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Book Review – Modern Wicca: Beliefs and Traditions for Contemporary Life by Rowan Morgana
Book Review Modern Wicca: Beliefs and Traditions for Contemporary Life by Rowan Morgana 170 pages Publisher: Rockridge Press Publication date: April 21, 2020 I have never thought of Wicca as “modern”. In fact, back in the mid-to-late 1980’s, when I first began to explore this religion – and its co-religions Paganism, Heathenism, Druidism, and various forms of Witchcraft – it was routinely called “the Old Religion”. After reading books by scholars like Margaret Murray, Merlin Stone and Monica Sjöö, among others, it made perfect sense to me that the ancients revered a great goddess over all and the rise of a patriarchal society gradually changed this to where…
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Book Review – Hello, Goodbye: 75 Rituals for Times of Loss, Celebration, and Change by Day Schildkret
Book Review Hello, Goodbye 75 Rituals for Times of Loss, Celebration, and Change by Day Schildkret Publisher: Simon & Schuster 208 Pages Publication Date: March 1, 2022 Events shape our lives, stirring up emotions, bringing transitions, and forcing changes. These moments — a birth, health crisis, marriage, job transfer, the loss of a pet, leaving for college — tend to get lost amid routinely busy days with their unending demands. Day Schildkret, artist and author behind the Morning Altars movement, believes we need ritual to observe, sanctify, and make sense of these transitions. Being mindful of them, being willing to honor these times with purpose and meaning, provides…
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Book Review – The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul by Connie Zweig, Ph. D.
Book Review The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul by Connie Zweig, Ph.D. Publisher: Park Street Press 416 pages Publication Date: September 7, 2021 I turned sixty in 2020 – the first year of the COVID pandemic. As someone who has lived through years of drug addiction, violent relationships, homelessness and poverty, I never expected to live this long, nor did I expect to end up in such a lovely home with the financial security that understandably don’t quite trust. I enjoy pretty good health but most of my friends are dead or dying, due to years of too much partying – some have succumbed…
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Book Review – Seasons of a Magical Life: A Pagan Path of Living by H. Byron Ballard
Book Review Seasons of a Magical Life A Pagan Path of Living by H. Byron Ballard Publisher: Weiser Books 224 Pages Publication Date: August 2021 In “Seasons of a Magical Life,” pagan, witch and farmer H. Byron Ballard extends an invitation to return to a simpler time of earth-based spirituality and ritual living, through essays written from a small forest-farm in the Appalachian Highlands. The first part of the book offers background on the Wheel of the Year. In Part II, chapters are broken into eight sabbats. Each contains traditions, activities, skills, chores, celebrations and opportunities. The final section is a brief overview on physical and spiritual…
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Book Review – A Little Zodiac Series by Daria Harper
Book Review A Little Zodiac Series by Daria Harper Publisher: Chronicle Books A 12 Book Series for Ages 1-3 Publication Date: August 2020 This book series is amazing for any new parent looking to introduce their children to their Sun signs and finding themselves off the bat! This 12 book series goes through each individual sign with a cute rhyme that is catchy to baby’s ear and will have them coming back for more every time. Each book is made of a hard board like many other children’s books so they can take some wear and tear throughout the day and your child can be safe running off…
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Book Review – Archetypal Tarot: What Your Birth Card Reveals About Your Personality, Path, and Potential by Mary K Greer
Book Review Archetypal Tarot What Your Birth Card Reveals About Your Personality, Path and Potential by Mary K. Greer, foreword by Theresa Reed Published by Red Wheel/Weiser 288 Pages Publication Date: June 1, 2021 Archetypal Tarot is a 7 inch by 10 inch soft cover book with a matte finish full color front cover showing the book’s title and a version of the Wheel of Fortune card, and a back cover containing reviews, a description of the book, and a brief bio of Mary K. Greer. It contains 271 pages with black print on sturdy off-white paper that is amenable to pencil notations; my copy is already filled…
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Book Review – Money Magic: Practical Wisdom and Empowering Rituals to Heal Your Finances by Jessie Susannah Karnatz
Book Review Money Magic Practical Wisdom and Empowering Rituals to Heal Your Finances by Jessie Susannah Karnatz Publisher: Chronicle Books 208 Pages Publication Date: March 1, 2022 In “Money Magic: Practical Wisdom and Empowering Rituals to Heal Your Finances,” intuitive financial coach Jessie Susannah Karnatz, aka “The Money Witch” presents a detailed seven-step system to assess your financial situation, plan for goals, and overcome obstacles. It’s a workbook combining practical advice and a sprinkling of magical rituals to take control of your money, getting readers from where they are to where they want to be. Much has to do with healing the emotional blocks surrounding money that prevent…
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Book Review – Mystical Stitches: Embroidery for Personal Empowerment and Magical Embellishment by Christi Johnson
Book Review Mystical Stitches Embroidery for Personal Empowerment and Magical Embellishment by Christi Johnson Publisher: Storey Publishing 208 Pages Publication Date: June 22, 2021 First things first- this book is amazing! It was an absolutely perfect book for me, and I am lucky that I was able to review it. It has everything you need- clear instructions, amazing tips, patterns, sketches and a lot of inspiration. I reviewed this book digitally, and enjoyed it so much I bought the hardcover as I know I will be referencing it many times in my crafting journey. I could tell right away that a lot of time and effort went…
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Book Review – Pagan Portals: Blodeuwedd-Welsh Goddess of Seasonal Sovereignty by Jhenah Telyndru, Cover Art by Dan GoodFellow
Book Review Pagan Portals: Blodeuwedd Welsh Goddess of Seasonal Sovereignty by Jhenah Telyndru Cover Art by Dan GoodFellow Publisher: Moon Books 136 Pages Publication Date: August 1, 2021 Do you know Blodeuwedd? If you do, you may, as most do, think she is a cheater at best, and an attempted murderess, at worst. If you do not know her, this is the perfect introduction. This book, by the wonderful Jhenah Telyndru, is part of the Pagan Portals series by Moon Books, and is a perfect addition to this series. I was particularly intrigued by how Ms. Telyndru’s narrative has been influenced by the rights of women – then…
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Video Book Review – Seeking the Spirits of Palo Kimbisa: Exploring the Mysterious World of the Afro-Cuban Religion by Tata Rodriguez as told to Sophia Kelly Shultz
Video Book Review Seeking the Spirits of Palo Kimbisa Exploring the Mysterious World of the Afro-Cuban Religion by Tata Rodriguez as told to Sophia Kelly Shultz Publisher: Red Feather 112 Pages Publication Date: 1/28/2021 Bright Blessings. I had the pleasure of reviewing this amazing book. It is the words of Palo Kimbisa elder Tata Rodriguez and was told to Sophia Kelly Shultz. Published in 2021 by Red Feather Mind Body Spirit, this book is a short 112 pages, and you will be sad it’s not longer. Shultz’s conversational writing style is an easy read, and her relaxed voice comes through well for readers. With much love and care, she…