“Wisdom of the Hidden Realms” is a delightful 44-card oracle deck and companion book set from author Colette Baron-Reed, with artwork by Jena DellaGrottaglia  (Hay House, 2009). The introduction starts out “Imagine … From the oldest cultures on earth, ancient myths and legends tell of powerful, magical beings that have existed as our trusted allies, protectors and advisors. It is said that they’ve lived alongside humanity since time began, yet in another dimension separated only by a thin, etheric veil. Angels, Faeries, Nature Spirits, and others walked between the worlds and beside us openly for a time. They served with us as co-creators of the bridge between the realms of the Spirit and those on earth.”

The promise made by these beings was that if their likenesses and names were summoned, they would be there to guide and assist us. That is the premise of this deck. The Guidebook explains how to use the cards (their purpose), and how to do a reading. Single-card and three-card reading templates are presented, along with examples.

The cards are presented with black and white scans, keywords, and how the energy of the card can function as both an ally and a challenger. From the book: “ Gaia’s Garden – fruition, abundance, reaping what you sow.” As an ally, this card is confirming that you have everything that you need to make your dreams come true. As a challenger, Gaia encourages the Seeker to remember to give back to the world. She also encourages them to “not be lazy”, to nurture the abundance that is coming to them, to continue to work for it. In other words – to be respectful, and to not expect things to come to you without effort.

Other cards in this deck include The High Lady of Love and Compassion, The Hungry Ghosts, The Spiral Dancer, The Sacred Union, and The Alter Priestess. Each card represents some aspect of life, some energy that we can call on to help us, or perhaps some energy that we need... Read More

I just had the greatest book enter my life – “Workplace Spells – Everyday Magick on the Job” (Marla Brooks, Schiffer Books, 2009). Some people hear the word “spells”, and they think black candles and negative energy. Who wants that in the workplace! Other people will realize that spell work can be done by anyone, that it is positive in nature, and helps us to be a bit proactive about maintaining control in our lives, and doing so in a win/win manner.

In “Workplace Spells”, Brooks presents 51 ready to go spells that will help us get ahead in the workplace, instructions for creating your own workplace spells (this is super – we can fine tune spell work to our individual needs!), and a basic understanding of the things that can be used in spell work (herbs, amulets, divination, gemstones, and incense).

In her introduction Brooks talks about the basics of witchcraft, amongst which is the tenet “An Ye Harm None” (meaning that no work done by a Wiccan practitioner should be harmful to anyone). Backing this up is another tenet, the Law of Three, stating that whatever energy we send out into the world – positive or negative - comes back to us times three! Good incentive to stay on the path of the positive!

In the beginning of the book Brooks discusses how to create and cast your own spell, how to perform the Lesser Banishing Ritual, an introduction to ritual tools, and how to raise energy.

I loved the variety of spells included in this book, addressing very real situations – anxiety, attracting customers, banishing obstacles, productivity, communication, computers, confidence, difficult phone calls, difficult tasks, getting to work on time, gossip, parking, safe travel, sleep, and finding the job of your dreams.

Each spell is presented with the tools that you will need (i.e. candles, anointing oil), incantations to be used, and how to perform the ceremony. (Note – this work is done... Read More

We have a very special day coming up in September – that would be September 9^th, 2009, or, in plain numbers, 09/09/09. How cool is that! It is actually very cool, as it is the last single digit date for the next 1000 years!

The energy of the number nine in general is a humanitarian energy, equality and justice, idealism, harmony, compassion and selflessness. As the last single digit number, it marks the end of a cycle, and the is a number of completion.

It is also felt that a jolt of universal spiritual energy will be coming to earth on this day. It is there to anchor the vibration of spiritual love into mother earth, and into the hearts of her inhabitants.

This energy will be activating a process where negative thoughts, negative energy, and lessons that we have not wanted to learn will be brought into our consciousness, so that they can be resolved and released. This is not going to be an easy time – especially since we are also in a Mercury retrograde during this time, and the focus for this retrograde is on relationships. We can allow this energy to overwhelm us, or we can allow ourselves to flow with it.

If we choose to work with this energy, we will emerge from the chaos better people. Literally, without the baggage of our past, we will be able to move up to a higher vibrational level, with a higher level of wisdom available to us.

If this time period seems to be bringing up things from the past – well, that is what it is meant to do. Look back at how you reacted in the past – the choices that you made, and how you implemented them. Your present is based on that past. By resolving that past, you open yourself to creating the future that you want to have.

This can be a confusing time. Our readers are here 24/7 to help you see your issues clearly, and define your options for dealing with them.

We hear the term “Mercury retrograde” and we all cringe. Anything and everything that can go wrong will go wrong. Travel plans can and will be affected. Communications of all kinds will be tipped upside down, machinery will be problematic – including cars, computers, fax machines … all the little things that we so depend on in our day to day life.

We have a Mercury retrograde coming up in September – from September 7^th through September 29^th, in the signs of Leo and Virgo. What does this mean for us? For one thing, be prepared to be accountable for your words and actions! Relationships will be of primary concern, and we will have a chance to go back and review actions from the past, and make whatever adjustments necessary to bring them back into balance.

We are going to be placed in situations that allow us to resolve issues of equality in our lives. We are also going to feel that our lives are simply spinning out of control. Issues of fairness will be front and center – if there is a situation that is not fair, know that there will be a problem.

The energy of this retrograde is very assertive and controlling. Don’t try and ignore a problem, or acknowledge it and hope it will go away. Focus and intent will be very important during this time. The days that you need to pay the most attention to are September 6^th through September 14^th, and September 24^th through September 29^th.

As with all Mercury retrogrades, this is not a time to begin something new, sign a contract, or make a major purchase unless you have gone over everything with a fine toothed comb. The blessing of a Mercury retrograde – we have the time (whether we want it or not!) to go over things in our life that are not set up on a stable foundation, view them from a fresh perspective, and make needed changes.

Through the recommendation of a friend on Twitter, I purchased David Richo’s “Unexpected Miracles – The Gift of Synchronicity and How to Open It”. (Crossroad Publishing Company, 1999) Richo combines insights from psychology, religion and poetry to show how synchronicity (meaningful coincidence) works in daily life.

Often we refer to this as luck, or even “dumb luck”. It is so much more! The little known secret here – if we can learn to recognize synchronicity and the part that it plays in our lives, we can learn to cultivate those special, miraculous moments. In doing so, we awaken ourselves spiritually, grow as individuals and begin to understand our purpose in life in a totally new manner.

In his prologue, Richo quotes psychologist Carl Jung: “Synchronicity takes the events in space and time as meaning more than mere chance.” Richo also notes that when we experience synchronicity in our lives, it is often (if not usually) in concert with some sort of fateful event. In other words – something is meant to happen, to move us forward, to bring us better understanding of ourselves and the events surrounding us. It brings us closer to our destiny.

Some of the ways that gift of synchronicity acts as a tool of discovery are:

1. How to interpret a series of similar happenings.
2. When to engage, and when to make a graceful exit.
3. How to get past the fears that stop you from being you.
4. How to open yourself to the assisting forces around you.
5. How to open your potential and be all you really are.

Richo talks about what synchronicity is, and where to look for it, as well as ways that we can encourage it. Written in a conversational tone, this gentle book acts as a wonderful tool of empowerment!

There are many tools of empowerment out there, and many different empowerment practices. I have found that one of the practices that helps me the most is to draw a card each morning, and journal it. I am a Tarot reader, so the cards that I generally choose to use are Tarot cards. There are many different types of cards that can be used – Astrological cards, Angel cards, Positive Affirmation cards, Shaman cards, I Ching cards – the list is endless.

You may choose to work with different decks, and draw from the deck that most appeals to you on any given day. You want to have a connection with the deck that you use, because the reason you are drawing the card is to get a heads up on the energy that will be in your day. This does not mean that you have given up your power, and that the energy runs your day, but that you recognize that the energy will be there, so that you can formulate a manner of responding to it.

I suggest journaling the card, which can take the form of an electronic file, or a handwritten journal in any form that you wish. You may also choose to tape your response. Whatever works for you is what you should do.

Allow yourself time to really look at the card. Note your initial response, and the images within the card that you are drawn to. What is going to be happening during your day, and how might this energy affect it? I would also suggest going back in the evening and noting what went on during the day, and how this energy played out in your life.

You may also want to carry the card with you, so that you can refer to it whenever you want to. Remember, this is a tool for you to better understand your life, and how your actions/reactions affect both your present and your future.

Fragrance is something that we all take for granted. We know that we love the smell of certain flowers, perfumes, colognes or incense. The scent of baking or cooking brings bake good memories – the kind of memories that sustain us over a lifetime. If we pay attention to scent, and how we react to it, we can learn to surround ourselves with the scents that will be most beneficial to us for given situations.

Following is a short list of scents, and some of the qualities/benefits that they carry with them:

Carnation: Carnation is a gentle scent that can be used in connection with protection from ghosts.

Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus, aside from its use as an antiseptic, can be used for help in breathing as well as promoting healing and easing depression.

Frankincense: For me, this is very much a Christmas related smell (especially for candles). This scent can be use for protection, and to cleanse.

Gardenia: This is a fairly strong smell, and will not appeal to all people. It can be used to attract or work with nature energies, and in telepathic work.

Lavender: This is a scent that is well known for its relaxing qualities, and when working with altered states of consciousness.

Lilac: This scent is a good choice to use when connecting with the spirit world. It is a light, gentle fragrance.

Rose: This is a good scent to use when dealing with emotions, and with issues connected to love. Rose scent will also be of help in opening the connection to spirit when meditating or doing visualization.

Rosemary: This is another scent that appears around Christmas time. It is protective by nature, and also helps in remembering things that have been forgotten.

This is a short list – just a beginning to let you see what you can do with fragrance. Whether you wear it... Read More

Numerology gives us what is called a Destiny number. It is derived from all of the letters of your full birth name. (So – for those that changed their name, thinking that the new name had a better vibration – your destiny is based on your birth name – no changes allowed!) Your destiny number describes the things that you must accomplish in this lifetime, and the opportunities that will be made available to you. This is your life’s purpose, your spiritual mission in this lifetime.

The following chart shows the number that is associated with each letter of the alphabet:

A=1 B=2 C=3 D=4 E=5 F=6 G=7 H=8 I=9

J=1 K=2 L=3 M=4 N=5 O=6 P=7 Q=8 R=9

S=1 T=2 U=3 V=4 =5 X=6 Y=7 Z=8

The following list is a synopsis of each Destiny number:

1 – This Destiny number indicates a need to gain independence and establish ones self as a leader. You have the skills to work creatively, to problem solve well, and to act on your thoughts. (However, it may be left to others to do the follow through.) You have the potential to achieve whatever you set out to do, and to be financially compensated for it.

2 – This Destiny number indicates a bent towards needing to understand people, and it has a spiritual focus. This person is quite often the mediator in the room, has good communication skills and is diplomatic. A number two Destiny number also indicates the ability to inspire others, and to lead by example.

3 – This Destiny number indicates that the individual has a very creative nature, and will spend a large part of their life inspiring others.... Read More

Numerology can tell us many things – one of the most important being our Life Path. Our Life Path number defines who we are at birth, and the inherent qualities that we will carry with us throughout our lifetime. This number is obtained by adding the sum of the numbers in your birth date, and reducing that number to a single digit. For example, the birth date of 12/29/1948 would be added up (1+2=3, 2+9=11=2, 1+9+4+8=4; 3+2+4=9) giving a Life Path of 9. Note: The only time that a double digit number is used is when it adds up to a Master Number, such as 11 or 22. Master numbers give us the ability to gain a high level of achievement, but this is sometimes gained only after a great deal of struggle.

Following is a synopsis of the Life Path numbers, and what they mean.

Number 1 – This is the life path of a leader, of someone with an independent nature and a strong need to achieve.

Number 2 – This is the Life Path of someone who acts as a peace maker. This person is highly skilled in diplomacy, and has powerful communication skills.

Number 3 – This is the Life Path of someone who is highly creative, with excellent communication skills.

Number 4 – This is the Life Path of someone who is very practical, very good at planning things, and carrying out their plans.

Number 5 – This is the Life Path of the adventurer – someone whose highest wish is to be free.

Number 6 – This is the Life Path of the nurturer – someone to whom home and family is everything.

Number 7 – This is the life Path of someone who chooses to live in the realm of thought and observation. This person is a very good judge of character, and very much a perfectionist.

Number 8 – This is the Life Path of someone ambitious and organized, who chooses work over play and often is an overachiever.... Read More

I decided to address the issue of this incredibly hot weather that much of the U.S. has been facing. I know that I have been sick because of it, and I imagine that others have also. Aside from physical health, in excessively hot weather we also have to be aware of mental health.

We are apt to lose our patience with co-workers, clients, friends and family. When you feel this coming on, take a time out – even if it means leaving the room for a few minutes. Deal with the issue at hand, and not with your reaction to the weather.

Be sure and keep yourself hydrated – drink plenty of water throughout the day. If you choose to exercise, be sure to do so in the cooler morning or evening hours. The time that it might take to rearrange your schedule will be well worth it!

Make sure that children and older people around you are kept cool. Take them somewhere that is suitable – for seniors, it might be the library, a senior center or a church that is open for this specific purpose during the hot weather. For children, you might want to take them to a beach, a lake, or a pool, where they can play in the water and cool down. Check your local radio and TV resources to see what is available in your community.

On a more serious note – hot weather brings tempers to the breaking point, and if you are in an abusive relationship, it may take its toll. Our readers are here 24/7 to talk to you, to help you, and to provide toll free numbers that you can call for help.

One last note – please do not leave your animals in your vehicle for any amount of time at all. Trucks and cars heat up very quickly, and you could seriously injure, or even lose, your best friend.

“The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success”, by Deepak Chopra (Amber-Allen Publishing), is a book that I have worked with on and off for several years. In this book, Chopra distills his teachings into seven principles that can be applied to any part of our life to create success. I loved the number seven, and the fact that the seven chapters were short enough that they could be read and meditated on at the rate of one a day. And yes, when the next week came around, I started over again! Something new learned each time.

The seven principles are:

1. The Law of Pure Potentiality.
2. The Law of Giving and Receiving.
3. The Law of Karma or Cause and Effect
4. The Law of Least Effort
5. The Law of Intention and Desire
6. The Law of Detachment
7. The Law of Dharma or Purpose in Life

In his introduction, Chopra notes that in working with these Laws we gain the ability to create unlimited wealth with effortless ease, and to experience success in every endeavor. I love how he defines success – as the continued expansion of happiness progressive realization of worthy goals. Success is not defined by our paycheck! “Success is the ability to fulfill our desires with effortless ease.” (Deepak Chopra)

We are the co-creators of our lives, in unison with Universe. Spirit lies at the source of all of life’s achievements. “With the knowledge and practice of the seven spiritual laws, we align with nature’s intelligence, and our dreams and desires are easily fulfilled. When we understand these laws, and apply them in our lives, anything we want can be created.

My thought is that if you take the wisdom from your psychic reading, and apply these principles, your life will change forever!

There will be a total solar eclipse on Wednesday, July 22^nd, 2009. It is the second of three eclipses this summer (the first being a lunar eclipse on July 7^th, the second being the solar eclipse on July 22^nd, and the third being a lunar eclipse on August 6^th), which is rare in and of itself. It will be the longest eclipse in the 21^st century, lasting six minutes and thirty-nine seconds. As far as personally viewing it, that will only be possible for those living in a narrow corridor running through northern India, eastern Nepal, southern China and the Pacific ocean. Energetically, of course, the entire planet is affected by this energy.

Eclipses in general are all about change – a total eclipse talks about releasing the past and walking through the door to the future - endings and new beginnings. This eclipse occurs in the last part of Cancer, just before the Sun enters Leo. Metaphysically speaking, we are being given the opportunity to learn the lessons associated with Cancer. How this fits into the major changes that this planet is undergoing ecologically, and the major changes that humankind is undergoing with the economic crisis, is undoubtedly part of the lessons that we are to learn from Cancer.

With Cancer we are talking about the archetypes of nurturing and intuitive (psychic) wisdom. We need to nurture ourselves, as well as others in our life. There needs to be a sense of balance there. Another aspect of this eclipse is that we need to allow others to nurture us. We need to open our hearts and accept that nurturing.

It is time to take a look at your life – at who and what you are nurturing, and how you feel about that. If we spend too much time nurturing others, and do not spend time nurturing ourselves, then we are out of balance. If we are willing to nurture others, but do not allow ourselves to receive nurturing energy from others, then we are... Read More

Aromatherapy is a wonderful tool that can be used easily in conjunction with psychic readings. Aromatherapy acts to heal in a psychological as well as a physical sense. Think of the times that you have taken flowers to someone that was sick or recovering from surgery or an illness. The color and scent associated with the flowers, as well as the intent in giving them, all acted as an aid to the healing process.

The process of aromatherapy works through the use of essential plant oils. These oils are diluted and then used to help promote balance and promote health in the body and the mind. The psychological response of the individual using the oils is as important as the physical response. (I often use Geranium, Eucalyptus and Lavender straight from the bottle – i.e. undiluted – just to breathe in the scent.)

The following is a short listing of essential oils, and their general qualities:

Chamomile: Chamomile is used to help with relaxation, and in connection with allergies.

Clary Sage: Clary Sage can be used with asthma, to help reduce stress, with muscle aches and with insomnia.

Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus can be used for arthritis, a well as for respiratory problems and boosting the immune system.

Geranium: Geranium can be used for balancing the skin, for relaxation, and as an antidepressant.

Lavender: Lavender can be used for relaxation, as an antidepressant and in the treatment of wounds.

Peppermint: Peppermint can be used for headaches, muscle aches and digestive disorders.

Rosemary: Rosemary can be used for mental stimulation, and to boost the immune and digestive systems.

Ylang Ylang: Ylang Ylang can be used for relaxation and as an antidepressant.

The essential oils can be used in many ways: in candles, as a mist, as... Read More

What function do Spirit Guides play in our life? How are they different from our Higher Self? How can we communicate with our Spirit Guides? Spirit Guides are energetic bodies that act as representatives of Spirit, and they are with us literally to act as guides. They are not here, however, to make our decisions for us. We can have many different Spirit Guides during a lifetime. They may stay with us for a specific issue, or for a specific time period. Or they may choose to stay with us our entire lifetime.

Our Spirit Guides come to us with a vast amount of wisdom, gained over several lifetimes. They can be viewed as Angels that have lived physical lifetimes. They are here to teach us, and to help us heal. Because they are spiritual in nature, they have a higher frequency than we do here on the physical plane.

Communication with our Spirit Guides can be through telepathy, through images and archetypes, and can happen during meditation, journeying, dreamtime, or in our waking hours. Generally it is not during our waking hours, as the mind is still functioning, and can act as a barrier to spiritual communications. When the mind is quiet, the messages have an easier time coming through. One thought is that what we consider “synchronicities” in life may be experiences that were set up by our Spirit Guides to help us learn.

We can actively communicate with our Spirit Guides in many ways. We can choose to use automatic writing, for instance. Take a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Hold the pen or pencil in your hand, and rest your hand on the paper. Focus on your breathing until your mind quiets down. Once this has happened, you can either allow whatever information that wants to come through to come through, or you can focus on addressing a specific Spirit Guide, or on asking a specific question. If you do not start writing within a minute or two, then start drawing circles or otherwise move your pen or pencil... Read More

Setting goals is the foundation for creating the future that we want – and it is not as easy as it sounds. At least, for me it isn’t. I end up with way too many goals, and they are scattered all over the place! I have learned over time that I need to break my life down into different areas, and then form goals within those areas. You may break things down a bit differently, but I use the broad categories of career, finances, home, family and personal.

Setting and achieving goals acts as a wonderful motivator. Each small success allows us to think bigger, to dream bigger, and to expand our world in an orderly fashion. We do this by setting clearly defined, realistic goals. I like to look at the big picture of what I want to do, and then write down the smaller goals that will allow me to achieve the bigger ones.

Once I have the smaller goals lined up, I write down the steps that I need to take to achieve each goal. I give myself a realistic time period to achieve each goal in. I review my progress along the way, fine tuning as I go. If my goal has not been achieved within the set time period, I look at three things – (1) whether the goal that I am working on fits into the broader picture of my life, (2) whether I can rethink the steps that I am taking to achieve my goal, and (3) whether the goal is currently serving me well.

I have found that my overall goals have changed through time. I left one career field (that required very specific goals), and went into a completely non-related field. Then I found that I wanted to add something else into the mix – while not completely walking away from the second career field.

Developing my goals, and learning to be flexible with them, has allowed me to grow as a person, and to grow spiritually. What goals are you seeking? Are they connected with your passions in life? Do they serve you well? Don’t be afraid of change! Set new goals, dream new dreams!... Read More

The 4^th of July has just passed, and I am thinking about freedom. What I think is that we take our freedom for granted. Dictionary.com defines freedom as the state of being free, as opposed to being in confinement or being restrained physically. It is the absence of external control or regulation, and the power to determine our own actions.

Our country exemplifies a myriad of freedoms – religious freedom, political freedom, freedom of speech and perhaps the biggest freedom of all – freedom of choice. We have this freedom because as a country we encourage and defend it. Part of this process is honoring those who have defended our freedoms – sometimes at the cost of their own lives.

Every time we empower ourselves in any way, we express our ability to be free. In this way we honor those who have gone before us. At Psychic Power our primary goal is to offer tools of empowerment, tools that allow us to see more clearly, and use our freedom of choice in a more positive, constructive manner.

By developing our psychic abilities we empower ourselves to make better, more informed decisions and choices. We need to take the time to look at where we are in life, and where we want to be. We live in a country where education is available to all, and we really can do any work that we want to do.

For myself, freedom from feeling bound by the expectations of others is a huge freedom. I realized that I needed to know who I was before I could break away from these expectations. Once I was sure of who I was, I was able to develop goals that reflected the path that I was on – not the path that someone else wanted me to be on.

What freedoms are you looking for in your life? What are your passions? What are your goals? As readers, we have worked through this in our own lives. Now we are here for you, 24/7, to help you lead a life of... Read More

“Tails” of the Afterlife – True Stories of Ghost Pets (Peggy Schmidt, Schiffer Books), is an absolutely wonderful book that talks about our connection with our pets, and about how they can and do visit us from the afterlife. This is a very positive, uplifting, and at times funny book – and I cried my way through it! (More than likely you will too – it is that well written.)

Peggy Schmidt is a tour guide for ghost sites, and helps to research and write storied for Ghost Tours of America. The stories in this book are those of dogs, cats, horses and birds – so that we can see that the phenomenon presented is not specific to any one species. They are presented with a short explanation of the specific type of animal involved, along with a few tidbits about their personality and traits. There are many incredible pictures, but the ones that attracted me the most were presented in a lovely golden heart frame – they are just so very special!

Mixed in with the stories about beloved pets is information on communicating with our pets, and specifically on animal communicators. One thing that interested me was that our pets can tell exactly what is wrong with us physically (this is exemplified in the story of a horse that refused to left lead cantor, because he realized that his rider had a problem with her left hip that she was not aware of).

Animal communicators can do so many things that are helpful to us, and to our pets. They can help to locate missing pets, bring us guidance on health issues that our pets are facing, show us the reasons behind behavior problems, and strengthen our bonds with our pets. One thing that Schmidt talks about is our “heart” animal. This is the one pet that stays with us over an entire lifetime – even after they have crossed over. They have a greater impact on our life that any other animal ever will. I found this an interesting concept because I have experienced it myself, and was always... Read More

I came across a new (to me, anyway) website that I felt the visitors to our www.PsychicPower.com site might appreciate: http://www.healyourlife.com/.

The title is quite literal – the site is devoted to ways that we can heal our own lives. They have an incredible list of columnists, including Colette Baron-Reed, Sylvia Browne, Sonja Choquette, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, Steven D. Farmer, Louise L. Hay, Deborah King, Denise Marek, Mona Lisa Schultz, Ph.D., Gordon Smith, Marianne Williamson and Eve A. Wood, Ph.D.

Their features include Everyday Wisdom (articles such as Get Inspired!, by Dr. Wayne Dyer – 12 ways to simplify your life and set your spirit free), Life’s Help (showcasing articles that concern the wellness of mind and body), Events (a schedule of upcoming Hay House events here and abroad), and Blogs (current blogs include the Wayne Dyer Blog (Dr. Wayne Dyer – random thoughts on how to live with contentment, gratitude and awe) and Inside The Dust Jacket (Donna Abate – a behind the scenes look at one of the leading New Age Publishers (Hay House), including author updates and new releases, tips for personal growth and more).

I am so impressed by the stories and articles on this site. There is Steven Farmer’s article on What Messages do the Animals Have For You? (all about healing life from the creatures of our world), Marianne Williamson’s What’s Age Got To Do With It? (on midlife changes), and Gordon Smith’s Give What You Get (on how to fine tune our intuitive gifts), and Colette Baron-Reid’s Can Fortune Cookies Predict The Future (about aleuromancy and receiving messages from the spirit).

You can sign on as a member for free (I did this because I love to leave comments on articles that have meant a great deal to me), and they also offer a monthly newsletter. I hope that you take the time to visit this site – they are there to... Read More

“A New Earth – Awakening To Your Life’s Purpose Inspiration Deck” is a 52 card set of carefully chosen passages from author/spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle’s bestselling book of the same name. I had the very good luck to have a friend of mine let me know that Oprah Winfrey was doing a series of discussions with Tolle focusing on “A New Earth”. I found him to be a very humble, incredibly intelligent gentleman who, by the end of the first discussion had learned how to handle Winfrey without appearing to “handle” her at all. (The show was done using Skype, and this was a first for her, so she was pretty tightly wound!)

Each passage was selected to reinforce the principles of the book, which basically help the reader to transcend the mind-set of the ego and to awaken to your life’s purpose. We open to the true sense of who we are, and the true sense of what the world around us is, we live more authentic lives, and we find personal happiness through ending conflict with others.

The top of the box folds into a pop-up frame so that individual cards can be displayed for meditation purposes, or to simply be used as a focus throughout the day. The box itself is a beautiful dark orange, with a picture of the earth on the cover.

The cards themselves are 3 ¾” by 5 ½”, of good quality card stock. They are flat, rather than glossy, with dark orange backs. About one third of the way up from the bottom of the card is a black strip, with four different backs: one is a set of hands in the middle with an image of the world balanced in the air between them, one is the earth with a night sky background, one is the earth backed by a green leaf, one is the earth against a background of clouds.

The card faces show a ¼” colored border, surrounding a center with a black background. The passage is in white type centered on the card, with an image of the earth centered above it. The cards are broken down... Read More

I absolutely adore Nicki Scully’s work, and her “Power Animal Meditations” (Bear & Company) does not disappoint. I have attended some of Nicki’s teleclasses, and know that she is respectful of herself, her students, and the material that she is working with. She has a deep connection with the modality of healing and spirituality, and that certainly shines through in this book.

In “Power Animal Meditations” Nicki brings together the power and magic of the animal world with the power and magic of the world of the Egyptian pantheon. The meditations act to bring the reader to a point where they can create a conscious relationship with totemic beings – a relationship of mutual respect and powerful inner growth. It is also the story of how to live in harmony with all things.

The journeys in this book are for specific purposes. They are as follows:

Foundation Journey’s:

Vulture & Crone – Intuitive Wisdom

Tree – Grounding

Rose – Perfection of Self/Opening of Heart

Eagle – Making Choices

Elephant – Manifesting Goals/Problem Solving

Poison Oak – Protection

Journeys for Awakening:

Hippopotamus – Rebirth

Cobra – Awakening of Energy

Stag – Invitation Into Ley Lines

Whale – Sonic Initiation

Swan – Inner Mate

Cat – Love of Self

Salmon – Energy/Fertility

Journeys for Transformation:

Butterfly – Transformation/Self-Esteem

Owl – Alchemy/Night Vision

Persian Leopard – Grief

Snow Leopard – Fear

Crocodile – Getting What You Want

Walrus – Relationship With Money

Kangaroo – Balancing Evil

Honeybee – Giving Back to the Earth

Healing Journeys:

Bear – Dreaming/Crystals/Herbs

Crystals –... Read More

“Vibrational Healing Through the Chakras”, by Joy Gardner (Crossing Press) focuses on the healing powers of light and sound, as well as crystals and aromatherapy, and the ways that these powers can be used to heal through the chakra system (the seven energy centers that run along our spine). This information in this book is very practical information, easy to put to use in real life. It is an excellent tool for helping us to improve our own health and well being.

Gardner gives a very good overview of the chakras and the human energy field, of the colors connected with the chakras, and with learning how to open and close each chakra. She discusses diagnosing through the chakras, how we can feel our own chakras, and Vibrational Alignment ™, the specific technique that she herself developed through working with her clients.

An entire chapter is devoted to light, color, and frequencies – some of which are visible to the naked eye, some of which are not. For me, the information on color and vibration was intriguing. Systems such as Feng Shui use color as an important element of their foundation. Those who work with Elemental Energy will recognize the power of color, as will those who work with personal power, where the colors in our environment, and the choice of color in the cloths that we wear, can enhance or detract from our energy. Psychic healing is another area where color is used to affect positive change.

What I really like about this book is the depth of background information on each of the healing modalities, the use of graphics (it is often easier to convey something through the use of a graph, rather than through text), and the inclusion of personal experiences, as well as client experiences.

Gardner talks about the use of color charged water, which colors to use where on the face to heal, and how to use color in our daily life. I have a personal interest in chanting and healing... Read More

“Chakra Healing and Karmic Awareness”, by Keith Sherwood (Llewellyn Worldwide, 2005) addresses the karmic “baggage” that we carry from one lifetime to another. This baggage can affect all areas of our life – it can affect our personality (getting resolution to a problem or issue literally takes a weight off of our shoulders!), our relationships (we see our life as it is filtered through the lens of our baggage, and we tend to carry a lot of negative voices, and negativity in general, with us), our physical health, our emotional health, our mental health, and our spiritual health.

What Sherwood offers in this book is an easy to follow approach to resolving karmic baggage and releasing any negative energy blockages. How does he do this? He shows you how to activate your chakras, strengthen the boundaries of your aura (your personal energy field), and take care of your energy system in general.

Part of the work that Sherwood presents entails casting out unwanted “nonphysicals” from the energy bodies in order to create healthy auric boundaries. He defines karmic baggage, and discusses the effects of karmic baggage on several different levels – mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and etheric. He also discusses what our auric field is, and how it functions.

Other subjects covered are recognizing karmic attachments (and releasing them), activating the higher and lower chakras, and working with kundalini energy.

While it would be good to have some small experience in doing energy work before using this book, it is possible for a beginner to understand the principles and place them to good use in their life.

A good understanding of how karma is created goes a long way towards understanding why our thoughts and action are so important, and how we can create the most authentic, healthy lifestyle for ourselves.

If you are considering working with your chakras and... Read More

“Sacred Stones of the Goddesses”, by Galen Gillotte (Llewellyn Publications, 2003), will be of particular interest to those who do ritual work, to those that wish to work with crystals and stones, and for those who wish to do Goddess work. The foundation of this book is a series of thirty-five Goddess invocations, spells and meditations based on specific goddess archetypes, and relating to specific life issues/events. This makes it very easy to look up the life issue/event that you are facing and find a meditative tool to assist you in understanding/overcoming it.

Each spell or meditation is associated with a specific goddess, and with a specific crystal or stone. While the goddess information is fairly clear and concise, it is sometimes not so clear why a specific crystal or stone was chosen. Personally, I like the format. If I get a gut feeling that anther crystal or stone might work better, then I simply use that crystal or stone. As with all things, take with you what resonates – leave the rest behind.

The structure of the spells and meditations may seem to be much the same. This can be a plus, because in working with them you come to understand the process very well. Once you have that understanding, you can tweak them however you wish.

One of the great gifts that this book offers is the meditations for the elements (Fire, Water, Air, and Earth). Each element governs a specific part of life – Fire governs our passions, and is connected with career; Water governs our emotions, and is connected with relationship; Air governs the mental real and our communications; Earth governs the physical world, and is connected with our finances and home environment.

Another gift is the relaxation exercise at the beginning of the book that allows the reader to put themselves in the right mind to do the spells and meditations. The meditations that were presented for the god and goddess are also valuable... Read More

“Crystal Healing, Volume 2 - The Therapeutic Application of Crystals and Stones”, by Katrina Raphael (Aurora Press, 1987), is a wonderful, easy to follow book that addresses the healing properties of crystals and stones. It is filled with practical, usable information gleaned from Raphael’s personal experience in working with crystals and stones.

In working with the material within this book, the reader begins to gain some insight into the processes that underlie both our disease and our health patterns. There are detailed color photographs that show the reader how to lay the crystals and stones on the body for a healing, which stones to use for what, and how to facilitate soul activation, complete healing and expansion of consciousness.

I take healing seriously, no matter how it is done. I was impressed with the fact that Raphael addresses preparation of the environment, focus on the power of the breath, as well as protection and guidance. Whenever we heal, we heal on many levels. As we heal, we are releasing negative energy and emotions, which leaves a void behind. Using the methods that Raphael presents, the healing is facilitated and the void is filled with fresh, positive energy.

In her section on time bridging, Raphael addresses past life therapy, past life and future life recall, and pre-life purpose, amongst other things. In her section on maintenance and personal responsibility, she addresses affirmations, meditation, individual work with crystals and stones, and conscious reprogramming.

Different types of crystals are discussed, including Master Crystals, Channeling Crystals, Transmitter Crystals and Window Crystals. There is also a section on Crystal Wands, and their use.

Some people might look at the publication date on this book and think that better material is out there. I have used this book for many years, and find it both in-depth and hands on. If you are... Read More

“In Your Dreams”, by Gayle Delaney (Harper San Francisco) focuses on dream themes as a foundation for interpreting dreams. Delaney chose the direction of asking questions, which opens up the interpretation of dream themes, and symbols/images within the dream.

The issue with interpreting dreams is that they can be interpreted on an archetypal basis – where there is a commonality for all people, no matter what their background, but that they are also personal to the individual having the dream – the dream is seen through the lens of their own life experiences. A fixed interpretation can lead to the dreamer not allowing themselves to see the dream through their own life experiences, which blocks out material that could lead to a deeper understanding of the issues behind the dream.

Delaney has broken each entry in the book into four sections:

1. Variations – How a dream symbol/image can be seen in different ways.
2. What Others Have Said – Here we get the input of leading luminaries such as Jung and Freud have said, the traditionally accepted meaning, and other voices.
3. Sample Dreams – Each entry has two examples of Delaney’s students interpreting a specific dream image or theme.
4. What Do YOU Say -A list of questions that the dreamer can ask themselves to see how they feel about images within their dream.

Read More