The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Awakening Osiris
Normandi Ellis
New Page Books
c/o Red Wheel/Weiser
www.redwheelweiser.com
9781637480106, $18.95, PB, 240pp

https://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Osiris-Spiritual-Keys-Egyptian/dp/16374801=
05

Synopsis: The Egyptian Book of the Dead is one of the oldest and greatest c= lassics of Western spirituality. With the publication of "Awakening Osiris:=
The Spiritual Keys to the Egyptian Book of the Dead", spiritualist ministe=
r and certified clairvoyant medium Normandi Ellis has transformed the ancie=
nt stories told through hieroglyphs for modern readers. She approaches the = Book of the Dead as a profound spiritual text capable of speaking to us tod= ay.

These writings suggest that the divine realm and the human realm are not al= together separate; they remind us that the natural world (the substance of = our lives) is fashioned from the stuff of the gods. This new paperback edit= ion from New Page Books features a new introduction and study guide by the = author.

Critique: Fascinating, iconoclastic, informative, challenge, thoughtful and=
thought-provoking, "Awakening Osiris: The Spiritual Keys to the Egyptian B= ook of the Dead" is an extraordinary and welcome contribution to the person=
al reading lists of anyone with an interest in the Egyptian Book of the Dea=
d. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional=
, community, and academic library Metaphysical Studies collections, it shou=
ld be noted for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with=
an interest in New Age Mythology & Mysticism that "Awakening Osiris: The S= piritual Keys to the Egyptian Book of the Dead" is also available in a digi= tal book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Normandi Ellis (https://normandiellis.com) is an award-winn= ing writer, workshop facilitator, and archpriestess of the Fellowship of Is= is. She leads tours to Egypt and is the author and co-author of several boo= ks, including Hieroglyphic Words of Power, The Union of Isis and Thoth, and=
Imagining the World into Existence.

Communicating with Plants
Jen Frey
Bear & Company
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781591434597, $24.00, PB, 352pp

https://www.amazon.com/Communicating-Plants-Heart-Based-Practices-Connectin= g/dp/1591434599

Synopsis: The underlying message from Jen Frey, the author of "Communicatin=
g with Plants: Heart-Based Practices for Connecting with Plant Spirits" is = that everyone has an innate ability to consciously communicate with Plants.=
Jen maintains that if we are willing to listen, we can hear the Plants spe= aking to our Hearts and teaching us how to heal. With the support of our Pl= ant allies, we can be our truest selves and remember our intrinsic wholenes=
s.

Presenting a step-by-step guide, "Communicating with Plants" shows how to a= waken your ability to directly receive the unique wisdom and healing gifts = that the Plants want to offer you. Exploring how communicating with Plants =
is more like a communion than an exchange of words, "Communicating with Pla= nts" describes how the primary language we share with Plants is through the=
Heart, and shows how Plant communication brings an expansion of Heart inte= lligence and emotional growth.

In the pages of "Communicating with Plants", Jen goes on to explain the syn= ergistic process of moving into intimacy with a Plant Spirit and shares how=
the Plants help us overcome anxiety, grief, fears, and limiting beliefs an=
d teach us to trust, forgive, embrace self-love, and enjoy the sweetness of=
life.

Sharing teachings she has received from a variety of Plants such as Yarrow,=
Mugwort, Maple, Dandelion, Poison Ivy, and Japanese Hops, Jen follows each=
Plant ally's wisdom with a step-by-step activity or practice that allows y=
ou to actualize the teaching in an immediate way. She includes both native = and invasive Plants because the concept of "invasive" is alien in the conte=
xt of Plant Spirits and each of them has valuable lessons to share. She the=
n concludes with Tulsi, showing how this Plant is essential to helping us r= ecover our sacred nature, especially in a time of great Earth changes.

The promise is that through the skills taught in this DIY guide, we each ca=
n connect our Hearts with the wisdom of Plant Spirits, have support and gui= dance whenever we need it, and learn new ways of living in a co-creative pa= rtnership with Nature.

Critique: Fascinating, informative, insightful, inspiring, "Communicating w= ith Plants: Heart-Based Practices for Connecting with Plant Spirits" is an = original, distinctive, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, p= rofessional, community, and academic library New Age Metaphysical Studies c= ollections. For anyone with an interest in the subject of plants, herbal re= medies and spiritual/metaphysical oriented self-help/self-improvement, "Com= municating with Plants: Heart-Based Practices for Connecting with Plant Spi= rits" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99).

Editorial Note: Jen Frey (https://www.brigidsway.com/meet-jen-frey) is a he= aler and mentor with more than 20 years of experience with Plant essences, = energy work, and herbal practices. The founder of Brigid's Way and co-stewa=
rd of Heart Springs Sanctuary, she has dedicated her life to the spiritual = path of Plant work.

Tarot Magick
Lindsay Squire, author
Viki Lester, illustrator
Leaping Hare Press
c/o Quarto Publishing Group USA
www.quartoknows.com
9780711280649, $20.00, Card Deck, 176pp

https://www.amazon.com/Tarot-Magick-Discover-yourself-through/dp/0711280649

Synopsis: The ever expanding world of tarot cards is swirling with rich mea= ning, symbolism and secrets waiting to reveal themselves. Whether you're ne=
w to witchcraft, tarot, or both, "Tarot Magick" by the team of tarot author= ity Lindsay Squire and artist/illustrator Viki Lester is an ideal beginner'=
s guide to the study of tarot magick.

Included are stunning illustrations from The Witch of the Forest's very own=
Tarot Magick deck visually enhancing the easy-to-learn information, the in= -depth exploration of meanings and symbolism of every card, the develop you=
r intuitive tarot skills, and the improvement of your wellness practice thr= ough the power of witchcraft and tarot.

Tarot students and novice practitioners will learn how to: Interpret all 78=
cards in the modern tarot deck; Understand the difference between the 'Maj= or' and 'Arcana' cards, including the difference between a pentacle, wand, = sword and cup card; Note the importance of the element, zodiac signs and pl= anet in astrology associated with each card; Explore the significance of nu= merology in tarot; Practice a tarot 'spread' and give yourself a tarot read= ing; Incorporate tarot into your witchy and wellbeing practice; Give a taro=
t reading for friends and family -- and so much more!

The book's jacket can also be flipped and used to practice a simple three-c= ard-spread.

With recipes, rituals and tips and tricks taken from The Witch of the Fores= t's personal grimoire, with "Tarot Magick" you can learn how to use the car=
ds as part of spells, to help you understand yourself better, and to improv=
e your self-love practice.

Critique: Providing the perfect introduction to Tarot and underscored by en= chanting, empowering, and featuring spellbinding museum quality artwork, "T= arot Magic" is part of The Witch of the Forest's Guide to... series from Le= aping Hare Press covering everything you need to know to begin and thrive o=
n your own tarot driven Wiccan and metaphysical journey. It should be noted=
that "Tarot Magick" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9= ..99).

Editorial Note #1: Lindsey Squires (https://thewitchoftheforest.co.uk) is a=
practitioner of eclectic Witchcraft and has been walking her own spiritual=
path for nearly 15 years. A Witch, an author, a professional tarot reader,=
a spiritual advisor, and the face behind the Instagram account, The Witch =
of the Forest (an account dedicated to helping those at the beginning of th= eir Witchcraft journey), she has come to find a deep passion for helping Wi= tches find empowerment through nature and the practice of magick.

Editorial Note #2: Vicki Lester (https://www.instagram.com/forensicsandflow= ers) is a veteran illustrator of metaphysical and other genre works.

Flower Magic of the Druids
Jon G. Hughes
Destiny Books
c/o Inner Traditions International, Ltd.
One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767
www.innertraditions.com
9781644116395, $22.99, PB, 200pp

https://www.amazon.com/Flower-Magic-Druids-Potions-Enchantments/dp/16441163=
91

Synopsis: Flowers are found in magic traditions around the world, ranging f= rom those in ancient Egypt, China, and India to the traditions of the Norse=
and Native Americans. Yet many of today's well-established flower traditio=
ns (like bridal bouquets) originated in the Druidic magical lore of Wales, = Ireland, and Scotland.

With the publication of "Flower Magic of the Druids: How to Craft Potions, = Spells, and Enchantments", fifth-generation Druid Jon G. Hughes explains th=
at flowers hold a preeminent position in Druidic folk magic with their own = special branch of magical workings. In this practical guide, Hughes details=
how to use flowers in magical practice, focusing on flowering plants with =
a long history of magical use going back to Druidic times yet many of which=
are commonly found throughout the world, such as buttercup, blackberry, an=
d dog rose.

He also discusses what type of flower and form of flower magic is best for = specific enchantments and rituals in the areas of love and sex magic, well-= being and good fortune, and protection. He looks at the magical use of fres=
h flowers and provides detailed instruction on every stage of the harvestin=
g, crafting, and practical use of flower magic potions, including a compreh= ensive herbarium of all the flowers that may be used.

Examining the complex relationship between flowers and bees, the author loo=
ks at the physical and spiritual gifts of bees, such as honey, propolis, an=
d beeswax, and the importance of bee culture in Druidic flower magic, inclu= ding the tradition of the honeymoon, the significance of the hexagon, and m= edieval beekeeper lore. Inviting you into the gentle yet powerful realm of = Druidic flower magic, "Flower Magic of the Druids" also details how to plan=
, plant, and take care of your own magical flower garden with all the botan= icals you will need to pursue the path of flower magic.

Critique: Of special interest to students of flower based magic in general,=
Druid magic in particular, "Flower Magic of the Druids: How to Craft Potio= ns, Spells, and Enchantments" by Jon G. Hughes is enhanced for the reader w= ith the inclusion of a section of full color photographs and is deftly orga= nized into three major sections: The Ancient Art of Flower Magic; Flower Ma= gic Workbook; The Druid's Garden. Exceptionally well written and presented,=
"Flower Magic of the Druids" is an especially recommended addition to pers= onal, professional, community, and college library Metaphysical Studies col= lections. It should be noted for students, academia, and Druid practitioner=
s that "Flower Magic of the Druids" is also available in a digital book for= mat (Kindle, $15.99).

Editorial Note: Jon G. Hughes (https://www.innertraditions.com/author/jon-g= -hughes) is part of a lineage of Druids that has been practicing for five g= enerations in a remote area of Wales. He teaches the tradition in Ireland a=
nd gives workshops and seminars throughout Europe. He is the director of th=
e Irish Centre for Druidic Practices and the author of several books, inclu= ding A Druid's Handbook to the Spiritual Power of Plants and The Druidic Ar=
t of Divination. He lives in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promo= ting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no fund=
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(dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal= muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish= er, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number=
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review

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