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Book Review – Nightside of the Runes: Uthark, Adulruna and the Gothic Cabbala by Thomas Karlsson
Book Review Nightside of the Runes: Uthark, Adulruna and the Gothic Cabbala by Thomas Karlsson, Ph.D. Published by Inner Traditions 288 pages Publication date: February 12, 2019 Nightside of the Runes: Uthark, Adulruna and the Gothic Cabbala is an exploration of esoteric meanings and correspondences of the runes in two parts. In fact, it is actually two books. Each was published separately in German, Swedish and Italian, then published as one volume in the first U.S. edition. Thomas Karlsson lays out the “nightside,” or hidden dimensions of the runes, through the work of Sigurd Agrell, a Swedish runologist and professor of Slavic languages, and Johannes Bureus, a Swedish mystic…
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Book Review – Kitchen Witch: Food, Folklore, and Fairy Tale by Sarah Robinson
Book Review Kitchen Witch: Food, Folklore, and Fairy Tale by Sarah Robinson Published by Womancraft Publishing March 18, 2022 275 pages I’m reading an advanced “review” e-book copy of this fabulous book and I am telling you right now that as soon as I see it in hard-copy, I am buying it! I’m old school – I like my literature between in old-fashioned book form, so I can curl on my couch and get all comfy-cozy as I read, but even on an annoying screen, I couldn’t put this book down. Believe me, no matter how you like to read your books, Kitchen Witch: Food, Folklore and Fairy…
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Book Review – The Language of Tarot: A Proven System for Reading the Cards by Jeannie Reed
Book Review The Language of Tarot: A Proven System for Reading the Cards by Jeannie Reed Published by Llewellyn Publications Published September 8, 2019 221 pages The Language of Tarot is a 6 inch by 9 inch soft cover book with a glossy finish full color front cover showing the book’s title and The Fool of the Major Arcana, and a back cover containing a description of the book and a brief bio of Jeannie Reed. The book has 221 pages with a nice-sized black print on sturdy off-white paper. I’ve already made some pencil notes in this book; the paper encourages that. The Language of Tarot begins…
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Book Review – How to Become a Mermaid: Embodying the Elemental Energy of Water by Elyrria Swann
Book Review How to Become a Mermaid: Embodying the Elemental Energy of Water by Elyrria Swann Publisher: Destiny Books Publication Date: October 26, 2021 116 pages How to Become a Mermaid: Embodying the Elemental Energy of Water by Elyrria Swann is a great book to read if you are all about mermaids or if you feel connected to water more than any of the other elements. This book called to me because I love everything mermaid and I am drawn to water, have been since I was little, and I wanted to see what Elyrria had to teach. I was not disappointed. Elyrria explains that mermaids exist in…
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Book Review – Earth Spirit: Belonging to the Earth – Nature Spirituality in a Changing World by Julie Brett
Book Review Earth Spirit: Belonging to the Earth – Nature Spirituality in a Changing World by Julie Brett Publisher: Moon Books 104 Pages Publication Date: February 25, 2022 Connecting to the land is crucial for healing our Mother Earth. In her book in the Earth Spirit series by Moon Books, “Belonging to the Earth – Nature Spirituality in a Changing World,” Julie Brett shares stories about connecting to place. Most are of her personal insights, travels, and events. Five come from interviews with Aboriginal community leaders, activists, and those practicing nature-based spirituality, each connected to a specific land and its history. By telling these stories, she inspires others…
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Book Review – Mountain Conjure and Southern Rootwork
Book Review Mountain Conjure and Southern Rootwork Previously published as The Candle and The Crossroads: A Book of Appalachian Conjure and Southern Root Work by Orion Foxwood Published by Red Wheel / Weiser Books 256 pages Publication date: January 1, 2021 I have always been drawn to the practice of conjure – maybe it’s the power in the word itself. It evokes the ability to “conjure up” magic, healing, spirits and who know what else. I know little about it, and indeed, have followed other pathways. I took the opportunity to read Mountain Conjure and Southern Root Work find out more. Orion Foxwood was raised in his family’s…
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Book Review – Cerridwen: Celtic Goddess of Inspiration by Kristoffer Hughes
Book Review Cerridwen: Celtic Goddess of Inspiration by Kristoffer Hughes Published by Llewellyn Publications 336 pages Publication Date: March 8, 2021 Cerridwen, keeper of the cauldron, the “Goddess” of Awen, mother of Taliesin—any modern day pagan would be hard pressed to not have heard her story. But, who is she really? What is her history? How did she become so revered? Luckily, author Kristoffer Hughes elegantly answers these questions and more in his new work Cerridwen: Celtic Goddess of Inspiration. Hughes, a native Welshman, Chief of the Anglesey Druid Order, and a Haemus Scholar has given us a definitive guide to all things Cerridwen. As he follows her…
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Book Review – The Witch’s Book of Simples: The Simple Arte of Domestic Folk Medicine by Mélusine Draco
Book Review The Witch’s Book of Simples: The Simple Arte of Domestic Folk Medicine by Mélusine Draco Publisher: Moon Books 208 Pages Publication Date: April 1, 2022 Witches have been using medicinal plants for cures of common ailments as part of their Craft for centuries. The most elementary cure is a simple – an infusion, poultice, or compress derived from a single herb. Nothing fancy, just effective: chamomile tea for sleep, elder flowers for coughs, peppermint for nausea – quick household remedies not intended as long-term treatments. Perhaps because they are so basic, they are often overlooked. Mélusine Draco wrote “The Witch’s Book of Simples: The Simple Arte…
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Book Review – The Poison Path Herbal: Baneful Herbs, Medicinal Nightshades, and Ritual Entheogens by Coby Michael
Book Review The Poison Path Herbal: Baneful Herbs, Medicinal Nightshades, and Ritual Entheogens by Coby Michael Published by Park Street Press 256 pages Publication date: October 26, 2021 Despite the abundance of herbal literature available today, it’s still hard to find accurate information on those plants whose physiological effects are dangerous and potent. It’s easy to see why: many authors don’t want to assume any responsibility for what readers might do with this information, nor do publishers. And so, instead of tackling the challenge these plants present, they write them off entirely, give them the label “poison,” and only explore their attributes in order to identify and…
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Book Review – Naming the God – edited by Trevor Greenfield
Book Review Naming the God edited by Trevor Greenfield Publisher: Moon Books 248 Pages Publication Date: May 1, 2022 Naming the God is the latest anthology brought to us by Moon Books who published Naming the Goddess in 2014. This latest work is a collaboration of 70 essays that explores attributes of male deities and individual gods. The first part of the book offers 12 essays where the authors share their perspectives and personal practice working with various gods of different aspects. The rest of the book is arranged with a focus on one god. Many traditions and cultures are represented in this anthology and on its pages,…
