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Hallowed Ground, by Mark Norman

Hallowed Ground: The Folklore of Churches and Churchyards, by Mark Norman
Crossed Crow Books, 1964537002, 207 pages, May 2025

I am writing this on Mischief Night, knowing that tomorrow on Halloween, children, accompanied by parents, will go door to door in costume asking for candy, with the warning that to not be given any might be met with a trick. Scary costumes, carving pumpkins, seeing ghosts are all part of Halloween. Many call this time on the calendar Samhain, believing that this is when the veil between our world and the other world is the thinnest. What began as folkloric stories and rituals in many cultures have become what we today embrace as Halloween traditions.  

In Hallowed Ground: The Folklore of Churches and Churchyards, Mark Norman, a noted folklorist, delves into the essence of folklore and how the church incorporated many pagan symbols and beliefs as it was growing in strength and power. Norman explains that folklore is a shared activity of common beliefs and experiences, neutral to many, without attachment to a particular religion or belief system.

“Folklore is about community. We are all members of folk groups – gathering places where people can enjoy shared interests.”1

That “folklore is neutral,”2 is the sentiment at the heart of the book.

Unknowingly, when I visited Lincoln Cathedral in Lincoln, England where my husband attended university, I, a lover of gift shops, bought a replica of the Lincoln Imp to hang in my home in New Jersey. The Lincoln Imp, a footlong grotesque creature that is part human and part animal, sits in the Angel Choir of the Cathedral which was built in the late 1200s. At the time it was not uncommon for churchgoers to see such an image built into their place of workshop. Seen as a symbol of the triumph of good over evil, the Imp was sent by Satan to cause mischief in the cathedral but it was turned into stone by an angel. The story of the Imp sprang from area folklore which Norman writes about in the chapter “Meeting the Devil in the Church”. 

Images of folklore in a cathedral I could somewhat understand. But magic and witchcraft in the churchyard seemed harder to accept. Norman explains, “The adoption and combining of older festival and celebration time with the Christian calendar has obviously fed into this dynamic.”3

I was aware of the efforts of the early church to incorporate pagan rituals into services in order to have the new converts more easily accept their rituals. The birth of Christ (December 25) occurred around the time of the Winter Solstice, when the light begins to return to the Northern Hemisphere. Easter coincided with Ostara, the time of fertility with those rabbits and eggs. As Norman states:

“The observation that all this leads to is that there are many connections between the Church, or Christian religion, and magic.”4

Another thing I was surprised to read is that while village witches and healers were almost always illiterate, most had a good working knowledge of the Bible and that clergy would sometimes seek their advice. Norman goes on to share about how many books of spells and charms feature biblical characters or psalms.

The book is filled with stories and examples from Babylonian times to modern day. Separated into seven chapters, readers can delve into the construction and role of the church, spectral figures in the courtyard, flora and fauna, pagan symbols in the church, superstition in the church and churchyard, and more. A multi-page bibliography provides the reader with resources for further research and reading. 

Norman often returns to the understanding that folklore doesn’t seem to prove or disprove anything. In the chapter titled “Spectral Figure in the Churchyard”, for example, he writes that “science cannot definitively prove or disprove the existence of ghosts, whatever they may be.”5 Instead, folklorists are “in the best position to examine some of the ways in which spectral apparitions have been recorded on hallowed ground, and what their meaning might be.”6

One could not wish for a more experienced author on this subject. Mark Norman, a folklorist, has one of the leading podcasts in the field (The Folklore Podcast). Based in Devon, England, he is curator of the Folklore Library and Archive. His other books on folklore are varied in subject matter: Dark Folklore, Folklore of Wales, Telling the Bees and Other Customs: The Folklore of Rural Crafts, The Folklore of Devon, Black Dog Folklore, and ZOINKS!: The Spooky Folklore Behind Scooby Doo.

Overall, Hallowed Ground will especially appeal to readers fascinated by the intersection of religion, mythology, and cultural history. Those who enjoy uncovering the layers of meaning behind long-standing traditions, whether rooted in pagan ritual, Christian symbolism, or village superstition, will find Norman’s work both enlightening and accessible.

I recommend this book for folklorists, historians, spiritual seekers, and lovers of ghost stories. Norman brings folklore to life with this engaging storytelling, inviting readers to  view sacred spaces through a new lens and revealing how centuries of belief, magic, and myth continue to shape our collective understanding of what is truly “hallowed ground.”

Karma Healing, by Yael Eini

Karma Healing: Unblock Your Life on the Soul Level, by Yael Eini
Findhorn Press, 979-8888502594, 192 pages, April 2025

Karma Healing: Unblock Your Life On the Soul Level by Yael Eini is worth the read. This book took me a few months to work through, not because of the complexity, because of the paradigm shifting concepts that Eini provides. Not just ONE paradigm, but multiple paradigms. While I read through Karma Healing, I also practiced the exercises she recommends and provides. However, I had to work through it slowly, to allow my understanding and awareness time to process the information. 

One of the biggest paradigm shifts I encountered occurred early in the book (chapter 3) when Eini says:

“The soul is in our body, but the soul is not our whole body (just as the brain is not our whole body). While it is within us, it also exists in the world of souls. A soul is not a linear thing; it is energy and frequency.”4

She further explains:

“One day I met a medium who told me I was running too fast; that my soul was tired of the race and wanted me to slow down. This was the first time I had an experience of “splitting.” Apparently, my soul is not me, and there are things I do that are incompatible with my soul.”6

This concept of “splitting” has stayed with me since I read it. I often think about how my mind has an agenda. And now I understand that my soul ALSO has an agenda. And sometimes they do not align.

Fortunately, Eini provides exercises that help delineate these two concepts within our existence, and how to WORK with the mind and the soul through this process. Eini provides clear guidance on how to use representations, and how to interact with them in a beneficial way. 

I read this book prior to experiencing a Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique session. Karma Healing was pivotal in understanding many of the experiences of the session, especially the differentiation of the soul, the higher-self, and the mind. Not only did Eini’s explanation help understand and differentiate these, she also helped with understanding the concept of karmic vows/curses (Eini, pg 143-162) and how to dissolve them.

These concepts played a large role in the healing portion of the session. I believe that because my subconscious had already been introduced to the concept of karmic vows/curses, my soul was ready to provide the vow that it was carrying. I learned that I have uttered this same vow in my current life, too. Eini’s introduction to this part of the healing played a vital role in my soul recognizing, processing, and working toward releasing this vow. 

I truly appreciate the time that Eini takes to explain the foundational concepts behind her work. Without a solid grasp on the quantum fields, the subconscious, karma, past lives, and karmic constellations, this book would be a difficult read; however, Eini makes spectacular work of breaking down these ideas, showing how it all relates, and guiding the reader on a journey of learning how to work with the soul to move forward on a healing journey. 

I highly recommend Karma Healing to those who are seeking to heal, whether just beginning the journey or those who have been working on it for years. Other books that pair well with this book would be Sacred Contracts by Caroline Myss and Shamanic Healing for Toxic Relationships by Stefan Limmer. 

Our souls are wondrous things. And being a part of the healing process is a gift that our minds and bodies can give to our souls.

Talismans and Tarot, by Lori Lytle

Talismans and Tarot: Magical Tools to Amplify, Attract, and Manifest, by Lori Lytle
Weiser Books, 1578638755, 248 pages, September 2025

Tarot cards and talismans both serve as bridges between the seen and unseen world, one offering insight into the unknown and the other embodying mystical energy in a special object. In Talismans and Tarot: Magical Tools to Amplify, Attract, and Manifest, Lori Lytle shows how combining these two practices creates deeply personal and powerful results. Within these pages, Lytle teaches readers how to handcraft talismans to encapsulate the essence, wisdom, and energy revealed in tarot readings, transforming spiritual guidance into tangible form.

“Humans have always turned to these touchstones when fearful or in need of comfort, or when inspired and ambitious and wanting to believe that anything is possible in this life.”7

Divided into two parts, the book begins with “Part One: The Basics”. In this section, Lytle provides an overview of the foundation of talismans and tarots. She shares about amulets, popular symbols used for luck and protection, and the importance of intention when creating your own talisman. She then moves onto tarot, teaching the fundamentals of suits, structure, and numbers in the tarot, along with a bit on court cards.

A lengthy portion of this part is focused on Lytle sharing her insights on each tarot card. Moving through the whole deck, for each card there’s a picture (Rider-Wait-Smith imagery), description of the card’s meaning, talisman intention themes, affirmation, and musings to further reflect on. For those already familiar with tarot, the most novel information in this section is the guidance on cards’ themes in regard to talisman creation. For instance, intention themes for a 10 of Swords talisman include “surrender, transformation, rebirth”8, while some intention themes of Wheel of Fortune are “Good luck, good timing, risk paying off”9.

The final chapter in this part is dedicated to reading tarot cards. Lytle covers all the steps of a reading from preparing for a reading, choosing your spread, formulating questions to weaving the story that emerges together. She even shares sample readings to show readers how to interpret the cards to create a meaningful story of wisdom and guidance. While engaging, this section seems aimed for beginners, as it’s the starter information; those who have even a bit of experience reading tarot will most likely be able to move through this chapter quickly.

Once readers are familiar with the basics of tarot and what talismans are, in “Part Two: The Process”, Lytle shares how to combine the two. While I’ve worked with tarot cards for the sake of manifestation before, specifically working with the card through visualization or meditation to call in the energy of the card, Lytle’s process is different and more open to the card’s intuitive guidance. She leads readers through crafting an intention and then doing a reading about the intention. Based on the story the reading tells, whether it’s just a one card pull or a full spread, Lytle teaches how to create a talisman from “what you have discovered about your intention.”10

I love this approach because it leaves room for the wisdom and spontaneity of tarot to illuminate new information about your intention, pointing you in the best direction. Rather than someone picking the card they think is best for boosting their intentions, this method leaves room for surrender to the tarot’s wisdom, opening space for unrealized insights to emerge. Just like divination with tarot, where you don’t know what will appear but choose to trust the guidance, this process of talisman creation also lets the cards lead the way.

As far as creation of one’s talisman, Lytle shares how to choose the material that aligns with your intention. She covers a wide range of crystals for different intentions, metals, symbolic representations, animal representations, and even found objects or things with personal significance.

Once the material is picked out and prepared to be turned into a talisman, this is where Lytle brings in the tarot. She shares a spread to find clarity around one’s intention, offers multiple sample readings to study, and then details how to craft an affirmation based on the story the tarot reveals. This affirmation is then used in the ritual process to consecrate one’s talisman, which Lytle leads readers through. The final chapter then focuses on working with the consecrated talisman and what to do when it’s time to release the talisman.

While this book is filled with novice tarot information, the talisman process created by Lytle is something very unique. It invites readers to use the tarot not just for reading, but for creating, consecrating, and carrying something that extends the energy of a reading into everyday life.  By translating an intention into a physical talisman, readers anchor them in the material world, boosting the manifestation process as well as aligning their intention with the mystic wisdom of the tarot.

Overall, Talismans and Tarot is a good read for those looking to add something fresh to their magic toolkit. While the tarot content is beginner level, the talisman process is a new way to interact with the cards, making this a fun read for all levels. Many look to tarot for insights about the future, but this process of focusing on one’s intention and bringing it to life in the physical world through talismans is a way for readers to be more co-creative in the manifestation process. Plus, Lytle leaves a lot of room for personalization too, from choosing the best time for their ritual to picking out materials that feel symbolic to them, making the process both an intuitive and empowering method for creating a talisman.

I’d recommend this book to those looking for a new way to manifest their intentions. The combination of connecting with tarot and then consecration a symbolic talisman is a two-fold magical method, adding double the boost of alignment. Lytle presents an accessible  way to work tarot as a living, active magical tool. As someone with many talismans, I know the potency of being able to physically hold your imbued intentions in your hand keeps your mind focused and spirit receptive to our heart’s desires also coming into physical form.

Chakra Dreamwork, by Therese E. Duckett

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

“You may not have given much consideration to your dreams–let alone your chakras. However, chakras have been well known and documented for several millennia as being connected to our level of consciousness. What I explore in this book is the powerful relationship between our chakras and our dreams. Chakras provide the energy to dredge up dreams from our subconscious mind, and the corresponding dreams can provide us with guidance and information we may need to build a better, healthier and more meaningful life.”1

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Much has been written about the seven primary chakras that are located in the body. More recently, more attention is being given to the twenty-one minor chakras and the eighty-six micro chakras that also contribute to the infinite network of energy continuously flowing through us: But there are also chakras that are located outside of our bodies. These are called the sub-personal and transpersonal chakras. It has been estimated that there are five sub-personal and five transpersonal chakras.”11

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

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

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

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

Would I Recommend?

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

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

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

About the Author: Therese E. Duckett 

Therese E. Duckett worked for more than twenty years as a psychologist. Her interest in the human mind has lead to her study of quantum theory and how the brain, body, and consciousness are connected. She currently lives in Victoria, Australia.12

The Original Zodiac, by Graham Phillips

The Original Zodiac: What Ancient Astrology Reveals About You, by Graham Phillips
Bear & Company, 9781591435419, 208 pages, October 2025

The Original Zodiac by Graham Phillips is a fascinating exploration into the origins of astrology, delving deep into the ancient roots of the zodiac signs and their historical significance. Known for his investigative approach to historical mysteries, Phillips brings readers on a journey to uncover the beginnings of the zodiac as we know it today. In this book, he takes us back to Mesopotamia to unearth eighteen signs of the zodiac. 

Phillips is one-part historical detective and one-part adventurer, as he weaves together thought-provoking works on some of the greatest myths and legends of all time. He has penned books on King Arthur, Mother Mary, and the origins of Judaism, among others. Once a reporter for BBC radio, he also appeared in numerous TV documentaries and mini-series on similar topics. He lives in the Midlands of England. Learn more about him on his website.

Phillips sets out to challenge conventional wisdom about the zodiac, proposing that its origins lie not in Babylonian or Greek tradition as commonly believed, but much further back in time and in different cultures. The book is meticulously researched, drawing on archaeological findings, ancient texts, and astronomical observations to build a compelling case for a much older and, perhaps, more mysterious origin of astrological symbolism.

Instead of the well-known zodiac signs, Phillips “uncovers the original 18-sign zodiac, an ancient system that predates the familiar 12-sign zodiac by millennia.”1 In doing his research, Phillips finds and presents evidence that our birth date and time reveal much about each of us. While the Greeks created the 12-sign system we use today, the ancient ones in Mesopotamia used 20 degrees for each sign, thus eighteen symbols. They also assigned an animal to each sign.

“So, this 18-sign zodiac is thousands of years older than the one we are familiar with today. We don’t know what specific stars were incorporated into constellations to represent each of those ancient signs. Still, we know that the list began at the spring equinox and that the subsequent year was divided into 18 divisions of some 20 days each. These, therefore, appear to be the sacred creatures of the original Mesopotamian zodiac, with the dates covered by each birth sign.”13

Phillips writes how the oldest description of this 18-sign zodiac is on a clay tablet dating back to 686 BCE. Found in Mosul, an area in Northern Iraq once the ancient city of Nineveh, this artifact now resides in the British Museum. Basing his date calculator on this artifact and axis progression, Phillips was able to calculate the birth dates each sign falls within. While no artifacts or records exist detailing this original zodiac, Phillips recreated it based on his extensive research.

Over the course of several years, Phillips used his list of eighteen signs and collected tons of data. He writes how he “compiled an in-depth survey, recording people’s attitudes, opinions, likes, dislikes, hobbies, pastimes, employment, health, and many other factors, and found that those born in each sign did appear to share common traits well beyond what should be expected by chance.”14 He used this information to create his own interpretations of the 18-sign original zodiac. This approach is quite fascinating and reading the entries for each sign was insightful.

Instead of a Sagittarius Sun, as I am in the traditional zodiac, I am a Goat in this system. I read the section and agree with most of the qualities and characteristics Phillips presents. However, he makes several comments about physical qualities that didn’t fit.

Since my birthday is close to a cusp, or dividing line, chosen by Phillips, I decided to look at the sign prior to Goat, which is Horse. As I read the qualities of Horse, I began to see that I was a mix of both signs. The adventurous spirit of the Horse and the dedication of the Goat combine with other traits to create me!

Next, I read the section on Serpent to check the characteristics and qualities for my husband. For the most part, Phillips was accurate in his assessment. The only thing I found incorrect was the reference to “few suffer from digestive complaints.”15 My husband has a series of digestive problems and has struggled with these most of his life. The author’s reference to “intuition, imagination and versatility”16 for those born under the sign of the Serpent though is accurate for my husband. 

Phillips brings his book together with notes that cover sources for much of his research as well as a two-page bibliography with even more information for those who would be interested in further study. The book is well researched; his dedication to the multi-year data collection project of numerous people and their lives is impressive. Phillips has created something to give modern day astrology students and practitioners a new way to view the zodiac signs and their meaning. 

Overall, The Original Zodiac is a thought-provoking and ambitious work that will appeal to anyone interested in ancient history, mythology, and astrology. Phillips offers a compelling argument for re-examining the roots of the zodiac, combining meticulous research with an engaging narrative style. While some of his conclusions may be open to debate, the book succeeds in sparking curiosity and offering new perspectives on an ancient topic that continues to fascinate people today.

By questioning established beliefs, Phillips encourages readers to think critically about the history of astrology and its cultural impact. If you are intrigued by the mysteries of the past and enjoy books that challenge conventional wisdom, this book is certainly worth reading.

The Goddess Casts the Runes, by Anu Dudley

The Goddess Casts the Runes: Divination and Wisdom of the Earth Mother, by Anu Dudley
Destiny Books, 1644117266, 128 pages, September 2025

For many modern divination practitioners, myself included, the runes carry an energy that can feel sharply masculine, rooted in conquest, battle, and the legends of Odin. However, this perspective overshadows the quieter, more cyclical wisdom that also flows through these ancient symbols too. Born from the living earth, carved from wood and stone, whispering the language of nature long before patriarchal retellings reshaped their origins, the symbols on the runes have an even deeper history that still can be connected with today.

In The Goddess Casts the Runes, Anu Dudley offers a reimagined perspective on the Elder Futhark runes, shifting away from the more dominant Odin-/Viking myths to place them in the context of veneration for the Mother Goddess. Dudley offers a pathway to re-envisioning the runes with a more balanced lens that honors the feminine, intuitive, and nurturing forces of creation. Reading the runes from this perspective highlights the relatedness, responsiveness, and receptiveness of feminine energy, which Dudley asserts is most aligned with their original essence reflective of the Mother Goddess, described as “the Divine Entity who created life and endowed it with strength, compassion, and wisdom.”16.

“The purpose of this book is to provide an ecofeminist, Earth-based perspective on the runes that takes into account salient principles of feminism, environmentalism, and the sacredness of the Earth as well as the archeological, mythological, spiritual, and etymological origins and significance of the runes. It reclaims the runes for the Mother Goddess, whose grace and power these ancient symbols were originally created to honor.”17

“Part 1: Reclaiming the Runes for the Goddess” has three sections. First, Dudley explains the origins of the runes in relation to the Mother Goddess. Next, she provides an overview of Odin and how the runes were “won” through his sacrifice, which mythologically was representative of the shift from a worship of the Mother Goddess to a male dominated patriarchal culture. And just as a note for readers, these sections are only a few pages, summarizing huge portions of history into a quick framework for understanding the context of this book.

In the final section of part one, Dudley offers guidance on casting the runes. She covers topics like crafting your questions, selecting your tools, and how to interpret the way the runes land. Though this section is introductory, I found it quite insightful. Dudley goes into how to notice the overall shape along with advice for interpreting the way runes land, such as “dark” or facedown, on their side, or even overlaying one another. She even provides a sample of a reading to provide clarity.

“Part 2: Reading the Runes” moves into the “historical, spiritual, and mythological exploration of each rune”18 from this feminine-centered perspective. Dudley has re-visioned the three Aetts of the runes into Maiden, Mother, and Crone. For those who read the runes in the traditional manner, the overall interpretation of each one does not change too much, however the way Dudley highlights where the Goddess is present in each interpretation, definitely brings in a new perspective. She reframes the runes as part of a broader, more inclusive spiritual tradition tied to Earth, nature, and the divine feminine.

Here are some examples of the way Dudley weaves in feminine wisdom, spiritual insight, and ecological awareness:

  • • For the rune Gebo in the Maiden aett, Dudley describes how as “children of the Earth, we are natural givers”19. From our gratitude of the world around us to our physical exhalation of carbon dioxide to plants, we are inherently giving creatures. She ties this into the traditional meaning of the rune as the “Marriage Rune”, where we are giving of ourselves to another.
  • • For the rune Jera in the Mother aett, Dudley introduces Near Eastern goddess Jerah, who was descended from Vedic goddess Jara, ruler of “cycles of time and transformation”20. The natural cycle of things are used as examples of time management and inherent responsibilities that come along with the tending of our harvest.
  • • For the rune Inguz in the Crone aett, Dudley notes how the sacred yoni, the portal of birth, was known as the Earth Diamond, symbolized in this rune. She writes, “The diamond shape is made by taking a square, a classic earth symbol and tipping it up on one of its corners so that it radiates vibrancy and creativity, the essential elements of fertility.”21

It’s truly fascinating to learn about the goddess associations for each rune, along with how Dudley ties in the aspects of nature that reflect the rune’s meaning as well as other symbolism that brings forth a deeper feminine meaning. This feminine-rooted, earth-centered approach brings the runes to life for me in a whole new way. Suddenly, there’s goddesses I can learn more about or connect with spiritually to enhance my understanding of the meaning. I can see runic insight happening in nature as the wind blows or seasons turn. I can apply this knowledge for reflection, divination, and meditation that reflects my personal values of compassion, connection, and balance with Mother Earth.

Overall, The Goddess Casts the Runes is a refreshing and empowering reclamation of an ancient divinatory system that has skewed too far into patriarchal territory. Dudley beautifully restores the runes to their earthy, life-giving roots, illuminating the presence of the Goddess within each symbol. This approach brings new insight into rune meanings as well as a deeper spiritual framework that centers on feminine, Earth-based spirituality.

I highly recommend this book for those who are seeking to work with the runes not just as symbols, but as living tools for spiritual insight, ecological awareness, and feminine wisdom.  In reclaiming the runes through the lens of the Earth Mother, Dudley invites readers to reconnect with the sacred cycles of nature and rediscover the divine balance within creation, reawakening the intuitive and nurturing aspects of the runes. The Goddess Casts the Runes ultimately reminds us that divination is not only about seeking answers but about entering into relationship with the land, the symbols, and the living wisdom of the Goddess herself.

Magic from the Hilltops and Hollers, by Leah Middleton

Magic from the Hilltops and Hollers: Folk Witchery, Superstitions, and Healing Practices from Appalachia, by Leah Middleton
Weiser Books, 1578638801, 240 pages, September 2025

Magic From the Hilltops and Hollers: Folk Witchery, Superstitions, and Healing Practices from Appalachia by Leah Middleton impressed me a lot with how informative and detailed it is. Coming from near the Alleganies, I really enjoyed how this book included all of Appalachia and not just the south! It was nice to learn more about the place I call home.

At the same time, it was interesting  to learn about Appalachia from a Southerner’s experience. I loved reading Middleton’s experiences and travels down South in addition to the history. Chapter one, “The Southern Hills of Appalachia: Welcome Home”, did an excellent job at summarizing the history of the region. Middleton provides a nice overview of the Civil War. We can never forget the history that shaped these mountains. Out of the two other books I’ve read on Appalachian magic, this is the first book I’ve read that included the Civil War. It was a great refresher for me!

Chapter two, “On Front Porches and in Garden Beds: Folkways of the Southern Mountaineer”, covers a typical homestead and gardening. One thing I’ll have to try out once I have the yard space is planting by the moon cycle! Also covered in this chapter is the kitchen, where we also get our first spell to try out. The next topic that is covered is folk art, and then faith is also discussed as well.

That brings us to chapter three, “By the Devil’s Hand: Witchery in Southern Appalachia”, which goes more in depth on faith in the Appalachians. I enjoyed all the local witch tales, especially Uncle Johnnie’s story. Chapter four, “To Help or to Harm: Southern Mountain Folk Practioners”, goes over the different types of practitioners found in the region, superstitions, and what items are used. Chapter five, “The Mountain’s Helping Hands: Folk Healing in Southern Appalachia”, goes deeper into practices such as healing, dreams, cartomancy, and even commonly used herbs!

Then that brings us to the last two chapters. Chapter six, “A Tale Worth Telling: Exploring Southern Appalachian Superstitions, Stories, and Omens” shares more stories and superstitions from the Appalachia’s, while chapter seven, “The Finished Binding” gives more insight on the practice and concludes the book.

Overall, Magic from the Hilltops and Hollers is very meaningful and well written. I didn’t get a chance to try the “From Mamaw’s Book of Spells” sections yet, but I do plan on doing some of these soon like the Apple jam and biscuits for connection. I will make this when I have company over!

I really enjoyed every last second I spent with this book. A lot of these superstitions and stories are things I was hearing for the first time, but it is true when Leah writes:

“The region is vast, with many hands involved. I have met practitioners from the same county whose work varies from my own.”1

This is all seemingly very accurate based on what I’ve personally experienced within the practice myself and what I’ve read, heard, and researched on this practice thus far. I think this is a great book for those who live in Appalachia or may want to connect with ancestors from the region, those who enjoy witchy history, or those who just want to seek out spiritual practices in America. Also, for the intermediate witch looking to expand their magical knowledge, this is a good book for you!

Feral Magick, by Denny Sargent

Feral Magick: Unleash Your Inner Animal Self, by Denny Sargent
Weiser Books, 1578638518, 208 pages, July 2025

Feral Magick: Unleash Your Inner Animal Self by Denny Sargent is an insightful read on the world of animism. The book’s title initially is what caught my attention. I have no experience with animism or with feral magic, but this book is a perfect stepping stone for those who want to have a deeper connection with the animal spirit inside of them.

“When you “wake up” to the wild world of Neo-Animism, you find yourself in a world that is filled with many amazing spirits and awesome powers.”22 

The book is divided into two parts: “Discovering Wild Nature” and “Feral Magick Practices”. “Discovering Wild Nature”, which goes through chapter six, is described as a sort of spiritual training manual, while “Feral Magick Practices” is preparing us for more complex work.

In the beginning of part one, we learn how to connect with that animalistic side by reconnecting with nature and the spirits of nature. Sargent teaches how to become more open to the wild and work alongside your spirit animal. With all of this being a very new topic for me, Sargent explained the process of getting connected and in tune with these animal spirits quite well in chapter two, “Return to Deep Nature”, and in chapter three, “Sensing Nature”. She guides you into reconnecting with nature spirits by listening and paying attention to the sounds around you, taking in the scent of the forest around you, and just simply relying on your senses to connect you on a deeper level with the animal spirit.

Then after connection comes working on intuition, instinct, and insight. Some other things covered are working with the primal spirits, how to differentiate from helpful and harmful spirits, and how to approach each one. Chapter six, “Communing with Nature Spirits” goes over learning about the spirit-kin and how to work with it. I was very excited to see Eikthyrnir being mentioned when learning about divine associations! Great example!

Then we move into part two, which gets into the nitty gritty of it all, the more complicated work. Chapter Seven covers what tools are used and what is needed for a proper altar. Then the rest of the chapters into this go into the more intermediate topics. Chapters Eight through Chapter Sixteen cover topics ranging from unleashing your animal self and discovering the Genius Loci to classifying the sacred animals, bonding and trance states, and shapeshifting.

I found it cool to learn about the Ulchi people. I’ve never heard of them before so I ended up doing my own learning adventure on the tribe. This gave me more insight on how other tribes practice animism, such as the Hopi that were also mentioned. Sargent was very helpful in providing a history lesson on animism. It’s extraordinary to think that this practice goes all the way back to 100,000 years ago!

Another thing this book taught me was how to slip into a liminal state. The method taught by Sargent really seemed to help me more than the other methods I’ve been trying. Right now, I don’t feel ready to try more advanced exercises or practices, but some of the practices I do daily are meditation and journaling. Down the line, I think trying the dream magick practice in this book down the line would be fun. I also might try out the “Recapturing Spirits of Childhood” practice too.

I would say once you are on the part of your journey where you’ve acquired the knowledge and the confidence to try a new path, this would be the time to get Feral Magick; it’s best for an intermediate witch. Additionally, if you are looking into nature-based paths, I would recommend adding this to your reading list. As Sargent writes, “Everything about feral magick and Neo-Animism is about nature. Everything.”23 The topics in this book are very interesting and worth the knowledge!

Telepathic Tales, by Daniel Bourke

Telepathic Tales: Precognition and Clairvoyance in Legend, Lyric and Lore, by Daniel Bourke
Destiny Books, 9798888501733, 320 pages, 2025

Across cultures and centuries, stories of extrasensory perception have surfaced like whispers from the unseen world. From the visions of ancient Greek oracles to the ancestral wisdom carried in Indigenous traditions across the world, humanity has always grappled with the possibility that our senses extend far beyond what can be measured or explained. In Telepathic Tales: Precognition and Clairvoyance in Legend, Lyric and Lore, Daniel Bourke takes readers on a cross-cultural voyage through these extraordinary experiences, documenting accounts both mythical and lived. With care and curiosity, he invites us to view them as meaningful parts of the human story.

Daniel Bourke is an Irish poet, songwriter and author. He has published articles in a number of journals and magazines, as well as Apparitions at the Moment of Death in 2024. He is expected to publish Déjà Rêvé and Love at Second Sight: The Experience of Meeting in Dreams before Meeting in Life in 2026.

Beginning each chapter with a provocative quote, Bourke dives into the material with the first few pages. There is no preamble or explanation, just a thorough presentation of clairvoyance and examples of intuition and foresight. From this discussion, he moves into visions; visions where people said, “I knew you were in trouble.”24

“The unconscious helps us by communicating things, or making figurative illusions. It has other ways, too, of informing us of things which by all logic we could not possibly know.  -Carl Gustav Jung”25

Burke shares several stories about people in the medical industry who received messages or visions regarding patients and were able to get to them in time to render lifesaving aid. In fact, he notes a book that shares many examples of “nonverbal and potentially telepathic Interactions between therapists and their patients.”26 This is something I had never considered, although I have experienced telepathic messages from my husband and other family members and friends.  

Next, Bourke takes us on a journey to learn more about deathbed visions, telepathic messages, and unusual phenomena. This subject is covered in two different chapters and relates to “nearing death awareness”27 and “dreams of the dying”28.

“That the mortally afflicted person might attain a prophetical or divinatory ability is an idea as old, as we have seen, as are the deathbed visions of Gilgamesh.”29

My favorite story in this chapter relates to a man in his seventies, who passed away on a Tuesday in Connecticut, only a day after his sister passed away in Ohio. Before his passing, he mentioned seeing his sister Mary in the hospital. At this time, no one knew that Mary had died. He and Mary had been very close. There were other stories of people looking up to the ceiling and carrying on conversations with people who had gone on before them. In my own life, when my aunt was passing, she said that she could see her mother standing by her bed. My grandmother had died about 30 years prior.

In subsequent chapters, Bourke discusses zombies and vampires as well as “cross cultural ESP”30, the origins of plant cures, and the idea of shared visions or dreams. He includes stories and research from many countries, different cultures, and varied spiritual traditions. For example, He discusses the South American Tukano and their medicine men. The Tukano believe that the creator of the Universe gave them a special plant known as curare. They also believe that “their botanical knowledge was derived from plant-induced hallucinations.”31

Bourke also includes many other tales of cures and medical aid. One story involves the Cherokee Indians who believe that “the spirit of the appropriate plant will suggest the proper remedy in a dream.”32 I love this!  My family can trace its lineage to a Cherokee woman in the 1800’s.

Bourke has structured this book as a patchwork of short stories, vignettes, and interludes. Some stories are starkly realistic, set in familiar neighborhoods and workplaces; others are more surreal, evoking a dreamlike feel. This narrative mosaic allows Bourke to explore the concept of telepathy and dreams through a variety of lenses (social, psychological, philosophical) without ever letting the book feel repetitive or preachy.

Stylistically, Bourke is a master of restraint and suggestion. He can describe the most fantastic phenomena in prose that is understated and elegant. His character sketches are insightful and compassionate. And, as a careful researcher, each story and each example is documented in the exhaustive notes and bibliography sections.  He even includes a lengthy index to allow the reader to find and review information or stories in the book.

Beyond its carefully researched myths, tales, and stories, Telepathic Tales is a book of ideas. Bourke is clearly fascinated by the philosophical and spiritual implications of telepathy, not only as a type of futuristic communication, but as a metaphor for empathy, compassion and understanding. Throughout the collection, he engages playfully but seriously with questions of consciousness: Are we truly ourselves if our thoughts are never private? How might empathy lead to harmony, or can perfect understanding breed new forms of conflict?

The stories do not provide easy answers, instead inviting the reader to grapple with ambiguity and uncertainty. In this way, his book belongs to the best tradition of spiritual non-fiction, which use the tools of imagination to work within his framework of research and storytelling. Bourke is truly an anthropologist of dreams, telepathy, and near-death experiences. I enjoyed his writing style and the stories he shares so that we can better understand the spirit world and our part within it.

Telepathic Tales would be enjoyed by a person who is newly awakening or newly learning about spirit communication, as well as someone who has been studying telepathy and dreams for a long time. I will be recommending this book to my clients and mentoring students. The real-world examples of spirit communication and telepathy will be supportive and empowering to those who are traveling on a spiritual path. 

“What we do know is that a large minority of people all over the world commonly experience contact with their dead – sometimes regularly, sometimes as one-offs – and that there is both an academic and a personal need to know why. -Alan Kellehear”33

A Traveler’s Guide to Making Magic, by Lisa McSherry

A Traveler’s Guide to Making Magic, by Lisa McSherry
Crossed Crow Books, 1964537460, 220 pages, September 2025

Travel is a journey through thresholds, both seen and unseen. Every new landscape, culture, and experience becomes a portal, inviting us to step outside the familiar and into the realm of possibility. In these liminal spaces, where the routines of daily life are left behind, magic finds fertile ground to awaken. A Traveler’s Guide to Making Magic by Lisa McSherry teaches that travel itself is a magical act, offering endless opportunities to adapt our practice, expand our awareness, and discover parts of ourselves we may never have met without crossing those borders.

I’ll admit that I started this book feeling disenchanted with travel, a rare feeling for this Sagittarius moon. For the past year, I’ve been studying astrocartography, which over time transformed locations worldwide, rich with their own culture, traditions, and history, into astrological lines on a map. Focusing on the technicality of my readings diminished the more intuitive resonance I usually felt when thinking about traveling to faraway places.

For all the talk of travel in the astrocartography circles I’m in, no one seemed to really be addressing the actual experience of traveling, especially for magically-minded folks. It felt more like people were thinking in terms of what a location can offer them based on astrology (Where can I go to find the right job? What location will bring love?) rather than how they could open themselves up to fully experience the depth of location, embracing the genius loci.

And it’s for this reason that McSherry’s keen insights, practical advice, and magical know-how in A Traveler’s Guide to Making Magic were an absolute breath of fresh air! This, THIS, is the book that I was craving and needed to reignite my love for seeing and experiencing new places, especially while keeping my magical practice flowing and open to new revelations. McSherry has created a wonderful guide for those who are seeking to keep their practice alive, grounded, and meaningful while traveling that also includes the reality of travel (delayed flights, packing, being aware of other culture’s attitudes towards magic, ecological impact, etc.).

The beginning of the book really lays the foundation for the spells that come later. In her introduction, McSherry shares her view on magic, sharing that she perceives it “as a spiritual practice rooted in transformation, awareness, and responsibility.”1 She offers resources to plan sustainable travel, emphasizing the need to respect the ecology, limit one’s impact, and support local businesses that are sustained by tourism rather than larger chains that tend to be more exploitative. This was a great overall reminder of the need to center our travel within our belief systems, ensuring we are respecting the land and people we choose to visit.

The first two chapters cover the basics of magic and correspondences. McSherry covers the four main steps in her model of magic–intent, creation, raising, and sending–along with energy work, breathwork, and sympathetic magic. Then the next chapter on correspondences is packed with useful bullet-point lists and tables. The information McSherry provides is thorough! She provides lists of correspondences for animals, colors, metals, plants, seasons, stones, and tarot cards. Then there’s tables for the four elements, planets (yes, including Pluto!), and playing card meanings. For those traveling, this chapter is perfect for quick reference!

Now that readers have the basics of magic down, McSherry focuses on preparing to travel. This is one of the longer chapters in the book, which I appreciate because I feel preparation is key for a successful journey. From deciding where to go to picking out how to actually spend your time in that place, McSherry offers both pragmatic and magical guidance.

She teaches how to leave offerings at sacred sites and communicate with the divine both while planning and once at  your destination. For those in need of inspiration, she shares lists of sacred places around the world, along with a spell to manifest the travel desired. She goes in-depth about what to pack, even including types of packing storage and good-to-have items. This chapter definitely grounds the travel experience both magically through intention and realistically with the material items needed to make it as smooth as possible.

The remaining chapters focus on the actual travel experience. McSherry has a chapter on magical tools, guardian spirits and deities, locational magic, and spells and charms. There’s guidance on creating signals, enchanting one’s clothing, creating a portal ritual kit, along with elemental spells for connecting with air, earth, wind, and fire within a landscape. The list of travel deities is quite long, and readers are sure to find one that feels aligned with their energy while traveling.

For those a bit hesitant or nervous to travel, rest assured McSherry provides lots of spells for protection and safe travels. There’s a whole section called “Don’t Panic! Coping With (Inevitable) Trouble” where she teaches how to make due with common items (soap, mints, matches, napkins, etc.) for magic-on-the-go. McSherry offers ideas for a DIY first aid kit that can all fit within a prescription pill bottle to keep handy. And she even shares the phone number to contact the U.S. State Department, if needed, along with a list of specific scams to avoid and safety measures to take in case your belongings are stolen or lost.

The many specific spells and charms even further amplify readers’ magical protection. McSherry has spells for overcoming anxiety, clear communication, charm bags, vehicle protection, and multiple for safe travel and travel success. Plus, spells to manifest travel and divine where is best to go.

The final chapter, “Travel is a State of Mind”, reminds readers that you don’t have to even leave home to travel. McSherry has a whole list of ways to explore other locations without even walking out your door, ranging from taking virtual tours of museums worldwide to learning a new language. And since most people do leave home at least once a day, she offers magical ways to enhance the journey of stepping outside the comfort of home even when they’re not going far. Additionally, at the end are four appendices with additional magical guidance, a glossary, reference and resource list, and bibliography.

What I like most about this book is McSherry’s writing style. She often uses humor, bringing a smile to the reader’s face, but just as often she has a commanding tone that reflects her travel experience and accumulated wisdom. I really enjoy reading all the anecdotes in the book of her travels or her friends’ travels. Travel stories are always so interesting to me and hers really bring to life the context of what she’s talking about. I loved this one story of how she felt a man sending her negative energy and she pulled out a compact mirror to send it back to him, ultimately with him feeling ill and leaving the restaurant. Quick magical thinking!

Overall, A Traveler’s Guide to Making Magic is the single book I would bring with me on a trip, aside from a fiction novel to keep me occupied! This book is more than just a manual; it’s a companion for the road, offering wisdom, encouragement, and practical tools to weave enchantment into every step of the journey.

McSherry does such a great job covering all the bases of travel from the preparation to the safe return home and all that’s in-between. Whether or not one is a skilled magical practitioner, McSherry’s approach is accessible and easy to implement. Plus, her practical guidance is superb and akin to reading a travel guide. Her advice is much appreciated and definitely something I plan on making use of for my next big trip.

There’s a great blend of spellwork, divination techniques, elemental magic, and deity work for readers to pick and choose from as they adapt their travel magic on the go. And McSherry’s focus on cultural sensitivity, sustainability, and responsibility while traveling expands the awareness of readers, reminding them that actions have impact and it’s important to be a mindful global citizen.

McSherry shows that travel isn’t just about reaching destinations, but about opening ourselves to transformation, connection, and deeper awareness along the way. With this book in hand, even the most ordinary trip becomes an opportunity to explore new realms and carry your magic wherever you roam.