Review of Normalizing Abuse: A Commentary on the Culture of Pervasive Abuse by Karen Tate Normalizing Abuse: A Commentary on the Culture of Pervasive Abuse is a deeply personal book as Ms Tate bravely recounts her own experiences of abuse. She writes with compassion and understanding to help others in a similar position, as she “confronts the acculturated abuse in society.  She brings this pervasive and insidious poison to the fore so others can see, understand, and take steps to obliterate toxic elements... Read more

Review of Mysteries of the Aura: How to See, Interpret & Work with Subtle Energies by Jean-Louis de Biasi and Patricia Bourin Mysteries of the Aura is not just a practical text with a number of exercises leading both individuals and couples to see auras, but it is also rich in theory to understand what is actually being seen. There are several published books on the topic of auras. Jean-Louis points out: “Sometimes these works are from an Eastern perspective, sometimes Western. The system... Read more

Review of An Oracle of Kemet: Tarot of the Noutjeru by Doug Blake The deck from An Oracle of Kemet features sharp and elegant illustrations designed in the artistic style of new kingdom Egypt (circa 1549– 1069 BCE). It applies symbolism following European esoteric traditions from the 16th century CE as well as the potency of Archetypal (Jungian) images. I consider this to be an intermediate level deck which will certainly appeal to those readers who identify as Kemetics, that is... Read more

Review of Seven Goddesses of the Hellenistic World: Ancient Worship for Modern Times by Jo Graham Seven Goddesses of the Hellenistic World does not focus on the gods of the Hellenistic world, which were often venerated in large magnificent temples, but rather on seven of the great goddesses which were “often worshiped more modestly with more intimate rites at home shrines or small temples.” This worship occurred between 320 BCE and approximately 200 CE. The book selects seven goddesses, “each chosen because... Read more

Review of The Tablet of Cebes: With Illustrations adapted from Hans Holbein the Younger by John Opsopaus PhD The Tablet of Cebes is a document that describes “a tablet or plaque erected in a temple of Kronos by a Pythagorean initiate”, the philosopher Cebes of Thebes (c.430– 350 BCE) who is not actually mentioned in the text. Cebes “lived in the fifth century BCE (contemporary with Socrates), but The Tablet seems to have been written  …  from third century BCE to the... Read more

There are ancient precedents for having a magickal partner that we see in the Sacred Marriages of many traditions. Jupiter (Zeus) and Juno (Hera) on Mount Ida by James Barry, 1773 (City Art Galleries, Sheffield) The spiritual path is usually thought of as solitary and leads to adepthood: “An adept is aperson who has advanced through levels of learning to become a master. In Magic, an adept commands considerable secret magical knowledge and is proficient in Rituals, Divination, psychic powers, communication with... Read more

Elemental Tools: Should the attributions for air and fire be reversed? The four Elemental Tools are used by magicians, wiccans and witches to work with the Four Alchemical Elements: Earth, Water, Air and Fire. The attribution of tools to the first two elements appears to be agreed upon universally: Earth – Pentacle Water – Cup The attribution of tools to the last two elements, however, has been called into doubt: Air – Dagger / Wand Fire – Wand / Dagger... Read more

The oath (hórkos), is “a solemn declaration placed under the guarantee of a superhuman power that is charged with the punishment of perjury.  …  One could define an oath as an anticipated ordeal. The one taking the oath stakes something that is essential to him, some material possession, his kin, even his own life, in order to guarantee the veracity of his affirmation.  …  In the Homeric language hórkos designates every kind of oath: the type which gives a guarantee of what one... Read more

Review of Nocturnal Witchcraft: Magick After Dark by Konstantinos Nocturnal Witchcraft is aimed at the Nightkind – those who are drawn to the dark, the night, shadows, black clothes, as well as dark music, books and movies. Konstantinos presents a system culled from his own personal Book of Shadows which has obviously served him well. He stresses that there are four soul-types: good-light, evil-light, evil-dark, and good-dark. Konstantinos is focusing on the last of these to tap into Lunar Powers and the spiritual entities... Read more

Review of For the Love of the Gods: The History and Modern Practice of Theurgy by Brandy Williams Ms Brandy William’s For the Love of the Gods provides a rock solid foundation for crafting a personal theurgical practice. It is divided into two parts. The first part covers the origins of theurgy throughout the ancient world, where it was practiced by men and women of various ethnicities, and traces its evolution to modern times. A clever tool is to incorporate snippets of... Read more