Musing Mystical

✨ A Gathering Place for Magical Readers and Writers ✨

Author Archives: Robin Fennelly

About Robin Fennelly

Robin Fennelly is an Elder within the Assembly of the Sacred Wheel Tradition [www.sacredwheel.org]. She is a dancer, teacher, astrologer, author, ritualist and seeker of all things of a spiritual nature. Her writings and classes incorporate a deep understanding of Eastern practice and Western Hermetics and bring a unique perspective towards integration and synthesis of the Divine and Mundane natures of our being. She is a mother of five and lives in Eastern PA with her husband of 45+ years.

Sacred Mysticism of Egypt, by Fotoula Foteini Adrimi

Sacred Mysticism of Egypt: The Ancient Path of Heka Initiation, by Fotoula Foteini Adrimi
O-Books,  978-1803417127, 296 pages, August 2025

“What happens when we consciously enter the vortex of etheric energy placed deliberately by the ancients? We might find that we are never the same. This book takes us on a journey through time and space, through dimensions and different realities, through self-acceptance and self-love, to lead us back into our infinite spirit, where the source of magic exists.”1

The quote above summarizes the intention of Sacred Mysticism of Egypt: The Ancient Path of Heka Initiation by Fotoula Foteini Adrimi. This book stirs within the reader a longing for return to what is inherently known in all of our being–that we are more than our corporeal form defined by self-imposed limitations and continually seeking its true nature as a being of light and citizen of the cosmos. This book calls the reader back to that true nature and provides the tools and understanding that stimulate a deeper memory that we have done this work before. 

“Eons ago, a great civilization existed on Earth, in which human beings were aware of their spiritual nature. This civilization exists as soul memory and initiates deep longing towards harmonious spiritual living in a supportive community. The foundations of this extraordinary civilization were built on the spirituality of the Living Light, which provided the fundamentals for the Golden Times of ancient Egypt, described with the term Zep Tepi, “The Initial Time”2

This book is organized into twenty-one chapters and contained within three sections.  A page of references and an always helpful glossary conclude the book. The introduction provides insight into the way in which the book is organized and the “why” behind this choice:

“The ancient Egyptians loved the number three..the most famous of these trinities is Osiris as the Father, Isis as the Mother and Horus as the Child….. Ausir (Osiris) is the first king, The heart is the foundation of the Living Light teachings….In the first part of the book I talk about Creation and Un-Creation , the journey of incarnation into a physical self and ascension into the infinite spirit… In the second part, we meet the Teacher of the Living Light, the ancient Egyptian Goddess Isis or Iset… Finally, Horan (Horus) is the spiritual warrior, who meets and overcomes the forces of chaos that keep him stuck. In Part 3, we encounter Horan as the falcon who has mastered its flight in the physical and spiritual realms.”3

“Part 1: The Golden Times Foundation Teachings” takes the reader on a journey of the Egyptian cosmology and consciousness of their spiritual workings. The palpability of energy and self-awareness flows through the writing, each chapter embedded with the author’s channeled information, the Egyptian subtle parts/bodies of self and opportunities to explore through personal engagement the teachings. We learn that an important part of Egyptian spirituality was in cultivating the Sahu (body of spiritual light, we all are in our true form), embodying that Living Light and thus, becoming one with all of the cosmos and living in harmony. This section, in particular, lays a suitable foundation for the teachings moving forward through the text and does a nice job of coalescing the intention that Ancient Egypt was seeded by the wisdom of Atlantean adepts and the further connection back to the mysteries of the star system of Sirius. 

“Part 2: Initiation as a Channel of Heka” offers three chapters discussing three specific initiations: “Chapter 12: The Seven Gates of Awareness”, “Chapter 13: The Light of Atum”, and “Chapter 14: The Wisdom of Thoth”. In this section, the reader is introduced to the Egyptian concept of magic–HEKA.

“”the Living Light” energy that I and my guides refer to was known as HEKA, translated as “The Divine Invisible Power that rules all”. Another translation is “The mystical Divine power that creates the manifested world.””4

The chapters contained within this section provide the reader with examples of how the principles of awakening the Sahu (Living Light) are activated through initiatory practices. The rituals are gifted from the author and enable the reader to use them as a means of self-initiation on their path. The author’s own experiences are shared, laying the seeds for curiosity and deeper exploration for the reader. 

“Part 3: Mystical Esoteric Practices of Ancient Egyptian Spirituality” completes the journey of awakening the Living Light. The ethics of the work are called forth in the teachings of Ma’at (both as Goddess and principle of ORDER) and the importance of the time within the Duat (the Egyptian underworld) needed to emerge as the Living Light are some of the highlights.

“We embark on a journey of spiritual resurrection and rebirth. We follow Iset inside the Great Pyramid and meet our Divine spirit. We Astro-travel to the world of the dead and walk a journey of self-renewal. This spiritual work parallels what happens when we die, enter the spirit realms, and reincarnate. Like Ausir (Osiris), we reincarnate as Horan (Horus), the one who becomes aware of being the spirit in the body.”5

This section is filled with deep wisdom as well as rituals and spiritual practices that enhance and have built one upon the other in the reading of Sacred Mysticism of Egypt.

Would I Recommend?

If you are drawn to the mythos and practices of Ancient Egypt and are curious about the spiritual practices of this unparalleled civilization, Sacred Mysticism of Egypt: The Ancient Path of Heka Initiation is definitely a read you will not be disappointed in.  Adrimi has taken very complex practices and ideologies and managed to write in a form that is both coherent and usable, creating imagery and energy flowing from page to page that is nothing less than divinely inspired. 

About the Author: Fotoula Foteini Adrimi 

Fotoula Foteini Adrimi, BA(Hons), MSc, is the director of the ISIS School of Holistic Health, an international school of healing arts, spiritual development, and inner transformation through vibrational energy work, enlightened teachings, shamanism, and meditation. She is part of the global network of Shamanic Teachers under Sandra Ingerman. Fotoula lives and works in Glasgow, Scotland, has taught in Germany and the Netherlands, and has led spiritual pilgrimages to Egypt. Her first book, The Golden Book of Wisdom: Ancient Spirituality and Shamanism for Modern Times, is an Amazon UK bestseller. You can learn more on her website.

Chakra Dreamwork, by Therese E. Duckett

Chakra Dreamwork: Decode and Heal Your Energy Field through Conscious Dreaming, by Therese E. Duckett
Destiny Books,  979-8888502419, 192 pages, October 2025

“You may not have given much consideration to your dreams–let alone your chakras. However, chakras have been well known and documented for several millennia as being connected to our level of consciousness. What I explore in this book is the powerful relationship between our chakras and our dreams. Chakras provide the energy to dredge up dreams from our subconscious mind, and the corresponding dreams can provide us with guidance and information we may need to build a better, healthier and more meaningful life.”6

Chakra Dreamwork: Decode and Heal Your Energy Field through Conscious Dreaming by Therese E. Duckett exposes the reader to the many ways that our energetic anatomy incorporates into our waking moments and the overarching influence that it has in our sleep journeys as well. Symbology, visual key notes, and more are offered to the reader for exploration and practice in  refining a style that speaks to the individual in communing with this vast network of energy.

The exercises contained in this book are meant to open the individual to restoring a healthy flow of energy within each of the chakra points and gain insight to possible blockages and their origins. Sound therapy and meditation are discussed as vital tools to be used in connecting more deeply to the universal and cosmic sources of the primal energies of our chakras, facilitated by the role of vibration and resonance to reconnect as cosmic and energetic beings. In the traditional staple of all work of “knowing thyself”, keeping a dream journal is highly recommended.

Additionally there is a “Chakra Balance Checklist” that can be printed out or used within the book. This can be used as a barometer of which chakra may need some additional attention at any given time. Questions relating to each of the specific chakras ( “Do you feel unsafe in the world?” for Root Chakra) and a rating scale (1-10) of what is arising for you around that question guide the way towards bringing awareness to what is happening within your energetic world.

The content is organized into eleven chapters, distributed through three parts. A glossary and robust bibliography follow the conclusion and offer the reader another opportunity to fully dive into energetic anatomy, including and beyond the chakras. And, an index provides the finishing touches for those who want to search for specifics and use it as a source of reference without wading through it all.

“Part One: Humans as Part of the Universal Energy System” gives a thorough and easily digestible overview of chakras and their role in the bigger energetic picture that comprises our energetic anatomy. “Chapter 1: Chakras and Energy” begins with the reaffirming that we are energetic beings and as such are connected to the all and everything that is part of that energetic network: the Universe, itself. Discussion of the electromagnetic fields surrounding planets and that surrounding our energetic system provides a smooth transition into the nature and use of our own fields-the Subtle Bodies.

The following three chapters (two, three, and four) provide information about the triune combination of the chakras of lower expression, the heart chakras, and the upper three. There is some very interesting information provided in “Chapter 5: Chakras Being Activated (Consciousness Evolving)” that explores more recent recognition of  the multiple layers of energetic anatomy that comprise our being beyond the seven traditional chakras.

“Much has been written about the seven primary chakras that are located in the body. More recently, more attention is being given to the twenty-one minor chakras and the eighty-six micro chakras that also contribute to the infinite network of energy continuously flowing through us: But there are also chakras that are located outside of our bodies. These are called the sub-personal and transpersonal chakras. It has been estimated that there are five sub-personal and five transpersonal chakras.”7

“Part Two: Dreamwork of Chakra Dreamwork: Decode and Heal Your Energy Field through Conscious Dreaming” dives right into the importance of sleep as a beneficial rejuvenator at both the etheric and manifest levels and more importantly the role that the chakras play in what and how we dream. Recurring dreams, sleep disorder, and dream symbols are points of discussion and examples of how these may out picture in the dream state are given, providing another layer to process and use.

Each of the chakras is also taken individually with ample attention and examples given to how the dreamscape may reveal underlying chakra blockages and energetic disruptions. The feeling in reading through each of these was one of being given information that everyone could relate to in its most basic form and the comfort in knowing that you are not strangely unique. 

“Part Three: Healing with Energy Frequencies” gets down to the focus of healing and assessing what is needed for wholeness in all of your states of being. Exercises are given for each of the chakras that may be identified as contributing negatively to your energetic state and all are simple and straightforward in how to go about a specific practice.

Sound therapy, making use of tone and vibration, as well as contemplative meditation practice and visualization techniques are offered in “Chapter 10: Therapies to Facilitate Chakra Healing”. This was perhaps one of my favorite chapters as I personally used sound and vibration daily and in my spiritual practice of evolution, so I am aware first hand of the impact and power that these tools hold. Additionally, the breathing techniques prescribed for each chakra are balancers and physical health strengtheners as many of us breathe very shallowly and without intention.

Would I Recommend?

Chakra Dreamwork: Decode and Heal Your Energy Field through Conscious Dreaming by Therese E. Duckett is a simple, no frills title that collectively adds insight into both the subtle anatomy of our systems and the potential of conscious dream work to balance and restore a healthy etheric and manifest form.

Beautiful and soft watercolor graphics are appropriately placed throughout the book, allowing for the visual stimuli to arise as part of the experience, particularly in engaging the colors of the chakras. The information contained makes easy work of shifting attention to the subtle nature of our day-to-day existence and encourages a continuing and steady process towards recognizing the limitless energy we have at our disposal because of our chakras. 

All in all, this book fills the bill for bridging our often ignored dreams and the messages being sent via our energetic bodies. It is both a simple and quick read and a wonderful reference to slowly move through, allowing for integration of the ideas, information, and new perspective on our dream states.

About the Author: Therese E. Duckett 

Therese E. Duckett worked for more than twenty years as a psychologist. Her interest in the human mind has lead to her study of quantum theory and how the brain, body, and consciousness are connected. She currently lives in Victoria, Australia.8

The Egyptian Tarot, by Oliver St. John

The Egyptian Tarot, by Oliver St. John
Crossed Crow Books, 978-1964537078, 154 pages, 78 cards, August 2025

The Egyptian Tarot by Oliver St. John is an excellent addition to any tarot collection. The cards feature a matte finish and traditional size which makes handling them easy. There’s a feeling of substantive tactile energy as you lay out the spread. Each card also holds the schematics of the Golden Dawn system of magick, inclusive of Qabalistic correspondences and elemental assignations, all the while processed through the imagery of Ancient Egypt and its Neteru (Gods/esses).

The back of each card is imprinted with a simplified image of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn’s Rose Cross Lamen, a key symbol containing attributes for the classical elements, classical planets, zodiac, Hebrew alphabet, alchemical principles, the hexagram and pentagram, the sefirot of the Tree of Life, and the formula of INRI.

Unlike more traditional tarot decks, the imagery is embedded with multiple Hermetic disciplines and can be interpreted from a variety of esoteric and magickal perspectives. Each card has a planetary and astrological glyph and the addition of the associated Hebrew letter, alchemical sigil, and hieroglyph on specific cards. And, even the background color of the suits of the Minor Arcana and Major Arcana cards is subtle using similar tones and correspondences as those of the Qabalistic sephiroth and some overt and latent elemental energies.

The accompanying guidebook is a full-sized 154 page paperback that serves as an excellent resource for the user in attuning to the departures in the naming of the Major Arcana and Court and Ace cards to align with the focus of the Egyptian pantheon and energy. The interpretations provided in the guidebook align the cards of the Major Arcana with the associated paths on the Hermetic Qabalistic Tree. In this way the reader is offered a course in Qabalistic principles as well as the practice of translating these energies into applied and practical use as in the form of a tool of divination. The guidebook also provides those less familiar with the Egyptian deities enough information to make the information user friendly regardless of previous experience.

The guidebook is organized into five sections including a group of appendices that could easily stand alone as teachings of Hermetic Qabalah, astrology, and Egyptian magick. The preface lays the groundwork of expectation and the promise that this is not “just another Tarot deck”9, but something more deeply intrinsic to the complexities and nuances of ancient magickal systems:

“The purpose of our Egyptian Tarot designs is to preserve the traditional elementals so far as possible, while at the same time presenting a unique perspective through the careful and knowledgeable use of ancient Egyptian symbolism. It is not within the scope of this book to explain the science of magick, astrology or Qabalah, although the Tarot correspondences utilize all of this. The reader must be referred to our other works for such things and indeed is encouraged to do so in order to gain the fullest comprehension of the Egyptian Tarot.”10

“Chapter One: The Egyptian Tarot” takes the reader on a journey through the basics of the Hermetic Tree of Life, the import of its correspondences on the cards and the astrological associations overlaid on the cards of the Minor Arcana. Additionally, a breakdown of the Major Arcana is a nice touch in giving the reader the more traditional assignment of each of the Keys as a reference point for how that card has been renamed and the broader way in which these associations are used:

“The Hermit is renamed Isis IX. The esoteric title is Prophet of the Eternal: Magus of the Voice of Power. This card portrays two sisters, Isis and Nepthys, performing an act of resurrection on the soul.”11

Having laid thorough and in-depth foundations for a shift in perspective for the cards’ broader interpretations, each card of the Major Arcana is dutifully given several pages of fuller explanation of its workings through the lens of Egyptian magick and how these may be applied to the disciplines of divination.

The subsequent section of The Egyptian Tarot guidebook, entitled “Tarot Divination”, provides an overview of the mechanics of using tarot as a tool for obtaining information and samples of card layouts, their interactions and potential interpretations of their collective energies. A grid of divinatory meanings for the Major Arcana cards provides a great starting point for deeper understanding and interpretations.

The final section, “Methods of Divination”, offers a variety of spreads that hold the symbology of the Qabalistic Tree of Life as the dominant underpinnings both in the layout, number of cards as well as the imagery and meanings of the cards themselves. I was intrigued by the many layers of each card and did a simple three card draw that produced Key XIX RA, Key XVIII Khonsu and the Four of Wands (completion):

Card 1 – Key XIX RA – The Lord of the Fire of the World. He is the holder of Light and renewable growth and regeneration. Just as the Sun rises and sets each day to be reborn the next, this card is a reminder about the power and limitless source we have as bearers of our own cycles of the Sun .

Card 2 – Key XVIII Khnonsu – Ruler of Flux and Reflux. This card calls to the acknowledgement of our inner cycles, our deep connection to the Lunar tides – Khnonsu is the Deity of the Moon – and the ability to remain in the twilight and become the reflection of the Light.

Card 3 – Four of Wands – The Lord of Completion. The cards of the Minor Arcana are each assigned a Decan (degree of placement) within the Zodiac. These are directly connected to astrological energies and in this case planetary Venus in astrological Taurus. This indicates the ability to bring what is most desired and holds the potential for creation (Venus) into manifestation with stability and strength (Taurus).

The appendices are a training manual in and of themselves, and are ripe with information about each aspect of what is depicted on the cards, alternate correspondences and Qabalistic wisdom. “Appendix I: Sephorotic Tree” provides the visual of the tree with path, name, Hebrew letter, and Tarot correspondences in one quick look.

“Appendix II: Tarot Paeans”, is a list of invocations specific to each of the cards of the Major Arcana that may be used as contemplative tools in calling in the energies of their wisdom. And “Appendix III: Key – Scale Correspondences” is an 18-page compendium of all the ways you can make connections to the specifics of the cards. Deity, plants, animals, Hebrew Letter, Gematria, and more fill these pages-each, clearly outlined in table form and useful in so many applications beyond divination.

Would I Recommend?

At first glance The Egyptian Tarot is not something that will immediately draw me in with its imagery, colors, or dynamic appeal, but rather from the treasure chest of wisdom held within each card and its potential are priceless. St. John has managed to draw into synthesis aeons of magick and craft it into a tool for divination and much, much more.

It is not a beginner deck, nor is it for those who want a quick and easy route to becoming paid readers, but it will, for those willing to put in the effort and open themselves to the greater teachings become a tool of vision and manifestation of the latent potential for deeper magick we all contain.

About the Author: Oliver St. John

Oliver St. John has dedicated his whole life to the theory and practice of magick and the occult, including related sciences of tarot, Qabalah, ritual, astrology, and divination; he is an acknowledged expert in these fields. He has written more than twenty books on these subjects and is the director of studies of Ordo Astri, Hermetic Order of the Star and Snake. He is also a musician, creates his own podcasts, and writes and edits the monthly journal Metamorphosis.

His background includes training and working with Mary Long, author and student of Dion Fortune; the late Gareth Knight; and Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki, cofounder of Servants of the Light. St. John was one of the very few people to complete a five-year course in Applied Qabalah then delivered by the latter group. He was also at one time active in the neo-Pagan Fellowship of Isis, enjoying a voluminous correspondence with Olivia Robertson, the cofounder. He has been a member of the Typhonian Order for over twenty years and has contributed articles, including a short story within the Lovecraft genre, to Starfire journal. He continues to teach students around the world and is working on several new book projects.

The Tarot Architect, by Lon Milo Duquette

The Tarot Architect: How to Become the Master Builder of Your Spiritual Temple,  by Lon Milo DuQuette
Weiser Books,  978-1578638543, 368 pages, May 2025

“Who is this book for? It is for those who desire a set of seventy-eight cards that serve, not just as pieces of cardboard, but as vital forces embodying the mystery and magic of the universe within and without. Such a set can be used to both mirror and manipulate one’s own experience and even the world around you. It serves as the key that unlocks the ability to create change in accord with will.”10

The quote above by renowned Tarot master and author, Mary Greer, summarizes the intention of The Tarot Architect: How to Become the Master Builder of Your Spiritual Temple by Lon Milo DuQuette. This is not a book an easy pass for a quick study of Tarot, and does not reduce Tarot to its use as only a tool for divination and oracular arts. Rather, it takes the foundational basics of Tarot and expands its reach to be inclusive of the magic of creation, leaning into the Qabalistic, Ceremonial Magick, Enochian systems and more.

The Tarot Architect is organized into eleven chapters contained within two sections: “Book 1: Laying the Foundations” and “Book II: Creating Your Own Deck”. In the style that is uniquely that of Lon Milo DuQuette, there is also “Prologue – A Job Offer” and “Epilogue-The Job is Yours” as the start and finish to the  depth of information in-between. The Appendices 1, 2, and 3 provide the reader with quick look interpretations of the cards, correspondence tables for the Trump (Major Arcana ) cards, and an extra offering for those familiar with Enochian magic: an Enochian Tablet of Union.

Throughout the book, there is a plethora of graphics adding to the visual approach of absorbing the information contained. As a nice addition, large black and white images of the tarot cards discussed can be colored as part of the suggested modality of study and engaging the visual kinesthetic approach. Of note, the cards are not the traditional Rider-Waite, which allows for suspension of pre-ordained interpretation based on imagery and prescriptive colors.

As the title alludes, each section of the book uses as analogy the process much like an architect or builder would go through in steps towards the masterful creation of a building of great value. “Book I: Laying the Foundations” does exactly that, preparing the reader for crafting their own scaffolding using Qabalistic principles overlayed and underpinning the Tarot keys themselves. Use of the Tetragrammaton and the Cube of Space round out the concept of having Working Tools of the finest quality as any skilled builder would. This section is replete with meditations and ritual to begin the process of crafting a skillset and the necessary knowledge to inform your crafting of a spiritual Temple.

“Book II: Creating Your Own Deck” comprises more than half of the title and is the deep dive into Tarot from a lens most will not even consider in application. This section begins with “ A Little Background Information” that provides the reader with just enough of the relevant history of Tarot and the overarching revelation of the inherent link of creative reciprocity between the seventy-eight cards of the tarot as alternate expressions of the Hermetic Sephira and paths of the Tree. Discussion  of the impact of human consciousness in directing the formation of the cards aligned with  specific patterns offers a thoughtful approach to the journey you are embarking on.

This section is a quintessential text book of instruction, theory, practicum, ritual, meditation, and more. Black and white large images of specific cards are displayed, ready to be colored as reinforcement of what you are internally building as a solid foundation for all of your magical endeavors. Each chapter holds a deeper mystery of synthesis contained within the cards of focus and their use in creating a sustainable and evolving magical practice inclusive of more than just Tarot. 

Would I Recommend?

The Tarot Architect is a difficult book to review because it’s hard to provide a full impression of the magnitude of the material contained within its pages. And, let me qualify that statement by saying that it is not because of any lack within this title. Actually, quite the opposite, in that this title is exactly what would be expected of a Lon Milo DuQuette book.

The text is steeped in a knowledge base that is expansive in its approach and thoroughly grounded in sound technique honed from years of dedication and study of the hermetic arts, Tarot, Qabalah, and Enochian Magic, to name a few. I would not entirely agree that this is a book that is reader-ready for the complete novice, but that being said, it is valuable at every turn in allowing for exposure to more complex ways of thinking around Tarot and its related hermetic companions.

It is structured in a way that it would be difficult to “avoid” the exercises, meditations, and homework to simply skip around. As is true of any magical discipline of worth–“discipline” being the key word here–you will dramatically short change yourself by not putting in the work, of which there is a substantial amount.

The greater lessons of take away are not only the overt lessons and information, but more importantly, the author’s subtle lessons of guiding the reader towards questioning, exploring, and finding the suitable roads that will be of their own creation, regardless of magical focus. For those reasons, this is a title that should be in every magician’s library and work to aspire towards.

About the Author: Lon Milo DuQuette

Lon Milo DuQuette is a bestselling author who lectures worldwide on such topics as magic, tarot, and the Western mystery traditions. He is currently the US Deputy Grand Master of Ordo Templi Orientis and is on the faculty of the Omega Institute and the Maybe Logic Academy. His books include The Magick of Aleister Crowley, Understanding Aleister Crowley’s Thoth Tarot, and The Chicken Qabalah. Visit him at londuquette.com.

Mastering the Tarot Tableau, by Toni Savory

Mastering the Tarot Tableau: Revisiting Predictive Accuracy with Tarot, by Toni Savory
REDFeather,  978-0764368912, 144 pages, April 2025

Mastering the Tarot Tableau: Revisiting Predictive Accuracy with Tarot by Toni Savory introduces the reader to a style of tarot reading that is more commonly used in European countries. In setting up the tableau, Savory provides the reader with a complete narrative, connecting and moving through the cards chosen as a whole, rather than independent outcomes. The spread for a reading is laid out in a sequenced grid, also known as a “tableau”, which offers deeper insights and greater clarity and accuracy of the reading.

“Each Tarot deck contains the story of life, and every possible situation is available for insight. By using a tableau spread, we can determine interpersonal relationships and auspicious versus inauspicious fortunes and tell the tale of daily life for our querents.”12.

This book is organized into four major sections, each containing subsections aligned with the cards of the tarot, basics, and technique. The sections and their components build upon one another, forming a solid foundation of information and study for the novice as well as enhancements and new perspectives for the more advanced tarot devotee.

The introduction provides the reader with the history and diverse ways in which this style of reading has been used, particularly at the moments when divination and the predictive arts were banned or came under fire. This method of adaptability makes a bold statement about the tenacity of the tarot readers and the fact that there are many ways to accomplish the desired outcome– all very much aligned with the art of tarot itself.

“The tableau provides the backdrop for a pure predictive reading, quite like the fortune-tellers of the nineteenth century would employ, leaving spiritual matters to the side and focusing on what would happen within the daily life of the client. All flowery language attached to the Tarot meanings are removed for a short, sharp and direct narrative….. The reader finds that their readings become a novel-like affair, and the story of the querent’s life is explained from start to finish with flair.”13

Throughout the section entitled “The Game of Tarot” the reader is taken through the fundamentals of tarot as a predictive and intuitive tool. With the section “The Meanings”,  a third of the book is assigned to the task of providing brief, yet concise meanings of each of the seventy-eight keys complete with keywords, auspicious and inauspicious application, and highlights or movement that is indicative of the specific card.

Having completed a “crash course” or “refresher” of the tools employed, focus is directed towards using that information in the creation of tarot tableaus.

“Thinking of your Tarot tableau as a game to be played is the perfect mindset for imaginative and intuitive readings.  Consider a board game; we throw the dice and move along the rows of the board until we finally either win or lose. Each position on the board has a rule (e.g. receive five gold pieces), and we have to overcome a few obstacles along the way. The game of Tarot is no different-we follow the flow of the board to interpret a narrative using each card as a further step in the story of life.”14

The following section introduces the reader to six types of tableaus, the basics of understanding how the cards interact with one another in this style of reading, selection of the significator (representing the querent) card, and how the flow of the narrative begins in its story telling. The author makes use of a step-by-step example of a sample reading to give clarity and a visual component for comprehension.

I especially enjoyed the subsequent section entitled “Advanced Tableau Techniques” and the offerings of ten highly usable approaches for tarot readings. Of these, The Fool’s Journey Tableau, stirred the most interest. Perhaps because this “journey” has been given so much attention and means of interpretation throughout the ages and in particular in the more modern style of tarot reading and the spreads used.

“The Fool’s Journey provides the backdrop to the Major Arcana TABLEAU and is read in conjunction with the cards presented. Each Major Arcana card becomes a house (or placement) within the spread, enabling the reader to follow the client’s future storyline.”15

Mastering the Tarot Tableau aptly concludes with additional supportive meanings for the cards relevant to the selected tableau and the inquiry being made. The final pages are devoted to client readings and, more importantly, making the reader feel assured and confident in this style of reading.

“When first looking at a tableau, it is easy to feel intimidated and almost fearful of the sheer number of cards and their meanings to digest and communicate. Before reading for others, begin by having fun with a Tableau. Use them to tell stories about work, love, and random tales of kindness, sorrow and life. Allow yourself to be immersed in the story, to build not only a narrative but also a relationship with the tableaus themselves.”16

Savory then goes on to share her experience of reading tableaus and further supports the idea that this is a viable, highly usable, and accurate way of serving your client, despite the complexity and practice required. 

Would I Recommend?

Mastering the Tarot Tableau is a unique book that offers an intriguing approach to tarot reading. It is a comfortably sized companion to bring along for reading practice or study while having coffee. Additionally, there are more than fifty  illustrations of both cards and grids for tableau placement providing a visual kinesthetic experience of learning and doing.

I am especially appreciative, as I am sure other readers will be, of the thorough and concise manner in which Savory has organized the information regarding this style of reading. Although the complexity and possible overwhelm of necessary preparation and knowledge may seem daunting, the way in which it is presented speaks to the passionate interest of the author in sharing and broadening the styles of the traditional tarot community. 

All in all, whether an experienced reader or novice to tarot, this book  is definitely worth a read, encouraging tarot readers to remain open to the new narrative that may unfold for yourself as both reader and querent.

About the Author: Toni Savory 

Toni Savory, founder of the World Divination Association and author of The Card Geek’s Guide to Kipper and the Rainbow Kipper, has studied cartomancy and divination in England, France, and Germany.

Naturally Psychic, by Karen Harrison

Naturally Psychic: Awaken Your Intuitive Abilities, by Karen Harrison
Weiser Books,  978-1578638796, 240 pages, April 2025

“Why did you instinctively pause at the green light, even though your eyes did not at first detect the car hurtling around the corner to run the red light?  Because you sensed a quickly shifting energy patter and were fast enough to react to it at an unconscious (psychic) level. Your eyes could not detect the accelerating car because it was out of your line of sight around the corner, but your psychic senses were on alert and aware on our behalf, transmitting the unconscious  information to your brain that you should not move forward.”17

Naturally Psychic: Awaken Your Intuitive Abilities by Karen Harrison takes the reader on a journey of opening to the instinctual nature within each of us, which when allowed to develop and flow in an organic way can be used as a tool of connection to our intuitive self. Using exercises, personal stories, and practical theory, Harrison cuts through the glamour and often elitist attitude towards psychism allowing for confidence building and trusting your abilities. 

This book is organized into ten chapters. The title concludes with pages of Suggested Reading and Resources, offering of endorsement for Charles Cox, an ordained Spiritualist Minister who works in communication with the dead. His website is referenced as a source of gaining more knowledge in this manner of psychic ability. An Index is included making it a user friendly title in returning to key points or subject matter. 

Thirty-seven exercises are spread throughout the title, giving readers ample opportunity to practice and relax into the use of different modalities in crafting their own abilities. And, although practice and work is indeed required, all the while readers are given agency to be in control every step of the way. 

The first three chapters offer readers a well-planned balance between practice and application that sets the tone for subsequent chapters and the narrowing down of what works and what doesn’t. Chapters 4 through 9 guide the reader into the many ways that psychic abilities may be used, offering plenty of exercises and discussion of the pros and cons of each scenario for use.

I especially enjoyed “Chapter 2: Clairvoyance and Other Techniques to Access Your Psychic Senses”. For those newer to the varied ways that psychic work is processed, the familiarity of starting from a commonly known point of clairvoyance in relation to psychism is perfect. 

“The term clairvoyance means “clear seeing” (clair meaning “clear” and voyance meaning “sight”). This technique is often used to read auras, or to interact with spirit guides to interpret the subtle energy patterns within, surrounding, and acting upon an individual.”18

Discussion of brain wave states and what the aura is follow and once these have been established, the other “clairs” are taken in turn: clairaudience (clear hearing), clairsentience (clear feeling), and claircognizance (clear knowing). Each is presented both theoretically and with tips from Harrison about how she employs them. This chapter concludes with information about the colors often visualized in a state of clairvoyance; their meaning and import in application of interpretation and understanding. 

Another very interesting section was “Chapter 5: Psychic Dreaming”.

“Dream interpretation is the process of assigning meaning to the events, symbols, images, feelings, and people that we experience in our dream states. In many ancient societies, dreaming was considered a supernatural communication or a means of divine intervention-an important message from the Gods or from spirits that needed to be seriously listened to.”19

This chapter explores the psychological underpinnings of dream work, the “sleep temples” of ancient Egypt and Greece and the function of the subconscious in allowing to arise within the dream state what we already intuitively perceive. The precognitive dream state is also discussed and its function and validity for receiving and sharing information of future happenings. The exercises of this chapter cover all of the necessary practices to be developed in retrieving, deciphering, communicating and making use of what is garnered in a dream state. 

The final “Chapter 10: Psychic Etiquette, Hygiene and Troubleshooting Tips” offers a reminder that all of the preceding work is of no use if you do not do what is necessary to care for and renew yourself. Harrison reminds readers to utilize the basic grounding and centering exercises offered in “Chapter 1: Sensing, Understanding, and Using the Flow off Energy in Psychic Work”, taking the reader back to the beginning and exemplifying the cyclical nature of psychic work.

“So before you begin any psychic work, always use the grounding and centering meditation techniques as outlined in Chapter 1. And as you ground and center yourself, extend that energy into the space where you will be working to clear and neutralize it as well.”20

Would I Recommend?

Naturally Psychic: Awaken Your Intuitive Abilities is a readily accessible book on a subject that often is overdone. This title provides clear and simple, yet potent, information and an approach that is less daunting and more organic than other books on the subject. The title choice of  “Naturally Psychic” is not a statement of enticement to readers; rather, it is the approach Harrison has taken throughout her book. The fact that we all are naturally inherently gifted with psychic abilities, the degree to which we are able to cultivate, recognize, and make usable of them  is the only variable in what is often presented as a “special” or “elitist” ability. 

Because I am, as are many others, a highly visual learner, kudos to the publishers for printing a beautiful book. The font is in a lovely blue shade that graces the cover with gold enhancements and appropriately placed geometric and graphic design elements are spread throughout. The book has a very luxurious feel; I believe the paper stock is slightly heavier, giving the reader a feeling of holding something very precious in their hands. This is an excellent book for the beginner as well as a continuing practice for the more experienced.

About the Author: Karen Harrison 

“Karen Charboneau-Harrison has been involved with magick, the psychic arts and occultism since early childhood. Brought up in a household where these philosophies and endeavors were encouraged, she has been using herbal blends medicinally and magickally for decades. Karen obtained her Master of Herbology in 1980 from the Emerson College of Herbology, Montreal.

The proprietress of Moon Magick Alchemical Apothecary since 1978, her blends are used across the nation. She and her husband also own Isis Books, Gifts and Healing Oasis in Denver, Colorado.”21

A Witch’s Guide to Fetch Work, by Blake Malliway

A Witch’s Guide to Fetch Work: Rituals, Spells & Practices, by Blake Malliway
Crossed Crow Books,  1964537029, 200 pages, February 2025

A Witch’s Guide to Fetch Work: Rituals, Spells & Practices by Blake Malliway explores a lesser known aspect of witchcraft. Although historically creating and working with a fetch was common practice, there has been little written on both the methods of creation and the practical uses of a fetch. Malliway offers this most useful tool as one that can enhance the magical workings of those who commit to the study of this form of creation.

This book is organized into three parts: “Part I: Folklore & Theory”, “Part II: Beginning Magical Operations”, and “Part III: A Grimoire”. Additionally, there are twenty-five magical workings that address the needs for creating a fetch and how and what can be accomplished in its use. A robust bibliography and ever useful index round out the offerings of this title. 

“Chapter Two: Daimons, Fetches, Souls & Selves” clarifies for the reader the distinction between the semantics of these terms and the distinction between an actual fetch and daimon and the more complex nature of the Soul and division of self. Malliway has taken a very complex set of topics and dissected each in a fashion that is both logical and informative. 

“Chapter Three: The Fetch in Folklore” focuses on the Witch Folklore that has helped to form the foundations of how we practice the Craft today. These stories provided are those that hold the witch’s fetch, and its workings as an omen of death, a common theme of the past. Additionally, the frequency that the non-magical perceived a fetch as a corpse or other etheric spirit is a point of note in the writings Malliway shares of encounters that one would only associate with the skills of the witch. 

“Part II: Beginning Magical Operations” provides the reader with a ritual of calling and meeting your fetch and  exercises of engaging and tasking your fetch. “Chapter Four: First Steps in Fetch Work” sets the tone for a switch from the lore and academia of the fetch and hands on experience and workings. At the onset, Malliway pares down to three classifications of use for a fetch and their presentation:

“Fetch Beast: As a beast , the fetch serves as a mode of transportation, leading the Witch through the otherworldly landscape. Fetch Guide: As a guide , the fetch imparts unto the Witch certain knowledge and wisdom. . .Fetch Mate: As a mate, the fetch represents the complete coming together of two essences.”22

More detailed information is given for each in preparing the reader for the form that the fetch may take as it presents in the next steps of preparation. A ritual of calling ensures and is complete and easily used employing staples of magical exercise such as visualization, intent and quieting the mind’s chatter, creating the magical space of working and the actual calling and meeting of your fetch.

And, in the fashion of all successful magical working, “Chapter Five: Everyday Fetch Work” continues the work of ritual meeting and the reminder that sustaining what has been created is as important as the work of creation itself.   Malliway provides the reader with seven very sound exercises that build upon one another in exploring the many ways the fetch may be used, both priming the witch and the fetch for the necessary patterns of working. I especially enjoyed “Exercise Seven: Give Your Fetch A Break”:

“I know it’s exciting to see and experience the incredible works of magic you can create with your fetch, but don’t forget to give it-and consequently, yourself-a well-deserved break every now and then. Use this pause to reconnect with yourself.”23

This is a particularly useful reminder for any magical work, as burnout is real and sustaining a highly energetic level of practice such as this, requires recharging mundanely and magically. 

“Part III: A Grimoire” provides the reader with ample points of information and inspiration.

“Much of the work we’ve done up to this point has been focused on helping you learn some of the foundational techniques that will play into the more advanced methods of making magic. . .Now, as we move forward, we will shift from the exploratory phase into a more structured approach, where your foundational skills will be put to use in advanced and purposeful ways.”24

The chapters of this section cover topics such as divination, shapeshifting, spells, and rituals. “Chapter Eight: Fetch Spells and Rituals” returns to the three types of fetch introduced earlier (The Fetch-Beast, The Fetch Guide, and The Fetch Mate) and provides workings that are specific to each and their predispositions, as well as recommendations around making the best use of each. 

“The Conclusion: Go Boldly!” of this title and section offers the encouragement and wish that the work accomplished in creating your fetch will have only been a momentary project tied to the length of guidance contained in the reading of the entirety of the book. And, other important needs for successful magical work, inclusive of and beyond that of the fetch are highlighted as final reminders:

“The saying “practice makes perfect” is often tossed out as advice to those struggling with their efforts in both magical and mundane lives. While practice is certainly a  gateway to improvement, I believe there are other essential virtues that must be cultivated, especially in your work with your fetch-or any aspect of your Craft. These virtues are vulnerability, patience and perseverance.”25

Each of these “virtues” are discussed and given the attention required to apply to all of a magical practice. They are, in general, also excellent ways to proceed with the task of living as a powerful human being within the mundane experience. Malliway leaves the reader with one final exercise, “Remembering the Wins”, which says it all about staying mindful of your growth, offering gratitude for your progress, and using these traits to move you on towards greater goals.

Would I Recommend?

A Witch’s Guide to Fetch Work is an invaluable tool of resource and practice. It will deepen the understanding of the mechanisms of creation as well as broaden the perspective and enhance the workings of the modern witch. This is a smaller book in page count, but to fully understand the deeper nature of fetch work, it is dense with useful practice and information.

The index following the table of contents provides a quick reference point to return to the specific exercises you wish after having completed the title and then continuing to refine your practice. The bibliography provides ample material for the reader to explore, dissect, and come to their own conclusions about what the fetch is and how it may be used beyond the scope of this title. 

All in all, Malliway has crafted a title that opens the magical practitioner to the possibilities and potential of engaging ALL of yourself in workings. His writer’s voice creates a gentle tone of guidance and one could easily imagine the content as part of a treasured conversation of training.

About the Author: Blake Malliway 

“Blake Malliway, a Michigan native, has been a practicing witch since childhood. As a self-proclaimed oddball, Blake has always had an affinity for the other world and tends to incorporate his spirit allies into his practice whenever he can. When he’s not working magic, he can generally be found spending time at Malliway Bros., his Chicago-based witchcraft shop that he co-owns with his brother, Wycke. Blake lives in Highland Park, Illinois, with his spoiled black cat Feens.”26

Ancient Manifestation Secrets, by George Lizos

Ancient Manifestation Secrets: Working with the 7 Laws of the Universe to Manifest Your Life and Purpose, by George Lizos
Findhorn Press, 979-8888500903, 208 pages, November 2024

Ancient Manifestation Secrets: Working with the 7 Laws of the Universe to Manifest Your Life and Purpose by George Lizos is an interesting read that takes a different approach to manifesting what you desire. The traditional guidance is founded within the laws of attraction, but many times this standard of method lacks the components and supportive structure that includes all of the Universal Laws, not just attraction. Lizos has expanded this ideology to be inclusive of all of the seven Universal Laws, thus making the process of manifestation one that is attuned to what you wish to create.

This title makes use of an ancient title of great worth, The Kybalion by the Three Initiates, thought to have been the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus and the foundations upon which all things in the never-ending Universal cycles work. I have used the workings of the seven universal laws for all of my magick and mundane endeavors and having these as foundations for what I have wished to create/manifest in my life has been an exercise in efficiency and purpose. So, of course, when I saw the opportunity to review this title, I jumped right in.

This book is organized into 3 parts inclusive of 30 chapters and culminating with “Part Three: a 10-Day Manifestation Challenge”. The conclusion feels like a resounding applause from the author for having made it through the density, at times, of the material and a supportive dose of encouragement to keep the energy flowing: “The Universe Will Show Up For You, If You Show Up For You.”27

“Part One: The 7 Laws of the Universe” provides the reader with a comprehensive yet fully relatable understanding of these 7 laws which originated from an ancient system. Lizos brings the language into more modern vernacular while still retaining the original meanings of each of the laws. Each of the laws presents reader with the opportunity to thoughtfully come to a conclusion and definition that is accessible regardless of the level of understanding they possess.

“Part Two: Five-Step Manifestation Process” gets to the meat of the work–your actions and intentions.

“Rather than a quick formula for instant manifestation, this five-step process is, instead, a long-term framework for your manifestation journey, that you get to use and improve on throughout your life.”28

These five-steps are broken down into:

  1. Raise Your Vibration
  2. Clarify Your Desires
  3. Release Your Limiting Beliefs
  4. Nurture the Energy of Your Desires
  5. Take Inspired Action.

Each of the 5 steps is explored in an interactive manner combining exercises of support, journaling, contemplation, and sound theoretical approach. Additionally, there are real life examples given of the experiences of others who have benefitted from this method of approach, not only in manifesting what they desire but in their day-to-day growth as well.

“Part Three: 10-Day Manifestation Challenge” provides the reader opportunity to actively apply the tools acquired from moving through the five steps and the deeper understanding now found in the power of the 7 Universal Laws and their function in creating the life you wish.

“Every day, I’ll give you an actionable step that draws from what you’ve learned so far and builds on the previous one, to help you manifest your chosen desire. The steps will be easy to complete and won’t take you more than 15 minutes daily. All you’ll need is your journal to complete the daily practices, your meditation space, and trust in yourself and the process.”29

These practices make for a very complete and purposeful journey through the steps necessary to enhance your powers of manifesting, most importantly that of having confidence in yourself to become the creator of your own destiny.

Would I Recommend?

Ancient Manifestation Secrets is precisely what is needed now to empower and uplift humanity, reminding each of us of our vital place in the workings of the Universe and the innate power we have when we align ourselves with the Universal Laws. I appreciated the brevity, yet impact every point on discussion of the Universal Laws. This text has great useability by those well versed in Hermetic principles as well as those coming from a completely different perspective or new to the subject.

Having tasks to complete and this methodology organized in a way that is bite-sized and engaging is an added bonus for the reader. Completing this title is sure to give the reader all that they need in establishing a routine practice of energetically aligning with the universal flow and connecting more deeply to the potential of “what could be” surrounding us. This book would make a lovely gift to anyone who is struggling with their control and power over their life circumstances, as well as a wonderful self-gifting to YOU in honoring your place as an integral part of the Universe in all of life’s manifestations.

About the Author: George Lizos

George Lizos is a spiritual teacher, psychic healer, priest to Hellenic Polytheism, and the creator of Intuition Mastery School®. The award-winning author of Protect Your Light and Secrets of Greek Mysticism, he is the host of The Lit Up Lightworker and Can’t Host podcasts. George regularly teaches workshops and online courses. He lives in Cyprus, Greece.

Quest for the Enlightened Feminine, by Anna Howard

Quest for the Enlightened Feminine: Faith, Tara, and the Path of Compassion, by Anna Howard
Findhorn Press, 9798888501429, 248 pages, November 2024

Quest for the Enlightened Feminine: Faith, Tara, and the Path of Compassion by Anna Howard is a personal journey of the author searching for the feminine aspect of the Divine. Howard begins this exploration after a profound dream encounter with Jesus Christ, and what ensues is an 18-month pilgrimage and deep personal work with the female Buddha Green Tara.

This book is organized into three parts with sixteen chapters. 

“Part One: Following the Call” gives the reader background into what prompts Howard’s search for spiritual wholeness along with insight into her job as a BBC broadcaster, which afforded her the opportunity to interview and gather information from those who aided in her spiritual journey. She begins her journey staying in a nearby convent for a week of silence and turning within. A discovery of The Tibetan Book of the Dead by Sogyal Rimpoche takes Howard into another phase of her spiritual quest and the outcome of spending some time in a Tibetan monastery, Samye Ling, in Scotland.

This section offers the reader an inside look at monastic life through the seeking of Howard and her determination to find the appropriate setting and work for her ever increasing yearning for a spiritual life. Having experienced the Buddhist path and inspired by what has been achieved through her inner work, she begins to question the seeming lack of feminine deities within Tibetan Buddhism. 

In “Part Two: Tara and the Peace Pilgrimage” the reader is introduced to one of the few faces of the feminine in Tibetan Buddhism: Tara. This section details Howard’s immediate connection and desire to spread the compassion and healing of Tara in the form of an 18-month pilgrimage from Holy Island Lindisfarne to South Africa.

“Said to be the “Mother of all the Buddhas”, Tara represents the feminine principle from which all phenomena manifest and into which all phenomena will eventually disappear. Tara may be conceived of as a kind of cosmic creative force, or she may be identified within the loving earthly mother who cares night and day for her ailing child.”30

“The Tara Pilgrimage” and subsequent sections of part three are dated in order of global travel and reach. Each entry is aligned with one of the 21 emanations of Tara. And, so Howard sets off…

“This is a mad idea really. “Set out from home base in Edinburgh, leaving everything behind and take with you 21 small statues of Tara, a camera, a notebook, and your passport. Take the Taras to wherever in the world you are instructed to go. Instructions will come through spiritual practice, intuition, and coincidence. Have complete faith and live the journey with the intention of doing Tara’s Will.” These were my clear guidelines.”31

We are told that each of the 21 statues is left in a special place in accord with the energy that may be needed/compatible in that location. These included Moscow, Russia; Seattle, WA; Sydney Botanical Gardens, Australia; Goa, India; Harare, Zimbabwe; and others. It is very interesting reading about the journeys and the selections made for blessings from Tara.

Part two concludes with “21 Emanations of Green Tara”, providing the reader with twenty-one beautiful colored images of Tara depicted in one of her specific attributes, in addition to a plate of the White Tara as conclusion. Howard invites the reader to use these images as tools of visualization for creating a connection with Tara.

The concluding “Chapter 16:The Fire and the Rose are One” does a nice job of offering the reader opportunity to feel the changes that Howard has experienced in her ten years largely devoted to the study and application of Tibetan Buddhism and realization of the blessings of Tara.

“Over the many years of seeking, of following the “call”, I would invariably recognize this interior quiet when it came as a very personal and intimate feeling of rest, of putting down the world and its cares and coming home.”32

Appendices 1-3 are devoted to specific introductory practices of devotion to Tara in Her many forms and are complete with a means to connect with Tara using “Appendix 4: Tonglen”, which is “a form of meditation that focuses on compassion; on the “giving” and “receiving” of energy in ways that transmute suffering and pain, whether our own or that of others.”33

Howard, again, provides the reader with a tool of practice that may be applied for any purpose and also offers a deeper perspective of the compassion bestowed from the grace of Tara. 

The Bibliography is thoughtfully separated into categories of titles based on Christianity, Buddhism, General Info, and General Spirituality. Resources include a selection of abbeys and other spiritual centers, complete with addresses and web e-dresses. And, the concluding part of this title has a very helpful Glossary, replete with terminology relevant to the practice of Buddhism.

Would I Recommend?

For many reasons, Quest for the Enlightened Feminine by Anna Howard was a difficult title to write a review that gives justice to the complexity, passion, and nuances that flow through this autobiographical offering. I found myself re-reading sections to draw out more of the emotions that are embedded within the words. It was much like observing someone on their spiritual path as they move through the stages of wonder, disappointment, grief, learning, and all that holds the lessons needed to move forward, evolve, grow, and find your own unique way. This is one of the more intimate books I’ve read in a while, theory still present but as a support to the primary goal of peace and oneness with self.

Howard aptly states the bigger lesson realized and shared:

“It didn’t matter whether I was in a Christian monastery, convent, or place of prayer; in a Buddhist temple, shrine, or retreat centre; in Darshan with Amma or Mother Meera (two greatly revered holy women from India); or in satsang with a guru from the from the Advaitta tradition….It didn’t matter if I was sitting on a hillside, in the ruins of an ancient site, by the river or the beach……When the chattering mind settled down and my true self came to the foreground, it was always the same. Thus I learnt that there was no one way to God, to the Divine, to the Higher Self. There were as many paths as there were moments when the thinking mind gave way to what lay beyond; pure awareness.”34

About the Author: Anna Howard

Anna Howard, M.A. (Oxon), is an Oxford-educated student of Buddhism, whose work focuses on the healing and transformative energies of Tara. A workshop facilitator, teacher, healer, and writer, Anna lives in Dorset, England.

Anubis, by Charlie Larson

Anubis―Ancient Egypt’s Lord of Death and Protection, by Charlie Larson
Weiser Books,  978-1578638413, 224 pages, November 2024

Anubis―Ancient Egypt’s Lord of Death and Protection by Charlie Larson is a timely addition in bringing forward the jackal-headed God and his energetic signature of protection, death, and healing. As we move into 2025 with the increasing challenges of war, unrest, and uncertainty, the Ancient Ones are here to guide, strengthen, and create more stable foundations. Anubis is at the ready.

This book is organized into two parts with eighteen chapters, each aligned with the goal of bringing the diverse nature and powerful energy of Anubis into the lives of those seeking his wisdom. It is quite apparent that this author “knows” Anubis and has a deeply personal relationship with this Deity. The Dedication page is an offering to Anubis, and even in the reading of it, the reader begins a journey into the many epithets and titles that Anubis has offered. These include:

“Anubis-Anpu, Navigator Through the Chaos, Obsidian Lord, Keeper of Keys, Lord of Shadows, Cosmic Balancer, Healer of Souls.”34

Each of the chapters concludes with a specific, to-the-focus prayer, followed by a selection of journal prompts. This offers the reader an opportunity to gather a selection of prayers to Anubis as example and journal drawing from their own experiences arising from the reading of the chapter’s information. Here’s a sample prayer extract:

“Hail Anubis Psychopompos! He who protects, He who leads the souls of the departed to the afterlife, He who walks the path of the weary traveler.”35

And this is an example journal prompt:

“What other psychopomp figures can you name? How are they similar or different from Anubis?”36

The Introduction provides the reader with a reminder about what approach should be taken in setting course to connect with the Ancient Gods:

“It is important to remember while reading this book that we live in a modern world., and we need to see deities through a modern lens. Many, or dare I say most, of those who follow any of the ancient Egyptian deities have no direct connection to the Egypt of old. . . Our world is vastly different from a world of 2,000 or 3,000 years ago, and so it is not always relevant to simply try to recreate what was.”37

Larson continues this recommendation to say:

“Myths can inform and inspire us, but we must be able to translate them into a context that makes them applicable today if they are to have any meaning for us. Myths can be incredibly interesting and they can serve as a foundational understanding of a deity, but we must not view them as “scripture” that must be closely followed. The most important thing about connecting with deities is the experiences you have with them.38

These statements set the tone for how to gain the most from the information that follows and set the reader to approaching this read with deliberate and effective intentions. 

“Part One: Discovering Anubis” provides the reader with a thorough and in-depth introduction to Anubis, covering the traditional assignations as well as those not so commonly parsed out. Each chapter contained within separates out the many faces of Anubis and underscores the vast and powerful influence this deity had and still has today. I especially liked “Chapter 7: The Great Watcher” and how this epithet may be applied as a protector of those marginalized. This feels particularly relevant today; it is a definite space of calling to this aspect of Anubis that the modern practitioner can empower within themselves and subsequent relationship with Anubis.

“Part Two: Working with Anubis” offers the means to connect more deeply with Anubis and the tools of practical application for cultivating a relationship. If the reader has done their due diligence in actively engaging on the material offered in “Part One”, they are suitably prepared to begin the task of personal work with this multifaceted Ancient God.

“Chapter 11: Communicating with Anubis” takes the reader through the basics of meditation, journeying, divination with some notable oracle decks and the caution of respect and humility when approaching a deity of this magnitude. The chapter concludes with a beautifully written pathworking, “Journey to Meet Anubis”, that is both simple and rich in nuances that enables the reader to begin first explorations of the potential for a relationship. 

In keeping with the necessary approach to establish relationship with the ancient Gods, the next chapters discuss ways of creating a daily devotional practice and appropriate offerings for Anubis. The following chapters, focusing on sacred space, magick, and celebrations, provide useable and simple recommendations for begin the next level of work with Anubis, including spells for protection and other magicks, blessings for amulets, and calling to Anubis for spiritual guidance through divinatory techniques and charms. Finally, “Chapter 17: Shadow Work of Anubis―Ancient Egypt’s Lord of Death and Protection” dives right into the core of Anubis’ gifts for coming to know all parts of self: light, dark, and shadow. 

The culminating engagement for the reader is in the form of “Chapter 18: Formal Dedication”. As with any dedication to a deity this is not something to be taken lightly. If it is so desired by the reader, the information and steps contained are both sound and complex in the aftereffects.

“Walk with me , dearest child, and I will lead you down the path that leads to the secrets and the mysteries of the world-seen and unseen. On this journey, you will shed what no longer serves you and grow into the best version of yourself that you  can be. Painful as it may be at times, take my hand, and I will guide you. Shielding and protecting you from harm.”39

The book rounds out nicely with three appendices, including a “Historical Timeline of Ancient Egypt” (A), “List of Correspondences” (B), and a most useful quick-find Index of “Prayers and Practices” (C). A four page bibliography provides the reader with an abundance of resources to explore and three pages of art credits support the highly visual aspects of spiritual practice employed by the ancient Egyptians.

Would I Recommend?

Anubis―Ancient Egypt’s Lord of Death and Protection is a refreshing and informative read about a deity who is most often written only as part of the broader collection of known Egyptian Deities. And, for anyone who works with this pantheon, this title is something to be savored.

I would also give due diligence in recognizing the beautifully powerful artwork that graces the cover. That in and of itself, draws the attention of the reader and is commanding in its presence. This book is ripe with black and white illustrations and photos of museum pieces throughout, adding to the layers of visual, intellectual and practical.

The psychopomp energy of Anubis is precisely what will speak to those who are death doulas. Ancestor veneration  is guided by Anubis and informs all manner of honoring and working with the Ancestors. Those seeking balance in the midst of a chaotic world are enhanced by Anubis’ gifts and knowledge of Ma’at’s order.  Larson’s closing words aptly express one of the goals of his title:

“Anubis is a complex and powerful deity who resides in more spaces than you can imagine. . . No matter how you see Anubis or how you approach him, I wish you all the best in building your relationship with him. Don’t forget that, when life gets hard, he will always be there , watching from the shadows, ready to bring light into the darkness.”40

About the Author: Charlie Larson 

Charlie Larson has been a practicing witch and eclectic Pagan for over two decades. Charlie is passionate about nature, ancestral magick, energy healing, and shadow work. He is a priest of Anubis and works closely with Hekate and other deities. A leader in his coven since the 2000s, he has written and taught in various online communities since 2016. He currently resides in California. You can connect with him at anubislightandshadow.com.