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The Hermetica: The Lost Wisdom of the Pharaohs
Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy
$10 QP, 9781585426928, Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, www.penguin.com

First published in London a little over a decade ago, this book is a compilation, and understandable translation, of the wisdom teachings attributed to Thoth/Hermes. It contains selections from the existing Greek, Latin, and Coptic texts, linked together by the authors’ narrative. (“A book of this size cannot contain all the Hermetic teachings. It can, however, give an inspirational and intriguing taste of their core doctrines.”)

The writings of Hermes contain ideas which will be familiar to many readers: as above-so below, the fundamental/universal laws bringing order out of chaos, and the Word as the Mind of God. The teachings influenced Western thought and religious tradition through people like Leonardo da Vinci, William Blake, Thomas More, Sir Walter Raleigh, Carl Jung, Shakespeare, and the leaders of the Protestant Reformation. Both Islamic and Jewish esoteric philosophies were affected as well.

Under attack by anti-Pagan intolerance in the Dark Ages, the Hermetic wisdom was initially preserved in Arabia, and later in Northern Italy. It was finally forced out of Italy by the Roman Catholic Church, but had been dispersed enough by the Renaissance to survive in intellectual circles. It is making a strong comeback with the rise of New Age interests and the discovery of the Nag Hammadi library and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The authors have made a major contribution to both ancient history and esoteric tradition. If you have customers interested in occult philosophy and the esoteric, this should be a staple on your shelves.

Anna Jedrziewski, Spirit Connection New York, New York, N.Y.

The Subtle Body: An Encyclopedia of Your Energetic Anatomy
Cyndi Dale
$34.95 QP, 9781591796718, Sounds True, www.soundstrue.com

The Subtle Body is clearly a labor of love for both author and publisher. With its complete coverage and numerous illustrations, charts, and tables, many of them full-page, it is reader friendly and will appeal to holistic energy healers and their clients as a comprehensive general reference and guide. Cyndi Dale makes clear that “all of reality is created from organized and changeable systems of subtle energy,” and, in addition to covering and illustrating structures of the energies basic to our physical bodies, she explains the subtle energy tools and techniques that can affect change, in the energy flow, to create true healing.

The book is divided into six parts. The first two parts explore the nature of intuition, offer an overview of terms and explanations that need to be understood regarding subtle energy and physical energy, and give a review of the physical anatomy, emphasizing the energetic aspects of the body’s systems. Parts three through five give detailed coverage of energy fields, channels of subtle energy, and subtle energy bodies from traditions around the world, covering history, overview, and theories. The section on chakras, for example, includes details of Hindu, Tibetan, Mayan, Cherokee, Incan, Egyptian, and African systems, as well as the 12-chakra system and the chakra infrastructure, all richly illustrated. As part of its overall coverage, all parts of the book emphasize the scientific evidence that substantiates the existence of subtle energy structures. The last part explores some of the better-known integrative healing systems in use today, such as Ayurveda and Reiki. The book then concludes with an extensive bibliography and a detailed index.

Richard D. Wright, Tranquil Things, Derby Line, Vt.

Astrology and the Authentic Self: Integrating Traditional and Modern Astrology to Uncover the Essence of the Birth Chart
Demetra George
$24.95 QP, 9780892541492, Ibis Press, www.weiserbooks.com

Demetra George has been a practicing astrologer for over 35 years. She is also the author of Astrology for Yourself, Asteroid Goddesses, and Mysteries of the Dark Moon.

She says Astrology and the Authentic Self is not meant to be a complete guide about how to do a chart, but is rather a “template for reaching directly into the heart of a chart, extracting that which is most essential about the life, and saying something meaningful within the context of a one-hour consultation.” She accomplishes this goal very well. George strongly stresses the need to combine one’s talents as an astrologer with what one says as a counselor.
In Part I, Laying the Foundation, she gives the basics of astrological grammar to help the astrologer learn to make simple one sentence statements that explain the various meanings within the chart. In Part II, Establishing the Framework, she provides an overview of the chart, including the ascendant, sun, moon, and life purpose. In Part III, Building the Structure, she shows how other factors such as lunar nodes, eclipses, and asteroids can provide added information to the main theme established in Part II. In Part IV, The Person Who Lives in the Chart, she discusses how to interact with the client. In the Epilogue she gives valuable information and advice about the role of the astrologer as a counselor.

In the Appendixes she provides methods for determining natal and lunar phases and resources for the study of asteroids. She also includes a glossary of astrological terms.

Part IV—interacting with the client—is what sets this book apart from other books about astrology. She writes about how to set boundaries for the astrologer and how to deal with the client ethically. She addresses how the astrologer must recognize his or her own biases and be respectful of their client’s beliefs. She also addresses how to bring closure at the end of a session.

George uses the Power of Myth to help address sensitive information like sexual abuse or same-sex preference. By explaining an aspect of the chart using myth, it allows the client to then acknowledge that they are aware of this in themselves or they can just take in the story and choose to not respond.

Astrology and the Authentic Self combines traditional astrology with a method of modern interpretation that will allow astrologers to communicate more clearly with their clients.

Nurturing Spirituality in Children
Peggy Joy Jenkins
$15 QP, 9781582702117, Atria/Beyond Words Publishing, www.beyondword.com

Nurturing Spirituality in Children is a revision of one of Peggy Joy Jenkins’ earlier works, A Child of God. In a book filled with simple hands-on activities to build self-esteem and a balanced life in children, she combines two favorite teaching tools—visual aides and analogies.

Jenkins teaches adults how to teach children to work with the spiritual as well as physical laws that will bring them gifts of peace, confidence, and joy. In each lesson, which can be completed in 10 minutes, the author uses concrete examples to support abstract concepts, with the goal of teaching children higher principles to help them weather the storms of life.

Peggy Jo Jenkins tries to be nondenominational by using words such as God, Spirit, Source, Creator, and Inner Teacher. She encourages the reader to substitute words to suit their own beliefs and keep their lights shining brightly as they teach their children unconditional love and service to others.

Nurturing Spirituality in Children includes 62 simple, 10-minute lessons that are easy to prepare using commonly available materials. The book is separated into three age-related sections and includes a supporting affirmation at the close of each lesson. Even children of diverse age groups who are taught lessons together will “get it” at their own level of understanding.

If the saying, “We teach what we need to learn” is true, then this book is not just for teaching our children and grandchildren, it’s for teaching the child in each of us. We just may find out that our children are closer to the truth than we are!

Consciousness from Zombies to Angels: The Shadow and the Light of Knowing Who You Are
Christian De Quincey
$18.95 QP, 9781594772535, Park Street Press, www.parkstpress.com

“Consciousness: the final frontier.” With this nod to Star Trek, as well as others to The Wizard of Oz, The Matrix, What the Bleep, Battlestar Galactica, and other pop culture touchstones, de Quincey leads the reader on an informal but thorough journey through the various elements that define consciousness: philosophy, science, and spirituality. While none of these alone constitutes consciousness, he writes, all of them taken together help us understand how the human mind works and how we perceive reality. As for the zombies and the angels, de Quincey, a professor of philosophy and consciousness studies, uses these archetypes to represent the body without a soul (zombies) and the soul without a body (angels). We are both, he says; neither should be denied, but instead embraced and understood—as should our Shadow self, which has been built up over years of trauma, sadness, humiliation, and embarrassment. Only then can we truly “build a bridge from philosophy through science to spirituality, leading to knowledge and understanding of life’s greatest mysteries: consciousness.”

Jayne Denker, www.dragon-droppings.com, Caledonia, N.Y.

Lucid Dreaming: Gateway to the Inner Self
Robert Waggoner
$18.95 QP, 9781930491144, Moment Point Press, www.momentpoint.com

Lucid Dreaming: Gateway to the Inner Self is for the serious student of lucid dreaming who wants to perfect his/her skills. As a lucid dreamer who wasn’t very good at it, I can honestly say I improved considerably while reading it.

The author, Robert Waggoner, is President-elect of the International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD), has a degree in psychology, and has been a lucid dreamer for 30 years. He writes in a chatty, friendly style, like reading a letter from a well-educated friend. The book teaches the reader to enter the lucid dream state and how to progress through the stages, from simply realizing one is lucid in a dream to actually working with dreams to solve problems in waking life.

While lucid dreaming has yet to be accepted as scientifically valid, he refers to a number of studies that have brought lucid dreaming into the realm of “near science,” and it is the author’s expectation that one day the scientific community will accept it.

One of the most interesting comments is the reference to the discovery of the microscope and the fact that microscopic bacteria were always a reality. It just had not been seen before. The invention of the microscope challenged the belief system of that time period. So too, the benefits of lucid dreaming have always existed but many lucid dreamers have not fully accepted the idea of applying information from dreams toward solving problems in the waking world. This book tells you how and includes information on “mutual dreams” where two or more people program their dreams to meet while they sleep.

Arlene Shovald, Ph.D., Fresh Start Therapies, Salida, Colo.

As Long As Space Endures: Essays on the Kalacakra Tantra in Honor of H.H. the Dalai Lama
Edward A. Arnold (Editor)
$29.95 QP, 9781559393300, Snow Lion Publications, www.snowlionpub.com

This collection by 24 different authors consists of 25 essays and writings on a wide range of fascinating subjects from the colorful, 41-page translation of the Wheel of Time initiation ceremonial to a truly ground-breaking “Integrating Modern Neuroscience and Physiology with Indo-Tibetan Yogic Science.” With a cover featuring a gorgeous photo of the Dalai Lama surrounded by multi-color mandalas, this tribute collection will not disappoint those customers who are attracted to it.

A number of the works derive from the branch of Buddhism known as Vajrayana and the very advanced form of practice known as the Kalacakra. Just as Albert Einstein and prominent physicists since his time over a century ago have been seeking a “unified field theory” to explain matter, energy, and the forces of the universe, so too, has the Kalacakra sought to draw parallels between time, planetary movements, and their similar (and perhaps shared) cycles, even to the level of human breathing. Whether comparing gross distances through time or the subtle discrete energies within our bodily forms, Kalacakra, as many of the essays illustrate, attempts to describe how things work. Instead of sexual energy being denied, it is given a place along side our ordinary states of being whether awake, asleep, or dreaming. Freud could have learned and expanded on his insights had he access to the careful rites and practices of the Kalacakra. These practices, for which the Dalai Lama is well-known as a strong exponent, date back to at least the year 1027, when already a millennia old, they were brought to Tibet from India. As in most matters Tibetan, the exposition of the Kalacakra was developed into a much more complex and sophisticated lineage, and as several of the essays intimate, there are a number of different traditions. The Dalai Lama suggests a person should explore and learn among them. However, for many decades there has been a debate about how secretive to be about these tantric practices and whether, other than as used by advanced meditators, their promulgation should be discouraged.

Several of the essays are specifically aimed at the interpretation and interface of the Kalacakra in Tibetan tradition contrasted with Western science and medicine. In a painstakingly well-documented piece, Ivette Vargas [“Demon Diseases and Tibetan Medicine”] explores the origins and manifestations of illness. “Mental obscurations and impairment of the senses” are caused by demons. “Demons” more likely than not, are confused states of the mind rather than actual figures. “Poisons” of the mind lead to actual illnesses because the mind is imbalanced. Such ideas are not simply what is called in the West psychosomatic, as we know that depression and other states of strain and stress result in a run-down body, susceptible to sickness and disease. This single essay alone has its own 2.5-page bibliography attached. The beauty of this series (Part III) is that an attempt is made and easily succeeds in giving the reader adequate background and evidence as to why the Dalai Lama has been so instrumental in contributing to what is now seen as a 21st-century global consciousness. If one has any question about this assertion, consider: the Wheel of Time [Kalacakra] symbolizes the energetic structure of an instant which gathers the three times—past, present, future-together in a field of unified love and wisdom.” There is no question that our patrons who are students of Buddhism and the Dalai Lama will find this collection to be supportive of his role in a contemporary planetary evolution of thinking; hopefully, someday, being as well. The identical energy that enables us to breathe also sets the celestial bodies into motion,” and this reality underlies the subtle but powerful spiritual dimension of meditation. In a phrase, we are either in the flow and know it or we are not yet at that level of comprehension. This lovely book is a substantial building block toward that realization.

Thomas Peter von Bahr, Pacific NorthWest Group, Lopez Island, Wash.

Ursula King is a professor of theology and religious studies at the University of Bristol in England. She is the author of several books, including Christian Mystics and Spirit of Fire: The Life and Vision of Teilhard de Chardin. Given these credentials, she is very well-versed to tackle the subject of The Search for Spirituality and she does an excellent job.

So many people today are looking for a deeper sense of spirituality either through organized religion or through private practice. King presents the reader with valuable information to help guide them on their path. She takes a very in-depth look at spirituality in relation to health, education, gender, eco-feminism, nature, science, the arts, interfaith dialogue, and the global world. King quotes many visionary and inspirational thinkers, thus including an even broader perspective. People searching for more meaning in their spirituality will gain insights by reading this book, be they theologian or layperson.

Susan LosCalzo, Lofty Notions, Rutherfordton, N.C.

The Wisdom of the Buddhist Masters: Common and Uncommon
Sense
Robert Sachs
$17.95 QP, 9781905857906, Watkins Publishing, www.watkinspublishing.co.uk

Robert Sachs convinced some of today’s most notable Buddhist teachers to “go on the record” with their personal views on what’s happening in the world. He calls the result Buddhist sensibility rather than Buddhist teaching. Certainly he has given us a unique opportunity to see beyond traditional teachings and get insight into how to “walk the walk.”

Sachs’ interview questions dealt with real-world issues (war, poverty, stem-cell research). The people interviewed do not speak to us from the top of the mountain but rather from the trenches, and many of them speak with almost brutal honesty. H. H. Kuniz Shamar Rinpoche talks about people being “machine-minded”. Robert Thurman says: “The ploy of using cheap labor in export platforms in China has been used to destroy the middle class and the labor movements in America.” Yet the common message conveyed throughout is that “pessimism is poison.” The spiritual advice, as always, is to turn inward, clean our own houses, and then reach out to help those around us.

The book will be a terrific addition to a Buddhist library. It is a call to action to those already practicing Buddhism and a practical reaching-out to those who are not comfortable with more ethereal presentations of Eastern traditions. Pointing it out to the right customers will increase your store’s credibility in intellectual, liberal-leaning circles.

Anna Jedrziewski, Spirit Connection New York, New York, N.Y.

I Think, I Am
Louise L. Hay and Kristina Tracy
$14.95 HC, 9781401922085, Hay House, www.hayhouse.com

I Think, I Am is a children’s book written by bestselling authors Louise Hay and Kristina Tracy, who explain that affirmations (words you think or say and believe to be true) can change the way you feel. The foreword explains how parents and teachers can use the book to teach children about turning thoughts and words of worry, anger, and fear into optimistic words of hope, happiness, and love. Together, Hay and Tracy send the message to children that there is a difference between negative thoughts and positive affirmations. The simple text, accompanied by colorful illustrations, demonstrates how children can change negative thoughts and words into positive ones.
A list of tips for making up their own affirmations is included at the end of the book. The authors explain how affirmations can be used for anything children want to change in their lives.

Lois A. Rogalski, Miss Lois’ Curiosity Shoppe, Benton, Ky.

Mindfully Green: A Personal and Spiritual Guide to Whole Earth Thinking
Stephanie Kaza
$14 QP, 9781590305836, Shambhala, www.shambhala.com

Stephanie Kaza, a Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Vermont, has practiced Zen Buddhism for most of her life, so she sees a natural connection between Buddhism and environmental concerns. Eco-consciousness meshes easily with Buddhism’s qualities of care, compassion, being fully present, ethics, and understanding of our interdependence and desires. This combination provides the reader with a broader base from which to understand ecological concerns.

Kaza addresses all of these issues and many more as she weaves the tapestry of this book. Approaching environmental problems from a Buddhist perspective brings those problems closer to the heart, thus making them even more real and important. Patience, another Buddhist perspective, comes into play as we all wait patiently for the needed changes to occur.

For one of her teaching assignments in her “Unlearning Consumerism” class, Kaza asks her students to make a list of everything they own, which in and of itself may cause the reader to rethink his or her materialism. The Buddhist approach to desire can help readers become more mindful of their “stuff” and choose to consume less.

Susan LosCalzo, Lofty Notions, Rutherfordton, N.C.

What God Really Wants You to Know: God’s Universal Truths Shared by All World Religions
C. David Lundberg
$19.95 QP, 9780979630804, Heavenlight Press, www.whatgodreallywants.com

If people of Earth spent more time studying the beliefs shared by the world’s various religions instead of focusing on the differences, we’d be able to do away with war and hatred of the “other.” Most people would agree that this is true, but what are those shared beliefs? After having a number of spiritual experiences that pointed him in this direction, Lundberg felt compelled to write What God Really Wants You to Know to document the 33 truths that all belief systems have in common. Each chapter of the book goes into one truth in detail, based on the writings—including esoteric works—of the seven major world religions: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and Confucianism. These truths include achieving inner peace, the Golden Rule, practicing charity, and much more. “These truths can bring us together instead of driving us apart,” Lundberg writes. “I do not believe that the world can have true peace until the common universal principles have been firmly established.” His contribution to this effort should take us further down the path to peace.

Jayne Denker, www.dragon-droppings.com, Caledonia, N.Y..

Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate: A Trip through Death, Sex, Divorce, and Spiritual Celebrity in Search of the True Dharma
Brad Warner
$14.95 QP, 9781577316541, New World Library, www.newworldlibrary.com

This book follows the events of one year in the life of Zen master Brad Warner. It happened to be a rather full year and included the death of his grandmother and seriously ill mother, the breakup of his marriage, a power struggle at a Zen monastery, and the disintegration of his job as the American representative of Nakano Productions, a Japanese film company. During this time he gave talks, participated in Zen retreats, met a really nice girl, and played several gigs as bassist with a heavy metal band. He explains that he set out to write a book that would destroy any myths about Zen masters and what they should be and instead offer “a real-life warts-and-all portrait of what a Zen teacher in the twenty-first century actually is.” His decision comes as no surprise to those familiar with his earlier books, Hardcore Zen and Sit Down & Shut Up.

The author explains, “To me, Zen is a search for truth through action. It’s less a religion or even a philosophy than it is an attitude.” Although his attitude is often ironic, cheeky, and spiced with crude language, he speaks with sincerity and commitment. He has no patience with would-be teachers who dress up in fancy attire and promise quick weekend journeys to enlightenment. As he looks back over the year, he says, “I’ve learned things from my suffering that I could not have learned in any other way,” and then adds, “As for enlightenment, that’s just for people who can’t face reality.”

Richard D. Wright, Tranquil Things, Derby Line, Vt.

Elijah’s Coin: A Lesson for Life
Steve O’Brien
$21.95 HC, 9780982073544, A&N Publishing, www.aandnpublishing.com

After a traumatic experience in his youth, Tom finds his life going askew as he heads toward a life of crime. Then he meets the mysterious, eccentric—or is it enlightened?—Elijah in this spiritual novella. When Elijah disappears, it’s up to Tom to track him down by gathering information and gaining wisdom from the other people Elijah mentored. Tom grows and changes, but is forced to face his own past and choose whether to live by his new values or choose a darker path. As readers follow Tom in his spiritual quest, they’ll gain a new perspective about the need to take charge of one’s own life—and recall what it means to truly live.

Jayne Denker, www.dragon-droppings.com, Caledonia, N.Y..

Spirited: Taking Paganism Beyond the Circle
Gede Parma
$18.95 QP, 9780738715070 , Llewellyn, www.llewellyn.com

If you have a young clientele, especially one that is diverse/alternative, this is a book you will want to stock and call attention to. It is written by a twenty-something who began actively practicing Paganism at the age of 12. While Gede Parma writes with maturity about topics of universal interest, his target audience is teenagers who are interested in pursuing Paganism as a spiritual path. His intent is to share with them the joys, pitfalls, and challenges of being a young Pagan in today’s world. The cover design, however, doesn’t indicate the book’s youthful perspective, so you will need to point that out to potential customers. The book will also be of great value to adults who are interested in understanding the mindset of proactive, creative young people.

The writing is imbued with a quiet confidence and self-respect, as well as a sophistication of thought. “Honor yourself, others, your environment, and the universe with sincerity and humility, and swift comprehension will follow. Remember, it is not how we dress or what jewelry we wear that defines who we are but our thoughts and our words and how we compose them.”

Parma also makes the case for the pagan world as an inclusive social network. “As a gay Pagan myself, I’d like to think that the Pagan community is one of the safest places to be open about sexuality.”

Woven through the writing is a treasure trove of visualizations, spells, and rituals that speaks to the Parma’s years of serious participation in the pagan world.

Anna Jedrziewski, Spirit Connection New York, New York, N.Y.

The Dark Red Amulet: Oral Instructions on The Practice of Vajrakilaya
Khenchen Palden Sherab Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche
$16.95 QP, 9781559393119, Snow Lion Publications, www.snowlionpub.com

The cover artwork of this text would be enough to sell many copies if they were stocked by our front check-out registers. As an invitation to the contents, the painting of Vajrakilaya suggests good things to the would-be reader, and they will not be disappointed. With over a dozen gray-tone plates inside, coupled with line-by-line commentary and the original Tibetan script, this is almost as much a visual feast as it is for the mind and spirit. The reader is forewarned in the text early-on that, “Vajrakilaya should not be practiced without receiving an empowerment from a master.” As one reads on, the reason for that caution becomes clearer. First, those who would engage in these meditations must have the proper motivation.

Genuine compassion is but one, but we must also understand relative and absolute truth. The authors labor to provide the reader with an understanding of the balance between these qualities which leads in turn to great humility: “All beings are not only equal to you, but actually more precious to you than yourself.” Grasping a basic understanding we can grasp why the authors open Chapter Two with: “The Vajrakilaya transmission is a very profound, vast, and high tantric teaching.”

This chapter concentrates on the history of the Vajrakilaya teachings. It focuses on key figures of lineage, along with geographical and chronological places and times. Some dominant figures emerge, Tsasum Lingpa being the key person whose visions and dreams from before the age of seventeen led him to wider experiences and journeys on his path to understanding and esoteric teachings. In one encounter a ring given to him by a young girl freed his “wind energy” and he was transported instantly far away near where he was given special knowledge and which lead to the unwinding of the Vajrakilaya through the discovery of a dark red locket (of the book’s title).

As readers of Tibetan literature and philosophy know, the scattering of special teachings throughout the area of the one-time territory of Tibet is one reason why the revelations of the “terma”, or secrets make the countryside so revered: special repositories of knowledge may be found in rock niches and valley floors. The teachings may appear to be deceptively simple explanations of the Five Perfections and ways to live. But, they may, as in the case the authors make, represent paths to wisdom and comprehension that can only be understood as the highest and most supreme teaching.”

Chapter Three begins the beautiful mingling of the Tibetan transmissions with their sometimes cryptic but always fascinating and illuminating translations. Examples (translated): “Are always, without wavering, one’s own mind. Thus I take refuge.” These practice meditations assist in removing obstacles and sending away demonic forces. Their essential purpose is to obliterate misguidedness. Further in the Practice Text, we learn the causes of most delusions: the five poisons, which are ignorance, attachment, anger, jealousy, and pride. Through the Vajrakilaya it is possible to transform the five poisons into five wisdoms. The practices continue as seemingly mythical forces are dispelled from black thuggish demons to feathered evil obstructions, some with apparent form, others, formless. When a Vajrakilaya meditator has destroyed these harmful forces, they maintain the wisdom by subduing [one’s] own ego-clinging.” Toward the end of the Practices, the reader is treated to a powerful understanding of demonic forces encountered as a result of seeking: nightmares, bad omens, emotional problems, sickness, and discomfit are all attributable to demonic forces. These are emotions, pure and simple, and liberation happens when we stop clinging to our emotions as being real.”

This practice has succeeded when all negative emotions are annihilated and we have become enlightened. The final 40 pages contain beautiful dual Tibetan and English prayers (meditations) on the Vajrakilaya practices before ending with a few pages of notes, a glossary, along with two short biographical sketches of the authors.

Thomas Peter von Bahr, Pacific NorthWest Group, Lopez Island, Wash.

The Kuan Yin Chronicles: The Myths and Prophecies of the Chinese Goddess of Compassion
Martin Palmer and Jay Ramsay with Man-Ho Kwok
$16.95 QP, 9781571746085, Hampton Roads, www.hrpub.com

“In a world where old religious borders are breaking down and the search for a spirituality of compassion, of the feminine as well as the masculine, and where the desire for a spirituality of balances has become so important, Kuan Yin is perfectly suited for such a quest.” Originally published in 1995 as Kuan Yin: Myths and Revelations of the Chinese Goddess of Compassion, the reprint of The Kuan Yin Chronicles parallels the recent resurgence in popularity of Kuan Yin, “One Who Hears the Cries of the World.” The book details the history and origins, myths and legends of the revered goddess as the world reconnects with the power of divine feminine wisdom. A translation of 100 short poems associated with Kuan Yin are included, as well as instructions on how to use the poems as a form of divination.

Jayne Denker, Dragon-Droppings.com, Caledonia, N.Y.

2012: Biography of a Time Traveler
Stephanie South
$17.99 QP, 9781601630650, New Page Books, www.newpagebooks.com

In this first volume of the authorized biography of José Arguelles, the man who brought the concept of the Shift into public consciousness, Stephanie South traces Arguelles’ life from his childhood in the 1940s and ’50s, through his life-altering vision atop the Toltec ruins at Teotihuacán at age 14, to his experiences coordinating the Harmonic Convergence in 1987, and communicating to the rest of the world the earth changes going on at the end of the 20th century. South writes that she was led to write Arguelles’ “spiritual adventure of prophetic proportions” through a dream and a series of synchronicities. In the detailed chronological volume, she shows that Arguelles’ life has been filled with an astounding number of synchronicities, revelations, and prophecies as he is led by spiritual forces to undergo a “psychomythic transformation of one human who realizes himself as the universal human, and brings forth a simple message for humankind: Return to the cycles of nature before it’s too late!” The second volume of Arguelles’ biography, still to be published, will discuss his experiences in recent years and go into greater depth about the Shift and humans’ need to alter their frequency to move forward into the new era.

Jayne Denker, Dragon-Droppings.com, Caledonia, N.Y.

Kissing the Limitless: Deep Magic and the Great Work of Transforming Yourself and the World
T. Thorn Coyle
$19.95 QP, 9781578634354, Weiser Books, www.redwheelweiser.com

Alchemists once described it as the “Great Work”—establishing complete connection with Spirit (God, Godhood, the Infinite Divine, or any other name). Kissing the Limitless is designed for long-term work to establish that ultimate connection in order to live in Godhood every moment of every day. Far more advanced than the usual spiritual basics, this book requires the reader to strip away all extraneous trappings of his life and take a close look a the foundations—how he lives and why. Once he has gone within and reached the core, he begins to work toward understanding his duality and, finally, his oneness with the Divine. Not a quick read, Kissing the Limitless works best when the reader spends as much time as necessary with the physical exercises and magical rites that foster introspection and eventually understanding of the inner self.

Jayne Denker, Dragon-Droppings.com, Caledonia, N.Y.

11:11 The Time Prompt Phenomenon: The Meaning Behind Mysterious Signs, Sequences, and Synchronicities
Marie D. Jones and Larry Flaxman
$15.99 QP, 9781601630476, New Page Books, www.newpagebooks.com

What does it mean when you glance at the clock at the same time every day or wake up at exactly the same time every night? Or when you constantly see the same number everywhere you look? Is it just a trick of the mind, that it only seems you’re being “visited” by the same numbers over and over, or is there a bigger meaning, a cosmic purpose, behind it all? In 11:11 The Time Prompt Phenomenon, authors Marie Jones and Larry Flaxman address the many anecdotes of people from all walks of life who have submitted their own stories of repeating numbers, and the authors have collected many that have appeared online, in order to try to make sense of these “wake up prompts” that seem to be shouting “Pay attention!” The book explains the science of numbers; patterns found in geometry, geography, and biology; numerology; synchronicity; and more. (Note: This book review completed at 1:11 p.m. Seriously.)

Jayne Denker, Dragon-Droppings.com, Caledonia, N.Y.

Dreamwork: Around the World and Across Time, An Anthology
Leland E. Shields, MS, MA
$19.95 QP, 9781577331711, Blue Dolphin Publishing, www.bluedolphinpublishing.com

Dreamwork Around the World and Across Time provides a good selection for both the novice and the advanced practitioner of dreamwork. The book contains writings of the masters in this field from Hippocrates to modern day writings, providing insight into the study of dreams over the centuries.

A variety of perspectives on approaching the analysis of dreams allow the dreamers to discover what is most helpful to them.

For the person advanced in this field, it provides a concise review of materials from authorities such as Sigmund Freud, C.G. Jung, and Alfred Adler. Therapists using dreamwork will find this collection of essays and excerpts an excellent refresher course in reviewing different ways to approach dream analysis.

Among the contents are information on how to incubate dreams, remembering dreams, how to have a lucid dream, dreams of children and Native American dream quests, communicating with others in dreams, and primitive dream beliefs.

Dreamwork is not necessarily intended to be read cover to cover, but rather a book from which the readers can choose an area of interest and find an approach that suits them. For example, writers will be interested in how dreams have provided inspiration for literary classics, and Biblical scholars will be intrigued by the section on Biblical dreams.

Thought-provoking comments by Leland Shields follow most of the selections in this anthology, suggesting ways the readers can apply the writing to their lives or practices.

Shields has done an excellent job in compiling the “best of the best” into 297 pages for a concise study of dreamwork that can provide a springboard for the initiate and a refresher course for the advanced researcher.

Arlene Shovald, Ph.D., Fresh Start Therapies, Salida, Colo.

Messiah Interviews: Belonging to God
Jerry J. Pollock
$16 QP, 9780981721200, Shechinah Third Temple, www.schechinahthirdtemple.org

Pollock, who describes himself in Messiah Interviews as not a devout, or even a very good, Jew, weathered some tough times in his life, including bouts of depression and crises in his profession as a college professor. So it’s a shock when, in this semi-fictional account of personal soul searching, he finds that he’s being interviewed by important Biblical figures like King David, Gabriel, Michael, Moses, and others, for the job of Messiah. Messiah Interviews is a fantastical account of a man’s spiritual journey and personal reckoning as well as a study of the Old Testament prophecy of the building of the Third Temple in preparation for the end of days.

Jayne Denker, www.dragon-droppings.com, Caledonia, N.Y.

LESS: Accomplishing More by Doing Less
Marc Lesser
$14.95 QP, 9781577316176, New World Library, www.newworldlibrary.com

We are born with wisdom and have everything we need if we let go of distraction, fears, and the busyness that hampers us.

We can learn to accomplish more by doing less, and Marc Lesser—Zen teacher, ordained Zen priest, and author of How Zen Practice Can Transform Your Work and Your Life—shows us how by offering a new five-step practice called the Less Manifesto. This approach focuses on reducing five self-defeating habits (fear, assumption, distraction, resistance, and busyness). He teaches us the art of doing less by aligning business, leadership, and Zen contemplative practices to accomplish more of what really matters and develop a sustainable approach to work in general.

By developing more awareness in the moment we can increase our effectiveness. When we find more ways to benefit those we work with, we can improve our own lives and the world in which we live. Lesser’s approach is both easy and enjoyable to follow, leaving us open to enjoy each moment more fully and appreciate the sacredness of life.

Lois A. Rogalski, Miss Lois’ Curiosity Shoppe, Benton, Kentucky

Guides, Guardians, and Angels: Enhance Relationships with your Spiritual Companions
D.J. Conway
$15.95 QP, 9780738711249, Llewellyn Publications, www.llewellyn.com

In Guides, Guardians, and Angels, author D.J. Conway shares a tremendous amount of information about these potentially helpful beings. The first three chapters define each of these companions by including information on their history and meditations, helpful techniques to communicate with these energies, and lastly chants, petitions, and spells that work for each of these three aspects.

Chapters five and six focus on Light Angels and Shadow Angels, including suggestions for how to work with each and chants and petitions for connecting with each. An extensive list and description of both types of angels is included here. Chapter seven is about higher level rituals and chapter eight is a useful appendix that includes such information as: chakras, auras, a map and explanation of the otherworld, how to cast a ritual circle, and books of interests.
For each chant, petition, spell or ritual Conway presents options for practitioners of goddess, pagan or new age approaches.

I was not familiar with shadow angels before reading this book, but now I understand their need and place in the spirit world. Others have referred to these angels as fallen angels but Conway prefers the term shadow angels and so do I. She writes, “Shadow angels are not demons or evil, and demonic names and references have no place in this list of (shadow) angels”.

I have a psychic friend who works with many angels in her phone sessions with clients. I loaned her this book for a few days and asked what she thought of it. She discovered new angels that she had not been aware of previously. In fact, right after I loaned her the book, a new angel appeared in her next session and she was able to look up this angel in Conway’s book and the description was accurate and applicable.

I appreciated Conway’s casual approach when she wrote that you don’t need to remember the names and aspects of all of these helpers that are include in this book. She says just appeal to a generic angel or guide and ask specifically for what ever you want and they will respond. I have appealed to the Angel of Parking Spaces or the Goddess Asphalta for years for help in getting a parking space and she has been very responsive.

Susan LosCalzo, Lofty Notions, Rutherfordton, N.C.

The Dragonfly Secret: A Story of Boundless Love
Clea and John Adams
$16.95 HC, 9781934066133, Feather Rock Books, www.featherrockbooks.com

In this beautifully illustrated book, Lea, a dragonfly, is playing hide-and-seek with her butterfly friend. A young boy watching them play asks her to meet him again the next day. As the title The Dragonfly Secret implies, the boy shares a secret with Lea who promises to do three things. Lea keeps her promise to do these things for the boy and an older couple who are also part of the secret. The mystery of the secret unfolds and is revealed at the end of the story. The wonderful, colorful illustrations lead both young and old readers alike to see the beauty of nature that surrounds them.

Authors Clea and John Adams recommend that a parent or other adult determine whether the book is suitable for their children depending on their age and impressionability, since the book is a story about parents dealing with the death of their son and his grandparents. The authors hope the story will offer comfort and inspiration to those who may need it.

Northern Tradition for the Solitary Practitioner: A Book of Prayer, Devotional Practice, and the Nine Worlds of Spirit
Galina Krasskova and Raven Kaldera
$15.95 HC, 9781601630346, The Career Press, www.careerpress.com

“Who first heard the call of the Old Gods, and passed down what they could of the knowledge to call and to hear Them.”

The authors, both of whom do spellworking, chose not to make “magic” the focus of this book. Instead they have documented the devotional side of the ancient religion known as the Northern Tradition. It is a religion shaped by the harsh environment of northern Europe. Preserving the knowledge of those who figured out how to survive and successfully procreate was crucial; honoring the Ancestors and the spirits of the land, and learning to “open one’s soul to the Gods,” was an essential part of life.

The authors have also chosen to write for solitary practitioners both to enrich their personal experience of the Northern Tradition and to help them to find a compatible group with whom to worship if that is what they are seeking.
Using Dale Cannon’s Six Ways of Being Religious as a model, the book outlines six paths that can be found in any religion and describes how each path can be followed in practicing the Northern Tradition. It is lovingly written, full of detail, and emphasizes spiritual balance rather than personal gain.

In addition to Pagans looking to deepen the meaning of their rituals, the book will be a useful tool for interfaith (and open-minded) church study groups.

Anna Jedrziewski, Spirit Connection New York, New York, N.Y.

Stumbling Toward Enlightenment
Geri Larkin
$16.95 QP, 9781587613296, Celestial Arts, www.tenspeed.com

Stumbling Toward Enlightenment is a classic collection of essays by Geri Larkin using her humor and insight while showing her deep commitment to her Buddhist practice. She is a trained Zen teacher who founded The Still Point Zen Buddhist Temple in urban Detroit.

If you are looking for a spiritual path to get through all the losses that life brings you while trying to discover your true self, Zen Buddhism may be what you are looking for. Larkin uses the best known collection of the Buddha’s teachings, The Dhammapada, with core themes of mindfulness and lovingkindness while reminding us that spiritual growth is like learning to walk … it’s never a straight line.

The core of Zen Buddhism is meditation centering around paying attention to each moment of one’s day. We learn that through mindfulness meditation we can accept ourselves just the way we are and be content with what we have. If we finally learn to let go of having to control everything and let our lives unfold, we will realize that we are not in control. We must let go of our need to judge others in order to understand our own lives.

This book is an easy, lighthearted read for anyone interested in learning more about Zen Buddhism. It assures us that if we learn to follow and embrace Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path, enlightenment is waiting for us, no matter how long it takes. It can be showcased with other books on Buddhism or in a religion section of your store.

Lois A. Rogalski, Miss Lois’ Curiosity Shoppe, Benton, Ky.

The Primal Force in Symbol: Understanding the Language of Higher Consciousness
Rene Alleau
$19.95 QP, 9781594772498, Inner Traditions, www.innertraditions.com

Rene Alleau, author of the previous History of Occult Sciences, categorizes The Primal Force in Symbol as “a contribution to the study of the problems posed by the methods and principles of general symbology (the science of symbols).” He explains that in order to gain a proper understanding of this science, one must learn the theoretical principles behind it, just as with music we need to know the notes, the chords, the scales, and the rules of harmony. He writes that a symbol does not signify but instead “evokes and focuses, assembles and concentrates … a multiplicity of meaning,” requiring the development of what he calls a symbolic ear, similar to that of a musical ear.

The book, an academic study of the language and significance of symbology, divides its 220 pages of primary material into five parts: the semantics and origin of the word symbol; the origins and logic of the analogical process; the synthematic (rather than the conventional symbolic) function of symbolism; the allegorical function of symbolism and its appearance in fables, parables, emblems, and iconology; and typological functions, divination, myth, rite, and philosophy. In addition, there are 37 pages of appendices, 16 pages of notes, an 18-page bibliography, and an index. This book was published in French in 1996, and the present edition is its first appearance in English translation. It would appeal especially to the serious student investigating the aspects, meaning, and function of the symbolic process.

Richard D. Wright, Tranquil Things, Derby Line, Vt.