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| Reading Room We highly recommend all the books listed on this page. We've read them time and time again and have taken their words to heart. We've provided a link to Amazon.com in case you'd like to investigate purchasing a particular title. Enjoy! |
| By title: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
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| The Art of Psychic Protection by Judy Hall
Throughout the book, Hall covers topics such as: natural protection, the aura, the chakras, the power of thought, psychic attack, meditation, cleansing the subconscious mind, channeling, out of body experiences, protecting your space, psychic protection and children, strengthening another person's aura, group protection, aromatherapy, and geopathic stress. These I have mentioned are only about three-fourths of what is actually covered in this book. Nice cover art, illustrations, personal experiences and stories, and most of all honesty and great information, gives this book 9 out of 10 stars. I recommend this book strongly for anyone who even prays! -- Donald Lee W. O'Neill Click here to learn more about purchasing this book from Amazon.com |
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Artist's Way : A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by
Julia Cameron
She
advocates common sense daily practices that will open you up to your own
voice. This is spiritual awakening at its gentlest. Practices include
morning pages, affirmations, and self-examination through tasks and
journaling exercises. Now, before it starts to sound like a chore�
most are fun and all are enlightening. Here are two exercises from week
4:
Click here to learn more about purchasing this book from Amazon.com. |
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Astral Projection for Beginners by Edain McCoy
There are many things one can do with the techniques of astral projection: 
View and heal events in your past
Like all occult practice, the techniques are fairly simple, the possibilities boundless and the crux of the whole thing is the discipline of training yourself. This is a reassuring book, one that will make you aware that you have done this before and, with a little (or a lot) of practice you will be able to do it at will. She states, "Occultists have long accepted that the mind is a universe unto itself, and that what takes place there is very real. Think about the implications in terms of human civilization; all things that humankind has created had to first be constructed within the mind, made manifest as a single astral thoughtform." Click here to learn more about purchasing this book from Amazon.com. |
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| The Astrological Houses: The Spectrum of Individual Experience by Dane Rudhyar
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| An Astrological Guide to Self-Awareness by Donna Cunningham
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| The Astrological Neptune and the Quest for Redemption by Liz Greene
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| Astrology, Karma & Transformation: The Inner Dimensions of the Birth Chart by Stephen Arroyo
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| Astrology, Psychology, and the Four Elements: An Energy Approach to Astrology and its Use in the Counseling Arts by Stephen Arroyo
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| Astrology for Yourself by Douglas Bloch & Demetra George
This book functions well as a self-guided tour of your inner motivations. I have used it as a structured journal for self-exploration and learned a lot in the process. Developing your own insight into your birth chart is very empowering. Astrology is, in my opinion, the most complete language for discussing psychological phenomena. You'll be better able to understand the astrological language and advice your astrologer gives you. You'll also be able to formulate more knowledgeable questions at your next consultation. - Inga Duncan Thornell Click here to learn more about purchasing this item from Amazon.com |
| Automatic Writing by Tara Sutphen (audio cassette)
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| Basic Yoga for Everybody by Gertrud Hirschi
The book included in this set has some great breathing techniques and exercises. The author stresses the importance of thought during yoga practice and provides affirmations for the postures she mentions. The book also teaches the bandha or locks so important to traditional yoga, but which I have seldom seen mentioned in a beginner text. Likewise mudras, or hand positions, are explained and pictured. I have found the various mudras useful for ritual as well as for yoga. It is a really nicely packaged set and would make an impressive gift for anyone on your list. If they aren't already into yoga, this might be the perfect motivation for them to try it. -- Inga Duncan Thornell Click here to learn more about purchasing this book from Amazon.com |
| The Book of Pluto by Steven Forrest
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| The Celestine Prophecy: An Adventure by James Redfield
Mr. Redfield takes us on a marvelous adventure to Peru to search for a long lost manuscript from the Middle Ages that contains nine insights into mankind's quest for spiritual growth. Along the way, he'll introduce you to the concept of synchronicity, those seemingly coincidental moments in our lives that actually aren't. As illustrated in the story, these events can be recognized and capitalized on thus greatly enriching our lives. Once we become receptive to this type of divine guidance, we realize that every day is a spiritual journey and we start looking for, if not expecting, those little miracles to appear at every turn. The author ties our own spiritual awakening into the growing critical mass that is occuring worldwide and explores the implications of it. All in all, I found this to be a very inspirational book. If you have already started your own spiritual journey, you'll find this to be very affirming. As a gift to someone who is just starting on that journey, this book might turn out to be a magical road map for them! -- Scott Bruce Duncan */:-) Click here to learn more about purchasing this item from Amazon.com |
| Chart Interpretation Handbook by Stephen Arroyo
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| The Consulting Astrologer's Guidebook by by Donna Cunningham
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The Crone: Woman of Age, Wisdom, and Power by Barbara G. Walker
It describes how the honored wisdom of the priestesses of our ancestors became denigrated as old wives tales. Some of the early Christian missionaries even speak of the English tribes as �being led by old women�. I enjoyed the political intrigue and the way the author shows what the power issues really were. Many of her points make such sense that I can't believe I hadn't heard them before. Why would paternity be so sacred and important when it has only been provable in the last 10 years or so? Why would Priests wear dresses? Why was witchcraft feared to such a degree? One caveat: The author is a feminist and does take sides. While I am a feminist, I am not a reductionist. Nothing is ever that simple. I had to keep reminding myself that she was probably exaggerating to make a point. I do not believe that the world would be perfect if women were in charge. To me the men in this world have been just as harmed as the women by disrespecting their feminine aspects. The answer is for all of us to respect ourselves and each other in all our complexity and diversity. I feel that Astrology is the perfect basis for such respect, not a return to a fabled Golden Age. -- Inga Duncan Thornell >^..^< Click here to learn more about purchasing this book from Amazon.com. |
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| The Eagle and the Rose by Rosemary Altea
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| Exploring Our Forgotten Lives: The Amazing Healing Power of Past Life Therapy by Bryan Jameison
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| Freeing the Captives : The Emerging Therapy of Treating Spirit Attachment by Louise Ireland-Frey
This book is written by a Louise Ireland-Frey, a therapist and hypnotist, whose practice deals largely with what she refers to as Spirit Attachment. It may sound New Age and flaky in "The Age of Reason" but this is how the ancients referred to many diseases, especially mental illness. One quarter of the healings attributed to Jesus in the New Testament consist of casting out spirits. Many modern Christians pay lip service to Jesus' injunction to "Heal the sick, ...cast out devils." Matthew 10:8 For me, attachment is the best explanation of addiction and obsession. Like this: Someone dies of drug or alcohol addiction. Their spirit or part of their spirit is afraid to go to the Light because all it really knows as a friend is alcohol. So, what it does is go back to its old bar or tavern and latch onto the next guy who comes in with a weakness in his defenses due to illness, despair, his own alcoholism, etc. Then, in order to satisfy his own cravings, the spirit eggs the new guy on by increasing whatever feelings or thoughts lead him to drink in the first place. It seems logical that a useful part of treatment would be removing the entity! Louise Ireland-Frey discovered that attached entities occur quite commonly in patients experiencing mental, emotional or physical distress. She also learned that long-standing physical symptoms would commonly disappear after her treatments. She discusses many different types of spirits and ways that she has found to work with them. I was pleased with the way she changed from an authoritative technique to something more helpful to the spirits themselves along her journey. The fascinating case studies and anecdotal information both contribute to making this an interesting read, regardless of where you fall on the open-mindedness continuum. Here is an excerpt from my Book of Shadows about an encounter I had with an attaching entity. This is the first time I've presented this and I'm kind of embarrassed I didn't do a better job with the little guy, but here goes... August 18, 1997 Scott and I were driving home from Paradise up on Mt. Rainier. We had spent the night to take a little vacation from dealing with his prolonged illness. He was weak to start with but I noticed he seemed really tired. We were listening to some old Jethro Tull; "The Broadsword and the Beast". "Beastie" was playing and I was pondering how a beastie, or attachment, could burrow into someone's aura so deeply that the person would not be aware of it. I was feeling pretty dopey and it occurred to me that it would be a good time to scan for any energy seeking entities. I immediately became aware of a creature resembling a small gargoyle clinging to Scott's shoulder while he was driving. I mentally asked it if it wanted me to help it home and it leaped to my shoulder, clinging like a koala. I thought the best idea at this point would be to fly so I visualized pushing myself up and out of my body. The gargoyle stayed attached to me and we were flying. I had to nudge it with my shoulder to make it shift itself up to my back. It was so heavy in spite of its small size that it made it hard to glide. I wasn't getting any imagery from the beastie so I thought I ought to visualize the tunnel the same way as the last time I "ferried" a soul to the Light. And then right away we were flying into the opening. It was getting harder and harder to fly as the entity took more of my energy. I had to consciously visualize the tunnel walls and I felt like I was creating them as we flew. They had none of the depth or delicate shell-like coloring that they did the first time. There were no other people milling around either. I felt like I was forcing the imagery from memory in order to end up at the same place as before. By the time we approached the "airport lobby" part of the place, I was so low on energy that I was flying about knee level to the gray oval-shaped entity that came to greet us. I was concerned for a moment as I thought about how different this trip into the tunnel had been from the previous experience. You know, like, "What if they don't take these things here?" But then I could feel the release of that incredible weight as the entity picked it up and carried it inside. I didn't feel the same warmth and approval as the last time. The entity seemed more tolerant than anything else, so I'm not at all sure what you're supposed to do with a gargoyle!
The next day, Scott was a new person. He came home that night from work amazed at the new level of energy he had and wondering what had happened. His eyes got really big when I told him what had transpired in the car and we promptly began exercising his ability to keep his defenses up. -- Inga Duncan Thornell Click here to learn more about purchasing this book from Amazon.com
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Hypnotherapy by Dave Elman All I�ve been reading this month is textbooks required by my Hypnotherapy course! This particular book was originally published in 1964 and is one of the classics of modern hypnotherapy. The 50s and 60s saw a rush of interest in hypnotism the USA and Soviet Union. It was proven effective for anesthesia, sports performance and psychoanalysis. The military also experimented with hypnotism for �mind control� or �brainwashing.� The mainstream press equally sang hypnosis� praises and vilified it. Hypnosis figures into a lot of movies of the era including The Manchurian Candidate with Frank Sinatra and Angela Lansbury from 1962. Dave Elman was a writer, director and producer of
network radio programs. At 49 years of age, he decided to change careers
and return to hypnotism, something he had studied in his youth. He
restricted the enrollment in his Course in Clinical Hypnosis to
physicians and dentists, teaching them induction techniques and
demonstrating, what he called, hypnoanalysis. I remember my mom using
the inductions right out of this book on her friends when I was a little
kid. This book is full of anecdotes and case studies. He really shows what can be done with this remarkable tool. I was shocked by the doctors in the book cavalierly tossing out diagnostic labels such as psychosomatic, neurotic, frigid, etc. as if anything they couldn�t prescribe a drug for is a neurosis shocked me. It helped me to realize how far modern physicians have come in the understanding of compassionate and holistic medicine since 1964. Dave Elman�s approach with these same neurotic and frigid patients shows a much more �modern� understanding than their own doctors. He tells them all �everything that ever happened to you is stored in your unconscious mind and can be freed or at least understood through hypnosis.� Then he goes on to hypnotize the patient and find perfectly logical causes for their �neurotic aberrations� thereby allowing them to reframe the precipitating event and release the problem. -- Inga Duncan Thornell >^..^< Click here to learn more about purchasing this book from Amazon.com. |
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Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Henry Lincoln & Richard Leigh
1. What is the Merovingian line and how does it relate to the Knights Templar of the Crusades? 2. What is the Holy Grail and how does it relate to the systematic removal of the Feminine from not only Christianity but from popular culture as well? Not only does this book answer these questions but also is a fascinating read. Everyone who read The Moon Under Her Feet or The Woman with the Alabaster Jar and wants to know more about Mary Magdalene or the early Christians should read this book. If you get bogged down in the middle, skip to the last 4 chapters. Those are the four that the authors say shocked most Americans. -- Inga Duncan Thornell >^..^< Click here to learn more about purchasing this book from Amazon.com. |
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| The
Infinite Loop Design Lunar Calendar 2002 by Trevor Trifiro
The 2002 version features the Date, Time & Astrological Sign of every new, full and quarter (waxing & waning) moon, plus all the Pagan Holidays. I have information sheets on Using the Phases of the Moon and on The Moon thru the Signs posted in the Library on this website. Trevor is selling them for $8 each if you pick one up from him locally or add $4.50 for shipping in a Priority Mail tube. You can now order online via his website at www.infiniteloopdesign.com. -- Inga Duncan Thornell |
| The Inner Sky - The Dynamic New Astrology for Everyone by Steven Forrest
Click here to learn more about purchasing this item from Amazon.com
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| It's All In Your
Head: How To Use Your Right Brain To Do Just About Anything by
Marilyn Grey & Betty Bender
From the book: �With the help of Brain One, Theodore sent for college applications and dutifully recorded his vital statistics and grades and goals. However, Brain Two wasn�t just swinging in a hammock up there. Since there was no college of its choice, Two grabbed control of those little typing fingers and created an error rate inconsistent with Theodore�s A in typing. College tuition would use up all of Brain Two�s motorcycle money, so college was a no-no. The next day, when it was time to leave for school: �Aaaaaaargh!!!!� Theodore had misplaced his applications! Where could they be? �I know I put them someplace where I would be sure to see them � where was that? I�ve got to retrace my steps,� Brain One worried. Brain Two smiled, got out a copy of Backroads USA and tucked a picture of a Honda CBR 600 in Theo�s notebook. But, through logic and persistence, Theodore found and mailed the elusive applications and eventually was accepted at Harvard. Brain One was pleased with his progress. Two wasn�t so sure.� The authors then spend the rest of the book teaching you how
to re-program your mind by getting Brain Two involved in your program.
They lead you through the varied techniques of Affirmations,
Treasure-mapping, Visualization, Daydreaming, Hypnosis, Subliminal tapes
and Contrived experience. This book is peppered with quotes and pictures
to illustrate the techniques and to help them stick in your right brain.
Personally, I like the hemispheres model of the brain and find it to be
as useful for me as the conscious/unconscious model. Read this book and
you will never approach a new subject, sport or study in the same old
way. You can order this book directly from the author�s website - Price $14.95. |
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| Journey of Awakening by Baba Ram Dass
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| A journey through the birth chart by Joanne Wickenburg
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| The Knot of Time : Astrology and Female Experience by Lindsay River and Sally Gillespie
This is another well-worn favorite of mine. It is subtitled "Astrology and the Female Experience" but I think it transcends that implied limitation. The writing is universal in tone although the writers defer to the feminine pronouns. Authors Lindsay River and Sally Gillespie discuss Astrology as "not only a science for the study of planetary movements but also an art of interpretation and a philosophy, a system of understanding both the cosmos and the individual self." The book contains separate chapters on astrological theory, history, and the planets, signs and houses and ends with aspects and synthesis. References are included at the end of each chapter and there is a great bibliography at the end of the book that could keep you busy reading for a couple of years. Also included (one of my favorite things to see in a reference book) is an index. One of the things I like personally about this book is that the writers have really explored the historical nature of the astrological language to give you more than the cookbook descriptions that others provide. In Virgo, they discuss the mythology of Demeter, Hygeia and the Virgin Mary. In Scorpio, they review the mythology of Pluto and Inanna. The use of myth and poetic imagery really helps one to understand the energy inherent in the astrological symbols rather than following what many authors do in trying to distill a personality typology from a sign. The authors describe the Taurean personality as, "Touched by the warm sensuality of the flower Goddess, and those born in this astrological month have some of her easy grace and luxurious delight in the physical." "Luxurious Taurus can be lazy, but there is another side of her personality: committed, persevering and determined. Others who are less practical often dismiss her as materialistic, but fail to understand that decisions about money are a way for her to make important choices about what she does value and provide her with a path to self-knowledge." -- Inga Duncan Thornell Click here to learn more about purchasing this book from Amazon.com |
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| Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East by Baird T. Spalding
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| Life Time Astrology : From Conception to Transcendence by A. T. Mann
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| Linda Goodman's Sun Signs
Astrologers of the day accused her of oversimplification by not really addressing the other equally important areas of the natal chart such as: the Ascendant, moon and planets. She explains this issue in her foreword by saying, "The Sun is the most powerful of all the stellar bodies. It colors the personality so strongly that an amazingly accurate picture can be given of the individual who was born when it was exercising its power through the known and predictable influences of a certain sign. The electromagnetic vibrations (for want of a better term in the present stage of research) will continue to stamp that person with the characteristics of his Sun sign as he goes through life. The Sun isn't the only factor in analyzing human behavior and traits, but it is easily the most important single consideration." -- Inga Duncan Thornell Click here to learn more about purchasing this item from Amazon.com |
Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham
At the beginning of the book, the introduction, Cunningham catches your attention rather fast with his vivid honesty. This is the reader's first experience with his wonderful honesty of the religion. I was pleased at his neutrality despite him being Wiccan himself! He gives the reader all possible explanations and choices, and if he couldn't tell you, he even gives the names and authors of other books that maybe could! Here's an example quote from the book displaying his truthfulness: "I've written this book as a guide not only to Wiccan practice, but to Wiccan life. Still, its contents are merely ideas and suggestions. Each of us must find the perfect path. May the Goddess and God assist you in this quest." Now how about that?! On to the actual "book part" of the book. Now, although I'd like to talk about each chapter, I can't. However, I can give you a brief summary, or REVIEW mostly of the ones I liked. Cunningham covers practically everything one would need and/or want to know about Solitary Wicca. From ritual design to if one should practice while physically ill! Information, as mentioned previously, is presented very maturely, wisely, and with options, choices, and much detail! Next, are a few of my favorite chapters. "Secrecy", chapter 2, is very interesting. It deals with the choice of if a Solitary decides to tell anyone, who to tell, and how. Chapter 3, "Should I do it while I'm sick?", is also very informative. It explains that, while one is ill, he or she must remember that not only their physical energy is down. "Magickal Names", chapter 4, is another of my favorites. Although I wasn't really comfortable with the idea of choosing a magickal name for myself just yet, it was still helpful. The prayer section, chapters 8 through 10, are a nice way to find out more about who Wiccans pray too, and how they do it too. Another thing about the prayer chapters, is that it teaches to not only pray in times of need, but all the time, which I found an important teaching. The rest of the following chapters deal with magickal rites, ritual clothing, book of shadows, etc. Near the end is an illustrated 15 page chapter of magickal symbols and signs. The last part of the book is an illustrated "suggested reading" chapter, with books from various authors. This book was a wonderful teacher for me, and although this is my first Scott Cunningham book, I have a nice idea of what his teachings are like, and, well, I like them! I look forward to reading many other books by this author, and thus, I give it 9 out of 10 stars (pentagrams, that is, *grins*). Although the book has beautiful cover art, no other illustrations, (except for the magickal symbols chapter and such), are used. Such as illustrated examples of altar setup, garment design examples, or just various "fantasy art" etc., [probably] would've given this book a "perfect score". But in the same words similar to Cunningham's: "This is only the opinion of one, one must find for himself what he or she desires." -- Donald L. O'Neill, December 29, 1999 Click here to learn more about purchasing this item from Amazon.com |
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Magi : The Quest for a Secret Tradition by Adrian G. Gilbert
This is the most exciting book I've read in years! The author, Adrian Gilbert, uses his search for the legendary three kings or Magi to weave Christianity into the rich fabric of Eastern mystical teachings. From the persecution of the Gnostics and Jews to the Autos-da-Fe to the Salem Witch trials, modern Christianity has violently separated itself from its history and true legacy. Along the way and in my humble opinion, Christianity has lost a lot of its strength. So many of the "occult" teachings that Fundamentalism would condemn are no more than ideas inherent in the very Bible they profess to honor. Okay, enough of that. Back to the book... This is an adventure story of the highest order. Adrian Gilbert travels all over Egypt and the Middle East and Europe to show evidence that the members of the Magi brotherhood seeded and nurtured the ancient Messianic tradition that became a part of Christianity. He ties in the Order of the Knights Templar, Gothic cathedral construction, Astrology, poetry and religion to get you ready for the great revelation. The way he weaves this all together is the exciting part. I loved the combination of history and travelogue. One discovery leads to another; all of history leads up to right now. -- Inga Duncan Thornell
A second opinion Inga enthusiastically gave me this book to read and I quickly got into trouble in the first chapter. Why? Because I don't have a Liberal Arts degree nor do I have an extensive background in history. The author must fully expect the reader to know who he's talking about because he drops names of historical people left and right and he never slows down to tell you who these people are. I ended up so befuddled and lost that the adventure story aspect was wasted on me. I felt like I'd need a year of intensive study to prepare to read this book. So I bailed out, grabbed a beer and read some Pleadian channelings instead! -- Scott Bruce Duncan Click here to learn more about purchasing this book from Amazon.com. |
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Moon Under Her Feet by Clysta Kinstler
Here's a statement from the author, Clysta Kinstler, on Amazon�s Website: I was privileged to teach Philosophy of Religion and Comparative Religion courses at American River College in Sacramento, Calif. for fifteen years. The Moon Under Her Feet is my attempt to express the richness and harmony of spiritual insights I found expressed through world myths and their evolution into a symphonic whole. Writing the book and seeing it read and appreciated by so many people has been a continuous blessing to me. Two mornings ago, I got up just before dawn to let Annie, our Airedale in from the deck outside our bedroom where she sleeps. There in the eastern sky was the wonderful sign of the Goddess that Mari learned to watch for as a little girl, Venus, the Morning Star brilliant above the slimmest crescent moon. "...A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet." Ever since I began to write the book, I would just happen to see that sign in heavens before something significant in relation to the book or its progress toward publication would come about. I don't know why the Mother called me to awaken that morning-perhaps to write this note to you who are my readers, to thank you for your letters, and for the gift of our sharing. Blessed Be. Scott's review of The Moon Under Her Feet: This is the story of the birth, life, death and
resurrection of Jesus as witnessed by Mary Magdalene. In the Bible, she
is portrayed as an adulteress who washed Jesus� feet and anointed them
with oil. In this book, we learn that she is Mary Anath, the High
Priestess of Isis-Ashera, or Magdalene. The author tells the Jesus story within its
cultural context by weaving back in the many elements of the Bible that
have been edited out by committees of men over the centuries. She shows
how primitive Christianity, the practice that existed before organized
Christianity, evolved from the holistic, matriarchal Goddess culture and
how it ran parallel to the relatively new patriarchal Judaism and Roman
cultures of the time. When viewed in this context, these male-governed, organized religions without the grounding, nurturing effect of the Goddess, become nothing more than methods of securing power over the masses. Conversely, the sacrifice of Jesus elevates the Goddess culture above the need for grandiose mass rituals involving corporeal sacrifices. Those are replaced by a simpler, internal ritual of self-transformation that results in purification and alignment with Father/Mother/God. Through Mary Magdalene�s eyes and heart, we experience her ego's need to preserve her identity and maintain a sense of security against the threat of domination by men. By undertaking such a transformative, internal ritual, she sheds the ego, layer by layer, only to learn that she still exists whole and that our true power is that of Love, the Law. Later in the book, when she joins up with Jesus as he roams the countryside performing healings, we understand the basis of his power because of Mary�s own spiritual journey. Lest you think this book might be too scholarly or metaphysical, I can assure you it is not. You�ll read of astral travel, vision quests, near-death experiences plus all the miraculous demonstrations of Divine Love as performed by Jesus. It is also an exploration of Goddess sensuality and a remarkable love story fraught with danger. Most moving for me were the examples of selfless service to Father/Mother/God despite one�s personal doubts and fears. When these fears are faced and healed, real strength emerges and personal and planetary transformation can take place. � Scott Bruce Duncan */:-) Click here to learn more about purchasing this book from Amazon.com. |
Myst: The Book of Atrus by Robyn Miller and Rand Miller
This begins the saga and acts as prequel to the
PC/MAC game Myst. We meet our protagonist when he is a child being
raised by his grandmother, Anna. She teaches him to observe the world
around him and to become sensitive to the underlying structures or
causes of things and events. They live in a desert at the edge of an old
volcano and his scientific skills are put to use in making the poor soil
more productive. Anna tells stories of an ancient civilization called
D�ni, which Atrus accepts as myth until his father, Gehn, shows up and
states his intention to take Atrus to D�ni to assist him in his work.
Atrus learns that his father is obsessed with the restoration of the
D�ni culture especially their art or technology of writing worlds in
special books. What attracts Gehn is the creating of hundreds of worlds all subservient to him alone. What repels Atrus is his father�s shoddy writing habits that are concerned only with the quantity, rather than the quality or sustainability of the worlds or �Ages� as they are termed. Atrus wrestles with the existential concepts of: Are we creating new worlds or are we linking to worlds that already exist thereby permanently altering them? This is when the politics, romance and intrigue begin. The book ends with the very lines that begin MYST: the game. -- Inga Duncan Thornell >^..^< Scott needed a fantasy break, too! I've never played the Myst game so I was going in cold but the book stands on its own as an excellent fantasy novel. I like how the book explores the challenges and dangers of the power of creation. If done with humility, integrity, creativity and love, miraculous worlds can be created. With human will alone, creativity and stability are severely limited and the issues of ego, pride and madness become the foundational issues. I also found the dichotomy between the wisdom of the crone, Atrus' elderly grandmother, and his father, Gehn, very instructional and enlightening. Anna represents Water and Earth energies while Gehn represents Fire and Air. Without alignment, both are very limited in what they can create but Gehn, without that female Water and Earth, is ultimately destructive on a global scale. -- Scott Bruce Duncan */:-) Click here to learn more about purchasing this book from Amazon.com. |
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| Planets in Solar Returns- A Yearly Guide to Transformation and Growth by Mary Shea
Click here to learn more about purchasing this item from Amazon.com |
| Psychic Warrior by David Morehouse
This book is the author's account of his involvement in the CIA's psychic espionage program and it was so compelling that I stayed up late for a couple of nights to finish it. What made it all the more intriguing is who the author is; a highly decorated, third generation Army Ranger commander plus he has a master's degree in military art and science and a Ph.D. This is someone who had to override his deeply ingrained, patriotic Army background to disclose confidential materials to the public. And the Army and CIA took legal and alleged illegal steps to try to silence him. This guy was as normal as it gets until a stray bullet struck his helmet during a training exercise in Jordan. The impact badly bruised him but more than that, he gained the ability to see the physical and astral realms simultaneously. Needless to say, he nearly lost his mind over it but for fear of jeopardizing his Army career, he kept this to himself until he could no longer take it. He confided in his unit's psychologist who promptly told some buddies who ran a top secret psychic espionage unit at Fort Meade in Maryland. So much for confidentiality! He met with the people in the unit who were anything but Army people. They offered him a position on the team, on-the-job training and some answers to his many questions so he transferred into the special unit. What he didn't bargain on were the implications of what is called "remote viewing" and what the intelligence services were using it for; a weapon. Even worse, he met his "spirit guide" during his astral travels who kept telling him that it was his destiny to go public and share this tool with mankind. All this set him up on a collision course with his family, the Army, the CIA and his mental health. I won't tell you anymore than this except to say that the accounts of his psychic training and work plus his battles with the dark forces of our government make for extremely fascinating reading! - Scott Bruce Duncan Click here to learn more about purchasing this book from Amazon.com
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Red Tent by Anita Diamant
Something I found very interesting is the amount of controversy surrounding this book. Amazon has 365 reader reviews on their webpage and they run the gamut from: �What a beautiful read! I was so mesmerized by the tale of this family and the women that held it together, I could not put the book down � to �It is earthy and vulgar and filled with descriptions that belong with private matters.� Then on to �We read it in our book club and it was unanimous that it is an excellent novel.� And then to my favorite� �I was expecting a biblically accurate novel, instead I got what I believe to be a feminist, anti-Bible account.� Or how about, �It was absolute slander against the forefathers of the Jewish and Christian faith.� Which leads me to believe that these particular reviewers have not read either The Red Tent or their Bibles. Oh well! The negative reviews focus on a few issues:
So... here is my take on these:
Click here to learn more about purchasing this book from Amazon.com. Also available unabridged on cassette, read by Carol Bilger, from Amazon.com. Click here to learn more. |
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| Saturn: A New Look at an Old Devil by Liz Greene
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| The Secret Language of Stars and Planets by Geoffrey Cornelius and Paul Devereux
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| The Secret Language of Symbols by David Fontana
Here is what author David Fontana has to say about Pisces: "Water is deep, mysterious, capable of stillness and calm: in modern psychology it symbolizes the power of the unconscious. Just as Aries is fire in its primitive form, so Pisces is water in its most fluid form. The Piscean character is emotional, sensitive, vague and unworldly, given to the mysterious world of dreaming and attracted to the unknown. At the same time, like water, the Piscean character is highly adaptable, able to accommodate itself to demanding situations. Water also suggests the flow toward other people and this too is an aspect of Pisces - a gentle, compassionate nature which can show itself as vulnerability." "Pisces is a time of year when the rains of late Winter and early Spring prepare the earth for a burst of activity in Spring (Aries)."
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| The Spiral of Life : Unlocking Your Potential With Astrology by Joanne Wickenburg
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| The Tenth Insight by James Redfield
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Time Management for
the Creative Person by Lee
T. Silber
Here is my favorite story from the chapter on
memory. �My parents, Annette and Harvey, are both in their early
sixties. My mom is always complaining about my father�s selective
memory. When my mom noticed they were offering free memory testing as
part of an ongoing research program, she signed my dad up. A couple of
weeks into the program, I asked my dad how it was going. I knew someone
who might also be interested in participating. So I said, �Hey Dad, what�s the doctor�s name
who is running that memory program you�re in?� He gave me one of those blank stares. �The
doctor�s name? Hmmm� I need help with this one. What�s that thing
called that you hit the ball over in volleyball?� �A net?� I replied. �Yes, that�s it!� he exclaimed. �Hey Annette! What�s the name of that doctor I go to?� Click here to learn more about purchasing this book from Amazon.com. |
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| Venus: The Evolution of the Goddess and Her Planet by Ronnie Gale Dreyer
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| The Western Guide to Feng Shui : Room by Room by Terah Kathryn Collins
Cancer has me planning house projects. Thanks to Audra's recommendation of this book, I believe I can make informed decisions about what to tackle and how. I have read several Feng Shui books and all of them have left me with the feeling that this would be something interesting to study when I retire! But not this one... her explanations and instructions are clear, logical and easy to put to use right now with what you already have to work with. There are two primary schools of Feng Shui (pronounced fung-shway) the Form School and the Compass School. This book focuses on the Form School because the author feels that "these techniques produce excellent results and are generally easier to integrate into the Western lifestyle." The Bagua Map is the key to making Feng Shui work for you. Terah Kathryn Collins teaches you how to use the Bagua map or grid with your home as a whole and then extends the system into each room. Here is a quote from the book: "People have solved many problems using the Bagua Map. It's uncanny how often people find a correlation between the way their homes are designed and their ongoing problems. One couple found that the Wealth and Prosperity area of their home was located in a bathroom with leaky plumbing, symbolic of the continual leaking away of their savings account. Another couple discovered that the Career area of their home was located in the garage, which was crammed with junk, a perfect metaphor for the stagnant condition of their professional lives. A single woman discovered that her Love and Marriage area was located on a back porch full of empty pots and dead plants - symbols of her empty dead love life." Pretty scary, huh? I learned that the career, or water, area of our home is the front porch and surrounding environs so watch for some changes there over the summer. Overall, I found the book very validating of my intuition and feelings about my home and worse... It has given me permission for some of the wilder color schemes I hadn't previously broached with Scott! Of course, seeing how he's always wanted to live in Pee Wee Herman's Playhouse, it shouldn't be a problem! Click here to learn more about purchasing this book from Amazon.com |
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Merlin Stone was a University teacher of Art and art
history. Her research into Middle Eastern Goddess sculpture led her to
archeology as well as ancient religion for evidence of the Goddess�
place in history. She
traces the centuries of conflict between the matrilineal cultures and
the rise of patriarchy. This was not a logical decision on mankind�s
part or a natural evolution but conquest, over a period of centuries by
Indo-European invaders. Merlin Stone states: �When the ancient sources of the gender stereotyping of today are better understood, the myth of the Garden of Eden will no longer be able to haunt us.� For those who do not think the myth of the Garden of Eden still haunts us, I invite you to read this little treat from the Southern Baptist Journal, August 1977: Why We Cannot Ordain Women "When God was a Woman" is one of the classics of feminist literature, or as it was referred to in High School: Clit Lit. This book ranks with Simone DeBouvier�s "The Second Sex" and Betty Frieden�s "The Feminine Mystique". I reread this book this month as a follow-up to "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamant. Then, to carry on the theme, I reread "The Mists of Avalon" by Marion Zimmer Bradley and now I am into Joseph Campbell�s lecture series on the Arthurian Legend called "Western Quest". Does anyone have any other suggestions along this vein? I�d like to set up a permanent booklist in the Reading Room but � what to call it? Click here to learn more about purchasing this book from Amazon.com. |
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| Yoga Sanctuary by Shiva Rea
We gave Gramma our VCR so we are temporarily unable use our Yoga Zone videos. I decided to try this CD that I first saw on Living Arts (www.livingarts.com). I found it for a cheaper price on Amazon.com, of course, so I ordered it from them. This is an audio CD not a CD Rom. The kit contains a poster with the asanas pictured and two CDs. Each is an hour long and one is identified as Solar: An energizing sequence for strength and flexibility and the other as Lunar, a rejuvenating flow for deep relaxation. The first day I did CD2, the Lunar workout: Full body warm up, Forward bends and twists, Hip openers and twists, Inversions, Meditation/Pranayama and Shavasana. Really great complete flexibility workout, a full hour of classic pretzel yoga. The second day I decided to do a custom practice, from CD1: Sun Salutations, Standing poses, Abdominal strengthening. Then from CD2: Hip openers & twists, Meditation/Pranayama.. This was a good, strenuous yoga class. Shiva Rea's cueing is excellent and she describes the poses well enough that, even the first time through, I seldom needed to refer to the poster. She designates this program for experienced beginners and intermediate yoga lovers and I would agree with this assessment. You must know some basic asanas, such as sun salutation, warrior, tadasana, namaste and yogic body-alignment or this could be pretty frustrating. I found it to be very enjoyable and choosing tracks to customize a practice was even smoother than I thought it would be. This set would really be perfect for travel but don't overlook Yoga Sanctuary for at-home-practice either. Click here to learn more about purchasing this item from Amazon.com |
| Your Hidden Powers -� Intercepted Signs and Retrograde Planets by Joanne Wickenburg
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Inga Duncan Thornell |
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This is a wonderful book that offers many great techniques of psychic protection. I personally found this book to be very informative, interesting, descriptive and most of all, fun to read! Many times we tend to think that we are protected while doing a magical rite, ritual or when simply sleeping, dreaming or driving. However, we may not be! Now, that idea sounds kind of scary but Judy Hall reassures us that visualization techniques (such as the ones found in her book) can help a great deal! She includes many visual (as well as non-visual) techniques on how to protect oneself psychically. Although the book is only about 140 pages long, you know what they say: "You can't judge a book by its length!" Or, is that, "You can't judge a book by its cover"? Anyway, you really can't judge this book by its length! And actually, this book has a very beautiful and interesting cover! Moving on, her introduction is very clean-cut, and simple, and gets to the point. She instantly hooks the reader's attention by asking and answering questions like: "Why do we need psychic protection?" And: "Do you suffer from nightmares?" Or: "Do you use guided imagery or self-hypnosis tapes?" Questions like "Do you meditate?" grabbed my attention because I do and never really thought about such terms as "psychic invasion"! While alone, have you ever felt like something or someone was with you? Something invisible, something unseen, an "entity", or energy, wishing you harm, perhaps? If so, your answers will be in this book by Judy Hall.
Guided meditation is my favorite form of astral projection. Any of you who have experienced a hypnotherapy session with me will know what I mean. It is a safe and relatively easy way to experience the awareness of other realms of existence. Edain McCoy has written an excellent guide to the various forms of astral projection. She starts with relaxation techniques and progresses through issues of safety to ethics.
This is an "interpret your own chart" workbook. The text walks you through a series of exercises that will help you to gain new insight into your inner processes. The book begins with an explanation of the zodiac and the structure of the birth chart and then moves you directly into a discussion of astrology's applications. You will learn to answer questions about yourself, such as: what are my resources and talents? Am I primarily public or private? What are my needs in a relationship?
This is essentially a yoga kit containing a book and a set of color-coded cards. Each card front pictures a different asana (yoga pose) with an appropriate affirmation or mantra. The card reverse describes the starting position, the asana itself, variations and some of the benefits of the asana. You can lay out one card of each color, mix in a couple of the balance cards and make yourself a complete Yoga routine. I usually use 
Are you wondering if there is more to life that just the day to day survival grind? Are you looking for a direction for your life but you're unsure where to start? Then I have just the book for you! The Celestine Prophecy is the first book of a series that uses an adventure story format to chronicle mankind's spiritual quest. By using elements of conspiracy, danger, conflict and the thrill of a good quest, the author keeps you deeply engaged and you'll probably blast through this book in the matter of a few days as I did. Thank God for espresso as I stumbled into work each day after having stayed up most of the night reading!
Rosemary Altea is a British psychic, medium and healer. The Eagle and the Rose, her first book, is the story of her life and work. Most importantly, it is the story of how she met and works with her spiritual guide, Grey Eagle. A medium's job or calling is to give evidence of life after death to those who have lost loved ones. Rosemary relates her proofs in the form of case histories that will make you laugh and cry. Her stories are very down to earth and easy to believe. I especially enjoyed that her first guide was a "dancing Scotsman" and the story about the man "carrying the two geese, one under each arm". -- Inga Duncan Thornell
This book has it all - politics, secret societies,
religion, mystery� The subject matter is reminiscent of 
This
is a beautiful and useful item that you can use every day, created by
Trevor Trifiro of Seattle! Scott and I have them next to our desks.
Sensitivity to the moon�s phase and cycle thru the zodiac can do
wonders for the effectiveness of your projects and rituals plus they
just look cool on your wall! These obviously will also make distinctive
and unique gifts for those special people in your life.
This is a favorite of mine. I bought this book after hearing
Marilyn speak at a convention I attended. She is concise, creative and
hilarious. The book begins with an exploration of the Right and Left
brain hemispheres. She discusses what each does and how our unconscious
internal programming can cause them to work at cross-purposes in our
lives.
A truly inspiring eyewitness account of a group of Americans that journeyed to Tibet at the turn of the century to live with people who practiced what Jesus taught and made miracles an everyday occurrence; a six volume set. -- Scott Bruce Duncan
This book is an astrology classic for several good reasons. First, it is full of astrological humor combined with warmth and an awesome understanding of her subject. Second, it has stood the test of time. My mother bought Linda Goodman's Sun Signs when it was a new release. I read it so many times as a child that I memorized whole sections of it. I find that I still use her imagery in my practice. Third, Linda Goodman deserves credit for making astrology accessible to all America in 1968.
This wonderfully informative book by Scott Cunningham is the perfect book for anyone interested in Paganism and Wicca, as well as the rest of the Occult world. (The title is a smart pun, too!) Although it was written primarily, as the title suggests of course, for all the Solitaries out there, this book is a large source of reliable information for us all. (Cunningham dedicates this book to "Solitary Wiccans Everywhere".) As a Solitary myself, (for now, anyway), I was instantly "hooked" on the book from day one! The 220 page book took me only three days to read, and if you don't know me, normally, some other book of that size would've taken me at least two weeks!
Charlie gave me this book last year and I didn't review it before now because it has been hard to find in bookstores. The author now has a website and Amazon.com has picked it up so I can finally review it.
Anna recommended this book. This, like the Red Tent, is a novel drawn
from biblical characters. It is an excellent read and I could barely put
it down. The story follows the character of Mary Magdalene and tells her
story using the traditions of the day as well as apocryphal and mythic
sources. I found the reactions of other readers to this character to be
extremely interesting. Just like 
Yes, Inga needed a Fantasy Break last week! I
wasn�t expecting much from this tie-in to the computer game but this
story was a pleasant surprise. I saw it as a philosophical exploration
of manifest destiny vs. stewardship that we all need to think about
these days. It is well written and the characters are compelling. I
found myself looking at things differently as if everything in my
environment was a possible clue to a puzzle I hadn�t found yet. I love
this perceptual change, which is why I play these games in the first
place.
Peg
Duggan gets the credit for turning me on to this book.
This is the definitive modern work on symbolism. You'll find it useful whether you are interested in dream interpretation, Tarot, Astrology and the I Ching or simply want a better understanding of art and culture. The book itself is attractive and of good quality. The pictures are evocative although primitive in style. The text is excellent.
"At its simplest level, the sigil represents the fishes. In a more esoteric interpretation, one arc represents the finite consciousness of mankind, the other the consciousness of the universe. The line bisecting the arcs is the earth, the point at which the spiritual and material spheres of life meet." -- Inga Duncan Thornell
The superb sequel to The Celestine Prophecy in which the 9 insights are used to discover the 10th, again told using a compeling adventure story format.
As terrifying as it may sound some simple time
management can free up your life in a way you never thought possible.
While the term may evoke fear in those of us with cluttered in-boxes and
chaotic working styles, it needn�t because this is time management for
the rest of us. As the author, Lee Silber, says: �You need some
structure in your life to allow your creativity free rein. Chaos is not
creative. But there are all kinds of structures. If you don�t find one
you like, build your own.� Then he proceeds to give you ideas to work
from to build your own. There is a quiz to see how right brain/left
brain you are, some great goal-setting questions I haven�t heard
twenty times before and even two chapters on being on time or as he
calls it �Being in the Right Place at the Right Time with the Right
Stuff�. Here is an agenda variant that I think would be great for
Scott: Make three columns on a big white board. Label them Things to Do,
Doing and Done, or Calls, Appointments and Things to Do. Then write each
task on a separate post-it note and move them around to the appropriate
column.
