Personal Empowerment – Summer Reading
Lilith
3 June 2009
“Through the pages of a book, magical worlds open up.”
This week we are going to be talking about books – books that entertain us, books that empower us, books that lead us into magical worlds. Books show us what can be, and how we can get there. Books act as inspiration for us to set new goals, and walk new paths. As with all things, take from any book that which resonates with you, that which works for you, and leave the rest behind. Through this you find the person that is the authentic you.
One of the greatest tools that we have at our disposal is that of dreamtime. Our dreams help us to solve day-to-day problems, and to open ourselves up to all that we can be. One of the books that I find helpful with dream work is Gayle Delaney's In Your Dreams
(Harper San Francisco). It works as a dream dictionary, discussing various dream themes (such as being chased, flying, falling, discovering new rooms in a house), and elements within dreams (such as family members, friends and strangers), dream settings (home, church, country), animals in dreams (such as cats, dogs, snakes, birds) and objects (such as cloths, trees, drugs, food). I think she does a good job of treating the topic well, and giving the reader a place to start with his or her personal dream interpretation.
I love to work with crystals, and Katrina Raphael's Crystal Healing, Volume 2
(Aurora Press) is one of my favorite books. It directly addresses the therapeutic application of crystals and stones. (One of the biggest bonuses to this book is the color illustrations for the laying out of stones and crystals on the body for healing.) Raphael takes the reader from preparation of the healing environment, through protection, breathing techniques, the laying on of the stones, and releasing negative energy.
Another version of working with crystals and stones is offered by Galen Gillotte in Sacred Stones of the Goddess
(Llewellyn Worldwide). The focus here is using earth’s energies for magical living. This is basically ritual/ceremonial work, focused on specific goddesses, for specific purposes. For instance, the Goddess Kuan Yin is invoked in a spell to help you discover your spiritual path. The crystal used here is amethyst. The Goddess Pax is invoked in a spell for peace, making use of the Blue Lace Agate crystal. This is a very empowering book!
I find all healing venues interesting, but I especially like chakra work. Two books come to mind immediately: Keith Sherwood’s Chakra Healing and Karmic Awareness
(Llewellyn Worldwide), and Joy Gardner’s Vibrational Healing Through the Chakras
(Crossing Press). “Chakra Healing and Karmic Awareness” is a step by step program for the creation of energy health and personal growth. This book is written for those that understand the basic principles of energy work, but is written at a level that is easily understood by everyone. Topics here include karmic attachments (and how to remove them – something very important in understanding why you are going through what you are going through), activating the chakras to strengthen your aura (the energy body surrounding each of us), and working with kundalini energy. A truly interesting section of this book talks about how nonphysical beings can be trapped in the human energy field, and how to release them. The aim here is to create and maintain physical, mental, emotional and spiritual balance and health.
“Vibrational Healing Through the Chakra’s” addresses healing through the use of color, crystals, essential oils, light and sound. Gardner includes a history and definition of the chakra system, their colors, and how to diagnose with them. She thoroughly covers the frequencies of light, color and sound as they are used in healing, as well as how to heal with aromatherapy and crystals. The book is easy to understand, with many client examples. It puts the ability to heal well within the reach of every individual.
On another level entirely is Nicki Scully’s Power Animal Meditations
(Bear & Company). Here we are looking at shamanic journeys with our animal spirit allies. Her guided journeys are from the alchemical world, and based on the Egyptian pantheon. Power animals are highly regarded tools of empowerment, and Scully makes them available to anyone that wishes to walk this path. Meditations are given for different animals, for different purposes. Journeying with Eagle will help us to make better choices. Journeying with Cobra will help awaken us. Journeying with Butterfly will help us with our self-esteem. Journeying with Bear will help us to heal. Journeying with Hawk will help us gain wisdom. Journeying with Turtle will teach us about giving, while journeying with Wolf addresses issues of security. Whatever we wish to work on, our spirit allies are there to work with us.
I have to include at least one Tarot book! Tarot for Your Self
, by Mary K. Greer (New Page Books) was THE very first book that I worked with in connection with the Tarot. I am eternally grateful to the lady at the metaphysical store that recommended it to me. The version that I have in front of me is the second, expanded version. Greer covers upright and reversed meanings, a section on Tarot history (Greer is a well known Tarot historian) and information on Shadow/Teacher cards (these are the qualities within us that act as issues to teach us, much as Trickster energy). This is just a start! She also includes a chapter on dealing with moods, emotions and relationships, chapters on prosperity and planning, being conscious of what you create, healing and crystals and Tarot. This is one of two books that should be a part of every Tarot library – the other one being “Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom”, by Rachel Pollack (Thorsons).
Read what draws you, enjoy what you read, and take away what you will!
Each week, we are going to hear from the voice of one of our oracle allies. This week we are visiting the Faerie Wisdom cards (Gillian Kemp, Sterling Publishing). The energy that wishes to speak is that of the Green Man, who represents winter. We are being advised that the calm of winter has issued in the fertility and abundance of spring, its new beginnings and rebirths. We are being asked to let go of what we are now so that we can be all that we are meant to be. To hold on to our comfort zone for too long holds us back. We need to open our hearts to happiness, and on all levels embrace change.
May your week be filled with joy and peace.
Best Wishes,
Lilith
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