Review: Wicca Made Easy - Awaken the Divine Magic

I always like to have a look at new books introducing Wicca and witchcraft to seekers as people often ask me what introductory reading I would recommend for newcomers to the Craft.

Wicca Made Easy - Awaken the Divine Magic Within You by Phyllis Curott fits that category very well. It is full of practical exercises to guide any seeker on the path of modern pagan witchcraft.

These days there are many different strands of Wicca - from initiatory Gardnerian and Alexandrian Wicca to many eclectic paths. This book is on the eclectic side and aimed at solitary practitioners rather than those undergoing coven training, but there's nothing wrong with that. Solitary trainees need good exercises to follow.

In Wicca Made Easy, Phyllis draws on core shamanism and new thought techniques. She puts a lot of emphasis on guided meditations, guided visualisations, breathing exercises, chants and mantras and journeying as teaching techniques - particularly in the early chapters. The book also covers standard Wiccan practices such as circle casting, setting up altars, celebrating the Wheel of the Year, invoking pagan Goddesses and Gods, and casting spells using natural magic.

Phyllis offers a practical, commonsense approach to learning the techniques of Wiccan-style witchcraft. Her writing is easy to follow and nicely non-didactic.

My only word of caution would be to point out that this is an American book and some of the information Phyllis gives isn't entirely correct for those in other countries. For example, in America there are federally recognised churches of Wicca - that isn't so in the UK. Other than that minor point, I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn the Craft of the Wise in the modern age.


You can view Wicca Made Easy - Awaken the Divine Magic Within You on Amazon  (Note: I earn commission from some links. This helps subsidise my blog at no extra cost to readers)

Links and previous related posts
https://www.hayhouse.co.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2009/01/wicca-witchcraft-finding-out-basics.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/12/review-earth-wisdom-by-glennie-kindred.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/05/review-witch-unleashed-untamed.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/09/review-divine-magic-by-doreen-virtue.html

Review: The Divine Feminine Oracle Deck

Just look at the luscious cards in the new Divine Feminine Oracle. The artist is Lisbeth Cheeve-Gessaman and her beautiful work really complements this thought-provoking and inspiring new deck, created by Meggan Watterson.

Publisher Hay House says on its website:

“Scholar, speaker, and author Meggan Watterson has gathered together the saints, mystics, gurus, and goddesses from the world religions who represent both divine beings and the human women who sought to embody them. Each of these sacred ladies, when called upon, can strengthen your capacity to hear your soul. From the unyielding love of Mary Magdalene to the transformational force of the goddess Kali, you will discover the expansive qualities of the divine feminine within you."

What I particularly like about this deck is that it depicts powerful female archetypes from a wide variety of religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. There are historical figures such as Sappho and Joan of Arc as well as divine women and goddesses. The artwork shows the beauty in all of them - whether young, old or immortal - while the descriptions of them in the book show how their stories can be empowering.

I think this deck works on many levels. You can certainly use it as an oracle, to get answers to questions and an indication of the forces at work in your life. You can also employ it as a regular reminder of the power of women all over the world and throughout history.

I've been using the deck every day since I got it and I have found it very helpful as a guide to what lies ahead and how to face that. Men can benefit from it too. My husband has picked cards a few times and said he found it inspiring. There's a touch of the divine feminine in all of us, whatever our gender.

You can view The Divine Feminine Oracle on Amazon. (Note: I earn commission from some links. This helps subsidise my blog at no extra cost to readers)

Links and previous related posts
https://www.hayhouse.co.uk/the-divine-feminine-oracle-card-deck

Review: Sacred Traveler Oracle Cards by Denise Linn

This is the third Hay House tarot or oracle set I've reviewed in the past month, and I saved my favourite for last. The Sacred Traveler Oracle Cards by Denise Linn really does it for me.

The concept of the deck, which comes in a sturdy box with a book, is that each of our lives is a spiritual journey and a quest for self-discovery. We are each the hero of our own mythic adventure. Our way may be fraught with uncertainties and struggles, but we have a companion to guide us - our higher self (or guardian angel if we prefer to call it that).

The artwork shows fairy-tale-like images that are beautiful and full of symbolism. The messages on the cards are inspiring while the longer meanings given in the book are helpful and practical as well as suggesting ways to view our life events as part of our own mythic story.

The book recommends a short ritual to perform when using the cards. This includes cleansing yourself, the space and the cards, setting up sacred space and getting in the right frame of mind to do a reading. These steps can help you get the most from any divination deck and are worth practising.

Here is the description of The Sacred Traveler Oracle Cards by publisher Hay House:

There are secret messages all around you; it's simply a matter of being able to hear them... These Sacred Traveler Oracle Cards assist you to step behind the mystic veil into hallowed dimensions that will align your inner spiritual existence with your outer life. Each card interprets the signs that are around you and deciphers the secret messages of the universe..

To underline just how good I've personally found the cards, I thought I'd end this review by describing something rather unusual happened when I first used the Sacred Traveler deck.

I shuffled for several minutes and drew a card. I put it back and did that again. It was the same card. I tried a third time, shuffling for longer. The same card thrice. Only once before in my life have I drawn exactly the same card three times in a row and that signified something very important was happening. I spent some time mulling over the message this card was giving me and came to the conclusion that it was something I had been trying to ignore, but in doing that was experiencing a bit of a creative blockage. It wasn't anything really bad - just an indication of an important change I need to make in the future, but when a deck gives me such a powerful reading, I know it is one I'm going to be using a great deal.

You can view the Sacred Traveler Oracle Cards on Amazon.

(Note: I earn commission from some links.)

Hay House Free Audio Book Offers
Denise Linn's book of guided visualisation, 33 spirit journeys, is one of the free audiobooks being offered by Hay House this month. You can find out more here: http://www.go.hayhouse.com/audiobook-giveaway?

Links and previous related posts
https://www.hayhouse.co.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/11/review-animal-tarot-by-doreen-virtue.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/11/review-dragon-oracle-cards-by-diana.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/12/review-native-spirit-oracle-cards-by.html

Hay House is Offering Free Audiobooks

At the moment, Hay House is offering people a free download of one of six audiobooks. I just acquired 33 Spirit Journeys by Denise Linn, which I'm looking forward to listening to. You can find all the details here: http://www.go.hayhouse.com/audiobook-giveaway?

Review: Dragon Oracle Cards by Diana Cooper

Who could resist a box full of dragons? Obviously not me, which is why I've got a set of the new Dragon Oracle Cards by Diana Cooper, with artwork by Carla Lee Morrow.

Dragons are fantastic beasts that have symbolised many different things to people from a wide range of cultures throughout history. Over time they have been depicted as gods, monsters, guardians, elemental beings and spiritual allies. Diana Cooper firmly places them in the helpful category rather than seeing them as forces of greed and destruction that burn down cities unless appeased by gifts of fair maidens or slain by knights errant.

In the book that comes with the boxed set, Diana Cooper says: "Dragons are beautiful, wise, open-hearted etheric beings of the angelic realms who are sent here by the Source to assist us... They operate on a different vibrational frequency to us, which is why most people can’t see them, but they are very willing to connect with us if we are ready to tune in to their wavelength. Dragons really love the planet and everyone on it, and are pouring into Earth now to help us with the transition to the new Golden Age."

If that view of dragons appeals to you, then you can use this deck to ask their assistance in answering questions about issues in your daily life, about your "soul mission" or about helping the planet in general.

As with most oracle decks, you can pick one card for a quick answer, three cards to represent the past, present and future, or do a more complicated spread. The cards are good quality and come in a sturdy box with full instructions in a booklet.

The set is published by Hay House. You can view the Dragon Oracle Cards on Amazon.

(Note: I earn commission from some links. This helps subsidise my blog at no extra cost to readers)

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/05/seriously-monstrous-dragons-more-than.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/04/divination-water-dragons-gifts-from-sea.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/09/dozmary-pool-and-death-of-dragons.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/04/dragons-of-london.html
http://www.dianacooper.com/
https://www.hayhouse.co.uk/

Review: Animal Tarot by Doreen Virtue

I love this tarot set. Okay, it's fluffy - but really, what else would you expect from deck about animals?

The Animal Tarot is the latest deck by Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine and I was very curious to see it. After all, earlier this year Doreen publicly stated she was giving up creating tarot decks due to a change in her spiritual beliefs. So, I'm guessing this one might be her last set.

I've reviewed several of her earlier decks on A Bad Witch's Blog, including the Fairy Tarot, the Angel Tarot and the Guardian Angel Tarot. I like all them and think they are ideal when you want a gentle reading. However, the Animal Tarot is my favourite.

I love the way that animals have been used for their symbolism and the artwork is delightful. There's cuteness, humour, awe and wonder in the cards. They are lovely to look at and I've found them good for doing readings.

Sure, this isn't a traditional deck, but that doesn't bother me - I've got plenty of those in my collection when I want a traditional reading. This is for when I want to be cheered up, entertained and also get great insights into the way my life is unfolding.

The deck is good quality, comes in a sturdy box with a booklet and also has a very reasonable recommended price. It would make a nice Yule gift for anyone who collects tarot decks or loves animals.

You can view The Animal Tarot on Amazon.

(Note: I earn commission from some links)

Links and previous related posts
https://www.hayhouse.co.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/09/review-guardian-angel-tarot-cards.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/05/review-angel-tarot-cards-by-doreen.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/11/review-fairy-tarot-cards-by-doreen.html

Pagan Eye: My Attempt at Colouring a Mandala

I've got back into mindful colouring as an antidote to all the things in the news and on social media raising my blood pressure these days. No, I'm not giving up Facebook - but I am cutting back a bit. I like to know what my friends are up to - and share my own blog posts - but when the endless circular arguments get a bit too much I've stepped away from the computer and got out my gel pens.

The above is what I did recently. I'm no great artist, but I have to say creating it was very relaxing. The picture I coloured in came from Enchanted Mandalas by Alina Shalev. If you have done some colouring in or created any other artwork and want to share it - do send me a picture so I can put it on my blog

On each Pagan Eye post, I show an image that I find interesting, with a few words about it. The picture can be a seasonal scene, a pagan site, an event, or a scan of something you have created or drawn.

If you want to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, please email it to badwitch1234@gmail.com Let me know what the picture shows and whether you want your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, photos must be ones you have taken yourself and you must confirm that you are submitting it for A Bad Witch's Blog.

(Note: I earn commission from some links. This helps subsidise my blog at no extra cost to readers)

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/06/pagan-eye-minoan-tarot-artists-desk-and.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/11/review-gods-and-goddesses-colouring-book.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/11/colouring-books-spirit-animals.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/03/mandala-for-march-goddess-of-life-death.html

Hay House Basics Free EBooks Offer

Hay House is currently offering free ebook downloads for some of the titles in its Basics series. You can choose from:

• Yasmin Boland: Astrology
• Michelle Buchanan: Numerology
• Gordon Smith: Mediumship
• Tanishka: Goddess Wisdom
• Sandra Anne Taylor: The Akashic Records
• David Wells: Qabalah

This is the link to find out more and download one: http://go.hayhouse.com/ebook-giveaway-basics?

If you want to read my reviews of any of them, here are the links:
Astrology http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/02/review-hay-house-basics-astrology.html
Numerology: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/12/review-hay-house-basics-numerology.html
Mediumship http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/03/review-mediumship-introductory-guide.html
Goddess Wisdom http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/06/review-goddess-wisdom-sacred-feminine.html
The Akashic Records http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/12/books-akashic-records-and-christmas.html
Qabalah: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/05/book-review-qabalah-practical-magic-by.html

Review: Goddess Wisdom - The Sacred Feminine

In the past week I have gone to see the movie Wonder Woman and I've read the book Goddess Wisdom: Connect to the Power of the Sacred Feminine through Ancient Wisdom and Practices. The two are comparable in that both have the theme of reclaiming feminine power in the world of men.

About Goddess Wisdom, publisher Hay House says on its website:

Ancient civilizations worshipped female deities, and women were the leaders, counsellors, and healers of nations. However, through various historical events, such as the arrival of Christianity in many cultures, the worship of the goddess was lost. In this book, author Tanishka shares the long-lost ancient culture of the goddess.

Now, while both the film and the book offer a view of history that some might want to debate, when it comes to offering empowering views of women, they are both the business.

Goddess Wisdom covers goddess traditions in the ancient world, goddess archetypes, women's life stages, paths of initiation, tools for understanding and aligning with the cycles of nature and rituals and exercises to reconnect with your inner goddess. Like all in the Hay House Basics series it is a beginner's book, but is well written and offers a good introduction to pagan spirituality with an emphasis on goddess worship. Where it excels is in the lessons it offers for personal development.

I particularly like the way it covers dealing with life's downward spirals - approaching events like the break-up of relationships, losing jobs and the death of loved ones as initiatory journeys. One technique suggested is to draw a spiral and write on it the sequence of events and feelings on the journey of descent, then to write the lessons learnt from those experiences as the upward path back out of the spiral.

Women in the world today need both positive role models and practical advice on how to be confident about our abilities. Wonder Woman is certainly a good example of the first, while Goddess Wisdom is a good example of the second.

View the book on Amazon.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.hayhouse.co.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/05/review-witch-unleashed-untamed.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2016/06/review-hay-house-basics-shamanism.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/05/review-hay-house-basics-past-lives.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/03/mandala-for-march-goddess-of-life-death.html

Review: Witch: Unleashed. Untamed. Unapologetic

Just a few weeks ago I met Lisa Lister, the author of Witch: Unleashed. Untamed. Unapologetic, at a bloggers' party being run by the book's publisher, Hay House UK. In fact, the party was partly to launch this new book aimed at women wanting to learn how witchcraft can empower their lives.

I like Lisa a lot - she is friendly, fun and  passionate about all things witchy. Her passion is even more obvious in her book.

Witch: Unleashed is a beginner's book, but it is far from a run-of-the-mill Wicca 101 offering. Lisa is a hereditary gypsy witch who believes that all women are witches when they are truly in their power. Her book is as much a call to women to stop being tame and to stop apologising as it is a grimoire of witchy spells and rituals. As publisher Hay House UK says:

A witch is a woman in her power. She's wise, a healer, someone who is aligned with the cycles of Mother Nature and the phases of the Moon. Yet for so long, the word 'witch' has had negative connotations. In this book, third generation hereditary witch Lisa Lister explains the history behind witchcraft, why in past centuries the word 'witch' has led women to be tortured, drowned and burned at the stake, and why the witch is now waking once again in women across the world today. This book will help women to remember, reconnect and reclaim the word 'witch' and its power.

For quite some time I've been noticing that more and more young women are attracted to witchcraft because it is empowering, but are less interested in old-school Wicca because they see it as being too restrictive and hierarchical. They want something they can do their own way - on their own or in covens - but without being tied to a rigid ritual structure. Witch: Unleashed is the kind of book likely to appeal to them.

But I'm going to be honest, I think Witch: Unleashed is a Marmite book. Some will adore it, others will feel it is not inclusive enough. Quite specifically, it is aimed at cisgender women. It is not aimed at men, or at transwomen. That's a controversial area at the moment and I have to say I would put myself in the inclusive witchcraft camp.

However, Lisa recognises that her book won't appeal to everyone. She is bold and doesn't mind speaking her mind - and that is something I respect and admire in a woman, even if I don't agree with their perspective. The world needs more women who are happy to speak their minds. It is absolutely okay to disagree, not be apologetic about it, and still be friends. That is the most powerful message that Witch: Unleashed teaches.

The photo at the top shows Lisa Lister at the Hay House UK bloggers' party.


Links and previous related posts
Witch: Unleashed. Untamed. Unapologetic
http://www.hayhouse.co.uk/
www.thesassyshe.com
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/04/pagan-eye-witch-blogger-party-cocktail.html

Book Review: Qabalah - Practical Magic by David Wells

Qabalah is a framework or system that has been hugely influential to many magical, mystical and spiritual traditions including Wicca and other modern pagan paths as well as the Golden Dawn, Thelema and Western Esotericism. It is very much connected to the use of tarot and astrology.

I would say that a basic understanding of Qabalah is essential for anyone involved in any of the things I've mentioned above. However, it can be a complicated subject.

A new book in the Hay House Basics range, Qabalah, by David Wells, sets out to explain the essential principles of the subject in an easy to understand way. Actually, introducing magical and spiritual subjects clearly and simply is the core premise of the entire Hay House Basics series. I've read many of the books in the series; they are generally excellent and this book is one of the best.

I was also delighted to meet up with David at the recent Hay House Bloggers party. I got him to sign my copy of the book as well as taking his photo. You can see it to the left - he is in front of a picture in the Hay House UK offices, not standing in a forest!

David is a nice bloke, a witty and knowledgeable writer and a good teacher - I went to a workshop he ran on Qabalah at Witchfest a few years ago and found it very instructive.

This is what Hay House has to say about his new book:

Discover Qabalah, a Western non-religious mystic tradition containing a body of magical knowledge and practices to help you embrace your higher self. In this book, you will learn, the role of the Tree of Life - the central organizational system of Qabalah, the meaning of each Sephira, or sphere, on the Tree, an exercise and meditation for each Sephira, how to work with and understand the symbolism of each Sephira, from Gods and Goddesses to crystals, how to increase the energy for your meditations and create a personal sigil, or symbol, to represent your highest values and how to use Qabalistic prayer and work with the four great Archangels for daily support and protection.

As well as offering basic details about Qabalah and introducing the Sephira, in Qabalah David offers a series of meditations and exercises to start your own journey of personal development on the Tree of Life. He also explains how to use Qabalah to further studies of tarot and astrology.

Qabalah can be ordered via Amazon.

The photos show David Wells and the book cover

Links and previous related posts
Qabalah: Discover Powerful Tools to Explore Practical Magic and the Tree of Life (Hay House Basics)
http://davidwells.co.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2017/04/pagan-eye-witch-blogger-party-cocktail.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/04/review-tarot-how-to-read-and-interpret.html
http://www.hayhouse.co.uk/

Pagan Eye: Witch Blogger Party Cocktail Cauldron

Yesterday evening I was invited to a Witch Blogger party at the Hay House office in London's Notting Hill. The special witchy blogger social evening was timed to take place just before the launch of Lisa Lister’s new book Witch: Unleashed, Untamed. Unapologetic.

Lisa led a lovely witchy ceremony to start the evening, and then everyone enjoyed punch from the cauldron and some delicious food and had a chance to chat with the Hay House staff and authors as well as bloggers and other creative people. I was given a copy of Lisa's book in a goody bag, which I am looking forward to reading and will review on my blog.

The picture shows the cocktail cauldron, Lisa's book and some of the divination cards she has created. And I know that at the next party I have, I want a cocktail cauldron too - maybe full of midnight margaritas!

On each of my Pagan Eye posts, I show a photo that I find interesting, with a few words about it.
If you want to send me a photo for a Pagan Eye post, please email it to badwitch1234@gmail.com Let me know what the photo shows and whether you want your name mentioned or not. For copyright reasons, the photo must be one you have taken yourself and you must confirm that you are submitting it for A Bad Witch's Blog.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/01/review-angels-lead-new-series-of-basics.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/04/review-tarot-how-to-read-and-interpret.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/03/review-hay-house-basics-mindfulness.html
http://www.hayhouse.co.uk/

Review: Mediumship - An Introductory Guide

The skill of mediumship - generally defined as mediating communications between spirits of the dead and living - is something I've long wanted to learn. So, I was delighted to be given a copy of a new book called Mediumship: An Introductory Guide to Developing Spiritual Awareness and Intuition.

It is in the Hay House Basics series, which means it is a straightforward guide aimed at beginners, The author is Gordon Smith, who is a respected medium. As I hoped, it offers an great overview of exactly what mediumship is and how to go about learning to do it.

The book also explains that mediumship is not something that can be learnt quickly. Having a natural talent is good, but just because you are psychic, can see ghosts or have clairvoyant abilities, doesn't mean you are a medium yet (to paraphrase Yoda).

Gordon explains that it is vital to spend a lot of time practising to tell the difference between spirit communication, things picked up empathically, stuff from your own subconscious, guesswork and pure fantasy. It is also important not to get too emotionally affected by other people's grief, which can happen if you are meeting people who want contact with loved ones who have passed.

He recommends spending a lot of time using meditation techniques and also learning how to achieve a balanced mental state. He also recommends finding a good training circle with an experienced teacher rather than purely trying to learn as a solitary - although reading this introductory book and doing the exercises in it are good first steps.

Publisher Hay House says about the book: "The function of a medium is to be a conduit between this life and the afterlife or spirit world. Every medium is intuitive or psychic, but not every psychic is a medium. This book explores how to still the mind to enable spirits to communicate with you, sitting in the power and opening up to authentic messages, working with the aura and reading the signs and symbols that surround people and connecting to your spirit guide and learning their signature or calling card and much more!"

Wicca and Mediumship
My own specific interest in learning about mediumship grew when I discovered that Gerald Gardner, the founder of modern Wicca, had insisted that his early priestesses had mediumistic abilities. He felt that this was useful - if not essential - for channelling the words of the Goddess. Later, his High Priestess Doreen Valiente wrote (or at least largely rewrote) The Charge of the Goddess to be spoken by Wiccan priestesses if they felt that, despite the Goddess being invoked, they were not receiving messages to relate.

Nowadays, high levels of mediumship skill have less of a focus in many Wiccan rites - at least in my experience. I think it would be good to perhaps return to basics on that front. I would like to see more covens also having mediumship training circles, where priests and priestesses could learn to be better at hearing the words of the Gods and Goddesses of the Craft, as well as the words of the spirits of our ancestors.

Mediumship: An Introductory Guide to Developing Spiritual Awareness and Intuition (Hay House Basics) can be ordered via Amazon.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.hayhouse.co.uk/
http://gordonsmithmedium.com/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/03/review-hay-house-basics-mindfulness.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/07/review-hay-house-basics-energy-healing.html

Review: Hay House Basics - Astrology

Astrology is one of those things I've always wanted to be able to do - particularly because my grandma was an astrologer. Back before the First World War she worked for Alan Leo, who is often called The Father of Modern Astrology. Sadly, my grandma died when I was a child and so never taught me the skills of constructing a birth chart or interpreting one.

Over the years I've read several books with the intention of teaching myself the skills of astrology, but still didn't get the hang of it. In general I found they were either too superficial or too complicated for me to get beyond the basics of what the various zodiac signs and planets symbolise.

However, I am very pleased to say I have finally got over that hurdle. The book that did it for me was Astrology: A Guide to Understanding Your Birth Chart by Yasmin Boland. It is in  the Hay House Basics series, which is a range of reasonably priced books teaching mind, body, spirit subjects in a clear and concise way so that anyone can understand them. I'm a big fan of the series and Hay House Basics - Astrology is possibly my favourite so far.

Right from the start the book gets you working on your own birth chart with practical exercises that you can either fill in on the pages or in a notebook. (I did the latter, as I don't like to deface books.)
It takes everything slowly and explains the principles in easy-to-grasp terms. By the end I felt I was finally able to look at my chart and understand what the lines, rings and symbols on it mean.

Of course, it is a beginner's book, aimed at giving a ground in the subject. Reading it and doing the exercises can only be the first step in actually learning to be an astrologer. And, as Yasmin Boland says in the conclusion, the best thing to do when you have finished is read the entire book all over again - perhaps using it to work on the birth chart of a friend, loved one or family member. I expect I'll be doing that, too.

You can order Astrology: A Guide to Understanding Your Birth Chart via Amazon.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.hayhouse.co.uk/
http://charts.allstarastrologers.com//form/YB/FREECHART/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/12/review-hay-house-basics-numerology.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/01/review-angels-lead-new-series-of-basics.html
https://www.facebook.com/yasminboland
@HayHouseUK
@hayhouse

Books: The Akashic Records and A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, is one of my favourite Yuletide tales - and I have to say that A Muppet Christmas Carol is one my all-time favourite festive movies too. Not only do I enjoy a winter's night ghost story, I love the idea that even the meanest person can have a change of heart.

But I recently had a new revelation about the classic story of a man being visited by spirits who showed him the past, the present and the possible future. In a new book called The Akashic Records, author Sandra Anne Taylor points out: "But did you know that this tenderhearted and moving story is about the Akashic Records?"

I hadn't realised it before, but you can certainly read it that way.

The Akashic Records are described by Sandra Anne Taylor as: "A vibrating storehouse of information and energy... Embodying all the mysteries of life - your life, my life, the entirety of life from before life began, as we know it - the records will go on long after the world we know disappears."

She also describes them as being like a huge library that contains all the knowledge of the universe. That's the image I love. It makes me think of something like the library in The Name of the Rose, but infinitely bigger and more mysterious.

There are other names for the records, of course. The Buddhist term Alaya Consciousness is similar. As someone who follows a path of Jungian spirituality, I like to think of the Akashic Records as being connected to the collective unconscious.

However you visualise the Akashic Records, or whatever term you use for them, they are a way of comprehending how one can use psychic techniques to find out information about our past, the forces that are influencing us in the present, and what the possible outcome might be in the future. We can also use that information to alter our actions and behaviour to bring about changes in our lives in the future. Just like Scrooge.

Sandra Anne Taylor's new book, which has the subtitle Unlock the Infinite Power, Wisdom and Energy of the Universe, offers techniques and exercises to help you access the Akashic Records and use what you find there for insight, personal development and help with overcoming problems.

It is in the Hay House Basics series, so is an introductory guide, starting with the simple concepts and working up to more advanced techniques.

As publisher Hay House says on its website, the book covers:

• What the Akashic Records really are and how to tap into their ever-present power
• How to travel the eternal timeline to investigate the past, present and potential future
• How past lives are influencing you today and what you can do to rewrite those records
• How you can use the Akashic Records to find your purpose, expand your talents and find greater success and joy in this life
• How to programme future events within the records of this life and in lifetimes to come
• Techniques to open the records anytime you desire

I would say that although this book is a straightforward guide aimed at beginners, tapping into the Akashic Records is generally considered a relatively advanced psychic skill. You probably at least need to have some experience of meditation, mindfulness or hypnosis and know about about past life theories first. Nevertheless, The Akashic Records is written in a straightforward way and builds up from easy first exercises.

Hay House Basics - The Akashic Records can be ordered via Amazon.

The pictures show The Akashic Records, "Marley's Ghost", original illustration by John Leech from A Christmas Carol, and "The Ghost of Christmas Present" from A Christmas Carol, 1843.

Links and previous related posts
http://www.hayhouse.co.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/05/soul-centred-transform-your-life-with.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/03/review-hay-house-basics-mindfulness.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/05/review-hay-house-basics-past-lives.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/04/review-hay-house-basics-lucid-dreaming.html

Colouring Books: Spirit Animals & Enchanted Mandalas

I do like the current fashion for adult colouring books – even though I haven’t had much time in recent months to indulge in the activity. However, I hope that over the yuletide holidays I will be able to find an hour or so when I can sit in a quiet place and enjoy putting colour on some of the beautiful outlined images available.

Two new colouring books that have come out this month are Enchanted Mandalas by Alina Shalev and the Spirit Animal Colouring Book by Sarah Wilder. Both are published by Hay House, which very kindly sent me review copies. I really like them both.

They are similar in some ways – both being inspired by traditional mandalas, which were originally circular figures using symbols from Hindu and Buddhist spirituality used for meditation. However, the styles of artwork and focus of the two books are a bit different. I should also add that these are modern mandalas; while they are still intended for meditation, the images are primarily stylised motifs from the natural world.

Obviously, the Spirit Animal Colouring Book has pictures of animals, while Enchanted Mandalas also has stylised flowers, circular patterns, crystalline structures and some motifs from spiritual traditions around the world.

This is how Hay House describes Enchanted Mandalas: “Meditate, contemplate and relax in a zone of creative bliss! Considered by many ancient traditions as tools for awakening, mandalas have the ability to raise one's levels of consciousness and awareness. In this colouring book, over 90 original, hand-drawn illustrations provide the means for fun and creative relaxation.”

The Spirit Animal Colouring Book is a bit more multi-purpose, as it is also designed to be used for zoomancy, or divination based on the observation of animals. Each picture in the book contains key words. For example, cockatoo represents freedom, travel and creative expression. You could open the book at random to select an animal to work with that day, flip through it to find one that calls to you or pick a word or theme that you want to concentrate on from a list provided at the front of the book.

Hay House says: “This colouring book is dedicated to our animal kin and the energies they allow us to tap into, to help guide and shape our lives and help us stay connected to our Source. Embrace your creativity while colouring these beautiful images and connect more deeply with the wisdom and guidance offered by spirit animals. Great for those who want to bring calm into their life or has no time to meditate as creative meditation practices like drawing and colouring can have similar results in traditional meditation.”

I’m really looking forward to colouring in these books. I’ve already dug out my pencils and picked up some fresh gel pens when I did my weekly shop. All I need now is a little bit more free time.

You can order the Spirit Animal Colouring Book and Enchanted Mandalas from Amazon.

Review: Keepers of the Light Oracle Cards

I love this set of oracle cards more and more as I use it. It is full of images of gods and goddesses, angels, spiritual teachers and enlightened beings, who Kyle Gray – the creator of the deck – calls Keepers of the Light. Whether you think of them as real entities or psychological archetypes, they are figures of history and mythology that we can call upon when we need help and guidance in our lives.

Obviously you can use the Keepers of the Light oracle cards much like any divination deck. You can draw a single card or more for inspiration and messages about the past, present or the future - and it works very well. But I’ve found that it is much more useful than just for fortune telling or divination.

When I'm casting spells or performing seasonal rituals, I like to put images on my altar of the deities I am calling upon - but I don't always have a suitable one to hand. Or, at least, I didn't until I got this deck. Now I do. And the images are beautiful too.

Each picture in the Keepers of Light deck was hand drawn by visionary artist Lily Moses - and she has really done a lovely job. I particularly like the goddesses I photographed at the top of this post. The deities and other spiritual beings are paired male and female, so those who like to call upon both a god and goddess can do so.

Publisher Hay House says: "The new Keepers of the Light oracle card deck from Kyle Gray draws together 44 Ascended Masters, spiritual deities and beings from many world traditions, and embraces spiritual teachings from ancient to modern times. The deck balances male and female energies, and includes traditional masters like Lord Buddha and Mother Mary, Earth-based deities like Gaia and Cernunnos, and modern favorites like Sanat Kumara, Lady Venus and Saint Germain."

Keepers of the Light Oracle Cards by Kyle Gray is officially published today, September 27, but I've been lucky enough to have had my copy for a couple of weeks and I have been using it almost every day for both divination and magical work.

The deck is published by Hay House and the RRP is £13.99, which is highly affordable.

Links and previous related posts:
http://www.hayhouse.co.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/01/review-angels-lead-new-series-of-basics.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/09/review-guardian-angel-tarot-cards.html

Meditation Exercise from The Universe Has Your Back

Gabby Bernstein has a new book out called The Universe Has Your Back. Gabby’s intention for this book is to help readers transform fear into something more postive. It contains stories and lessons to guide you to release blocks to happiness, security and a clear sense of direction, confident that the universe has your back. Here is one meditation from the book.

Universal Lesson: Create Visions of the World you Want to See
A Course in Miracles says, “The mind is very powerful, and never loses its creative force. It never sleeps. Every instant it is creating. It is hard to recognize that thought and belief combine into a power surge that can literally move mountains.”
We must learn to train our mind to create with love rather than with fear. This exercise is a great practice for you to begin awakening to the power of your own creations.
Begin the practice of image making by answering this simple question: What do you want to see? Be unapologetic about your answer. Maybe you want to see a world without war. Maybe you want to see yourself in a wildly romantic relationship. Maybe you want to see yourself walking through life free from fear. Create the images that you most long for.
Write down your answer now. What do you want to see?
Next, reread your response and then close your eyes and sit in stillness for five minutes.

Image making meditation:
Sit up straight resting your hands on your thighs with your palms facing upward. When you sit up straight with proper, natural (not stiff) alignment, you become a channel to receive positive energy.
Close your eyes and turn your focus inward.
Allow your inner spirit (your inspiration) to come forth and surrender to the images that you want to see.
Let the wisdom within you create images in your mind’s eye.
Surrender to this wisdom now.
Breathe deeply in through your nose and out through your mouth.
With each inhale and exhale surrender more fully to the visions that you want to see.
Consciously focus your attention on them.
Allow visions of what you want to guide you on a journey of new perceptions.
Sit as long as you wish.
When you’re ready, gently come out of your meditation and take a moment to jot down any images that may have come through. Maybe what you want to see is a newborn baby and in your meditation you saw the eyes of a child. Or maybe you long for a romantic partner and in the stillness you saw yourself in a warm embrace with a lover. It’s even possible that you saw images that were far less literal and in time you’ll come to understand the message behind them.

You can get details about The Universe Has Your Back, plus some bonus extras, here www.gabbybernstein.com/bookbonus

The book can be ordered via Amazon

Credit: Extracted from The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein www.gabbybernstein.com/bookbonus

Links and previous related posts
The Universe Has Your Back
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2014/04/review-miracles-now-108-life-changing.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2011/11/review-medidating-for-fearless-romance.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/07/review-hay-house-basics-energy-healing.html

Review: Notes from the Universe on Abundance

Notes from the Universe on Abundance is a very pretty new set of cards with inspirational messages on one side and beautiful images of landscapes, trees and flowers on the other. They are so easy to use, the instructions just come on one card:

"Choose one at random each morning or whenever you are in need of insight, direction or solace. Frame them, carry them with you, or send them out into the world hidden in lunchboxes, briefcases, and purses."

Apparently the idea for the notes started in 1998 as an email sent out weekly to 38 people by Mike Dooley, although supposedly written by "The Universe" to remind us that we are loved and that all things are possible.

One of my favourite sayings from the deck is: "Every fortune, gold medal, and trophy... Every comeback, triumph, and celebration... And every kiss, hug, and hand held... Was first a thought, a whisper, or a dream."

Publisher Hay House says about Notes from the Universe on Abundance:

"The 60 cards in this beautifully illustrated deck give Mike Dooley's fans a new way to experience his signature Notes from the Universe: quirky, funny messages that remind readers to love their lives and trust their dreams. Based on Mike's essential credo that 'thoughts become things' and we can choose the thoughts we want to realize, these cards are loving reminders that we're responsible for our own happiness - and that it's already within reach."

I should point out that the pictures don't necessarily relate to the message on the reverse. I think the scenes are intended just to remind you how beautiful the world can be and to cheer you up if you are feeling a bit down - but sometimes we all need that.

The deck is officially published today, 28 June, but I was lucky enough to be sent a copy just before the Summer Solstice and I took it away with me on my summer road trip to Stonehenge and Glastonbury Festival. As I return home from my amazing holiday, back to face the problems of reality, seeing pictures of beautiful landscapes and reading an uplifting message or two is helping keep a smile on my face.

Mike Dooley's Facebook page can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/mikedooley/

Links and previous related posts
Notes from the Universe on Abundance
http://www.hayhouse.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/mikedooley/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2013/08/review-soul-coaching-oracle-cards-by.html

Review: The Space (Within): Finding Your Way Home

I'll let you into a secret, the reason I asked to review a book with the subtitle Finding Your Way Back Home was because finding my way back home was something that had been on my mind over the past year. I wondered whether author Michael Neill's book would help.

I was being literal about finding my way back home too. My journey to an office where I was regularly doing freelance work took me past the site of the home I had lived in when I was a child. It wasn't there any more. The house had been compulsory purchased in the 1970s and my family forced to move. It was then knocked down, along with the other houses in the road, and an industrial estate built on the site. It was a beautiful old building and I still think the destruction was needless and wrong.

Every morning on my way to the office last autumn and early this spring I would stop for a moment and imagine my old home as it had been, trying to visualise it still standing there. Rebuilding it in my mind. I took the photo at the top of the page on one of those mornings. That car park is exactly where my home once stood.

Micheal Neill's book, The Space (Within): Finding Your Way Home obviously isn't literally about how to get a long-demolished house rebuilt. The book is about how we construct our reality out of our thoughts and it teaches ways to recognise that the things that worry us are often just shadows. This can help us not get overly upset by stuff that's just in our minds, but instead enjoy being ourselves and be at peace with our own thoughts - to rediscover the real us.

Publisher Hay House says about the book: "There is a space within you where you are already perfect, whole and complete. It is a space of pure consciousness - the space inside which all thoughts come and go.

"Every problem we have in life is the result of losing our bearings and getting caught up in the content of our own thinking. The solution to every one of those problems is to find our way back home. This is both the invitation and the promise of this book."

So has The Space (Within) helped me find my way back home? Yes, I think it has. I've long known that my old house still exists in my memories. Micheal Neill's book has reaffirmed to me the importance of that. As he says: "...no matter where you are in your life or in the world, you're never more than one thought away from home." Yes, a home is where the heart is more than it is bricks and mortar.

Author Michael Neill is transformative coach. His previous books include The Inside-Out Revolution. You can visit his website at: https://www.michaelneill.org/. The Space Within: Finding Your Way Back Homecan be ordered via Amazon.

Links and previous related posts
The Space Within: Finding Your Way Back Home
http://www.hayhouse.co.uk/
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/03/review-hay-house-basics-mindfulness.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2015/08/review-nlp-how-to-use-it-to-change-your.html

(Please note I earn commission from some links)