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Book/CD Reviews

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We always get so many books and CDs to be reviewed that we never have enough space in the magazine to review them all, so we will start posting the reviews here. We hope that you find it informative and helpful.

Knot Magic

Knot Magic by Tylluan Penry

Publishers: Wolfenhowle Press

This is by far the most complete book on knot magic I have seen, and includes absolutely everything you could need to know. This ancient form of magic is not used as often as other more visual alternatives such as candle magic, but it is every bit as versatile and powerful as you will find out in this book. Everything you could possibly need to know is here, with a lot of the information being equally useful for other forms of magic too.  The general spell casting tips and advice are so good that I would advise anyone wanting to learn or improve their spell casting to read this book. All practical aspects of casting a spell using knots are included, from ethics, choice of colours, the type of knot, spoken charms, or whether to use words at all. Tylluan gives an in depth history giving interesting historical examples of the use of magical knots, and in many cases adapting those for modern use.

Available to order a paperback copy from here

And the Kindle version here

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Sacred Sites Oracle Cards

Sacred Sites Oracle Cards By Barbara Meiklejohn-Free

Publishers: Watkins

The Sacred Sires Oracle cards are truly beautifully illustrated by the spiritual artist Yuri Leitch, with each card showing a different sacred site from around the world. The cards are works of art in their own right and would be worth owning just for their beauty, but they are far more than that attempting to channel the energy of the sites into your reading. Unlike many oracles this pack comes complete with a book, which contains instructions on how to read the cards, a detailed description and short exercise for each card. The cards have three seamless areas within each image, lower, middle and upper representing the past, present and future, so can equally well be used to heal the effects of past events, look at your present or delve into the future. This is a truly complete oracle that can be used by anyone, everything you need to know is included in the book, getting you started after just reading a few pages, it really is that simple. I recommend this pack to anyone experienced or beginner, and guarantee you will love the artwork.

Available to order from here

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Divination

Divination by Kevin Groves

Publishers: Wolfenhowle Press

One of the most common occult techniques used is divination, and it comes in an amazing variety of forms. The difficulty many have when starting to learn to divine is how to start, what of the many systems on offer to use, and how to interpret the results you get. I am glad to say that this small easy to read booklet by Kevin Groves answers all of those questions. The authors refreshing honesty in admitting he has never got on with Tarot makes this the only significant system that is excluded from the booklet, but he does offer an alternative accessible to anyone in it’s place. The clear advantage of the booklet is it provides the essential information without you having to read a book with hundreds of pages, making it ideal for a beginner. The systems included include, pendulum dowsing, I-Ching, playing card reading, dreams, oracles and omens, runes and scrying. If you are starting to learn divination and want something to get you started this is the ideal booklet for you and at a very affordable price, recommended purchase.

Available to order here

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Way of the Faery Shaman

Way of the Faery Shaman by Flavia Kate Peters

Publishers: Moon Books

Many people today think of fairies as the tiny sparkling creatures created during Victorian times and popularised in the 20th century by Disney and others. Flavia Kate Peters shows us their true and sometimes darker origins in ancient myth as magical elemental creatures of the Earth. This book explores the connection of the faery with the forces of nature and the elements, earth, air, fire and water. As a path the Faery Shaman has much in common with popular Pagan beliefs, communion with and protection of nature, and the reality of magic, so this may well align with your own beliefs far more than you would expect. Flavia describes how the Fae are all linked to a single element, and gives descriptions of each type. She includes clear instructions on reconnecting with this hidden world many lose sight of after childhood. The included meditations are very visual making it easy to get started quickly. This is an inspiration book that should be on every Pagans reading list, and at this price you have little excuse not to buy it, highly recommended.

Available as a paperback and kindle versions, you can order yours here

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Inclusive Wicca

All Acts of Love and Pleasure: Inclusive Wicca by Yvonne Aburrow

Publishers: Avalonia

Yvonne Aburrow’s book is aimed at coven Wiccans, but it will also appeal to other readers, especially those interested in gender or sexuality issues. It includes discussions on Wiccan theology, ideal for established Wiccans who want to move on to the next step. The primary focus is on making Wicca more inclusive, making this is an ideal guide for covens to make their own
practices more inclusive. Yvonne covers many groups who frequently face persecution including LGBT, BDSM, polyamory, asexuality, disabilities, age and others. She gives a commentary of the increasingly liberal nature of modern Wicca, something I totally agree with and have seen myself. The message throughout is very much of understanding and mutual respect between different groups in society. She includes a sensitive commentary on most of the divisive issues within the Paganism, that is well worth reading. The book has an ecological approach encouraging Wiccans to adapt the traditional Wheel of the year to their actual location, ecoactivism in Wicca and offers ideas to lighten your impact on the planet. A great Wiccan book, essential read.

Available as a paperback and kindle versions, you can order yours here.

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Sabbat-DamhtheBardSabbat by Damh the Bard

Damh the Bard is one of the top Pagan musicians in Europe, and this CD proves that beyond doubt. From the start you know this is something special, the vocals, lyrics, and music are perfect, but this time there is even more. This album is mostly original songs, including just two covers, the best rendition of the folk classic Scarborough Faire I have heard, and a great new version of Uriah Heap’s Lady in Black. The remaining songs are Damh’s alone, this is probably the most overtly Pagan CD ever, as there is no mistaking the message here. The very Witchy Sabbat is one of my favourites, capturing the spirit of Witches meeting for a ritual, you almost feel you are there. The thoughtfulTime Machine is a new take on history, Damh style. The sad vocals of Iron from Stone make a perfect folk tune, with story telling to a wonderful musical backing. Then there is the Wicker Man, few dare to sing about this iconic figure but Damh has the captured the Pagan essence of the story and put it to music. This is an album every Pagan should own, and will rival the great Spirit of Albion as his best ever, buy it soon you will love it.

Available as a MP3 download or physical Cd, you can order yours here

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Global Wicca Revolution

The Global Wicca Revolution by Swati Prakash

Global Wicca is a new tradition founded by Swati Prakash. Global Wicca has a specific focus of using magick and Witchcraft to help heal our world. This includes the environment and bringing peace to the World, these very desirable goals can be achieved using self-improvement, and the power of magick to bring more positivity and banish the negative from your life, those around you, and even the entire planet. The book contains a complete introduction to learn about Global Wicca, and is very comprehensive. It includes the very strong focus on the positive morality of the Wiccan Rede as a key tool to transform not only your own life, but ultimately lead to a better world. It covers the following additional subjects in some depth, magick, witchcraft, following the rede, Global Wicca philosophy, the elements, and developing intuition. The Wiccan ideas are very similar to many other traditions; the unique attraction is the passionately positive view of the World. Well
written and full of interesting new ideas firmly based on Wicca, buy this book if you are considering Wicca and want a more positive life.

Available as a paperback and kindle version, you can order yours here

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MythsLegends-CD

Myths & Legends by Spriggan Mist

Spriggan Mist have grown into one of the premier Pagan bands in the UK, I can honestly say that every performance and every CD has been better than the one before. This constant improvement means that this new CD should be amazing. I am glad to report that it is in their best yet, if you enjoyed their previous releases then you will love this one. If haven’t bought one of their albums yet get this one, you will not be disappointed. From the opening track Akhlys Mist, the songs have you hooked; with haunting music and great vocals, it is all there. The addition of a flute player definitely adds range and depth to the music in Dragons Fire and even more so in the haunting Swimming Sky Dragons, and the guitar in Brighid has echoes of the late great Gary Moore. The melodic Secrets is a perfect balance of music and vocals, the
Krampus is the ideal showcase for the voice of singer Ann-Mari, the guitar of Max and Spike and the rock solid rhythm section of Baz and Colin. Myths and Legends has it all good lyrics and excellent music, this is a very good listen. This is great Pagan music buy this wonderful CD for your collection as soon as you can.

Available as a MP3 download, you can order yours here

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Dark Goddess

Journey to the Dark Goddess by Jane Meredith

Publisher: Moon Books

Jane Meredith is an experienced ritualist, and expert in mythology, so I expected great things from this book, I am pleased to report I was not disappointed. I should emphasise that this book is primarily aimed
at females, although the author herself notes that in classical myth some males such as Orpheus also undertook the journey. Jane is careful to show us the fearsome reputation of the Dark Goddess is only half the story, her other skills of compassion, healing and rebirth, are sadly too often overlooked.This gives this book a positive purpose and dispels some of the fear of the darkness. The main part of the text is a detailed set of instructions for making the ritual journey to the underworld yourself, ranging from the preparation, to the descent itself, and finally to the ascent from the underworld. The instructions are clear and simple to understand, and should give even those with little or no ritual experience the confidence to try this healing journey. Understanding that the Dark Goddess is essentially part of you that needs to be recognised and integrated into your life is the message here. A chance to come to terms with all aspects of your life, and meet the Dark Goodess. Highly recommended.

Available as a paperback and kindle versions, you can order yours here

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Witchcraft-Out-the-Shadows

Witchcraft out of the Shadows by Leo Ruickbie

Publishers: Hale Books

This is an unusually detailed history of Witchcraft, spanning the period from the Ancient Greece to the present day. The book starts with the history of magic and Witchcraft in ancient Greece, where the author claims all European Witchcraft stems from. There is an entire chapter devoted to the Witchcraft of the Northern Pagan tribes, a rare and valuable inclusion. The book then moves steadily through history until the present day, with an in depth assessment of the type of practices within each period and society. Once the author reaches the modern era the book really excels as a result of the extensive research obviously done on the subject. The result is the most detailed view of the modern practice of Wicca and Witchcraft I have ever read. This is a fascinating and well researched book, relevant to both readers from the UK and the USA. The writing style is not too academic making it easy to read, despite how dense the fact content is. For a one book summary of the history of the Witch this is an excellent book and deserves a place on every Pagans bookshelf.

Available as a hardback and paperback, you can order yours here

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 Pendle2Pendle Witches and their Magic by Joyce Froome

Publishers: Palatine Books

The story of the Pendle Witch trails is justifiably famous. While the names of many of the accused are instantly familiar, the actual details of their involvement and the crimes they were accused of are frequently not. Joyce has done extensive research not relying purely on the court records and confessions, obtained under dubious circumstances in almost every Witch trail. She was helped by the Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle and given access to their library and items. This results in the most complete and balanced account of the Pendle trails to date. The various accusations and denials by the many involved are carefully included as you would
expect. In addition this book goes into considerable detail on the actual practice of magic within the area at this time. Many cunning men and wise women are mentioned and their activities described in detail. The author obviously believes that real magic was present in this case, not a fabrication to accuse innocents as in so many others. This makes the book ideal for those interested in the real history of Witchcraft, or the old charms and spells used during this period.

Available in paperback, you can order yours here

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Tales-From-the-Crow-Man

Tales From the Crow Man by Damh the Bard

Damh the Bard is an expert and popular performer at a large number of events around the world, so a new album is always going to be important. The difficulty with such an artist is to capture the essence of a live show, while retaining the high quality expected of studio recorded music. I am glad to say that Damh has totally done this on Tales from the Crow Man, it is everything you would expect from one of his albums and more. He has taken traditional songs and transformed them into his own unique style, and this has really worked well. If you didn’t know any of the songs you could be forgiven for thinking these are new songs, but in reality none of them are. The selection has been carefully chosen and their origins span almost the whole of Britain. Particularly entrancing are the Scottish traditional songs, Damh retains all the atmosphere of the original while giving them a modern twist. This is a must have addition to any Damh the Bard fan’s collection and a good choice even for those who have not had the good fortune to hear his music before. I cannot recommend this wonderful CD highly enough buy it soon.

Available as a MP3 download or physical CD, you can order yours here

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