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Tag Archives: Destiny books

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.”2

“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.3

Tarot as Storyteller, by Salicrow

Tarot as Storyteller: Psychic Development, Cartomancy, and Reading the Web of Fate, by Salicrow
Destiny Books, 979-8888502068, 320 pages, June 2025

It’s one thing to memorize the meanings of tarot cards, but it’s another level entirely to weave them together into a story. Tarot as Storyteller: Psychic Development, Cartomancy, and Reading the Web of Fate by Salicrow is an engaging guide that invites readers to view their cartomancy practice not just as rote card-reading but also intuitive storytelling. Sharing her decades of wisdom, Salicrow teaches cartomancy as a psychic and intuitive art through which readers can become skillful narrators of the cards that are dealt.

Divided into three sections, the book begins with “Psychic Storytelling”, the foundational topics of the psychic arts and divination. Salicrow provides an overview of what it means to be a seer, delving into topics like the different ways to receive intuitive information, empathic abilities, cartomancy, and lunar and solar cycles. Filled with techniques ranging from opening the third eye to entering a light trance state, this section lays a great foundation for anyone performing readings. She also emphasizes the importance of self-care and personal healing work too, as this can fuel one’s psychic activities and shape one’s interpretation of the cards:

“Having walked through our wounding and out the other side we are often far more compassionate and understanding of other people’s situations, and sometimes our personal experience is what holds the best path for others as well.”4

From here, Salicrow moves into the art of storytelling through the cards. Salicrow offers methods for readers to tap into the living thread that connects the cards and querent, specifically tapping into the web of fate, seeing karma within the cards, and asking the right questions. All of this is done with integrity and ethical consideration, another topic Salicrow covers.

One of my favorite pieces of advice from this section was to create space in a spread or reading to hone in helpers. Salicrow writes, “we should docs on things like how the querent knows them, what they look like, what position do they hold, and the best way to contact them.”5 Reading this was like a huge dong on the head for me. I get so caught up in my own inner world during readings, leaning towards a spiritual interpretation, that I often forget the cards can also provide practical, direct guidance too.

I also extremely enjoyed Salicrow’s take on telling time in tarot. She offers some suggestions for telling time, but overall explains how timelines are always changing. I love her metaphysical explanation for why readers don’t always get the timing correct:

“People often change their own timing by rushing ahead or putting the brakes on after a reading.”6

Mind blown! I had never thought about how the reading in turn impacts the timeline of unfolding events.

Similarly, I enjoyed Salicrow’s approach to readings as open-ended rather than pre-determined. She encourages readers to keep going until a pathway that feels good is seen rather than accepting things as-is if it doesn’t feel right. Her techniques shared in the next section “Spreads and Layouts”, such as activated prayer, healing boards, and spellwork, give agency to the readers, allowing them to weave the web of fate through their focused intentions.

Within this second section, Salicrow also offers a variety of card spreads. There’s one for each turn of the Wheel of the Year, along with “soul-level card spreads”7 that assist with identifying soul purpose, querent’s magic, communication gifts, and more. She suggests exploring spiritual journeying, specifically through the story in the cards of one’s reading.

The final section, “The Tarot”, assists readers with creating their own personal connection to each card to draw upon when doing their readings. Salicrow writes:

“The images on the cards are interpreted through the psychic’s personal experiences and the knowledge they have obtained through study, which in turn translates into the information relative to the situation. The more personal experiences we have with a card, the broader our viewpoint.”8

To facilitate this relationship development with each card, Salicrow takes the readers through the Major Arcana, Suits/Minor Arcana, and Court Cards, offering a general description, what it means if you notice certain aspects of the card, and a guided meditation to journey with the card. I enjoyed reading this section, especially the way she groups the Minor Arcana cards. For each number, Salicrow covers all four suits at once, offering insights into commonality and contrasts within the cards. There’s also Rider-Waite-Smith pictures for each card, so readers can really get a good look at what’s being described even if they don’t have a deck on hand. At the end of this section, Salicrow covers numerology, offering yet another way to find the story within the reading.

There’s countless books on reading tarot, but Tarot as Storyteller really stood out as exceptional to me. I love all of the personal insight Salicrow incorporates into the book, as well as her overall approach to spirituality and tarot reading; I feel readers of all levels would benefit from her techniques, especially those of a beginner to intermediate level.

Approaching tarot through storytelling adds so many nuance layers, opening pathways for interpreting one’s readings and going deeper into the meaning of what the cards are revealing. This is where intuition, symbolism, and psychic awareness come alive, turning the assortment of cards within a reading into a cohesive narrative that speaks directly to the soul.

This book is perfect for those who want to hone their reading skills, especially if they have a goal of professionally doing readings. Reading tarot as a story moves the reading beyond card interpretation and into the realm of artistry, where intuition guides them to see the deeper message unfolding between the lines. True mastery of tarot comes not from reciting keywords, but from sensing the living thread that connects each card in a spread, and this is exactly what Salicrow teaches readers to do.

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.”9.

“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.”10

“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”11 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”12. 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”13. 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.”14

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.

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.”15

“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”16

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.”17 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”18 and “dreams of the dying”19.

“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.”20

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”21, 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.”22

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.”23 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”24

Taoist Secrets of Pregnancy, Birth, and Healing Love, by Mantak Chia and Marina Dadasheva-Drown

Taoist Secrets of Pregnancy, Birth, and Healing Love, by Mantak Chia and Marina Dadasheva-Drown
Destiny Books, 979-8888500293, 192 pages, July 2025

When my wife handed me Taoist Secrets of Pregnancy, Birth, and Healing Love, I was overjoyed to see more work by Mantak Chia and quite curious about how his co-author, Marina Dadasheva-Drown and the topic would resonate with his prior work on Taoist inner alchemy. We are in the midst of preparing for our second child, due this September, and I think perhaps my wife was looking for a way to get me connected with her pregnancy journey this time around. Looking much better than other “what to expect books” and more aligned with my spiritual beliefs, I was excited to learn more about pregnancy from a Taoist point of view.

From the beautiful design of the cover and title, the book initially struck me as being for women/mothers, but this assumption was quickly proven incorrect. This is a book about family: the attitudes and practices which help plant the seeds and cultivate the garden of love which holds and embraces each and every member, and connects us to the fundamental energies of the Cosmos.

“We humans came into this world purely for love, which is why the cosmos, driven by love’s orgasmic energy, needs us.”16

The text is broken into seven chapters, mapping the journey of Universal Healing Tao as it evolves within each individual before expanding with the miracle of new life. Throughout the text, readers will find plenty of examples from practitioners, along with explanatory diagrams and even pictures of happy families! The first two chapters are focused on individual health and sexuality: devotion of one’s time and energy to the awareness and ultimate unification of the inner and outer cosmos. These chapters contain the majority of the practices and exercises that will be referenced throughout the rest of the book (more about those later!).

The spiritual and literal heart of the book is the three central chapters on pregnancy, conception, and birth. All of the general practices provided in the initial chapters are now brought together and combined with one’s partner: the yin and yang energies inherent within each partner fusing with those of the other to create (and maintain!) the primordial matrix of creation. Ideally, this creative, energetic space is held at multiple levels: from within the womb of the mother, to the relationship between mother and father, and out into the extended family. With this atmosphere of energetic alignment and devoted practice, the authors propose that birth can be free of medical interventions – and even multi-orgasmic!

In the final two chapters, we see how the Taoist perspective and practices are applied to family life beyond the initial process of incarnation. It’s clear from the point of view offered by Universal Healing Tao, the “creation” of each new family member doesn’t end at pregnancy or birth, but continues throughout young life. Whether through ceremonial practices in the early weeks of life, to how to simply hold an infant that will prepare it for potty training years later, to the mother and father openly displaying healthy affection in front of children. All stages of development can be heightened in spirit and deepened in love through the practices offered throughout the book.

Most of the exercises and practices in the book are simple but powerful: focused primarily on using one’s breath to move energy between different energy centers of the body. Each exercise is a list of basic steps which are often repeated or cycled (Taoists like multiples of 9), culminating in the practitioner directing the energy to the intended destination. For instance, males practice moving excess energy up from their genitals into their kidneys and adrenal glands, which are naturally less energetic, but play a vital role in channeling inner energy into the outer world. 

The greatest strength and emphasis of this book is the holistic vision it has for the family. At every stage before, during, and after childbearing, the authors emphasize the need for steady presence and participation of the father in addition to the mother. As an integral aspect of the life-creating energy that is concentrated within the mother’s womb, the father’s intimate involvement helping the mother prepare her body and spirit, as well as the actual birth, strengthens the net of love that is ready to catch the new life.

In the experience of the authors and their students of Universal Healing Tao, this level of attention and care even seems to reduce the possibility of (avoidable) medical interventions. In their view, relying upon the established medical system allows a host of unfamiliar energy into the intimate space, and common medical procedures often disrupt the infant’s connection with one or both parents.

I adore this book’s emphasis on the holistic love that should surround the birthing family; in both the caring compassion and creative passion that fuels the family’s growth. Unlike other books about cultivating divine love through sexuality (which often strike me as more self-serving), Chia and Dadasheva-Drown present the principles of Universal Healing Tao so that the love arising between two people can fractally spiral out and engage in the same patterns of energy that course through the wider Cosmos. The most essential way this is done is through the careful attention and unyielding love given to a child – all the way from the mischievous twinkle in the parents’ eyes through the formative years of childhood.

“[T]he mother and child have something to contribute to the other. The child as a newly incarnated soul has a more recent connection with Source, which benefits the mother; for the mother it is her love and her commitment to developing her own higher faculties that benefit the child.”17

The authors of Taoist Secrets of Pregnancy, Birth, and Healing Love beautifully bequeath their insights, building cosmic love up from the smallest of familial relationships.

Editor’s Note

While I initially intended to be the one to review Taoist Secrets of Pregnancy, Birth, and Healing Love, once my husband read it too, he wanted to be the one to share his thoughts. This was fine by me because I’m tired and focused inward these days!! Yet having also read the book, I want to add just a few of the things I enjoyed too, especially having as a resource during my pregnancy.

Mantak Chia and Marina Dadasheva-Drown have really made Taoist concepts accessible. I have not studied these concepts in the way my husband has, but it was easy for me to follow along with their content. While we did not have this book during conception, I feel like it would be very beneficial for couples to learn more about the divine alchemy that takes place.

My favorite parts were the fetal development, which provided a month by month description of what was happening. I also enjoyed learning about the vital role of the placenta spiritually, as well as the subtle energies of breast milk. Thanks to the authors, I learned the Smile Meditation, where you connect heart to heart with baby, and I have been doing it quite often, strengthening the bond we share!

I think the real value of this book though is the focus on family, both the role of the father and mother in the beautiful process of creating life and nurturing it through pregnancy and postpartum. Discussion of the vital role a father plays made me more appreciative of the love and support my husband has been offering, because honestly, it can sometimes feel like mom is doing most of the work! This book helped me to shift my perspective and remember we are a team.

My husband and I have had some great discussions from what we’ve learned, and I feel these have strengthened our bond and commitment to our growing family. As we count down the final weeks to our baby’s arrival, I think drawing from the information in Taoist Secrets of Pregnancy, Birth, and Healing Love is putting us in the right frame of mind and energetic alignment. Overall, it is’ definitely a book I’d recommend to couples looking to conceive or those already with a baby on the way!

The Way of the Eight Winds, by Nigel Pennick

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

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

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

One of the most captivating things for me was his focus on the “eldritch world” and Anima Loci, which he describes as the very spirit of a place. Pennick gets into how “The sacred nature of a place emanates directly from the Anima Loci and that any other usage of the place is an overlay derived externally, imposed by deliberate or accidental means over the original Anima Loci.”20 This idea, that places have their own intrinsic spiritual essence and that our actions can either nurture or harm it, resonated deeply with my astrological understanding of how planetary influences manifest in specific locations. For an astrologer like me, the thought that places themselves can be “ensouled,” and that we can actually interact with these energies, opens up a whole new dimension – it’s like extending a natal chart reading to include the very ground beneath our feet.

What I also loved is Pennick’s clear stance on direct experience. He makes it clear that The Way of the Eight Winds recognizes the essentially false nature of all dogma and doctrine and the destructive results of literalism.”25 That’s a massive point for me. It truly echoes my belief that genuine spiritual insight arises from personal engagement and intuition, rather than blindly following rules or doctrines. He even includes spiritual exercises like meditation and runic practices, offering concrete ways to tap into that direct experience. I haven’t had a chance to try everything yet, but his “Geomantic Walking”26 idea – essentially a quest to sense unseen forces in the environment – immediately jumped out. I can see myself incorporating that into my daily strolls here in Santa Ana, paying closer attention to the subtle energies of Orange County. 

And let me tell you, the historical context he provides is just fantastic. Pennick traces geomantic practices back through European history, from the ancient Etruscan Discipline to medieval traditions, and how they gradually got pushed aside by modern, more mechanical ways of looking at the world. He contrasts our current, often literal, understanding with traditional systems like the eight tides of the day and the eight winds. He even humorously points out how William of Occam’s razor, “Entities are not to be multiplied,”27 seems to be entirely ignored by modern engineers who love to complicate things! This historical perspective helps you grasp why it’s so important to reconnect with these ancient principles now.

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

Palmistry for Happiness, by Ghanshyam Singh Birla and Guylain Vallée

Palmistry for Happiness: Transformational Power of Vedic Hand Reading, by Ghanshyam Singh Birla and Guylain Vallée
Destiny Books, 979-8888500378, 256 pages, April 2025

Palmistry for Happiness by Ghanshyam Singh Birla and Guylain Vallée offers a unique and insightful approach to Vedic palmistry, merging traditional techniques with modern understandings of psychology and well-being. This book is designed not only to teach readers the art of reading palms but also to help them gain a deeper understanding of themselves and others, fostering a path toward greater happiness and fulfillment.

Ghanshyam Singh Birla (1941-2024) began learning Vedic palmistry and astrology from his paternal grandfather in India. His grandfather was a well-known palm reader, astrologer and Ayurvedic healer. After moving to Canada, Birla founded the Birla Vedic Center in Quebec. He also wrote numerous textbooks on palmistry and taught classes for more than 40 years.

Guylain Vallée is the protegee of Ghanshyam Singh Birla and has been involved with the Birla Vedic Center since 1985. As a Vedic palmist, astrologer, and teacher, Vallée has taught thousands of students.  She has even written a biography about her life as a palmist titled The Happy Palmist. Working with Birla, Vallée has also created a series of 90-Day Challenges to utilize palmistry as a powerful self-development tool.

Birla and Vallée take readers beyond the stereotypical mysticism often associated with palmistry. Instead, they emphasize the hand as a map of the psyche—revealing our strengths, weaknesses, emotional patterns, and even our capacity for love and joy. The tone is compassionate and motivational, inviting the reader on a journey of self-discovery.

One of the book’s strongest points is how it blends technical palmistry with relatable life lessons. The authors explain the lines, mounts, and shapes of the hand in clear, accessible language, often supplemented with real client stories that add depth and warmth to the teachings. The anecdotes are especially powerful, showing how subtle shifts in behavior and awareness can lead to changes in the lines of the hand—literally rewriting one’s life story.

In fact, the authors devote the last chapter of the book to the idea of “growing” lines that represent happiness. They share an example of spiritual leader Wayne Dyer and how he was able to “transform past hurts and anger into wisdom and empathy, bringing joy and happiness to”28 his life. The authors first met Dyer in 2003 and took his handprints at that time. Later, when they saw him again in 2015, they took his prints again and noticed this change: 

“We see this in his after handprint where his heart line branch is no longer turning downward, confirming that his former emotional reservations had melted away. This reveals his deep conviction to love unconditionally, regardless of how other people treated or responded to him.”29

Palmistry for Happiness includes numerous case studies and practical exercises that encourage readers to apply what they have learned. The case studies provide real-life examples of how palmistry can be used to enhance personal and professional relationships, improve emotional health, and achieve personal goals.

Birla and Vallée bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the topic. Their backgrounds in both traditional palmistry and contemporary psychological practices provide a holistic view that enriches the reader’s understanding. Their expertise is evident in the detailed analysis and thoughtful guidance offered throughout the book.

The book is beautifully illustrated, with clear diagrams and photographs that complement the text. The design is both aesthetically pleasing and functional, making it easy for readers to follow along and practice their palmistry skills. When the authors discuss a certain marking, they present at least one photograph of a handprint that shows the marking. They also show contrasting markings, to better understand the significance of differences.  

For example, in their discussion of Mars markings, the authors show examples of a balanced, overactive and underactive Mars. Birla and Vallée also share quite a lot of information that details what each of these states means in everyday life.

The book is structured into nine chapters that share Birla’s story, Vallée’s journey, the basics of Vedic palmistry, the importance of the Moon/Venus/Mars markings, and how to read lifelines. They also touch on elements and chakras, mindfulness and, of course, happiness. 

To support the reader, the authors also include a bibliography and an extensive index for locating key information found in the text. 

My favorite chapter is the one about chakras and “mastering our inner energies.”30   I learned that the five elements relate to the five fingers of the hand, the first five chakras, and the Sun and four planets Venus, Mercury, Saturn and Jupiter. Within this chapter, the section on Saturn really resonated with me. The authors share a story about a young woman in Rwanda who hid for three months while those around her were killed.  She not only survived but went on to write her story and serve as an inspiration to others. Birla and Vallée share this about Saturn:

“Saturn offers us the choice to let go of our anger and forgive or to hold on to it and continue to hate.”31

I also enjoyed the chapter on the lifeline and all the “happiness boosters,” which related to special breathing techniques. I have enjoyed alternate nostril breathing for many years but was unaware of its power to promote happiness!

What sets Palmistry for Happiness apart is its focus on transformation. The underlying message is that happiness is a skill we can develop, and palmistry is one tool among many to guide that journey. Rather than offering quick answers or rigid predictions, Birla and Vallée promote mindfulness, personal growth, and the healing of emotional wounds. As Birla explains in his own chapter:

“Observing my grandfather work with his patients demonstrated to me time and again that restoring and creating balance in our life is a matter of developing self-awareness, which I have mentioned is one of the main things palmistry helps us to do remarkably well and with surprising speed. Dadaji helped others live happier lives, and in doing so helped make the world a better place in which to live. As I grew older, I became increasingly determined to follow in his footsteps.”32

Whether you’re a curious beginner or someone familiar with palmistry, Palmistry for Happiness is a gentle, inspiring, and often profound read. It invites you to look at your hands—and your life—with more kindness, curiosity, and hope. I plan to get some ink and inspect my hands and those of my close family members to see what I can learn. I’ll also share some of the breathing techniques with clients to foster more happiness!

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.”30

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.”31

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.”33

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.”34

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.

The Poison Path Grimoire, by Coby Michael

The Poison Path Grimoire: Dark Herbalism, Poison Magic, and Baneful Allies, by Coby Michael
Destiny Books, 978-1644119952, 240 pages, November 2024

One of the most time-worn conversations in magic is the debate between light and dark magic. Which is stronger? Which extracts the higher price for knowledge or skill, and how might one get started on either path? While this book doesn’t answer any of those questions, it does provide unique insight into the idea of intentional knowledge gathering, which might prove to be helpful in determining which is the right path to follow.

As an occult herbalist and magical practitioner who teaches about the ritual use of poisonous and psychoactive plants, Coby Michael is well positioned to opine about the topic in his book The Poison Path Grimoire: Dark Herbalism, Poison Magic, and Baneful Allies. While one could certainly dive into this book and gain knowledge of the darker side of herbalism, my recommendation would be to pick up and read his first book, The Poison Path Herbal, prior to doing any work with this one. Trust me on this. Having said that, it isn’t a requirement to have read anything prior to delving into this tome; I personally feel that the reader would benefit from having both books.

The book is sectioned into various topics that deal with areas such as the context of poison, the variety of paths in this practice, and much more. It’s hard to choose one area to explore as it’s all fascinating; however, the section I was drawn to dealt with botanical allies. Here we are introduced to numerous herbs that “offers a compilation of some of my favorite baneful plant allies to work with”35, Michael explains. He goes on to provide some context for the plants, stating that “not all of them are harmful or adversarial or thorny”36 and that each exhibit some quality of ‘otherness’ which is not limited to plants that are poisonous, but also apply to most of the natural world.

Great care is taken to showcase details regarding each herb and plant listed in this section. Michael is careful to provide thorough information regarding uses and associations. For example, in the section for aconite, Michael goes into detail about how it was associated with the Goddess Hecate, and how to safely work with it today. He also describes other uses for the herb, both medicinal and spiritual in the context of spell craft or warding. It’s fascinating to read about how this specific plant was cultivated by monks and used for their everyday remedies as well as recognizing the connection through Hecate. 

Like all plant and herbology books, this one also comes with a stern warning. If you’ve ever partaken of plant medicine or related ceremonies outside of the common usages, you most likely have been given a variation of this warning. I personally have not ever participated in plant ceremonial magic, and the caution Michael gives is a sobering one meant to dissuade those who would use the information in this book for anything other than what it was intended for: personal enlightenment.

Michael cautions the reader, saying:

“Poisonous and psychoactive plants can open us up to very primal and sometimes ambivalent forces. This is why it’s important to work with these plants in a ritual setting with a clear intention and clear boundaries. Disrespecting this boundary and working with these plants recreationally once you have entered into spiritual relationships with them can spell trouble.”37

This makes sense on many levels, as one thing people are told prior to taking plant medicine is that they need to have clear intentions as to why they are partaking. Having a clear ‘why’ provides a much more balanced experience. Michael says, “our experiences with these plant allies are often very powerful, sometime traumatic, and in the end cathartic if properly processed. If left in an unprocessed state, however, these experiences can lead to mental and spiritual disturbances.”38

Interestingly, there is also another caution in this section, this one against using the book too frequently. It is recommended that practitioners of the poison path should observe cleansing rituals and work with healing herbs to balance their work with the other. Michael includes a selection of herbs he uses to counteract the aftereffects of the herbs used in his own practice. He recommends brewing a nourishing tea after working with baneful allies, as it’s a wonderful way to reconnect after doing the work.

The information in The Poison Path Grimoire is beyond useful and a must for anyone interested in baneful herbs and how to incorporate their uses into personal practice. It’s a magical book filled with dark herbalism, left-hand-path philosophy, shadow work, and spellcraft. While tempting to describe the work as dark, it’s also healing, empowering, and uplifting as the information presented enriches one’s personal practice.

Ancient Goddess Magic, by Vanessa Lavallée

Ancient Goddess Magic: Invoking the Queens of the Heavens, by Vanessa Lavallée
Destiny Books, 1644116456, 176 pages, November 2024

Those who feel connected to the stars most likely have learned about the mythology of the Greek and Roman pantheons, or perhaps even the ancient Mayan, Native American, or Vedic stories of the skies. But even deeper, layered in history, are celestial roots of influential goddesses that once held very important roles in ancient religions.

Ancient Goddess Magic: Invoking the Queens of the Heavens by Vanessa Lavallée is a fascinating exploration into the world of goddess worship and  astral magic, offering modern readers a chance to create spiritual practices based upon thousand-year old religious practices and recall the connection of the divine feminine to the constellations above. In this book, Lavallée, who holds a master’s degree in ancient religion, weaves back together the relationship between goddesses and the astral realm, sharing with readers a much-needed remembrance of the many faces of the goddess, shining among the stars, that can still be drawn upon today.

“The constellations and stars that were revered by our ancestors continue to exist, but they don’t learn about them as much as we did before, and we certainly do not know where they are in the firmament. This simple fact is the reason why we tend to analyze the ancient world through a sense that has forgotten that deities were once very present and real for our ancestors.”1

Lavallée begins the book by sharing her path towards exploring ancient goddess history and astral magic. Within the Preface, she explains her background (she’s currently writing a thesis “about the demonic feminine”2 (so cool!) and along the way noticed the connection ancient goddesses had with patterns and symbols associated with specific stars and constellations. Recognizing entire books could be dedicated to this each goddess, Lavallée chose “goddesses and their respective celestial bodies according to the types of magic and power they hold”3 to categorize the ancient goddesses into four types: Creatrix, Warrior, Healer, and Lady of the Sea.

In the Introduction, Lavallée liberates the goddess from the narratives of archeologists in the 19th and 20th century, which “assumed that all goddesses found in the Mediterranean and Europe were fertility deities”4. She explores how values and perspective have shifted overtime, from the symbolic and mythological significance of the stars that began in the Upper Paleolithic era to the prevalence of an anthropomorphic male deity that has come to dominate religion. This section was absolutely fascinating, especially as someone who feels a deep connection to the Goddess. The history of how ancient goddess worship shifted, whether it be from a patriarchal perspective pushing aside the feminine or a modern reductionist lens of their power, was revitalizing to discover.

“Most Goddesses, meanwhile, were, for quite some time, more often associated with the heavenly skies, especially the night sky—before the male sky gods overturned their sovereignty.”5

The following chapters are each dedicated to one of the goddess categories. At the start of the chapter, there is a list of the goddesses covered, a quote, and a table that tells the celestial bodies, symbols, season, and symbolic message associated with the type of goddess. Depending on the goddess type, Lavallée covers six to ten goddesses within each chapter, covering their mythology, history, and influence in their culture. She also describes religious syncretism and how some goddesses shifted into others with the rise and falls of different cultures. The goddesses described come from a variety of cultures too—Mesopotamia, Phoenician, Egyptian, Canaanite—as well as general locations, such as Allat from the “pre-Islamic Arabian Peninsula.”36. This is interesting to read about because it shows how goddesses can transcend cultures, which shift and evolve through time, and remain tied to the land and sky of the region.

Throughout the chapter, there is added text that shares information beyond the scope of the specific goddesses. Some examples of these are “Relationship of Hecate to the Hittite Sun Goddess of Arinna”38, “Eagle Lore in the Ancient Worldview”39, “Sirius, Guardian of the Milky Way”40, and “The Legend of Corona Borealis”41. Then at the end of the chapter, Lavallée shares the symbolic message for the goddess-type along with ideas on how to work with that face of the goddess.

The final chapter, “Celestial Healing”, is rituals that Lavallée has adapted for modern readers based on ancient sources. The first one is modeled from mîs-pî, “the washing of the mouth”42, which was described on cuneiform dating back to ancient Mesopotamia, done to breathe life into a new effigy of a deity. The second one is another Mesopotamian ritual to invite protective spirits, called lamassu, into figurines. Lavallée also shares invocations for the Creatrix, Warrior, Healer, Lady of the Sea, and Queen of Heavens. Other rituals include dream incubation under the stars, taking a celestial bath, purifying and protecting the home, and making peace with death. The step-by-step instructions given by Lavallée ensure all readers can successfully perform these rituals or ceremonies with ease.

One of the greatest strengths of this book is Lavallée’s ability to blend historical scholarship with practical spirituality. Her writing is both scholarly and accessible, providing a well-rounded perspective on the subject matter. All of the content is well researched and up to date in regard to modern religious studies. Lavallée quotes or refers to the writing of other scholars and authors, pointing readers in the direction of other material they can explore to learn more. There’s a long bibliography at the end of the book, along with a detailed index to find just what you’re looking for, if needed.

Additionally, the book’s inclusive approach, embracing goddesses from various cultures, adds a rich diversity that broadens the reader’s understanding of goddess spirituality through time. As someone who aspires to be a scholar of goddess worship, and thus has read countless books on the subject, this has been one of the most awakening and well-written ones I’ve ever come across. For the past few months, I have let myself linger while reading, taking the time to immerse myself in the celestial magic of the goddesses Lavallée shares and doing my own research. This book has been a springboard for revelation, inspiring dozens of pages written in my journal.

Overall, Ancient Goddess Magic is a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring the world of goddess worship and celestial magic. Vanessa Lavallée’s insightful approach combines historical knowledge with practical application, sharing with readers how they can draw upon the strength of the goddess in their own lives. This book is extremely relevant for anyone who wants to learn more about goddesses throughout time, especially since the ancient goddesses tend to be overlooked for the more popular Western goddesses. I can say with confidence, this has been one of the best books of 2024 that I’ve read!