Living Runes: Theory and Practice of Norse Divination

Living Runes: Theory and Practice of Norse Divination by Galina Krasskova
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

All in all, I really enjoyed Krasskova’s book. I read “The Big Book of Runes and Rune Magic” by Edred Thorsson not that long ago so the material was something that I was familiar with, though I enjoyed Krasskova’s explanations. I guess if I were to put my finger on what I enjoyed the most, I’d have to say the poetry.
Her poem for the rune “Gar” ( page 153 ) was powerful and really moved me. I give “Living Runes” a “thumbs up” and I feel that her book serves as an excellent companion to Thorsson’s “The Big Book of Runes and Rune Magic”.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Weiser Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


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Review: Top Secret Alien Abduction Files: What the Government Doesn’t Want You to Know

Top Secret Alien Abduction Files: What the Government Doesn’t Want You to Know by Nick Redfern
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Okay, I admit it, I love Redfern’s work. There,now you know my bias, I feel much better. Seriously, I do enjoy his work. Top Secret Alien Abduction Files has that Kolchak The Night Stalker vibe. Even the font used clacks in my mind like an old typewriter.
It’s 22 chapters are broken up into nice-sized chunks for easy reading and it has a plump Bibliography to help you with your own research. It’s a perfect read before the new MIB movie…
I enjoyed every minute of it and strongly recommend this one for your home paranormal library.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Disinformation Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Review: Water Witchcraft: Magic and Lore from the Celtic Tradition

I liked “Water Witchcraft”, I went threw it rather quickly (in an afternoon). It’s nicely written and easy to read. It’s Celtic vibe really appealed to me. I think that this is a book to consider adding to your esoteric home library.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Weiser Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

Conjuring Harriet “Mama Moses” Tubman and the Spirits of the Underground Railroad

Conjuring Harriet “Mama Moses” Tubman and the Spirits of the Underground Railroad by Witchdoctor Utu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I guess that I have to admit that on my first read of Conjuring Harriet “Mama Moses” Tubman and the Spirits of the Underground Railroad I didn’t care for it, but I loved Utu’s coverage of history. Clearly the author has a love of history. Since I enjoy history, I returned to the book over and over and eventually realized just how brilliant it really is …
It’s an interesting introduction to a magic system. Conjuring Harriet “Mama Moses” Tubman and the Spirits of the Underground Railroad seems so fresh, new, and different from the dozens of other introductory magic books out there.
I guess you could say that I came for the history and stayed for the spirits.
*hat tip* to Witchdoctor Utu …

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Weiser Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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My thoughts of The Big Book of Runes and Rune Magic

It’s so big I have to peek around it…

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Weiser Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Besom, Stang & Sword

My thoughts of “Beson, Stang & Sword” by Orapello and Maguire.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Weiser Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review: Storytelling Alchemy

Storytelling Alchemy: Write Your Own Happy Ending by Renee Damoiselle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

All in all, I thought it was an excellent book. I liked the writing style of the author and more importantly I came away liking the author. That being said, at first, I was uncomfortable with her and her definition of alchemy “a magickal term for transforming lead into gold” page 9. I thought that her definition was too simple and fru fru. I was prepared to dislike the book and found myself quibbling about everything she said. I was letting her words and my ego get in the way of what she was trying to say. Eventually, I decided to give the book a fair chance and I came away really liking it.
I guess, at some point, I felt that I heard her voice.
If you give “Storytelling Alchemy” a chance, I think you’ll turn your lead into gold.
*Disclaimer* I want to thank Weiser Books for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.

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Book Review: Varla Ventura’s Paranormal Parlor

My thoughts of Varla Ventura’s Paranormal Parlor: Ghosts, Seances, and Tales of True Hauntings.

From shimmering specters to mysterious tricks, Varla Ventura’s Paranormal Parlor includes original supernatural tales, classic ghost stories, legends, hauntings, séances, superstitions, and death customs. This book showcases a chilling collection of startling ghost stories as told to the author as well as legendary ghosts and haunted locations and an overview of the paranormal parlor games that rose to popularity in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. It also includes hidden history such as the story of Mark Twain’s ghost, and the quiet horror writings of the architect who started the Gothic Revival movement (Ralph Adams Cram).

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Weiser Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review: The Master Mason: The Reason of Being by Gregory B. Stewart

The Master Mason: The Reason of Being – A Treatise on the Third Degree of Freemasonry by Gregory B. Stewart

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As is my habit, I jumped to the back of the book and read the Appendix and Footnotes first. If you do not come away inspired by the quotations in the Appendix, I fear that there is little hope for you. Simply put, the back of the book is as brilliant as the book itself.

Stewart had me hooked from the start when he quoted Pike and Mary Shelley (Frankenstein) on the same page. Trust me, it works. The treatise covers the symbolic lodge, the Master Mason, Living as a Mason, Didactics, and so much more. I have to say that, while everything was interesting, I enjoyed the section on the Tracing Board the most.

His artwork is eye-popping gorgeous and I’ve returned to the illustrations several times. By the way, there is an excellent Index for the book, and the illustrations are indexed as well. In short, this is everything that I like in an esoteric book and I strongly suggest adding this one to your home library.

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Review of the Lunar Nomad Oracle

The Lunar Nomad Oracle: 43 Cards to Unlock Your Creativity and Awaken Your Intuition. By Shaheen Miro

The Lunar Nomad Oracle is inspired by the traditional Lenormand system, but unlike the Lenormand, this deck comprises 43 cards and additional significator cards that are multiracial and multiethnic. The Lunar Nomad Oracle cards are rich with layers, colors, and imagery, all designed to speak to the intuitive self.

The book and deck allow users to explore their inner depths, looking for clues and prompts to activate their lunar side—their creativity, intuition, and inner wisdom. The symbolism of the cards helps the user formulate a story or reading.

The process will be familiar to followers of tarot, but because The Lunar Nomad Oracle does not have suits or a linear structure, readers have the freedom and fluidity to really explore the deck and add their own insights and interpretations.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Weiser Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”