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Book Review – A Spell in the Forest: Book One – Tongues in Trees by Roselle Angwin
Book Review A Spell in the Forest Book One Tongues in Trees by Roselle Angwin Publisher: Moon Books 288 Pages Publication Date: July 1, 2021 “A Spell in the Forest: Book 1 – Tongues in Trees” can serve as a year-long course, studying the tree for each of the Celtic months. This book is based on material from such a program. Trees connect heaven and earth. They produce oxygen during the day, producing four times what they need themselves. Trees sequester carbon dioxide, prevent soil erosion and flooding, offer shade, allow us to make paper, and supply food and medicines along with fibers for clothing. Author Roselle Angwin…
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Book Review – Contemporary Witchcraft: Foundational Practices for a Magical Life by Frances Billinghurst
Book Review Contemporary Witchcraft Foundational Practices for a Magical Life by Frances Billinghurst Publisher: Moon Books 264 Page Publication Date: August 1, 2021 Part I of “Contemporary Witchcraft” is comprised of nine essays focusing on the foundational philosophies and background of witchcraft as it used to be taught. Part II has a collection of essays on practical aspects and exercises for practicing the Craft with contemporary traditions. There is a growing number of witches who are of the “anything goes” and “do what you feel” belief, Frances Billinghurst said, noting that “bears little resemblance” to the training she received for initiation into a lineage that can be traced back…
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Oracle Card Review – Animal Love Oracle Cards: Advice, Compassion & Wisdom from Our Animal Mentors by Nadine Gordon-Taylor
Oracle Card Review Animal Love Oracle Cards Advice, Compassion & Wisdom from Our Animal Mentors by Nadine Gordon-Taylor Publisher: Bear & Company 52 Cards & 128 Page Guide Book Publication Date: June 8, 2021 I was quite excited to get these cards! The first new oracle cards to review in my new house! I hoped that they would bring good luck and spiritual blessings to my lovely home! Beautifully packaged in a red box, these lovely oracle cards are the creative brainchild of artist Nadine Gordon-Taylor, marketed by Vermont publishers Bear & Company. Nadine Gordon-Taylor has studied art since she was in high school and studied at the Arts Students…
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Book Review – Practical Tarot Techniques: Your Essential Tool Kit for Better Readings by Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin
Book Review Practical Tarot Techniques Your Essential Tool Kit for Better Readings by Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin Publisher: Llewellyn Publications 240 Pages Publication Date: September 8, 2019 Originally published in 2012 under the title Tarot Face To Face, this 2019 version titled Practical Tarot Techniques is published by Llewellyn Publications, a Division of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd., 2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125-2989. Copywrite by both authors in 2012 (Tarot Face to Face) and 2019 (Practical Tarot Techniques). Practical Tarot Techniques is a 6 inch by 9 inch soft cover book with a matte finish full color front cover showing four card images, and a back cover containing…
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Book Review – Red Tents: Unravelling Our Past and Weaving a Shared Future by Maryann Clements and Aisha Hannibal
Book Review Red Tents Unravelling Our Past and Weaving a Shared Future by Maryann Clements and Aisha Hannibal Publisher: Womancraft Publishing 298 Pages Publication Date: March 23, 2021 What is a Red Tent? Red Tents are spaces intentionally co-created for women to share, connect and authentically be. They are spaces for women to share their stories, rest and gain strength from being together and supporting one another. As someone who has led and priestessed Red Tents, I have always still been stymied and tongue-tied when trying to describe exactly what a Red Tent is. I’ve had so many people look at me as if I were explaining…
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Book Review – The Last Ecstasy of Life: Celtic Mysteries of Death and Dying by Phyllida Anam-Aire
Book Review The Last Ecstasy of Life Celtic Mysteries of Death and Dying by Phyllida Anam-Aire Publisher: Findhorn Press Pages: 176 Publication: July 20, 2021 “Time and space are gifts of birth Timelessness and spacelessness are gifts of death We move and dance between the two Like children playing in fields of corn” These lines from a poem by Phyllida Anam-Áire preceding the table of contents opens the door to a deep dive into the mysteries of death and dying. Knowledge from her early near-death experience, Phyllida Anam-Áire, a former nun, becomes a spiritual midwife, using her Celtic heritage to explain the sacred stages of transitioning. In the…
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Book Review – Animal Spirit Wisdom: A Pocket Reference to 45 Power Animals by Phillip Kansa and Elke Kirchner-Young
Book Review Animal Spirit Wisdom A Pocket Reference to 45 Power Animal by Phillip Kansa and Elke Kirchner-Young Publisher: Earthdancer Books 112 Pages Publication Date: May 4, 2021 Animals have always been important to humans for food, clothing, and tools. Their spirits have also been important, providing special energies and wisdom to shamans and others who learned to connect with them. They still are important. This pocket reference introduces forty-five spirit animals – from ant to wolf – and helps readers discover their gifts. These spiritual helpers bring healing, wisdom, strength, companionship, and special energies to those willing to accept assistance from animal energy from other dimensions. Each…
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WitchCrafting: Crafts for Witches Book Review – Creating Smudge Sticks: 15 Projects to Recover Negative Energy and Promote Wellness by Peg Couch
Book Review Creating Smudge Sticks 15 Projects to Recover Negative Energy and Promote Wellness by Peg Couch Publisher: Red Feather 128 Pages Publication Date: September 28, 2020 Merry meet. This month, my column is about a book I was given to review called “Creating Smudge Sticks: 15 Projects to Recover Negative Energy and Promote Wellness.” While not pitched directly to pagans, using smoke is a common practice among us for purification and removing negative energy. In this book, Peg Couch presents projects for these as well as such intentions as love, anti-anxiety, stress relief, blessing a house, courage, and good vibrations. Each project calls for…
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Book Review – The Junior Astrologer’s Handbook: A Kid’s Guide to Astrological Signs, the Zodiac and More by Nikki Van De Car
Book Review The Junior Astrologer’s Handbook A Kid’s Guide to Astrological Signs, the Zodiac and More by Nikki Van De Car Publisher: Running Press Kids 168 Pages Publication Date: July 20, 2021 The Junior Astrologer’s Handbook: A Kid’s Guide to Astrological Signs, the Zodiac and More by Nikki Van De Car is one of those books that not only do you wish was around when you were a kid, but also wish your own kids had access to such a fun, yet informative title. Everything about the book calls out to the energy of kids and their naturally inquisitive nature. The Junior Astrologer’s Handbook: A Kid’s Guide to…
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Book Review – Pagan Portals: Artio and Artaois – A Journey Toward the Celtic Bear Gods by Andrew Anderson
Book Review Pagan Portals: Artio and Artaois A Journey Toward the Celtic Bear Gods by Andrew Anderson Publisher: Moon Books 120 Pages Publication Date: July 1, 2021 Andrew Anderson’s Artio and Artaois – A Journey Toward the Celtic Bear Gods is tour de force exploring ancient European bear worship – Arctolatry – from the Neolithic through its echoes in the twenty-first century. After meeting an ancient she-bear spirit when he invokes a guardian for his home, he discovers she is Artio, a Celtic Bear Goddess, and follows her trail through Europe and the United Kingdom on a pilgrimage in search of her roots and worship. During his journey, he…