bartlett        © 2009  Ibis Books (An Imprint of Red Wheel Weiser)    ISBN:  978-0-89254-154-6     321 pages                    Paperback        $22.95 (U.S.)    How many practicing alchemists do you know?  What are alchemists really trying to do?  Can you transmute lead into gold?  These are all valid questions.   Among my various interests alchemy ranks fairly low.  I have no practical experience in it and, with few exceptions, my reading has mostly been confined to novels which feature alchemists and alchemy to some degree.  That put me at a disadvantage starting off.  On the other hand, even the little bit of non-fiction reading I have done…

Casting Sacred Space   by  Ivo Dominguez, Jr.         © 2011  Weiser Books   ISBN:  978-1-57863-499-6 207 pages                    Paperback       $17.95 (U.S.)                         Ivo starts this book by letting the reader know exactly what he what he means by the term “casting”  It is seemingly small things like that which mark the professional.  Different people may have differing interpretations, but by setting out his definitions he removes ambiguity.   How many ways can you think of to create sacred space.  Did you immediately think of a Circle?  Why?  Why not a triangle or a vortex?  You may find a need to confront…

Psychic Self-Defense by  Dion Fortune  © 2001 Red Wheel/Weiser ISBN:  978-1-57863-509-2 272 pages       Paperback        $16.95 (U.S.) This is a classic in the occult literature.  That means that everyone knows it; everyone discusses it; but very few people have ever taken the time to actually READ it.  Of course it is dry reading.  Of course it appears dated (it was originally written in 1930), and difficult to wade through.  None of that, however, is important.  What is important is that Dion Fortune (nee Violet Firth) was both a pioneering psychoanalyst and a practicing ceremonial magician.  This unique perspective allowed her to approach the problem of “psychic attack” from multiple points of…

Spells for Self-improvement   Using Magic for Personal Success by  Lauren White ©  2000    Andrews McMeel Publishing ISBN:  0-7407-0552-0 102 pages Hardcover                        $9.95 (U.S.) As you would rightly expect upon seeing this book for the first time (it is about 5 inches square), it is extremely basic and written with tongue firmly planted in cheek.  For all of that, there is still a certain amount of wisdom contained within the amusing writing.  Basics are provided in terms of color uses and some flowers and herbs, and the reader is reminded that witchCRAFT is just that – a craft – and takes patience and practice to perfect. Regular readers of my reviews…

An A to Z Guide to Healing Foods by  Mary Elise Collins  © 2010 Conari Press ISBN:  978-1-57324-419-0 164 pages    Paperback        $12.95 (U.S.) This is not a book to be read through – it is a book to be referred to and consulted.  It contains a listing of more than 250 foods with a basic description of the benefits to be derived from the consumption of each.  That comprises the first 130+ pages of this book.  There then follows a short section on Ailment Treatment and Health Maintenance.  That is followed by a brief glossary and suggestions for online shopping sources.  It is rounded out by a basic bibliography. There…

Dalai Lama’s Little Book of Wisdom, The by  His Holiness the Dalai Lama © 2010  Hampton Roads ISBN:  978-1-57174-628-3 400 pages Paperback $10.95 (U.S.) Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama, has won the Nobel Peace Prize (1989), but even more importantly he has won the hearts of millions of non-Buddhists world-wide.  Many who have heard him speak, whether in person or through the media, have been struck by his accessibility and his ability to relate to the human condition – which is rare for a religious leader, let alone one who is also a world leader in political matters. This book is composed of teachings and advice gathered,…

Who Are You in the Tarot? By  Mary K. Greer © 2011  Red Wheel/Weiser ISBN:  978-1578634935 272 pages Paperback        $21.95 (U.S.) This is, essentially, a reworking, updating and revision of an earlier work.  It is designed to be a workbook.  I’ve read Tarot for years and have never encountered the ideas she promulgates within the covers of this book, which doesn’t say much for the “adventurousness” of my readings. This is not her first book on the Tarot, and I might,  perhaps, have gotten more out of it if I had read her previous work.  Still, this book is designed to stand on its own and needs to be evaluated…

The Secrets of Dr. Taverner by  Dion Fortune  © 2011 WeiserBooks    ISBN:  978-1-57863-337-1 Paperback       236 pages $16.95  (U.S.) This novel was assembled from a group of short stories at about the same time as the final collection of Sherlock Holmes stories, and there are some similarities           to be noted.  This was intended, as Dion Fortune wanted her stories to gain as large a readership as possible.  Ms Fortune was one of the earliest students of psychoanalysis in the UK, and her training shows through in her works. Dion Fortune had the good fortune to combine a psychologist’s insight with a writer’s ability to capture the imagination.  To that mixture she…