Musing Mystical

✨ A Gathering Place for Magical Readers and Writers ✨

The Way of the Eight Winds, by Nigel Pennick

The Way of the Eight Winds: Elemental Magic and Geomancy in the Pagan Tradition, by Nigel Pennick
Destiny Books, 978-1644119864, 403 pages, January 2025

Let me tell you, as someone who has been deeply immersed in the world of astrology and spirituality since the 1970s, Nigel Pennick’s The Way of the Eight Winds: Elemental Magic and Geomancy in the Pagan Tradition immediately caught my eye. Right from the start, the idea of a spiritual path that celebrates the sheer diversity of the Cosmos and Nature’s endless creativity resonated with me. His deep dives into geomancy and elemental magic felt like a natural extension of my life journey, exploring how subtle energies shape our reality. My first thought? This book felt like a rare gem, blending serious scholarship with a truly hands-on approach. 

Pennick has a way of writing that pulls you in. He makes these really complex historical and philosophical ideas feel approachable, without ever dumbing them down. You can tell he’s not just writing about theory; he’s lived and breathed this stuff, a true scholar and practitioner all rolled into one. The book flows beautifully, starting with the big-picture philosophical ideas, then moving into cosmic principles, and finally getting down to the nitty-gritty of practical geomancy and creating sacred objects. It’s all laid out so logically, building one idea on top of another, making it easy to follow the thread of The Way of the Eight Winds.

One of the most captivating things for me was his focus on the “eldritch world” and Anima Loci, which he describes as the very spirit of a place. Pennick gets into how “The sacred nature of a place emanates directly from the Anima Loci and that any other usage of the place is an overlay derived externally, imposed by deliberate or accidental means over the original Anima Loci.”1 This idea, that places have their own intrinsic spiritual essence and that our actions can either nurture or harm it, resonated deeply with my astrological understanding of how planetary influences manifest in specific locations. For an astrologer like me, the thought that places themselves can be “ensouled,” and that we can actually interact with these energies, opens up a whole new dimension – it’s like extending a natal chart reading to include the very ground beneath our feet.

What I also loved is Pennick’s clear stance on direct experience. He makes it clear that The Way of the Eight Winds recognizes the essentially false nature of all dogma and doctrine and the destructive results of literalism.”2 That’s a massive point for me. It truly echoes my belief that genuine spiritual insight arises from personal engagement and intuition, rather than blindly following rules or doctrines. He even includes spiritual exercises like meditation and runic practices, offering concrete ways to tap into that direct experience. I haven’t had a chance to try everything yet, but his “Geomantic Walking”3 idea – essentially a quest to sense unseen forces in the environment – immediately jumped out. I can see myself incorporating that into my daily strolls here in Santa Ana, paying closer attention to the subtle energies of Orange County. 

And let me tell you, the historical context he provides is just fantastic. Pennick traces geomantic practices back through European history, from the ancient Etruscan Discipline to medieval traditions, and how they gradually got pushed aside by modern, more mechanical ways of looking at the world. He contrasts our current, often literal, understanding with traditional systems like the eight tides of the day and the eight winds. He even humorously points out how William of Occam’s razor, “Entities are not to be multiplied,”4 seems to be entirely ignored by modern engineers who love to complicate things! This historical perspective helps you grasp why it’s so important to reconnect with these ancient principles now.

All in all, The Way of the Eight Winds is a truly rich and thought-provoking read. It’s a gentle nudge, a reminder even, to open ourselves up to the subtle energies of the world and engage with our surroundings in a more mindful and respectful way. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone already involved in magic, geomancy, or pagan traditions – it’s an intermediate to expert level book, for sure. But honestly, any astrologer or anyone curious about the spiritual side of nature and place would get so much out of it. This book is absolutely going to influence my future astrological readings, pushing me to consider not just the stars above, but the very earth below for my clients. It’s truly inspired me to deepen my own geomantic practices and keep exploring those hidden landscapes right here at home.

The Call of the Old Gods, by Christopher McIntosh

The Call of the Old Gods: My Occult Journey on the Pagan Path, by Christopher McIntosh 
Inner Traditions, 978-1644119895, 266 pages, January 2025

The Call of the Old Gods: My Occult Journey on the Pagan Path by Christopher McIntosh is an invitation to journey alongside a seasoned scholar and practitioner as he navigates a deeply personal spiritual quest. McIntosh describes his life’s journey as a “spiral one,” rather than a straight line, “gradually spiraling toward the center”5. This memoir, which chronicles his move towards a pagan worldview, offers a unique blend of scholarly insight and personal experience. The author’s honesty about his early life, including challenging experiences and shifting beliefs, sets a tone of authenticity from the outset.

McIntosh’s writing style is articulate and engaging, balancing vivid personal anecdotes with profound philosophical reflections. He weaves together his life story with broader themes of spiritual exploration and the evolution of esoteric thought. The book is structured chronologically, moving through key periods and “encounters” that shaped his journey, making for a readable and digestible experience. Each chapter feels like a conversation with a wise friend, sharing insights gained through real-world experience. While the book touches on advanced esoteric concepts, McIntosh explains them in a way that is accessible to anyone with a genuine interest, making it suitable for intermediate seekers, but also offering rich rewards for experts. The quality of his sources, evident in the detailed endnotes, further attests to his scholarly background and dedication.

A notable subjective aspect is McIntosh’s candidness about his spiritual meanderings. His initial dabbling in Buddhism in adolescence, his brief flirtation with Judaism, and his eventual embrace of paganism illustrate the often non-linear nature of spiritual growth. The intellectual rigor he brings to his spiritual pursuits is also evident in his return to Oxford as a mature student for a D.Phil., focusing on eighteenth-century Rosicrucianism.

The author’s reflections on sacred space and the concept of “somewhere” are particularly striking. He observes that modern, generalized spiritual approaches, like a Prayer Hall of All Faiths at the UN, while well-intentioned, can be “absolutely devoid of any spiritual energy or atmosphere”6. He likens it to “the religious equivalent of Esperanto, which tries to be an ‘everywhere’ language and ends up being a ‘nowhere’ one”7.

This perspective underscores the idea that soulfulness “needs a nourishing soil in order to flourish, in other words a ‘somewhere'”. His experiences in Korea, Japan, and Germany, where he found “authentic, organic culture”8 and “somewhere” concentrated in mountainous areas or Zen gardens, bring this concept vividly to life.

Encounters with notable figures are a definite highlight. Narratives about friendships with occult luminaries, such as Aleister Crowley’s chief disciple Gerald Yorke, and the amusing anecdote of Kenneth Anger and the hedgehog offer rare, human glimpses into the lives of these personalities. The descriptions of meeting Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson, now the head of the Asatru community in Iceland, and their repeated, seemingly coincidental encounters, highlight the mysterious nature of synchronicity. McIntosh muses, “Coincidence is the universe thinking aloud”9, a sentiment that points to a deeper interconnectedness often defying linear logic.

McIntosh’s journey into paganism, particularly the Nordic tradition (Asatru), is a poignant aspect of the book. He frames his eventual embrace of it around a fivefold path—the soul, mind, heart, belly, and the feet, representing connection to the land and ancestors. This holistic framework is both profound and practical. His embrace of the Nordic gods, feeling their call through his ancestral line and the richness of their myths and symbols, illustrates a powerful spiritual homecoming.

In conclusion, The Call of the Old Gods is more than just a memoir; it’s a testament to the enduring power of genuine spiritual seeking and the rich tapestry of esoteric traditions. McIntosh’s life story serves as an inspiring example of how one can navigate diverse paths, overcome personal challenges, and ultimately find a sense of belonging and meaning. This book is recommended for individuals on a spiritual journey, especially those who feel a pull toward polytheistic or nature-based traditions, or who are simply curious about the lives of modern esotericists. The book encourages a re-engagement with the spirits of the world, suggesting that true enchantment lies not just in distant realms, but in the conscious interaction with our immediate surroundings.

Sacred Forest Bathing, by Ellen Dee Davidson

Sacred Forest Bathing: The Healing Power of Ancient Trees and Wild Places, by Ellen Dee Davidson
Bear & Company, 1591435471, 224 pages, April 2025

Sacred Forest Bathing: The Healing Power of Ancient Trees and Wild Places by Ellen Dee Davidson will guide you through the forest while revealing its powerful healing benefits. Each chapter has profound wisdom, helpful advice, and activities to help us connect with nature on a deeper level. Davidson also shares her whimsical forest adventures too as well as others experiences with nature!

This book truly teaches us how to connect with the forest and listen to what it has to say. Within the first three chapters, we learn to tune into nature’s healing frequency through connection. Davidson recommends connecting with a specific spot at least twice a month and setting aside a couple of hours to spend here in nature.She notes this location doesn’t even have to be a forest–any wild places will do!

Davidson provides some awesome tips and information throughout. For instance, she mentions some good reminders on safety, such as knowing the hazards of your surroundings before proceeding with your meditation, remembering to be aware of your surroundings, checking for ticks, and so on. Davidson also tells us about the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, which I’ll be looking into more because I was unaware of them until I started reading this book! We also learn about the significance of the healing powers of trees in some different cultures.

In chapter five, we learn something about coral reefs that I found interesting: the musical sounds of fish apparently help coral reefs thrive! This is important to know because we gain more guidance towards the end not about a forest but bodies of water! This is my favorite form of nature therapy. Here’s what Davidson has to say about bodies of water:

“Blue spaces have similar powerful healing effects to being in forests. Time by rivers, oceans, lakes, waterfalls, and even fountains is shown to boost mood, lower stress, and increase health and well being.”7

This is indeed all very true. In personal experience, I could leave the house in a bad mood and then spending three hours near a stream would help me greatly.

Nature truly heals. We see this in chapter one where Davidson talks about her health. But, moving forward, chapter seven presents us with Davidson’s experience hiking after some storms, choosing a less popular trail. She shares with us this lovely wisdom:

“I get up again for another easy stretch of trail, knowing that we face many obstacles, but the flowers are still blooming and they are worth our attention.”8

We continue our journey with Davidson, sharing her experiences out in the woods. In chapter nine she get into some deep topics about how the Hopi believe that we are in the fourth world and how this world will end in violent weather and turn to the fifth world. Truly some interesting stuff to dive into deeper at some point in my freetime! She shares this on the whole idea of this evolution:

“And all prophecies indicate that realizing the potential for our evolution into a more peaceful world depends on the choices we make.”10

Very well spoken wisdom once more!!

Chapter ten we learn about her experience with Celtic nature magic, which she describes further into chapter twelve. As we keep reading, we get to read more of Davidson’s experiences with other intuitive individuals. She shares some more of her personal experiences, such as her dreams, what she experiences while meditating in the forest near one of her trees, as well as one walk where she finds a baby owl. As a side note, I also love and appreciate how each tree she forms a bond with has a specific name like “Grandmother Dragon Tree”!

At the end of each chapter is a section called “Forest Guidance”, which gives us some activities to try out. My favorite one that I tried out was on page 134, which opens readers up to the idea of your chosen spot being a realm of imagination. This was really fun to just let go and go back to a childlike sense of wonder and creativity once again.

I took the time to read this book for a week and follow many of these activities. This book truly gave me some fun and magical experiences. I sincerely appreciate the moments of reflection and insight I had. The guidance you receive out of these makes you very whole and complete; I would also even add satisfaction. I began feeling more connected to the places I’ve already felt deeply connected with! I’m very pleased with how much this book has been teaching me more about healing with nature. I’ve only been healing with nature for a few years now, and it seems like there’s a lot more to know–Davidson is the perfect guide!

In conclusion, I believe anyone can benefit from reading Sacred Forest Bathing. Davidson proves through her research and personal experience how nature is a powerful force that can help us heal. Even if you are skeptical, hear me out when I say that through my own experience reading this book that everything written will most definitely guide you along your healing journey. This book was such a good read and I highly recommend it.

Tarot Disassembled Deck and Tarot Disassembled Guidebook, by Jennifer Cooper Steidley

Tarot Disassembled Deck, by Jennifer Cooper Steidley
Weiser Books, 9781578638659, 78 cards, April 2025

Tarot Disassembled Guidebook, by Jennifer Cooper Steidley
Weiser Books, 9781578638642, 280 pages, April 2025

In her groundbreaking deck and companion guidebook, Jennifer Cooper Steidley has taken the traditional symbols of the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) deck and broken them apart, much like deconstructing a puzzle. Tarot Disassembled Deck presents each art element from each card and shares the meaning, history and myth. This deck challenges conventions by isolating the symbols that make up each card rather than presenting the usual composite imagery.

Jennifer Cooper Steidley is a graphic artist who received her first tarot deck in college over thirty years ago.  Since that time, she has collected more decks and created a few herself.  One day, while watching her son take apart his sandwich into the individual parts, she thought about how this might relate to the symbols of the Major and Minor Arcana of tarot decks, inspiring the idea for this deck and guidebook. Learn more about her on her website.

What really appeals to me about this deck is how the art style allows users to meditate on specific elements without the distraction of extraneous details. The minimalist yet visually captivating style draws attention to the essence of each card’s archetype, enhancing one’s ability to connect intuitively with their meanings.

The artistic design of the cards is nothing short of extraordinary. Combining modern aesthetics with an air of mysticism, the deck feels both approachable and profound. Each symbol is thoughtfully rendered, inviting the reader to explore its significance within the context of the card and the larger narrative of the tarot. This makes the deck particularly appealing for study sessions, group discussions, or personal reflection.

For example, on the Star Card, Steidley features: star, ibis, green landscape, flowers, water jug, flowing water and tree.  If you place a traditional RWS star card alongside Steidley’s star card, you begin to see how the deck creator deconstructs the RWS artwork to reveal the individual symbols.

In fact, Steidley suggests that card readers take a RWS deck and use it along with Tarot Disassembled Deck. Her unique art style brings the symbols to the forefront, allowing the imagery to speak to the reader in new ways. Interesting to note: Steidley does not feature any people in any of the cards.

Available separately is the Tarot Disassembled Guidebook, which serves as an invaluable companion for decoding the rich tapestry of symbols presented in the cards. Written in an engaging and accessible tone, the guidebook offers detailed explanations of each card’s symbolism, history, and potential interpretations. She also includes two spreads and exercises for working with the cards.

For each card, Steidley presents keywords, astrological associations, symbolism, and what she calls “Quick Takes.” This is a summary of two or three sentences that expresses the essence of the card.  She also includes a brief meaning for a reversed card. In the back of the book, Steidley includes a three-page index, so that the reader can look up any symbol on its own: 

“When you find a symbol that you’re particularly struck by, please refer to the index of symbols at this back of the book to see where else it occurs.”11

What sets this guidebook apart is its emphasis on encouraging readers to develop their own intuitive connections. While it provides a solid foundation of traditional meanings, it also invites exploration and personal interpretation, making it a versatile tool for readers of all levels. The inclusion of exercises and prompts further enhances its utility, ensuring that users not only learn but also experience the tarot in a deeply personal way.

I took the deck and guidebook to my Friday Coffee & Cards group.  My friends enjoyed this fresh approach to tarot.  One seasoned tarot reader loved the rich information from the guidebook. Another friend who is new to tarot loved how easy it was to read the symbols on the cards. She also enjoyed the wisdom from the guidebook. She drew the Page of Wands and focused on the salamander.

In the guidebook, she learned that this creature represents “fire, renewal, regeneration and transformation.”12 She shared that she felt as if she had “been through the fire” at work recently!  On the other side of the upheaval, she learned of a promotion and understood that the card was confirming her transformation and new opportunities.  

I found it interesting that Steidley has not made a combination deck and guidebook available for purchase. This deck works best with the guidebook, as there is no “little white book” with the deck.  As a seasoned reader, I am comfortable working with the deck alone, but a novice might be lost. If you have both the deck and guidebook, as I do, it’s easy to work with the cards. However, if you purchased the guidebook alone, the black and white art images of each card are fairly small, and the lack of color may make it hard to follow along.

This deck and guidebook bridges the gap between academic study and intuitive practice, offering a unique lens through which to view the cards. Beginners may find this deck an intriguing way to familiarize themselves with the building blocks of tarot, while experienced readers will appreciate its thought-provoking take on familiar archetypes.

As Steidley says:

“You’ll have the aha moment as you discover one type of transformation leading to another. This is what I’m referring to when I speak of symbols being like onions – tarot, especially, needs to be explored layer by layer, discovering meanings upon meanings.”13

Tarot Disassembled Deck and Tarot Disassembled Guidebook stand out as remarkable and unique additions to the world of tarot, offering both seasoned practitioners and curious newcomers a fresh perspective on the art of divination. Designed with an innovative approach, the deck deconstructs traditional tarot imagery to focus on individual symbols, creating a visual and intellectual pleasure for readers who wish to delve deeper into the layers of meaning behind each card.

Your Heart Knows How to Heal You, by Cissi Williams

Your Heart Knows How to Heal You: The Sacred Medicine of the Four Chamber of the Heart, by Cissi Williams
Findhorn Press, 9798888502044, 256 pages, April 2025

In her latest book, Your Heart Knows How to Heal You: The Sacred Medicine of the Four Chamber of the Heart, Cissi Williams writes an inspiring and transformative guide for anyone wanting to embrace their inner power and heal emotional wounds. Williams takes the reader on a journey from your head to your heart then deep into the inner chambers for healing and rewriting your own story.

Cissi Williams has a masterful background in physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.  She is an osteopath and a naturopath, while also being trained in NLP, hypnosis, energy medicine, and shamanism. In her work with clients, she has created a unique healing method that combines each of these healing modalities to heal the body, mind, soul and spirit.  Through her teachings and podcasts, she has supported thousands of people in healing their lives. Originally from Sweden, Williams lives with her husband and two daughters in the Cotswolds, England. Learn more on her website.

Drawing from her vast experience as a spiritual guide and healer, Williams offers a practical blueprint for self-discovery, emotional freedom, and spiritual growth. What sets Your Heart Knows How to Heal You apart is its ability to blend the magic and mythology of healing with shamanic journeys and journaling. The result is a holistic approach that encourages readers to listen to the wisdom of their hearts, trust their inner guidance, and reconnect with the essence of who they truly are.

Williams divides the book into three parts: 

Part 1: From the Head to the Heart
Part 2: Journey into the Sacred Medicine of the Four Chambers of Your Heart
Part 3: Weaving Your Heart’s Wisdom into Your World

In the brief introduction, Williams shares her story and what led to her experiences and the healing tools she now shares. She experienced a heart attack prior to her 52nd birthday and she came to know this:

“At that moment in the waiting room at the hospital as I made this decision to let my heart heal me, I was filled with a deep inner peace. I just knew that somehow everything would be fine.”1

Next, she shares that the structure of the book will support the reader to move from “your head to your heart”13, explore the four chambers of the heart with shamanic journeys and learn to listen to your heart.

Although I was familiar with the concept of the four chambers of the heart, I was not aware of the idea that the four chambers mirror the four seasons. The first chamber brings “the medicine of healing and letting go”14 and aligns with the season of autumn.  In the second chamber of the heart, we find “the medicine of transformation”15 and the winter season. For the third chamber, Williams mentions “the medicine of the magical light”16 and the energy of spring. Finally, we have the fourth chamber and “the medicine of rebirth”17, corresponding to summer.

After a brief explanation of shamanic practices, Williams shares how to best use the written shamanic journeys for your own healing.  She also invites you to go to her website, where she has recorded these guided journeys.  It is an easy sign-up process for access to a brief introduction, a journal, nine shamanic journeys, and three prayers.

Williams also includes mythological information on the Tree of Life, numerous goddesses, such as Freya, Mary Magdalene, Hel, and Brigid.  In doing so, you can learn about your nervous system and receive wisdom from your body. In this same chapter, she discusses the chakra system and how to work with it through shamanic energy medicine. She includes another “shamanic journey to cleanse your chakras and tune into the Tree of Life.”18

The chapters on the four chambers of the heart comprise the most important sections of the book. Again, she weaves in goddesses and spirit animals to support your healing journey. At the core of the book lies the belief in the heart’s innate intelligence. Williams emphasizes that the heart is not only a metaphorical source of love but also a powerful guide for decision-making and healing. She encourages readers to tap into the heart’s wisdom through practices such as visualization, chakra work, and shamanic journeys. These tools allow readers to cultivate a deeper sense of self-compassion and intuitive clarity.

My favorite chapter is Chapter 8, which is in Part 3 and is entitled “Re-writing Your Story.” Williams shares the story of Mary Magdalene and Glastonbury, which has long been held as the “heart chakra of the world”19. Next, she takes the reader through a shamanic journey to connect with both Mary and Glastonbury.

As the reader is supported to release old fears, receive “medicine from the four elements”20 and learn to weave magic from various chakras, they are also led to write a letter to Mary that highlights a new life story. This is so powerful and healing!

Wiliams has included many resources and navigational aids, such as the table of contents, and a recap that suggests specific chapters for aspects of life. She also includes a closing prayer and a resource list of books and oracle decks, as well as other sources and websites for more guided shamanic journeys. Additionally, there’s a recap of shamanic journeys and exercises from the book. This makes it easy for the reader to find a specific exercise, line of questioning, or guided journey.  

Williams’ tone is compassionate and non-judgmental, creating a sense of safety and encouragement; her writing style is warm and relatable. Each chapter is interwoven with meditations, visualizations, and shamanic journeys, making the book not just an intellectual read but an experiential process. I’m particularly pleased that she provides audio of the guided shamanic journeys on her website. This offering makes the book even more supportive for transformation and healing.  

Whether you are new to self-healing practices or a seasoned spiritual seeker, Your Heart Knows How to Heal You has something to offer. It is accessible for beginners, with its clear explanations and step-by-step instructions, yet it is profound enough for those well-versed in shamanism and spiritual growth. As Williams shares on the first page of her book:

“For all the mothers and grandmothers, sisters, and daughters–may we awaken the feminine wisdom that is embedded within our bones, flowing through our veins, and wired into our DNA, so that we can weave our healing medicine into our world.”21

A Practical Guide to Magic in Nature, by Jessica Lahoud

A Practical Guide to Magic in Nature, by Jessica Lahoud
Rockpool Publishing, 1922786497, 256 pages, July 2025

A Practical Guide to Magic in Nature by Jessica Lahoud is an enchanting exploration of the natural world through the lens of magic and spirituality. Lahoud invites readers to discover the mystical aspects of nature and learn how to incorporate them into their daily lives, teaching readers correspondences and connections to enhance their understanding of energetic properties . Covering a variety of topics and beautifully animated with brilliant illustrations, this lovely reference guide is a grounding reminder of the magic that can be found all around for those who open their eyes to see it.

“My hope is that this is the book you reach for when you are formulating your spells, the book that you reference when making sense of a magical experience you’ve had in nature, and the book you turn to when an animal messengers spears in a dream.”1

Sectioned into six parts, this book explores the material magic of earth and potent celestial influence of planets and stars, ultimately integrating both to introduce readers to their own personal agency and energy centers. This holistic approach brings a resonance of harmony and balance, merging the magic of land and sky within oneself to enhance one’s understanding of their place within the marvelous universe.

“Part 1: Crystals” includes a lovely introduction to crystal healing, which teaches readers how to care for and use their crystals. There is a whole crystal profile guide, spanning over 40 pages, that shares the corresponding organ/meridian, chakra, element for hundreds of crystals. The list also includes the Moss hardness and properties associated with the crystal. For each one, Lahoud shares a few sentences about how the crystal is best used. She also shares crystal combinations for a variety of desired effects (health and healing, joy, luck, balance). This would be perfect for making a little crystal bag to carry with you!

Next, “Part 2: Plant Magic” familiarizes readers with plant magic, focusing on the myriad of ways one can connect with the essence of plants: tea, essential oil blends, aromatherapy, cooking, tending to house plants, and so on. Similar to the crystal section, this section has plant profiles for herbs and spices, flowers and shrubs, fruits and vegetables, and roots, resins and woods. Within each profile, Lahoud highlights the corresponding celestial body, day, element, and chakra. She also shares the botanical name, whether the energy of the plant is active or nurturing, and magical powers of the plants, along with a few sentence description of how it is often used.

There is so much packed into this section! I really enjoyed learning about the fruit and vegetable energy profiles, as these are foods I eat on a regular basis. Avocado toast has been my go-to for breakfast, and it was fascinating to learn avocado is associated with Venus and the heart chakra. This is how Lahoud describes the usefulness of avocado:

“Avocado is associated with love and beauty. This nourishing fruit promotes good health and a strong heart, useful for attracting love and romance. Its richness is symbolic of its bountiful energy, useful for promoting abundance and prosperity.”16

Following suit, “Part 3: Animals” also shares a lengthy list of animal symbolism. Lahoud writes, “Animals are magical creatures of nature, and therefore they also often bring their own messages to you, guided by their innate wisdom.”17 In her list of over 50 animals, she shares keywords associated with the animal along with a message from the animal. Whether the animal appears to you in a dream or you feel called to know more about a certain animal, this section is extremely helpful in interpreting the message the animal spirit has for you. Some animals even include a ritual (ex. Chicken Wishbone Ritual) or recipe (Beeswax Candle Making).

Now that Lahoud has provided in-depth profiles of Earth’s natural magic, she turns towards the celestial bodies that influence readers magically too. “Part 4: Celestial Bodies” provides profiles for the planets in our solar system as well as the Sun and Moon. Each profile provides the corresponding day, color, element, metal, zodiac sign, angels and gods, plants, crystals, organs, and chakra with the celestial body. There’s also a few descriptive sentences about the body’s essence. The profiles for Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, however, only include some of the profile correspondences since they are newer discoveries. This section also delves into moon phases for further insights.

“Part 5: The Elements” introduces each element, and then Lahoud teaches how one can work with them by noting ways to connect with the element and associations (tarot symbol, zodiac sign, color, season, and chakra). This is the briefest section, but it still yields useful guidance.

Finally, “Part 6: The Magic in You” brings different energy tools together to teach readers how to be more attuned to their own magic within. I love how Lahoud frames this:

“Recognizing the magic in nature is a step towards understanding your own magic. Just as the universe is a vast cosmos of stardust, water, carbon and more, you too are composed of these same fundamental elements. This is a kind of cosmic kinship.”22

In this section, she teaches how to clear one’s energy and tools one can use (pendulum, candles, crystals) for this purpose. Lahoud then delves into the chakras, providing a profile that shares their corresponding organ, day, planet, color, and an affirmation, along with ways to balance one’s chakras. She also shares profiles for the medians, or “invisible pathways in your body that carry life-force energy,”23, nothing whether they are yin or yang and the corresponding emotions, elements, season, color, timing, and foods that support the meridian. Lastly, there’s a page dedicated to the meaning of different aura colors.

While this book is clearly filled with so much useful information, what really makes it stand out is the many illustrations throughout that make the text feel alive. The illustrations provide immensely pleasing visual stimulation and make it so the text never feels dense or overwhelming. It’s one thing to read the word, but it’s a whole other level to see it come to life on the page. This book is a true beauty, drawing the reader back to it again and again.

Overall, A Practical Guide to Magic in Nature is a delightful addition to the library of anyone interested in the intersection of nature and spirituality. Lahoud has made this book a one-stop reference guide that is so detailed and inclusive readers will have all they need within it. There’s so many ways one can use this book, whether they simply want to learn more about the natural world or are looking to deepen their magical practice by furthering their knowledge of correspondences. The balance between practicality and spirituality makes it a wonderful resource for nature lovers and nature-based magic practitioners alike. All who read this book will surely enjoy the vivid depictions of the natural world and the treasure trove of wisdom imparted throughout.

Shamanic Healing for Toxic Relationships, by Stefan Limmer

Shamanic Healing for Toxic Relationships: Dissolve Old Soul Contracts and Retrieve Lost Soul Parts, by Stefan Limmer
Findhorn Press, 979-8888502495, 192 pages, April 2025

Stefan Limmer’s Shamanic Healing for Toxic Relationships: Dissolve Old Soul Contracts and Retrieve Lost Soul Parts provides rich, informative, and actionable instructions to access deep insight about how to heal our souls at the core level. 

To begin, Limmer walks readers through basic understanding and components of a toxic relationship, how to recognize one, and outlines the roles of the parties involved in this type of relationship. He then dives into the causes of why these relationships exist at a fundamental soul level. Finally, Limmer provides actionable rituals and practices for addressing the causes of toxic relationships, teaching how to dissolve these contracts and move into healthy relationships that bring freedom and, ultimately, love. 

This book holds a depth of instruction that makes it a diamond in the rough of self-help/self-transformation books. Not only does Limmer identify the core issues at the soul level, but he also delves into the potential causes of these subconscious wounds with clear, concise, and thorough explanation of how and why these wounds impact us as well as how they manifest in our conscious life and experiences.

In one of the most enlightening sections, entitled “Soul Issues and Soul Wounds – The Real Causes of Toxic Relationships”, Limmer discusses the Shamanic model of human consciousness. He breaks consciousness down into four levels that “interpenetrate and are interwoven” and consist of “the ordinary reality of the middle world, the mom-ordinary reality of the middle world, the upper world, and the lower world.”1 According to Limmer, this explanation creates the foundation for understanding the human experience, especially regarding the healing of wounds.

The reader does not need to have a prior knowledge of shamanic principles to benefit from this book; Limmer provides the structure of shamanic beliefs necessary to gain profound insight into the workings of the soul and soul healing. The shamanic principles he provides transcend religion/spiritual beliefs and truly target the underlying trials and tribulations of the human experience. However, an open mindset and willingness to learn is an excellent way to approach this book!

One of the most helpful aspects of this book is the rituals offered in the final section of the book. Limmer, in his enlightening style, explains how, when, and why to engage in specific rituals with days to follow guidance.

During the course of reading this book, I could not help but make connections with other books that I have read which added to the richness of Limmer’s message, such as Sacred Contracts by Caroline Myss. In addition, having my favorite tarot deck nearby helped make connections between the shamanic interpretation of archetypes and my current spiritual understanding of archetypes.

Overall, the warmth, acceptance, and guidance that Limmer offers in Shamanic Heaing for Toxic Relationships makes the emotionally difficult content easier to accept and digest. Having this gentle wisdom through the tears of acknowledgment and acceptance makes the healing and growth a little easier. This book is good for individuals who have experienced a toxic relationship and who are at any stage of the aftermath from early acknowledgement to later acceptance.

The Magical Notary Art, by Frater Barrabbas

The Magical Notary Art: Sigils, Seals, Notaries, & Signatures, by Frater Barrabbas
Crossed Crow Books, 1959883968, 170 pages, May 2025

Frater Barrabbas’s The Magical Notary Art is a detailed compendium for those interested in mastering the skill of transforming the written word, sigils, and symbols into vessels of power. Notably not a book for beginners, Barrabbas’s teachings are a mixture of scholarly background information and practical guidance for those interested in adding this skillset to their magical practice. Detailing different techniques and methodologies, Frater Barrabbas has created a multi-faceted resource that provides practitioners with a strong foundation to further their craft of notary arts.

“The notary art is a method of writing or producing an occult language that has meaning and significance within the spirit world, and therefore has a certain power and mystery in the mundane world.”24

Before delving into art of notary, Frater Barrabbas provides a solid introduction about what notary art is and how it works, including an overview of information model theory. (Side note: For those interested in learning more about the linguistics of magic, I encourage reading The Languages of Magic by Toby Chappell, which I read just a few weeks ago and made me feel more prepared for the content of this book.)

“Part 1: Sigils, Seals, and Signatures for Spirits” focuses on applying these notary arts to empower one’s rites with the invocation and evocation of spirits. The methods covered by Frater Barrabbas are magic squares, which he notes is one of the oldest methodologies to create sigils and seals, planetary kameas, alphabet wheels (Hebrew, Greek, and Latin), and angelic and demonic seals. There’s also a chapter on how to create magical signatures by condensing letters that includes a fascinating section on how tarot can be used to define the qualities of a spirit.

Frater Barrabbas teaches how if one wants to work with a spirit, especially one with minimal lore, the magical practitioner can do a general reading about their spiritual nature by noting the major arcana tarot cards that correspond with the letters in their name and doing a reading in order to prepare for conjuring. To be honest, I didn’t try it out with any spirits yet, but I did it for my name, along with some family members’ names to practice, and it was quite illuminating!

Through the chapters, Frater Barrabbas includes tables, drawings, and step-by-step instructions detailing exactly what to do for each of these methodologies. I appreciate how he openly shares which techniques he personally uses in his practice compared to those which he doesn’t utilize but is still sharing the how-to for others.

For instance, though he shares how to use magical squares to draw sigils, he also writes “Many spirits do not fit into these nice and neat categories, and some of them cannot be adequately represented by Hebrew spelling since they have Greek or Latin origin.”25 I enjoyed the balance of Frater Barrabbas’s teaching how to perform the methodology while also openly acknowledging the limitations; it gives a lot of room for the practitioner to make their own decisions and find what works for them.

“Part 2: Alphabet of Aspirations: Sigils, Words, and Phrases of Power” focuses on notary arts “derived from phrases that describe desires, aspirations, and magical objectives.”26 In this section, Frater Barrabbas shares the work of Austin Osman Spare (specifically his alphabet of desire), pictograms, and creating chants and mantras based on graphic sigils. This section gives readers free-range in crafting notary art that aligns with their personal intentions, offering plenty of creative freedom within these structured techniques.

My favorite part of this section is Frater Barrabbas’s discussion of Art Notoria: the Notary Art of Solomon the King from the late medieval period. The magical notae showcase “great symbolic figures and geometric shapes where these prayers and words of power and evocation were integrated into designs”27. Frater Barrabbas testifies the magical potency of working the nota and teaches how modern practitioners can include them in their workings now.

“Part 3: Rites of Sigil, Seal, Note, and Signature Consecration” and “Part 4: Magical Uses of Sigils, Seals, Notae, and Signatures” delve into the two ways the notary arts become activated and empowered: consecration and rites. These are how the magical link is established, determining whether the work is successful or not. In the introduction, Frater Barrabbas explains:

“It doesn’t matter if the main magical working is employing the spirit model, energy model, or the psychological model: building and deploying the magical link between subject and object through the domain of Spirit is integral to all forms of successful magic.”28

These sections are where Frater Barrabbas teaches just how to do this to ensure one’s notary art has the oomph and connection needed to serve its function. Methods covered include the use of sacraments, which themselves need to be consecrated and charged, mediation, and chanting. Also covered in these sections are creating sacred space and discussions of different forms of magical operations (energy, spirit, and psychological/temporal) so that readers can select the model approbate for their working. Within the spirit model is a great conjuring rite for those who are interested in performing this as part of their notary art.

Towards the end of the book, Frater Barrabbas covers the many ways a practitioner can incorporate the notary arts into their rites: imprinting and directing raised energy fields, symbolic naming for invoked or evoked spirits, building a temporal link and directing talismans, deity placeholders and naming animated statues and pictures, and working with consecrated sigils and notae. For each section, plenty of detail is provided, including tips from Frater Barrabbas and resources for further study, if the practitioner wants more information.

Frater Barrabbas writes with clarity and authority, ensuring his research and expertise comes across in a balanced manner. His tone is rather serious, giving a weighted testament to the content of the book. However, his earnestness lets readers know he understands the process of gaining experience and growing as a magical practitioner, leaving room within the text for readers to find their own way too.

Overall, The Magical Notary Art is perfect for practitioners seeking to become both scribe and sorcerer. To practice this craft is to engage with magic in a form that is both deeply structured and beautifully fluid, where every flourish of your pen becomes a spell and every seal a sacred binding. Frater Barrabbas’s coverage of this magical art is comprehensive, providing many directions one can take in their practice. For those feeling the call to study the notary arts, this book is a great foundation from which to take your craft to the next level. Your ink is your wand, and this book is sure to unlock new levels of mastery.

Manifestation Perfected, by Baptist De Pape

Manifestation Perfected: Six Steps to Embody Your Soul Purpose, by Baptist De Pape
Findhorn Press, 979-8888502518, 256 pages, March 2025

Manifestation Perfected by Baptist De Pape is a book that will help guide the soul into alignment while finding your authentic self and learning how to find your soul’s purpose. This book is excellent for beginners.

The first step, “Part One: Recognizing that You are a Soul”, brings us to chapter one and shares with us evidence through the stories of others who have gone through a soul experience. Each story is drastically different from one another, but all share one thing in common: when storytellers accepted their soul’s path, they gained the success that they have now.

We get evidence from the stories of Anita Moorjani who had a near-death experience that essentially changed her in many ways; she knew her work wasn’t completed and her body healed. We also read about J.K Rowling’s story of her getting stuck for several hours on a train when suddenly the inspiration for Harry Potter struck her. She chose to let herself explore these ideas instead of finding other ways to pass her time.

Seeing how others were able to realize that this is what they needed in order to transform not only shows that it’s possible but this can open our eyes to how we can come into alignment as well. Throughout the book we are greeted with many other stories that give us more clarity as well as evidence to what De Pape is explaining.

The next topic of discussion is about souls. Here we learn a little more about souls and how when we’re aligned with our soul miracles happen. De Pape teaches when we’re trying to align with our soul that we can’t also align with our fearful side. Focusing on what you do and don’t have and trying to impress others leads to forgetting who you actually are.

Chapter two tells us exactly why we should be interested in finding the soul’s voice as well as our authentic selves. From this chapter I gathered the knowledge that without finding your authentic self, you can’t manifest because you cannot hear your soul’s voice.

Chapter three is the start of “Part Two: Finding Alignment with Your Soul”. The next step in the soul’s journey to discover your purpose, but after chapter three it seems like chapter four comes so quickly! The chapters are pretty short, there’s a total of twenty nine chapters to cover. I’ll give the overall summary of each one!

Chapter three tells us more about Higher Awareness, which was mentioned in the previous chapter. Here De Pape teaches us how to become more connected with Higher Awareness by listening to our intuition. Chapter four goes over some of the progress we’ve made so far, from recognizing how we are souls, to Higher Awareness now to explaining Source and our connection to the Universe’s endless creativity.

Then chapter five goes into detail about why you should be listening to your soul. Chapter six discusses how to connect to the soul, finding stillness and quiet is the core, but that connection can be found in nature, spending time with a pet, meditation, and so on. Then Chapter seven shows us what it means to align with your school and how you align with it. Now moving into chapter eight we learn about some practical ways to align with your soul successfully.

Then chapter nine is the start of “Part Three: Staying in Alignment with Your Soul”. This chapter teaches us the power of our emotions, while chapter ten explains how we need both infrastructure and intention. It’s explained that not only when we manifest do we need the intention but we must also take into consideration the infrastructure, what makes the manifestation functional. This topic I feel isn’t brought up enough when I see or hear anything about manifesting. It’s important to think clearly and cover every moving part that is needed to make the manifestation successful!

But after learning the importance of having a solid base for manifesting. We move into chapter eleven and learn and understand more on intuition, mainly focusing on primarily where intention comes from. Moving onward to chapter twelve and thirteen we learn about synchronicity. Chapter fourteen teaches us how to tell when we are in alignment with our soul.

Now we’re on “Part Four: Identifying the Intentions of Your Soul”. Chapter fifteen tells us how to trust your soul. Chapter sixteen discusses how to stay connected when we feel totally disconnected. Chapter seventeen talks about the soul and the material world, while chapter eighteen dives into the soul and health, chapter nineteen covers the soul and humor.

Now we are brought to “Part Five: Manifesting from the Intention of the Soul”. This section begins with chapter twenty, which guides us through the money and the soul, along with how to manifest wealth as well. Chapters twenty one and twenty three talk about success stories while chapter twenty two briefly goes over manifesting negative things. Chapter 24 helps us understand more on the purpose of the trials we face, we must all face trials at some point or another, it’s simply a part of life itself. De Pape teaches:

“Every trial is an opportunity for spiritual development. Oppositions ask us to learn about trusting our Souls.”25

This is a great way to look at the trials of life in a more positive manner; they are only an opportunity to learn!

Chapter twenty five goes over manifesting and the unconscious. Then chapter twenty six is just a brief recap on the essentials of manifesting before we dive into the last step.

Finally reaching “Part Six: Our Task Is to Manifest”, De Pape starts with chapter twenty seven and the discussion of why we’re here. Chapter twenty eight follows how we can live a magical life. Lastly, twenty nine discusses the highest form of abundance and this is where our journey with this book comes to an end!

This book’s information is well organized. At the end of each chapter I found the “In a Nutshell” section very helpful to digest the information I just took in. These are little exercises to help guide the soul in the right way to alignment.

Getting to read many soul transformation stories of successful individuals was uplifting. Seeing how and where they were before they became successful is proof that once we align to our souls we become one with our journey and purpose entirely. Truly anything becomes possible then!

Manifestation Perfected is a good read for when you feel off track in life. It’s absolutely possible for you to get back into the right flow of things if your soul isn’t falling into alignment, and this book is a good pick me up if you’re feeling this way. Everything covered in this book will help you expand your knowledge and hopefully help you manifest like a pro!

At the Borders of the Wondrous and Magical, by Claude Lecouteux

At the Borders of the Wondrous and Magical: Nature Spirits, Shapeshifters, and the Undead in the Never-Ending Middle Ages, by Claude Lecouteux
Inner Traditions, 1644119935, 288 pages, January 2025

If you enjoy epics like Beowulf or Gawain and the Green Knight, along with enjoying learning the implications of these stories, then At the Borders of the Wondrous and Magical: Nature Spirits, Shapeshifters, and the Undead in the Never-Ending Middle Ages is a magnificent read for you.

In the first chapter, I really enjoyed learning about the common threads found in literature that began in the 900’s, continuing through the fates of Shakespeare, and then carrying on into modern  classics like Hocus Pocus.

Lecouteux offers insight into many of the parallels of the great modern epics and the influence of medieval story-telling. The author draws examples from both well-known and well-loved literature and media, such as Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, Shakespeare’s plays, George Lucas’ Star Wars, and also briefly steps into the world of role-playing games, such as World of Warcraft.

While reading, I enjoyed the incredible diversity  of magical entities that Lecouteux categorizes, including revenants, vampires, the living dead, magicians, spirits, faeries, pirates, monsters, and the list goes on. Under each category of beings, Lecouteux provides examples of numerous literary appearances. He discusses how some of these characters change and also how various versions highlight new or different viewpoints/aspects of the being. With each variation or interpretation comes slight change or modification to the existing lore of these characters. 

Moving beyond the characters of medieval lore, Lecouteux additionally explores the setting of these stories, including mountains, forests, marshes, seas, lakes, and rivers and even the elements of nature. The magic and mystery of the untamed spaces draws the imagination into stories of epic proportions.

Throughout, Lecouteux draws insight into the belief systems of the people of the medieval time period. For example, Lecouteux dives into the mythology of clouds and the belief that humans were created with the essence of clouds:

“God in his omnipotence, made many things. He created the only man from right parts: from earth he made his flesh; from the dew he made his sweat; from the stones, his bones; from plants, his veins; from the grass, his hair; from the sea, his blood; from the clouds, his mind: from the sun, his two eyes.”27

And what a beautiful parallel of human form to nature. 

As a reader of fantasy and sci-fi, I enjoyed identifying the archetypes and tropes in the stories that I have read both as a youth and throughout my adult life. 

One of the fascinating points the author makes is that we are not as far removed from medieval culture as we believed we were. The tropes, archetypes, and fantasy-world live on in our daily lives through the stories we read, watch, and retell. And THAT, dear friend, is an incredible concept. 

In medieval stories, one of the prominent themes that I gathered from Lecouteux’s work is the human response to unknown magic. In my understanding of human response mechanisms, fear of the unknown is a driving force in how humans respond to unknown stimuli. And in the case of medieval legends and lore, this is also the case.

Lecouteux references beheadings, deaths, murders, and violence as common reactions to fantastical situations and settings. And while these stories are nearing a thousand years in age, the same premises are prevalent in modern stories and epics. In Lord of the Rings, a gruesome war is waged. In Game of Thrones, violence and death are witnessed in seemingly every episode.

Overall, Lecouteux’s At the Borders of the Wondrous and Magical is a deep dive into the stories of the medieval mindset, as well as the exploration and fears of wondrous, magical, and fantastical entities and tropes. If you enjoy the history of literature, literature analysis, and learning about the tropes and archetypes of historical fiction, this book would be a solid addition to your library. Additionally, I was happy to learn that Lecouteux has many, many books for further reading: Tales of Witchcraft and Wonder, The Tradition of Household Spirits, Demons and Spirits of the Land, and Encyclopedia of Norse and Germanic Folklore, Mythology, and Magic.