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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”1. 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”2. He likens it to “the religious equivalent of Esperanto, which tries to be an ‘everywhere’ language and ends up being a ‘nowhere’ one”3.

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”4 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”5, 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.”3

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.”4

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.”6

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.

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.”7

Next, she shares that the structure of the book will support the reader to move from “your head to your heart”8, 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”9 and aligns with the season of autumn.  In the second chamber of the heart, we find “the medicine of transformation”10 and the winter season. For the third chamber, Williams mentions “the medicine of the magical light”11 and the energy of spring. Finally, we have the fourth chamber and “the medicine of rebirth”12, 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.”13

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”14. 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”15 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.”16

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.”11

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.”12 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.”17 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”18. 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.”19

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.”12

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.”18

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.

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.”20

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.”21

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.”22

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.”23

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.”24

The Languages of Magic, by Toby Chappell

The Languages of Magic: Transform Reality through Words, Magical Symbols, and Sigils, by Toby Chappell
Destiny Books, 979-8888500675, 352 pages, April 2025

Toby Chappell’s The Languages of Magic: Transform Reality through Words, Magical Symbols, & Sigils is a fascinating exploration of the mystical and transformative power that language holds in the practice of magic. Chappell, known for his expertise in esoteric traditions and occult practices, masterfully delves into the ways words and symbols can shape reality, offering both a theoretical framework of semiotics and its application in the study of magic.

“The connection between semiotics, language, and magic is the core principle of this book: the magic is in the communication.”25

Don’t worry, I didn’t know what the word semiotics meant before reading this book, just in case you’re already lost! One thing I advise is not letting the academic language, which you most likely don’t hear in your daily life unless you’re a linguist, make you feel this book is too dense to comprehend. From the get-go, Chappell does a wonderful job distilling complex information into a relatable and easy to comprehend context, often providing detailed definitions, examples, and explanations for all concepts presented.

Step-by-step Chappell draws connections between traditional linguistic theories and magical practices, suggesting that mastery of language can lead to mastery over one’s reality.  A key theme in the book is the idea that language is not merely a tool for communication but a powerful medium for transformation. All of the chapters work cohesively towards demonstrating how understanding the foundations of language can lead to a better grasp on “the essential communicative function of magic.”26

The book begins with Chappell detailing the premise of this book, specifically clarifying for readers the intersection between language and semantics  and magic. From the origins of language to the passing on of cultures through time, readers gain a sense of just how the inner workings of the transmission of information can be drawn upon and manipulated to shift one’s own inner and outer world. Chappell explains:

“Magic—as operative communication—is a tool for translating this initial inspiration into the changes that are first necessary within the perceptual world. This is followed by altering a particular semiotic web to contain the right symbols that suggest an interpretation that can accommodate your vision. The newly re-spun semiotic web then suggests the effective mode of address for communicating this mindfully evolved vision to those mechanisms and forces in the phenomenal world that can help you to realize your vision.”27

To further provide a foundation for this assertion, Chappell delves into various models of magic and a history of semiotics. Within these chapters jam-packed with information, readers will learn about tons of philosophers, anthropologists, linguists, magicians, psychologists, and other thought-leaders. Chappell draws from many disciplines to provide a comprehensive, extremely well-rounded approach to the impact of language and semiotics within magic.

This section concludes with a chapter titled “Language, Myth, and Magic” where Chappell highlights mythological figures who are associated with language and writing and draws both ancient and modern connections between magic and the art of storytelling.

This section concludes with a chapter titled “Language, Myth, and Magic” where Chappell highlights mythological figures who are associated with language and writing and draws both ancient and modern connections between magic and the art of storytelling.

A real bonus to the book is the afterwards, which includes three essays. Two of them, “The Words Aim the Arrow” and “Why Do Magicians Write Fiction”,  are by author and occultist Don Webb, while the third, “Magi Loci” is by Brenda Yagmin. There’s also a glossary, notes, bibliography, and index for further research or study into the material presented.

As someone with academic inclinations, I highly enjoyed this book. My husband holds two philosophy degrees, so topics such as this are a normal discussion in our household. Plus, I’ve taken courses on the philosophy of language before, so some concepts were familiar. However, I will note, for those who are less inclined for such a detailed approach to magic, this book could potentially feel overwhelming at times. It took me about five weeks to make my way through, reading carefully, taking notes along the way, and taking side quests to read other works mentioned by Chappell throughout the book.

This said, I really feel like what Chappell has to offer the magical community within the text makes this book well worth the time and energy needed to absorb the material. Chappell emphasizes how this knowledge can enhance one as a magician:

“By examining these tools not normally associated with magic in our modern world, the magician can become more effective and powerful. They might even learn a bit about more effective mundane communication too.”28

And for those who preserve, much of the technical aspects of linguists and language of philosophy ease up in the second half of the book, especially once readers get to the case study section of the book. This is definitely a read that will have you wanting to then research other topics further; I have a list of further works and trains of thought I want to continue to research. Chappell offers a coherent presentation of information that is both practically applicable and also metaphysically stimulating.

Overall, The Languages of Magic is a valuable addition to the library of anyone interested in the occult, linguistics, philosophy, anthropology, or simply the transformative power of language in general. Chappell provides readers with the tools and knowledge to explore their own magical potential, making this book both an educational resource and a catalyst for personal growth. If you’re looking for a magical topic with some heartiness material you can really sink into, Chappell’s insights will inspire you to explore the fascinating interplay between language and magic. For those willing to take the time to explore the material, this is a wonderful resource for magical enrichment.

Flower Magic, by Anastasia Mostacci

Flower Magic: The Secret Language of Flowers, by Anastasia Mostacci with illustrations by Giada Ungredda
Red Wheel, 1590035739, 160 pages, May 2025

Have you ever felt inspired by the beauty, scent, or spirit of a flower? Flower Magic: The Secret Language of Flowers by Anastasia Mostacci is an enchanting exploration into the world of floral symbolism and the special energies these delicate delights offer. As Mostacci teaches, connecting with flowers invites us to slow down, open our senses, and commune with the quiet wisdom of nature’s most graceful teachers.

“The flower moves through life lightly, fleeting yet total; it is never halfway in its being or in its giving. It is magical; it is nature in its highest expression, and for this reason it is often considered a ferryman toward invisible realms, ancient as myth, fairylike and dreamy, spontaneous as childhood, secret and sacred as the soul.”1

Covering a variety of 60 flowers, Mostacci delves into the rich history and cultural significance of flowers across various civilizations. She skillfully weaves together folklore, mythology, and contemporary interpretations, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of how flowers have communicated messages throughout history and the potent magic it holds.

The book is organized into several sections, which Mostacci has aptly titled gardens. This categorization is interesting and really helps readers to see how certain flowers contain similar energies, which is extremely useful for those looking to make a bouquet or designing their own garden for a specific purpose. For each garden, Mostacci covers ten flowers whose attributes highlight the essence of the garden followed by tips for arranging them together for certain purposes at the end of the section. All the gardens are color-coded, making it easy to distinguish one from the next.

For instance, “The Garden of the Psychic”, which are “flowers that influence the psyche and dreams, facilitating shamanic journeys and connections with the spirit worlds”29, contains poppy, wisteria, and honeysuckle. Meanwhile, “Garden of the Inner Child”, filled with “flowers for new beginnings, offering freshness, blessings, and a connection to the inner child”30 covers viola, lily of the valley, and calendula.

While each flower entry is only one page long, it is packed with interesting information and paired with a beautiful illustration of the flower created by illustrator Giada Ungredda. The vibrant images that bring the text to life, offering a depiction of the flower for those who might not be familiar with it. The visuals complement the writing makes this book an especially pleasurable book for those who enjoy an aesthetic reading experience; they create such a gentle, calming experience while pursuing this book.

As for the text about the flowers, Mostacci includes the scientific name of the flower, description of when the flower blooms or where it is mostly found, associations of the flower, historical or mythological tales, and magical uses. The entries are definitely not prescriptive though; all of them are customized and fascinating, conveying the uniqueness and beauty of each one.

The aspect I enjoy most is how Mostacci offers so much practical advice on using flowers in everyday life, from creating meaningful bouquets to incorporating floral symbolism into personal rituals. Some of the tidbits that have been useful in my life so far are azaleas bringing a sense of tender, maternal warmth that “beckons us inward, hiding us on a journey to learn how to know and love ourselves.”31 Angelica “defends and protects us just like an angel would, alleviating all evil, keeping it away from us.”32

After reading the section on Verbena, I felt a strong connection to work with it more in-depth. Mostacci describes how it has been used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans as offerings in ceremonies to “ask for grace and fortune.”33 She offers a divination method of “writing words on verbena leaves and then, having reached a windy place, letting some be carried away to derive a message from those that remain.”34 I definitely plan on trying this soon!

For those just learning about flower magic, the photographic summary at the end was immensely useful for identifying the flowers. I’ve been able to more quickly spot them when out in nature, especially at my local arboretum, or at the farmer’s market when I’m shopping for fresh flowers. I also love the bouquet summaries at the end that depict how to weave together certain flowers for desired results. Here’s an example of a bouquet suggestion from “The Garden of the Wind”:

“A bouquet of milk thistle, lavender, and verbena will bring great purification, the necessary precursors for allowing new inspirations to pass through us.”35

Overall, Flower Magic is a delightful read for anyone intrigued by symbolism and lore of these natural beauties. Mostacci’s writing and design of the book make it easy to absorb the information on these flowers, especially in the grouping of them by gardens for further illumination about the properties of each one. The hardcover along with gorgeous illustrations by Ungredda make this the perfect book for a nightstand or coffee table; this is one you’d definitely want on display!

Whether you’re interested in natural magic or simply looking to expand your knowledge of the natural world, this book promises to deepen your appreciation for the subtle yet powerful language of flowers. It’s been such a pleasure reading it during the peak blossoms of spring! I know this is a book I’ll refer back to again and again for insight, especially when deciding which flowers to add to my magical practice for offerings or manifestation.